Search Gillespie County Property Records
Gillespie County property records are maintained by the County Clerk in Fredericksburg, Texas. The office is notable for its depth of historical access: land record index books and images from 1838 to 1989 are available online, and current records continue from there to the present. You can search Gillespie County property records through the county's own online portal, through TexasFile, and through electronic certified records. This guide covers how to find and access property documents in Gillespie County.
Gillespie County Overview
Gillespie County Clerk Office
The Gillespie County Clerk maintains all official property records and vital records for the county. The office is at 101 W. Main St., Unit #9, Fredericksburg, TX 78624. You can reach the clerk by phone at (830) 997-6515. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. A valid photo ID is required for all transactions at the clerk's office.
Land record index books and images from 1838 to 1989 are available online through the county's Online Records Search portal. This is one of the most comprehensive historical record collections available online for any Texas county. Records include deed records transcribed from Bexar County covering 1827-1862, 1862-1871, and 1867-1892, reflecting the county's ties to early German settlement in Texas. Current records from 1989 forward continue in the online system.
| County Clerk | Available through county website |
|---|---|
| Address | 101 W. Main St., Unit #9, Fredericksburg, TX 78624 |
| Phone | (830) 997-6515 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Photo ID | Required for all transactions |
Electronic certified records are available online, a feature not offered by all Texas counties. These are self-validating and tamper-evident, which makes them suitable for official purposes without requiring a trip to the courthouse.
Search Gillespie County Property Records
The Gillespie County Online Records Search portal provides access to land record index books and images from 1838 to present.
The county's own online portal lets you search for historical index records. Registration is required to purchase document images. For title searches and document copies, you can also use TexasFile. The system covers over 150 years of land records, which is useful for anyone researching property with deep historical roots in the Hill Country.
The clerk's office offers both a property tax search and court records access through its online portal. Court records include the court calendar, civil, family, probate, and criminal records. Note that as of September 1, 2015, the office will not perform probate or criminal searches for the general public. These records can be searched in person or on the website, but the staff does not conduct the searches for you.
A Fraud Guard and property fraud alert service is available to protect property owners from fraudulent filings. Sign up through the county website to receive alerts when documents are recorded in your name.
Types of Gillespie County Property Records
The County Clerk records all instruments affecting real property in Gillespie County. Under Texas Property Code Section 12.001, recording gives legal notice to third parties. Under Texas Property Code Section 13.001, recorded instruments are constructive notice to any subsequent buyer or lender.
Records in the Gillespie County system include grantor and grantee information, legal descriptions, recording dates, and book and page references. Images are available for records from 1838 through 1989 and for current records. Document types include deeds, deeds of trust, mineral leases, oil and gas documents, lien releases, mechanic's liens, tax liens, plats, easements, UCC filings, and assumed name certificates. Plat recording requirements changed in November 2020 to require only one original plat rather than multiple copies.
Note: Documents requiring re-recording must have a one-half inch margin above the original file number. E-recorded documents have specific re-recording policies detailed on the county's website.
Gillespie County Appraisal District
The Gillespie Central Appraisal District maintains tax appraisal records for all taxable property in the county. You can search the appraisal district database through the property tax search portal available on the county website. The CAD shows current ownership on the tax rolls, appraised values, exemptions, and property characteristics for land in Gillespie County.
Online searches let you look up parcels by owner name, property address, or account number. The formal protest deadline is May 15 each year under Texas Tax Code Chapter 41. CAD records update annually and may lag behind recent deed transactions. For full title research, use both the County Clerk's deed records and the CAD database together. The clerk's records give you the title history; the CAD gives you the current tax status.
Recording Fees and Procedures
Recording fees in Gillespie County are $25 for the first page and $4 for each additional page, effective January 1, 2024. These fees apply to all instruments recorded in the Official Public Records. Document formatting requirements include a 2.5-inch by 4.5-inch blank area at the bottom of the last page for the clerk's recording certificate. Re-recorded documents need a one-half inch margin above the original file number.
eRecording is available through multiple vendors: CSC, eRecording Partners Network (ePN), Simplifile, HopDox, and ValueCheck. Using eRecording is the fastest and most convenient way to submit documents. The clerk accepts documents in person and by mail as well. Certification fees apply for certified copies. The office also issues electronic certified records online, which are self-validating and tamper-evident for official purposes.
Note: A valid photo ID is required for all in-person transactions at the Gillespie County Clerk's office.
Texas Public Information Act
Gillespie County property records are public documents. Under Texas Government Code Chapter 552, anyone can access government records without giving a reason. The online portal gives you direct access to land records going back to 1838, which means you can research historical title chains without needing to contact the clerk for most requests.
For records that require purchase or are not in the online index, contact the clerk's office by phone at (830) 997-6515 or visit in person during business hours. The Texas Attorney General's Open Government Division handles disputes about record access. Some personal identifiers in online document images are redacted under Texas Property Code Section 11.008, but the original paper records at the clerk's office contain the complete information.
Additional Property Research Resources
The Texas Comptroller's Property Tax Assistance Division provides resources on exemptions and protest procedures applicable in Gillespie County. For historical land grant research dating to the Spanish period, the Texas General Land Office holds extensive archives. Gillespie County records go back to 1838 with deed transcriptions from Bexar County reaching as far back as 1827, giving researchers a very long look at Hill Country land history.
The Texas Secretary of State's SOSDirect covers business entities and state-level UCC filings. The Texas State Law Library offers research guides on Texas property law, recording requirements, and title issues. Blanco County is a close neighbor and is also searchable at Blanco County Property Records if your research involves properties near the county line.
Nearby Counties
Check the correct county when researching properties near county lines. Gillespie County borders several Hill Country counties.