Kaufman County Property Records Lookup

Kaufman County property records are filed with the County Clerk in Kaufman, Texas. The clerk records deeds, mortgages, liens, and all other instruments that affect land in the county. Kaufman County is one of the fastest-growing counties in Texas, located east of Dallas in the Metroplex corridor. That growth drives a high volume of new real estate filings each year. This page explains how to find Kaufman County property records online and in person, what documents are available, and what procedures apply for recording and copy requests.

Kaufman County Clerk Office

The Kaufman County Clerk is the official custodian of all real property records in the county. The office records and indexes deeds, deeds of trust, liens, releases, easements, and subdivision plats. The courthouse is in Kaufman, the county seat, and the clerk's staff processes a significant volume of new filings each year as the county's population grows.

Kaufman County has an active real estate market as buyers move east from Dallas into more affordable communities. New subdivision plats, residential deeds, and mortgage-related documents are filed in large numbers. The clerk's office handles both recording and public access. Online search tools may be available depending on the county's current technology setup.

Third-party access to Kaufman County records is available through TexasFile. The Kaufman County Appraisal District provides ownership and value data to complement the clerk's deed records.

How to Search Kaufman County Records

Kaufman County property records are indexed by grantor and grantee name. Grantor is the person giving the property interest; grantee is the person receiving it. To trace a chain of title, you start with the most recent owner and work backward. Each deed shows who transferred to whom and when. You follow those names through the index to build a complete ownership history.

Check the Kaufman County Clerk's website for any online search portals. If an online system is not available, use TexasFile for indexed record searches from a remote location. For in-person searches, visit the courthouse at 100 W. Mulberry St. in Kaufman during business hours. Under Texas Attorney General Opinion WW-607, staff cannot conduct the search for you but can direct you to the right index.

Mail requests are also accepted. Send a written request to the Kaufman County Clerk at 100 W. Mulberry St., Kaufman, TX 75142. Include party names, approximate dates, document type, and a check for estimated fees with a return envelope.

Note: Given Kaufman County's rapid growth, the index includes a large and growing number of subdivision plats and residential deeds. Online search tools updated regularly will have current filings, but very recent recordings may take a few days to appear.

Types of Property Records in Kaufman County

All instruments affecting real property in Kaufman County are recorded with the clerk. Under Texas Property Code Section 12.001, instruments must be recorded to give constructive notice to the public. Once filed and indexed, each document becomes part of the permanent public record.

Recorded documents include warranty deeds, special warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, deeds of trust, lien releases, mechanic's and materialman's liens, federal and state tax liens, subdivision plats, easements, right-of-way agreements, utility easements, and assumed name certificates. Kaufman County's active residential development sector means that subdivision plats and developer deeds make up a large share of filings. Each plat shows the layout of a new subdivision with lot lines, street dedications, and easements.

Under Texas Property Code Section 13.001, recorded instruments give constructive notice to the world. A buyer or lender who deals with Kaufman County property is treated as having notice of all prior recorded documents, whether they actually searched the records or not.

Kaufman County Appraisal District

The Kaufman County Appraisal District maintains the tax appraisal rolls for all property in the county. The CAD shows current ownership, appraised value, property description, and exemption status. CAD records update annually and may lag several months behind a recent deed transfer.

You can search Kaufman County appraisal records at kaufmancad.com. Look up parcels by owner name, address, or account number. If you believe your property is over-appraised, file a protest with the Kaufman County Appraisal Review Board. The deadline is generally May 15 or 30 days after the notice of appraised value. The Texas Comptroller's Property Tax Assistance Division provides statewide resources on exemptions and the protest process.

Recording Fees and Procedures

The base recording fee with the Kaufman County Clerk is $26 for the first page. Each additional page costs $4.00. If the document names more than five parties to be indexed, there is a $0.25 charge per additional name over five. These fees are set by Texas state law.

You can submit documents in person at the courthouse or by mail. Make checks payable to the Kaufman County Clerk. eRecording through Simplifile, CSC, or similar vendors is typically available in active suburban counties like Kaufman. Contact the clerk's office to confirm electronic submission options. Once recorded, the document receives an instrument number and recording date. Indexed records are available for public search within a few business days.

Certified copies are $1.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee. Uncertified copies are less expensive and are typically sufficient for title research. Ask for certified copies when you need them for court or government submissions.

Texas Public Information Act

Kaufman County property records are public under Texas Government Code Chapter 552. Anyone can request records without stating a reason. The clerk must respond promptly, and if it will take more than ten business days, the office must notify you. The Texas Attorney General's Open Government Division handles disputes and provides guidance on public records rights.

Some personal data, including social security numbers and financial account numbers, is redacted from online document images under Texas Property Code Section 11.008(k). The original complete records remain in the clerk's physical files. If you need the full unredacted document, visit the clerk's office in person and explain your need to the staff.

Additional Property Research Resources

The Texas General Land Office maintains historical land grant records for the state. Kaufman County land originates from Republic of Texas and Mexican land grants. The GLO archive is searchable online for free and is the place to start for historical title research going back to the 1800s.

The Texas Secretary of State's SOSDirect system provides business entity records and UCC filings. When liens in Kaufman County involve businesses or LLCs, SOS records can confirm the entity's legal name and status. State-level UCC filings may also affect business property in the county.

The Texas State Law Library provides free online research guides on Texas property law. Topics include recording requirements, easements, lien procedures, and title issues. These are useful before consulting an attorney about a Kaufman County property transaction.

Nearby Counties

Kaufman County is east of Dallas in the DFW region. Confirm the correct county when a property is near a county line.