Wilbarger County Property Records

Wilbarger County property records are kept by County Clerk Jana Kennon at the courthouse in Vernon, Texas. The office holds deeds, mortgages, oil and gas leases, mineral deeds, liens, plats, and other land instruments. Records from 1934 onward are accessible online through US Land Records. This guide covers where to search, what you will find, and how to get copies.

Wilbarger County Clerk Office

County Clerk Jana Kennon maintains all official property records for Wilbarger County. The office is located at 1700 Wilbarger St., Room 15 in Vernon. Staff are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The clerk's email is jkennon@co.wilbarger.tx.us. Walk-in searches are free of charge. Copies are available for a fee.

The county's official website is at co.wilbarger.tx.us. Online property records from 1934 onward are searchable through US Land Records. A TexasFile option is also available at texasfile.com. Historical records before 1934 are available at the courthouse.

How to Search Wilbarger County Records

To search Wilbarger County property records online, go to the US Land Records portal. You can search by grantor or grantee name, document number, date range, or document type. A monthly subscription or pay-per-access fee applies for viewing documents. TexasFile also covers Wilbarger County records and may be accessed with a free account.

For in-person searches, visit the clerk's office at 1700 Wilbarger St., Room 15 in Vernon. Walk-in searches are free. Staff can help you navigate the index system. You can request copies of specific documents at the copy fee rate. For mail requests, send to Jana Kennon, County Clerk, 1700 Wilbarger St., Room 15, Vernon, TX 76384, or email jkennon@co.wilbarger.tx.us with your request details.

Real Property document copies cost $1.00 for the first 10 pages and $0.10 per additional page when requested through US Land Records. Standard certified copy fees apply for in-person or mail requests from the clerk's office.

Types of Wilbarger County Property Records

The County Clerk records instruments that affect real property in Wilbarger County. Each document becomes part of the permanent public record once filed. Under Texas Property Code Section 12.001, recording provides constructive notice to anyone dealing with the property later.

Common types filed in Wilbarger County include real property records, deeds and mortgages, oil and gas leases, mineral deeds, liens, abstracts of judgment, deeds of trust, mechanic's liens, releases of liens, affidavits, assignments, powers of attorney, plats, and probate documents. The county is located in the North Texas oil region, so oil and gas lease records and mineral deed assignments are a significant part of the filing activity. Mineral reservations and consideration amounts are typically included in recorded deeds.

Property record data includes grantor and grantee information with addresses, detailed legal descriptions, recording information, and document images.

Wilbarger County Appraisal District

The Wilbarger County Appraisal District maintains appraisal records for all taxable property in the county. Chief Appraiser Sandy Burkett oversees the office at 1800 Cumberland St., Vernon, TX 76384. Phone: (940) 553-1857. Email: sburkett@wilbargerappraisal.org.

The appraisal district database shows current ownership, appraised value, exemptions, and property characteristics. You can search by owner name, address, or property ID. Interactive maps are also available. Exemptions include homestead, over-65, disabled, disabled veteran, and agricultural use. The CAD records complement the County Clerk's deed records for complete property research.

Property values are set each year. Protests can be filed online or in person through the appraisal district. Contact the office for the current protest deadline, which is typically May 15 or 30 days from the date of the appraisal notice.

Recording Fees and Procedures

Recording a document with the Wilbarger County Clerk costs $25 for the first page. Each additional page is $4.00. If a document has more than five parties to index, the fee is $0.25 per name over five. Documents must allow 1.5 inches on the first page and 0.5 inches on the last page for recording information. These margins must be blank when the document is submitted.

Payments are accepted in cash, check, or money order. Non-certified copies are $1.00 per page. Certified copies are $5.00 per document. Documents can be submitted in person or by mail. Include payment with any mail submission. E-recording may also be available through authorized vendors.

The Wilbarger County Tax Office handles property tax collection separately from the County Clerk. Tax Assessor-Collector Chris L. Quisenberry RTA oversees the office at 1700 Wilbarger Room 17 in Vernon. Online tax search and payment are available at the tax office website.

Texas Public Information Act

Wilbarger County property records are public documents. Under Texas Government Code Chapter 552, anyone can request copies of government records without giving a reason. You do not need to own the property or be a party to any document to access it.

The clerk's office must respond to records requests promptly. For records that are already indexed and searchable, access is generally immediate. The Texas Attorney General's Open Government Division handles disputes about public records access in Texas.

Additional Resources

The Texas Comptroller's Property Tax Assistance Division provides statewide exemption forms and protest guidance. For historical land grants in North Texas, the Texas General Land Office archive includes early land records. Wilbarger County's birth, marriage, death, probate, court, and land records date back to 1900.

Genealogical records for Wilbarger County are also available through FamilySearch. The District Clerk at 1700 Wilbarger St., Room 33 in Vernon holds divorce and court records separately from the County Clerk. The Texas Secretary of State's SOSDirect system covers UCC filings and business entity records useful for lien research.

Nearby Counties

Wilbarger County is in North Texas near the Oklahoma border. Confirm the right county before searching if the property is near a county line.