Willacy County Property Records

Willacy County property records are maintained by County Clerk Susana R. Garza at the courthouse in Raymondville, Texas. The office holds deeds, liens, mortgages, plat maps, assumed names, and other land instruments filed since the county was formed in 1911. This page explains how to access Willacy County property records, what the fees are, and where to find additional resources.

Willacy County Clerk Office

County Clerk Susana R. Garza is the official custodian of all property records for Willacy County. The office is located at 576 W. Main Ave, Suite 153 in Raymondville. Staff are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The office handles deeds, mortgages, liens, assumed name certificates, marriage licenses, and vital records.

Willacy County was formed in 1911. Records from county formation are held in this office. The county website is at co.willacy.tx.us. This South Texas county is predominantly agricultural with farm and ranch properties making up much of the land activity.

How to Search Willacy County Records

To search Willacy County property records, contact the clerk's office or visit in person at 576 W. Main Ave, Suite 153 in Raymondville. The county website provides access to the official search portal. You can search by name, document type, and date range.

For mail requests, send to Susana R. Garza, County Clerk, 576 W. Main Ave, Suite 153, Raymondville, TX 78580. Include the party name, approximate recording date, and document type. Allow time for processing and include payment for any copies you need.

The county holds records going back to 1911, the year Willacy County was organized. Historical archives are available through the office. Contact the clerk directly for access to older records that may not be available through online tools.

Note: For a third-party search option, TexasFile covers many South Texas counties and may include Willacy County deed records.

Types of Willacy County Property Records

The County Clerk records instruments that affect real property in Willacy County. Once filed, each document becomes part of the permanent public record. Under Texas Property Code Section 12.001, recorded instruments provide constructive notice to anyone who later deals with that property.

Common types include warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, deeds of trust, lien notices and releases, mechanic's liens, tax liens, oil and gas leases, easements, right-of-way agreements, plat maps, and assumed name certificates. Farm and ranch deed transfers are especially common in Willacy County given the area's agricultural character. Grantor and grantee information, legal descriptions, and recording data are included in each instrument.

Vital records including marriage licenses and birth and death certificates are also maintained in the clerk's office alongside property records.

Willacy County Appraisal District

The Willacy County Appraisal District maintains appraisal records for all taxable property in the county. The office is at 688 FM 3168 in Raymondville. Phone: (956) 689-3333. The database shows current ownership, appraised value, and property characteristics. You can search by owner name, address, or property ID.

Exemptions available include homestead at $25,000 for school districts, over-65 at $10,000 for school districts and $3,000 for the county, and freeze provisions for some taxing entities. School districts in the county include Lasara, Lyford, Raymondville, and San Perlita. Agricultural use exemptions are common given the farming character of the county.

The appraisal district records complement the deed records at the clerk's office. Both sources together give a more complete picture of any property in the county. Property values are set annually. Contact the district for current protest procedures and deadlines.

Recording Fees and Procedures

Recording a document with the Willacy County Clerk costs $36 for the first page. This is higher than many Texas counties because it includes multiple surcharges: a $5.00 base filing fee, $10.00 records management fee, $10.00 archival fee, and $10.00 courthouse construction fee. Each additional page is $4.00. If a document names more than five parties, the fee is $0.25 per name over five.

Specialized fees include Federal Tax Lien at $30.00 and State Tax Lien at $15.00. Payments are accepted by cash, check, or money order. Documents can be submitted in person or by mail. Include payment with any mailed submission.

Certified copies cost $1.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee. Non-certified copies are $1.00 per page. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope when submitting by mail if you want originals returned.

Texas Public Information Act

Willacy County property records are public documents. Under Texas Government Code Chapter 552, the Public Information Act, anyone can request copies of government records without giving a reason. You do not need to own the property to access records.

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

Additional Resources

The Texas Comptroller's Property Tax Assistance Division provides statewide resources including exemption forms and protest guidance. For historical land research, the Texas General Land Office holds original land grant records from the Spanish, Mexican, and Republic of Texas eras relevant to this South Texas region.

The Texas Secretary of State's SOSDirect system covers UCC filings and business entity records. The Texas State Law Library offers free research guides on Texas recording requirements and property law topics. Willacy County is a rural agricultural county in the Lower Rio Grande Valley region of South Texas.

Nearby Counties

Willacy County is in South Texas. If the property you are researching is near a county border, verify the correct county before searching.