Recording
Of all the various responsibilities assigned to the County Clerk, the recording of legal instruments is perhaps the most basic duty.
Common examples of Legal Instruments: Deeds, Deeds of Trust, Releases, Abstracts of Judgment, Assorted Liens, State Tax Liens, Federal Tax Liens, Plats, Assumed Names, Military Discharge, Official Bonds & Oaths, Licenses, Miscellaneous Affidavits which do not concern real property
Additional duties of the County Clerk as Recorder: Cattle Brand Registration, Filing of Notice of Trustee Sales, Posting of Notices for Public Meetings
FEE SCHEDULE AND RECORDING SPECIFICATIONS: The County Clerk is required by statute to charge specific fees for recording instruments. The correct fees must accompany an instrument presented for recording. Additionally, instruments presented for recording must meet certain specifications. Failure to meet the recording specifications may result in rejection of instruments for recording or increased fees.
PUBLIC RECORDS: Records maintained by the County Clerk are open to the public unless specifically closed by statute. Access is available during normal business hours. Copies may be made at the cost established by statute.
Searches of Records:
The County Clerk is prohibited from performing title searches.
The law requires that the County Clerk search the following records if requested*:
• Federal Tax Liens
• UCC records
• Birth & Death Records (have records for Nov. 1941-May 1951 and some Delayed Records). See fee schedule for fees and explanations. You may purchase Birth and Death record indexes from The State of Texas through their web site. The State of Texas has added their indexes of Birth and Divorce records for all the Counties in Texas to their web site. You may view them at Texas Department of State Health Services.
• The City of Amarillo Vital Statistics Department (806) 378-9344 is the Local Registrar of Birth & Death Records
Additionally, we will search:
• Marriage License (approximate year of marriage needed)
See Fee Schedule for fees and explanations.
You may search for records from 1982 and up at Texas Land Records.
There is no charge for the search. Copies are available for a fee. Just follow the instructions on the Texas Land Records Web site. If you encounter problems with this web site please call ACS at 1-800-782-5652.
