1. The parts that matter
- Grantor. The party conveying. Should match the grantee of the previous deed.
- Grantee. The party receiving. This is the ownership answer for that deed.
- Legal description. Lot, block, subdivision or survey. More precise than a street address, and how the appraisal account ties to the deed.
- Signature and acknowledgment. Who signed, and for an entity, in what capacity.
- Recording stamp. Texas Local Government Code 193.001 requires the clerk to note the filing date and time and certify where the instrument is recorded.
- Reservations. Text that keeps minerals or other rights with the grantor; see mineral rights owner search.
2. Walk the chain forward
- Search the clerk’s index for the grantee name.
- Look for a later deed where that name is grantor. If there is one, its grantee is the newer owner.
- Look for estate, divorce or court records that affect title.
- Stop at the newest document you can find and record its number.
3. When the grantee is an LLC or trust
A deed to an LLC names the company. The person who signed a later deed or deed of trust for it had authority to sign, which is not the same as owning it. Use find who owns an LLC and is the registered agent the owner for the next step.
4. What a deed does not settle
Texas Property Code 13.001(b) says an unrecorded instrument still binds the parties to it and their heirs. A new filing is not the only way an interest can change hands; see heirs vs owners. A title company or attorney is the right source when you need certainty. The tax roll comparison is in tax record vs deed.
5. How Locate Next fits
Once you have the grantee name and mailing address, Locate Next can run a skip trace for contact details at $0.17 per qualifying search, singly or in bulk. It does not search deed records or determine title.
Common questions
Which name on a deed is the owner?
The grantee received the property under that deed. Check for later recorded deeds before treating them as the current owner.
What is a legal description?
The survey, lot and block or similar description of the land. It ties the deed to the tax account more reliably than a street address.
Where do I find recorded deeds in Texas?
In the county clerk’s real property records. Local Government Code 193.001 requires a record of the parties’ names in alphabetical order.
Can ownership change without a new deed?
Yes. Texas Property Code 13.001(b) keeps an unrecorded instrument binding on the parties and their heirs, and title can pass by inheritance.
Sources
- Texas Property Code chapter 5, section 5.021. Checked October 23, 2026.
- Texas Property Code chapter 13. Checked October 23, 2026.
- Texas Local Government Code chapter 193. Checked October 23, 2026.
This page is general information, not legal advice.