1. Surface and minerals can split
The General Land Office minerals FAQ says a landowner who owns both land and minerals can sever the two estates, including by selling the surface and reserving the minerals. Later deeds, reservations and leases in the chain of title show who holds the mineral estate. A reservation clause in an old deed can be the whole answer; see how to read a deed.
2. What the state agencies hold
- General Land Office. Files of the first land grants from Spain, Mexico, the Republic and the state. The FAQ says the office does not hold how those original settlers conveyed their tracts, and it points to the county deed records kept by the county clerk.
- Railroad Commission. Well permits and reported production. Its royalties FAQ says a question about an existing lease or royalty agreement may be answered from records at the courthouse of the county where the land is located, and that production records may help a person determine their interests.
3. How a search proceeds
- Identify the tract by survey and abstract, from the appraisal record or a deed.
- Search the county clerk’s records (Local Government Code 193.001 requires a record of the parties’ names in alphabetical order) for deeds, mineral deeds, leases and assignments.
- Follow each reservation and conveyance forward.
- Use Railroad Commission production data to see whether wells exist and who operates them.
For the surface owner instead, see find a land owner by parcel number.
4. Limits
The GLO FAQ says being a descendant of an original grantee does not by itself show a mineral interest. Spanish and Mexican grants in South Texas reserved minerals until the 1866 Constitution released them to surface owners who still held the land. A title examiner or attorney decides ownership. A skip trace does not.
5. How Locate Next fits
If your research produces names and last known addresses of mineral owners, Locate Next can run a skip trace for contact details at $0.17 per qualifying search. It does not search mineral, lease or production records.
Common questions
Does the Texas Railroad Commission have mineral ownership records?
Its records cover well permits and production. Its royalties FAQ sends lease and royalty questions to the county courthouse.
Where is mineral ownership recorded in Texas?
In the deed and lease records of the county clerk for the county where the land is, according to the General Land Office FAQ.
Does the surface owner own the minerals?
Not necessarily. The two estates can be severed by deed.
Does descent from an original grantee prove a mineral claim?
No. The GLO FAQ says being a descendant of an original grantee does not by itself show a mineral interest. Deeds, reservations and leases in the chain of title decide.
Sources
- Texas General Land Office, Mineral Rights FAQ (updated 2023). Checked October 23, 2026.
- Railroad Commission of Texas, Royalties FAQ. Checked October 23, 2026.
- Texas Local Government Code chapter 193. Checked October 23, 2026.
This page is general information, not legal advice.