Galveston County Property Records
What Is Galveston County Property Records
Galveston County property records constitute the official documentation of real estate ownership, transactions, and characteristics within Galveston County, Texas. These records are maintained by various county departments and serve as the authoritative source of property information for governmental, commercial, and individual use.
Property records in Galveston County typically include:
- Deeds and ownership transfers
- Property tax assessments and payment history
- Plat maps and boundary surveys
- Building permits and inspection reports
- Zoning classifications and land use designations
- Liens, easements, and encumbrances
- Property valuations and appraisal data
The primary custodian of property appraisal records is the Galveston Central Appraisal District, which maintains comprehensive property data for taxation purposes.
Galveston Central Appraisal District
9850 Emmett F. Lowry Expressway, Suite A
Texas City, TX 77591
(409) 935-1980
Galveston Central Appraisal District
Additional property-related records are maintained by the Galveston County Clerk's Office, which records and preserves documents related to real property transactions in accordance with Texas Property Code § 11.001.
Are Property Records Public Information In Galveston County?
Property records in Galveston County are considered public information pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552). This legislation establishes the presumption that all government information is available to the public, with certain statutory exceptions.
Members of the public may access Galveston County property records through several means:
- In-person visits to relevant county offices
- Online databases maintained by county departments
- Written requests submitted to records custodians
- Third-party aggregator services
The Texas Public Information Act stipulates that governmental bodies must promptly release requested information unless there is a compelling reason to withhold it under specific exemptions. For property records, these exemptions are limited and typically relate to:
- Personal identifying information such as Social Security numbers
- Certain home address information for protected classes (judges, law enforcement)
- Information related to ongoing litigation
- Security-sensitive infrastructure details
The City of Galveston maintains public access to building permits, zoning information, and related property records through its Building Division.
City of Galveston Building Division
823 Rosenberg Street
Galveston, TX 77550
(409) 797-3620
Building Division
Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding holidays.
How To Search Property Records in Galveston County in 2025
Searching property records in Galveston County in 2025 involves utilizing several resources established by county and state authorities. The process has been streamlined through technological advancements while maintaining compliance with Texas Property Code § 13.002 regarding public access to recorded instruments.
To conduct a comprehensive property records search, individuals may employ the following methods:
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Online Property Search Portal: The Galveston Central Appraisal District maintains a searchable database that allows users to query properties by owner name, property address, account number, or geographic location. This system provides access to property characteristics, valuation history, and tax information.
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County Clerk's Records: The Galveston County Clerk's Office offers both in-person and online access to recorded documents including deeds, liens, and easements. Searches may be conducted by grantor/grantee name, legal description, or document type.
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GIS Mapping System: Galveston County's Geographic Information System provides interactive maps showing property boundaries, zoning designations, and flood zone information. This resource is particularly valuable for identifying adjacent properties and understanding spatial relationships.
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Building Permit Records: The City of Galveston Building Division maintains records of construction permits, inspections, and code enforcement actions. These records can be searched by address or permit number.
For specialized searches, the Texas General Land Office maintains historical land grant records and coastal property information that may supplement county-level data.
Texas General Land Office
1700 N. Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 463-5001
Texas General Land Office
How To Find Property Records in Galveston County Online?
Galveston County provides multiple online platforms for accessing property records electronically, in accordance with Texas Government Code § 552.272 regarding the efficient provision of public information. These digital resources allow for remote access to property data without requiring in-person visits to county offices.
The primary online resources for Galveston County property records include:
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Galveston CAD Property Search: The Galveston Central Appraisal District offers a comprehensive online database that includes property characteristics, ownership information, valuation history, and tax details. Users may search by owner name, property address, or account number.
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Galveston County Clerk's Records Search: The County Clerk maintains an online portal for searching recorded documents related to real property. This system allows for document retrieval by name, date range, or document type.
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City of Galveston Permit Portal: The Building Division provides online access to building permits, certificates of occupancy, and inspection records for properties within city limits.
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Texas Comptroller Property Tax Database: The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts maintains statewide property tax information that includes Galveston County properties, providing comparative data and tax rate information.
When utilizing these online resources, users should note that while basic search functions are typically available without registration, some advanced features or document downloads may require user accounts or nominal fees as permitted under Texas Administrative Code Title 13, Part 1, Chapter 7.
Can You Look Up Galveston County Property Records for Free?
Galveston County provides several no-cost options for accessing property records, consistent with Texas Government Code § 552.261 regarding charges for public information. These free resources ensure public access while balancing the operational costs of maintaining record systems.
Free property record access options include:
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Basic Online Searches: The Galveston Central Appraisal District offers complimentary access to its property search database, allowing users to view basic property information, ownership details, and valuation data without charge.
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Public Access Terminals: Computer terminals are available for public use at the Galveston County Clerk's Office and the Central Appraisal District office during regular business hours. These terminals provide free access to the complete property records database.
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Open Records Requests: Under the Texas Public Information Act, individuals may submit written requests for specific property records. The first 50 pages of standard-sized copies are provided at no charge.
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Public Library Resources: Several Galveston County public libraries offer free access to property research tools and databases as part of their public service mission.
While basic property information is available without charge, certain specialized services may incur fees:
- Certified copies of documents
- Large-format maps or plats
- Bulk data downloads
- Research assistance beyond standard lookups
The Texas Comptroller provides additional free resources for understanding property tax obligations and exemptions that may apply to Galveston County properties.
What's Included in a Galveston County Property Record?
Galveston County property records contain comprehensive information about real estate parcels as required by Texas Tax Code § 25.02 and related statutes. These records serve multiple governmental functions including taxation, land use planning, and ownership verification.
A standard Galveston County property record typically includes:
- Identification Information: Property account number, legal description, and physical address
- Ownership Data: Current owner name(s), mailing address, and ownership history
- Valuation Details: Assessed value, market value, and appraisal methodology
- Physical Characteristics: Land area, building size, construction type, year built, and improvement details
- Tax Information: Tax rates, exemptions, payment history, and jurisdictional authorities
- Land Use Classification: Zoning designation, permitted uses, and development restrictions
- Geographic Data: GPS coordinates, flood zone designation, and environmental factors
- Transaction History: Sales dates, prices (when available), and deed references
Additional specialized information may include:
- Building permit history
- Code enforcement actions
- Special district assessments
- Historical designations
- Easements and encumbrances
The Galveston Central Appraisal District and City of Galveston maintain these records in accordance with state requirements for transparency and accuracy in property documentation.
How Long Does Galveston County Keep Property Records?
Galveston County maintains property records in perpetuity for most core documents, in compliance with Texas Local Government Code § 203.042 regarding records retention schedules. This permanent preservation ensures the continuity of property ownership history and supports long-term land use planning.
The retention periods for various property record types are as follows:
- Deed Records: Maintained permanently as the foundational documents establishing property ownership
- Tax Records: Assessment rolls are preserved permanently, while payment records are typically retained for 10 years after final payment
- Plat Maps and Surveys: Kept permanently as essential references for property boundaries
- Building Permits: Retained for the life of the structure plus 3 years
- Property Appraisals: Current and historical valuations are maintained permanently
- Zoning Records: Preserved permanently as critical land use documentation
- Code Enforcement: Retained for 3 years after case closure
Historical property records dating back to Galveston County's establishment in 1838 are preserved through both original documentation and digital archiving. The Texas General Land Office maintains additional historical land records that may predate county formation.
Digital conversion efforts have been implemented to ensure the long-term preservation of older paper records, with backup systems maintained in accordance with state disaster recovery requirements.
How To Find Liens on Property In Galveston County?
Liens on Galveston County properties are recorded as public documents pursuant to Texas Property Code § 51.0001 et seq. These encumbrances represent legal claims against properties that must be satisfied before clear title can be transferred.
To locate liens on Galveston County properties, interested parties may utilize several official resources:
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County Clerk's Records: The Galveston County Clerk maintains the official registry of liens, including tax liens, judgment liens, mechanic's liens, and mortgage liens. These records can be searched by property address, owner name, or legal description.
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Tax Office Records: The Galveston County Tax Office maintains records of delinquent property taxes and associated tax liens. These can be verified through the Galveston Central Appraisal District website or in person.
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District Court Records: Judgment liens resulting from court cases are recorded with both the District Court and the County Clerk. Court records can be searched to identify potential judgment liens.
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Federal Tax Lien Registry: Federal tax liens are recorded with the County Clerk but may also be verified through IRS resources.
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Mechanic's and Materialman's Liens: These construction-related liens are filed with the County Clerk and can be searched by property address or owner name.
For comprehensive lien searches, many professionals utilize a combination of these resources, as different types of liens may be recorded in different systems. The Texas Comptroller provides additional guidance on tax liens and their resolution.
What Is Property Owner Rule In Galveston County?
The Property Owner Rule in Galveston County follows Texas legal precedent established in State v. Petropoulos, 346 S.W.3d 525 (Tex. 2011) and codified in Texas Rules of Evidence 701. This rule allows property owners to testify about the market value of their own property without qualifying as expert witnesses, based on the presumption that owners possess special knowledge about their property.
Key aspects of the Property Owner Rule as applied in Galveston County include:
- Property owners may testify regarding their opinion of their property's value in legal proceedings
- This testimony is admissible even without formal appraisal training
- The testimony must be based on the owner's reasonable familiarity with the property
- The rule applies in various contexts including tax protests, condemnation proceedings, and insurance disputes
- The owner's testimony is subject to cross-examination and may be rebutted by expert testimony
The Galveston Central Appraisal District recognizes this rule during property tax protest hearings, allowing owners to present their value opinions with supporting market evidence. However, the Appraisal Review Board may still require substantiating documentation such as:
- Recent comparable sales
- Income and expense statements for commercial properties
- Cost estimates for repairs affecting value
- Professional appraisals (while not required, these strengthen the owner's position)
Property owners seeking to utilize this rule should consult the Texas Comptroller's Property Tax Assistance Division for guidance on effectively presenting value evidence.
Lookup Property Records in Galveston County
Galveston Central Appraisal District
City of Galveston Building Division
City of Galveston Official Website
Texas Comptroller Property Tax Resources