Review a suspicious property recording in Travis County

Short answer

A recording you do not recognize deserves a calm look, not a panic. The County Clerk's records show the instrument, parties, and legal description; comparing them to your appraisal record tells you whether to take the reference to the Clerk or law enforcement.

Who this is for

Travis County owners who got a notice about a filing they do not recognize, or who found an unexpected document against their property.

The steps, in order

1. Open the County Clerk's real-property records search.
2. Search by owner name, address, or the document clue you received.
3. Compare the recorded instrument, parties, and legal description to your appraisal record.
4. Save the instrument number and recording date.
5. If it still looks wrong, take that reference to the County Clerk or law enforcement.

Have this ready

• Your name as it appears on title
• The property address
• Any notice or document number you received

Common mistakes to avoid

• Calling the number on a suspicious notice; look the recording up yourself first.
• Treating a strange filing as proven fraud; some are clerical errors, and the record comparison is what tells you.

Common questions

How do I check what is recorded against my Travis County property?

The County Clerk's real-property records are searchable by owner name and property. The appraisal district record gives you the legal description to compare against.

What do I do if someone recorded a fake deed on my Austin home?

Save the instrument reference, then contact the Travis County Clerk and law enforcement, and get legal help quickly. Time matters on fraudulent conveyances.

Official sources

• Travis County Clerk real-property records
• Travis Central Appraisal District property search

Checked August 26, 2026. Recheck the official page monthly and when the official page changes.

Related

• Protest your Austin property tax appraisal
• Austin property tax help and assistance: who handles what