Records Intake FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Records Intake FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

 

Q1: What is Records Intake?

A1: The Records Intake office is the official location for recording real estate and land-related documents.  Our team of clerks will scan your document, index it and publish it on our Official Records Search site for a fee.  For information about our fees, please visit the Fee Schedules page.

 

Q2: What types of documents can be filed in Records Intake?

A2: Records Intake only accepts for filing those documents that are authorized, required or permitted by law to be recorded.  The primary type of documents that can be filed for recording are those related to real property (land records). This includes documents that are facially regular in their form, such as:

·         Deeds and Deeds of Trust

·         Liens and Lien Releases

·         Certain Land-Related Affidavits

·         Plats

For a full list of documents able to be recorded, please see our Active Document type list.

 

Q3: What types of documents cannot be filed in Records Intake?

A3: Records Intake does not accept the following types of documents:

·         Documents for which no statutory authority exists to support their filing

·         Documents that are not recognized as having some legal meaning by Texas law

·         Documents that are not in regular form (not regular on their face)

·         Documents that are not properly authenticated, executed or signed in front of the proper officer, such as a notary

·         Documents by which individuals seek to alter their political or juridical relations with others or with the state

·         Documents that derive their jurisdiction from common law authority

 

Q4: Where is the Records Intake office located?

A4: The Records Intake office is located in the historic Tarrant County Courthouse at 100 W. Weatherford Street, Room B20.  If you cannot visit us in person, we offer two alternatives for filing your document(s):

·         Mail: You can mail in your document for recording.  Please mail your document to 100 W. Weatherford Street, Room B20, Fort Worth, TX 76196.  Please include a check or money order made out to the “Tarrant County Clerk”.  The total amount of the check should be calculated as: $20 for the first page and $4 for each additional page for most documents.  Please see our Fees and Schedules page for a full listing of fees.

·         eRecording: You can file your document(s) electronically using the eRecording process.  For information on eRecording, please visit our eRecording page.

 

Q5: What are the hours of the Records Intake office?

A5: The Records Intake office is open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

 

Q6: How much does it cost to record a document?

A6: For most documents the fee to record is $20 for the first page, and $4 for each additional page.  Documents printed on front and back are considered to be 2 pages.  For a full listing of fees, please see the Tarrant County Fee Schedules page.

 

Q7: How long does it take to record a document?

A7: Documents filed in person are processed, scanned, and assigned an instrument number while you wait.  The original document is then returned to you along with proof of recording (an invoice).  The entire process can be completed in a matter of minutes.  Large, or multiple page documents will take longer to process.

 

Q8: Can Records Intake record from a copy?

A8: Records Intake will only record original copies of documents, or documents that are clerk-certified copies.

 

Q9: What forms of payment do you accept?

A9: The Records Intake office accepts cash, credit card, or check or money orders made payable to the ‘Tarrant County Clerk’.  Credit card payments are subject to a small convenience fee.

 

Q10: Can I record a document at one of the Tarrant County Sub-Courthouses?

A10: No.  Land-related documents can only be recorded at the historic Tarrant County Courthouse, located at100 W. Weatherford St., Room B20.  Documents can be brought in person, may be sent by mail, or sent through eRecording.

 

Q11: If mailing in a document for recording, do I need to include a copy of my driver’s license?

A11: No.  You do not need to include a copy of your driver’s license for documents that are mailed in.  You do, however, need to provide a copy of a driver’s license or ID if you come into the Records Intake office.

 

Q12: Can you provide me with Legal advice or guidance, or simply guidance on how to complete a document for filing?

A12: No.  Records Intake cannot provide legal advice or guidance, nor can it assist you with completing a document for filing.

 

Q13: Can you notarize a document for me?

A13: No.  The clerks in Records Intake are not notaries public and cannot notarize documents for customers.  Documents submitted for recording must be notarized prior to submitting them to the Records Intake office.

 

Q14: After filing and recording my document, how long will it take before I can see it online?

A14: Generally, online viewing of recorded documents will be available within 5-7 business days after recording on the Official Records Search page.

 

Q15: How do I obtain a certified copy of a land-related document that has been recorded in Tarrant County?

A15: Certified copies can be purchased from the Official Records Search page.  Please see the Copies of Official Public Records page for information on obtaining a certified copy of your document.

 

Q16: Can I record a copy of my Will?

A16: The Records Intake office can only record Probated Wills.  If you wish to store a copy of your Will at the Tarrant County Courthouse, you can bring it to the Probate Office, located at 100 W. Weatherford St. Room B90 Fort Worth, TX, and it will be stored for a small $5 fee.