In order for a deed or mortgage to be record notice, it must be filed with the county clerk in the county in which the land is located. A List of Texas Counties, their county seats and zip code is located at the end of this Chapter as Appendix 1. It is record notice from the moment accepted by the county clerk, even if it is recorded on a later date. The clerk notes at the foot of the record the date and time the instrument was filed.
Some records are maintained in separate books, such as deed and mortgage records. The clerk may maintain records on microfilm. Microfilm records shall be divided into several records, including “Official Public Records of Real Property,” and may consolidate its records into the “Official Public Records.” Records not maintained on microfilm also may be maintained in the same manner. The clerk also maintains an alphabetical index and cross-index of the names of the parties to the instruments. Instruments such as deeds and mortgages may be filed at branch offices.