The county clerk must keep an alphabetical index of recorded real property instruments and show where each instrument is recorded.
Sec. 193.003. INDEX TO REAL PROPERTY RECORDS. (a) The county clerk shall maintain an alphabetical index to all recorded deeds, powers of attorney, mortgages, correction instruments, findings of fact and conclusions of law entered under Section 5.0261, Property Code, and other instruments relating to real property. The index must state the specific location in the records at which the instruments are recorded. (b) The index must be a cross-index that contains the names of the grantors and grantees in alphabetical order. If a deed is made by a sheriff, the index entry must contain the name of the sheriff and the defendant in execution. If a deed is made by an executor, administrator, or guardian, the index entry must contain the name of that person and the name of the person's testator, intestate, or ward. If a deed is made by an attorney, the index entry must contain the name of the attorney and the attorney's constituents. If a deed is made by a commissioner or trustee, the index entry must contain the name of the commissioner or trustee and the name of the person whose estate is conveyed. The index entry for a correction instrument must contain the names of the grantors and grantees as stated in the correction instrument. The index entry for a finding of fact and conclusion of law entered under Section 5.0261, Property Code, must contain the names of the grantors and grantees as stated in the subject conveyance instrument. The index entry for a paper document described by Section 12.0011(b)(3), Property Code, must contain the names of the grantors and grantees. (c) This section does not apply to records classified and indexed in the manner required for records on microfilm by Sections 193.008 and 193.009. (d) In this section, "correction instrument" means an instrument correcting an ambiguity or error in a recorded original instrument of conveyance to transfer real property or an interest in real property as described by Section 5.028 or 5.029, Property Code. Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 149, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987. Amended by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 1248, Sec. 55, eff. Sept. 1, 1989. Amended by: Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 189 (S.B. 584), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2015. Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 678 (S.B. 2128), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2019. Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 532 (S.B. 30), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2021.