Paying off a note does not clear the record. Until a release of lien is recorded in the county's real property records, a title search still shows the lien, and the next sale or refinance stalls. Recording a release is straightforward — it just has to point unmistakably at the instrument being released.
What the release has to contain
- The name of the lienholder releasing the lien, and the name of the original debtor or grantor.
- The recording data of the original instrument — the county clerk's file or instrument number, and volume and page where applicable.
- The legal description of the property, matching the original lien document.
- A clear statement that the debt is paid and the lien is released and discharged.
- The signature of the current holder of the note, notarized with a complete Texas acknowledgment.
- The grantee's mailing address on the first page — Texas counties charge a penalty when it is missing.
If the note was assigned after closing, the release must come from the current holder, and the chain of assignments should already be on record. A release signed by the original lender after an assignment is a title defect, not a cure.
Formatting Texas clerks expect
- A clear 3-inch margin at the top of the first page for the clerk's recording block.
- Black ink on white paper, 8-point type or larger, so the instrument images legibly.
- Every party to be indexed named plainly; extra names beyond the statutory allowance add a per-name charge.
What it costs
Texas recording fees come from Local Government Code 118.011 and are close to uniform statewide: roughly $25.00 for the first page and $4.00 for each additional page, with small per-name charges past the statutory allowance. Collin County is $26.00 for the first page; Tarrant is $20.00. Texas charges no state or county transfer tax, so the total on a two-page release is usually under $30 in county fees.
The separate $1.00 statewide filing fee was repealed effective January 1, 2024, so any fee table printed before then overstates the total.
Step by step
- Pull the original lien instrument from the county records and copy its file number and date exactly.
- Prepare the release naming the current holder, the debtor, the property, and that instrument.
- Have the authorized signer execute it in front of a notary.
- Scan to a single PDF at 200–300 dpi, black and white.
- Record it with the county clerk in the county where the property is located.
- Send the stamped copy to the property owner and keep one with the loan file.
iRecord365 records releases of lien in every Texas county — Harris, Dallas, Tarrant, Collin, Bexar, Travis, Fort Bend and the rest — usually the same business day. We verify the release cites the original instrument correctly before it is filed, because a release recorded against the wrong document does not clear anything.
Frequently asked questions
Who signs a release of lien in Texas?
The current holder of the note or lien. If the note was assigned, the assignee signs, and the assignment should be of record so the chain is clear.
How much does it cost to record a release of lien in Texas?
County fees are roughly $25.00 for the first page and $4.00 for each additional page, varying slightly by county — Collin is $26.00, Tarrant is $20.00. Texas charges no transfer tax on recordings.
What happens if no release is recorded?
The lien continues to appear on a title search even though the debt is paid, which typically holds up a sale or refinance until a release or a curative affidavit is recorded.
How fast can a release be recorded?
A release submitted electronically before the county's daily cutoff is usually recorded and returned the same business day.
Ready to record a document?
Nationwide e-recording with a pre-submission review that catches rejections before the county does.