Find a Freestone County Parcel, Check the 2026 Appraisal and Complete the Correct Exemption, Agricultural, Protest, Tax or Deed Task
Freestone County appraisal records cover homes, businesses, farms, ranches, timberland, minerals and rural acreage in Fairfield, Teague, Wortham, Streetman, Kirvin, Dew, Donie, Freestone and surrounding communities.
This guide explains how to use the official Freestone CAD search, locate land through the interactive map, understand 2026 values, apply for exemptions, protect agricultural or wildlife appraisal, file a protest, pay property taxes and research deeds, liens, plats or mineral records.
Freestone Central Appraisal District determines market value, administers exemptions and special valuations, and handles appraisal protests. Daniel Ralstin’s Freestone County Tax Office collects property taxes. Renee Gregory’s County Clerk records deeds, liens, easements, plats and other land documents.Start Here: Choose the Correct Freestone County Property Action
Important Corrections to the Existing Freestone County CAD Page
| Existing Page Issue | Current Practical Correction | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Current appraisal and tax records treated as one database | Freestone CAD’s appraisal search offers tax year 2026, while the separate Tax Office search currently lists years only through 2025. | A 2026 appraisal value is not yet an issued 2026 property-tax statement. |
| Freestone CAD presented as the tax collector | The appraisal district determines values and exemptions. Daniel Ralstin’s County Tax Assessor-Collector collects taxes. | Payments, tax receipts and delinquent-balance questions belong with the Tax Office. |
| Search explained only by owner or address | The official search includes Property ID, Owner ID, Geo ID, legal description, abstract, subdivision, lease name, lease number, acreage, value and protest-status filters. | Rural, mineral and inherited property frequently requires legal-description or lease-based searching. |
| All property types treated the same | The search separates Real Estate, Personal Property and Mineral accounts. | A surface tract, mineral interest, business equipment and manufactured home may have separate accounts. |
| Mineral and industrial appraisal described as local residential appraisal | Freestone CAD states that Pritchard & Abbott appraises mineral, utility and industrial accounts, while local staff appraises real estate and personal property. | Specialized accounts may require different contacts and evidence. |
| Generic agricultural standards copied from another county | Freestone CAD publishes its own agricultural intensity standards, open-space manual and 2026 agricultural-value calculation. | Acreage, stocking, production and management standards are locally administered. |
| Online protest shown without account credentials | Freestone CAD provides account registration, sign-in and a Request a PIN process for online owner services. | A property search alone may not provide every credential needed for electronic filing. |
| County Clerk search treated as complete title proof | Use the official Clerk portal for deed research, then use a title company or attorney for a complete title and lien conclusion. | An index result does not guarantee clear title, legal access or release of every lien. |
| Permit and septic review omitted | Freestone County maintains separate subdivision, floodplain, special-road-use and on-site sewage facility processes. | A parcel that appears buildable on the CAD map may still require permits, an approved plat, septic review or floodplain documents. |
| Older office information | Freestone CAD is at 218 N. Mount in Fairfield, uses 903-389-5510 and is open Monday-Thursday 8-5 and Friday 8-4. | Deadline-sensitive filings should be delivered to the correct office during current business hours. |
Which Freestone County Office Handles Your Task?
Choose Your Freestone County Property Task
How to Search Freestone County CAD Property Records
Use freestonecad.org. The property search is built into the official homepage.
Use an earlier year only when comparing ownership, exemptions, appraisal history or prior land-use classification.
The account number printed on an appraisal notice or tax statement normally provides the most precise match.
If the full name fails, try only the surname, first name, trust name, estate name or one distinctive company word.
Start with the street number and primary street name. Remove punctuation, city, direction and road suffix when the complete address fails.
Choose Real Estate, Personal Property or Mineral rather than assuming every account appears under the same category.
Search Geo ID, legal description, abstract, subdivision, lease name or lease number.
Available filters include property category, land acreage, minimum or maximum value, agent and protest status.
A ranch, family estate, mineral owner, business or manufactured-home owner may have several separate accounts.
Confirm the abstract, survey, subdivision, lot, block, tract, acreage, Geo ID and physical location before relying on a result.
Check land value, improvement value, productivity value, total market value, taxable value and every exemption shown.
Print the account or save it as a PDF before requesting a correction, filing an exemption or preparing protest evidence.
What to Try When Freestone CAD Returns No Result
| Search Problem | Better Method | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Full owner name fails | Search only the surname or first name. | Initials, spouses and ownership suffixes may be entered differently. |
| Recent buyer is missing | Search the seller or previous owner. | The recorded deed and CAD ownership update may not post at the same time. |
| Trust or estate is missing | Search the trustee, decedent, estate and former owner separately. | Different records may use different ownership wording. |
| Rural property has no normal address | Use Property ID, Geo ID, abstract, legal description or map. | Many rural accounts are indexed primarily by survey information. |
| Only one tract appears | Repeat the owner search and compare every Property ID. | A farm or ranch can contain several separately appraised tracts. |
| Mineral interest is missing | Select Mineral and search the mineral owner, operator, lease name or lease number. | Mineral ownership can be separate from surface ownership. |
| Business equipment is missing | Select Personal Property and search the legal business owner. | Business assets do not normally appear in the real-estate account. |
| Address belongs to another appraisal district | Confirm county and school-district boundaries. | Several Freestone taxing entities are split with Navarro, Leon or Limestone appraisal districts. |
How to Read a Freestone CAD Property Record
| Record Field | What It Means | What to Verify |
|---|---|---|
| Property ID | The appraisal account identifier. | Use the exact number on applications, protests and tax searches. |
| Owner ID | An identifier associated with the account owner. | One owner can have multiple Property IDs. |
| Geo ID | A geographic parcel-reference number. | Useful for map and rural-tract matching. |
| Situs address | The physical property location when available. | Do not confuse it with the owner’s mailing address. |
| Legal description | Abstract, survey, subdivision, lot, block or tract description. | Compare it with the deed and current survey. |
| Acreage | The acreage used for appraisal purposes. | CAD acreage is not a legal boundary determination. |
| Market value | The district’s January 1 estimate of ordinary market value. | Review land, improvements and personal property separately. |
| Productivity value | Special value for qualifying agricultural, timber or wildlife-management land. | Confirm qualifying acreage and land-use category. |
| Appraised value | The value after an applicable homestead cap, circuit breaker or productivity appraisal. | It can be lower than market value without changing the district’s market estimate. |
| Taxable value | Value remaining after limitations and exemptions. | Taxable value can differ among county, city, school and hospital districts. |
| Property type | Real Estate, Personal Property or Mineral. | Separate records can exist for surface land, minerals and business assets. |
| Protest status | The current processing stage of a protest when displayed. | Check notices and account messages for deadlines and hearing dates. |
How to Use Freestone CAD GIS and Check Development Requirements
Copy the Property ID, Geo ID, abstract, subdivision, acreage and legal description.
This is especially useful for rural property without a complete street address.
A purchase, family ranch, mineral operation or subdivision can involve multiple Property IDs.
Review road access, utility easements, drainage areas, pipeline corridors, restrictions and reserved tracts.
Aerial imagery and appraisal parcel lines can be offset from legal monuments and fence lines.
Property outside city limits may require Commissioners Court approval before a county plat or replat can be recorded.
Freestone County maintains separate on-site sewage facility and floodplain-permit processes. OSSF fee changes took effect April 1, 2026.
- General parcel orientation
- Road and waterway context
- Adjoining appraisal accounts
- Rural legal-description research
- Preliminary improvement review
- Exact legal boundaries
- Guaranteed public access
- Floodplain compliance
- Septic suitability
- Mineral ownership
2026 Freestone County Market, Appraised and Taxable Values
| 2026 Rule or Value | Practical Meaning |
|---|---|
| January 1 appraisal date | Freestone CAD values taxable property and reviews many ownership, exemption and land-use facts as of January 1. |
| Residence-homestead limitation | Generally limits annual appraised-value growth to 10% plus qualifying new improvements after the limitation becomes effective. |
| School homestead exemption | A qualifying residence homestead currently receives a $140,000 school-district exemption. |
| Age-65 or disabled school exemption | A qualifying homeowner currently receives an additional $60,000 school-district exemption. |
| Non-homestead circuit breaker | Certain eligible non-homestead real property valued at $5,320,000 or less may receive a temporary 20% annual appraised-value limitation. |
| Agricultural productivity value | Qualifying agricultural, timber or wildlife land can be valued according to productive capacity instead of ordinary market value. |
| Business-personal-property exemption | Income-producing tangible personal property totaling $125,000 or less in a taxing unit may be exempt in that unit. |
| 2026 tax statement | The Tax Office database currently lists tax years only through 2025. The issued 2026 statement will follow certification and tax-rate adoption. |
Freestone County Homestead and Related Exemptions
Confirm the owner, Property ID, physical address, legal description and existing exemptions.
Use the official homestead form rather than paying a private company for a free application.
Freestone CAD requires a driver-license copy or other information required by the Texas Property Tax Code.
Inherited property, trusts, partial ownership, address differences and manufactured homes can require an affidavit or other documentation.
Mail or deliver completed forms to 218 N. Mount, Fairfield, TX 75840.
Keep the postmark, tracking record, sent email or stamped office copy.
Submitting an application does not by itself prove that the exemption was granted.
Freestone County Agricultural Appraisal: Pasture, Hay, Crops and Livestock
Evidence to Prepare by Operation
| Operation | Useful Evidence |
|---|---|
| Cattle, goats, sheep or horses | Ownership records, grazing leases, feed bills, veterinary bills, sales records, fencing, water and stocking history. |
| Hay production | Cutting dates, bale counts, fertilizer, herbicide, equipment, custom-baling invoices and sales or feeding records. |
| Cropland | Seed, tillage, fertilizer, planting, irrigation, harvest, crop-sale and crop-insurance records. |
| Leased agricultural land | Written lease, payment records, operator information and proof of the actual qualifying activity. |
| Prior-owner use history | Affidavits, leases, photographs, receipts, prior applications and knowledgeable witness information. |
Identify ownership, acreage, land class and current use for each tract.
Review the district’s local expectations before changing livestock, hay, crop or timber activity.
The house, yard, driveway, commercial area and recreational portions may be appraised separately.
Collect prior-owner evidence when the current owner did not operate the land during the full history period.
State acreage, livestock or crop type, management, water, equipment, production and marketing activity.
The ordinary special-appraisal deadline is April 30.
An incomplete application or unsupported use history can result in denial.
Subdivision, construction, commercial activity or another nonagricultural use can trigger rollback-tax review.
Freestone County Wildlife Management, Timber and Beekeeping
Wildlife Management Workflow
- Confirm the tract qualified for agricultural or timber appraisal in the preceding year.
- Prepare a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department wildlife-management plan.
- Identify a sustaining breeding, migrating or wintering population of indigenous wildlife.
- Perform at least three qualifying wildlife-management practices.
- Keep maps, receipts, photographs, census records and annual activity logs.
- Submit Freestone CAD’s wildlife tri-annual report when required.
Timber Evidence Checklist
- Timber-management plan for each Property ID.
- Stand age, species and stocking information.
- Planting, thinning, herbicide, firebreak and reforestation records.
- Forester contracts, logging agreements and timber-sale receipts.
- Maps separating timber, pasture, homesite and nonproductive acreage.
- Historical use and ownership-change records.
Beekeeping Questions to Confirm Before Buying Hives
| Question | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| How many qualifying acres remain after excluding the homesite? | Residential and other nonagricultural areas may not count toward the operation. |
| What hive intensity applies to this Property ID? | Use Freestone CAD’s local intensity standard rather than another county’s hive table. |
| How long must active colonies remain? | Temporary or token placement may not satisfy the principal-use requirement. |
| What product or service is produced? | Useful evidence can include honey, wax, bees, queens or pollination activity. |
| Does the land have the required use history? | Purchasing hives now does not automatically establish five of the preceding seven years. |
Business Personal Property, Minerals and Specialized Accounts
Separate inventory, furniture, computers, machinery, tools, vehicles, trailers and leased assets.
Keep invoices and proof for property sold, retired, damaged, relocated or leased.
Income-producing tangible personal property totaling $125,000 or less in a taxing unit may be exempt in that unit.
Use Freestone CAD’s Business Personal Property Rendition Form and attach schedules when the form does not provide enough space.
Keep the complete form, schedules, tracking record, sent email or stamped office copy.
Select Mineral and use the mineral owner, operator, lease name or lease number.
How to File or Review a 2026 Freestone County Appraisal Protest
Mark the Property ID, proposed value, exemptions, agricultural classification, notice date, protest status and deadline.
Possible grounds include excessive value, unequal appraisal, wrong acreage, incorrect improvements, denied exemption or denied special appraisal.
Create a Freestone CAD owner account or sign in to the existing account.
Download the official protest form from the ARB or forms page and include the correct Property ID.
Keep the online confirmation, sent email, certified-mail receipt or stamped office copy.
Freestone CAD’s ARB page publishes residential, rural-land and manufactured-housing sales and recap material.
Use condition photographs, repair estimates, measurements, surveys, adjusted comparable properties, leases or production records.
Organize evidence by protest ground and explain the specific value or correction requested.
Arbitration, SOAH and district-court deadlines depend on the property and dispute.
Possible Post-Deadline Questions
| Possible Route | When It May Apply |
|---|---|
| Later notice deadline | A notice was delivered later and its 30-day filing period remains open. |
| Failure to receive required notice | A legally required CAD or ARB notice was not received and statutory conditions are satisfied. |
| Good-cause late protest | A qualifying circumstance outside the owner’s control caused the missed deadline and the statutory timing remains open. |
| Late homestead application | The owner qualified for a residence-homestead exemption but missed the ordinary filing period. |
| Appraisal-roll correction | The account contains a qualifying clerical, ownership, duplicate-appraisal or sufficiently large value error. |
How to Search and Pay Freestone County Property Taxes
Confirm the owner, property type and legal description before opening the tax search.
Use freestonetax.org.
The tax database currently lists years through 2025. The 2026 appraisal record does not mean the 2026 statement has been issued.
The portal also supports owner, address, Geo ID, legal description, abstract, subdivision, lease and advanced searches.
Choose Real Estate, Personal Property or Mineral.
Match Property ID, owner, address, legal description and property type.
Paying the newest statement does not automatically clear an older delinquent balance.
The official Tax Office link uses bureau code 9539224.
The convenience fee is shown by the payment processor before final authorization. Confirm the total before submitting.
Keep the Property ID, tax year, payment date, amount and transaction confirmation.
Return to the tax account after processing and confirm that the intended balance was reduced or cleared.
Taxing Units Collected by the Freestone County Tax Office
How to Search Freestone County Deeds, Liens, Easements and Plats
Save the current owner, former owner, Property ID, Geo ID, abstract, subdivision, acreage and legal description.
Search grantor, grantee, subdivision, document type, document number or recorded date.
Include spouses, trusts, estates, companies, heirs, initials and former owners.
The portal can search document contents as well as indexed names and fields.
A matching name is not enough when an owner has several tracts, lots or mineral interests.
A deed can refer to an older plat, easement, restriction, mineral reservation, deed of trust or release.
A lien or deed of trust can remain in the historical index even when a later instrument released or transferred it.
The Clerk provides a separate Kofile index for older records and accepts older copy requests through the copy desk.
The online portal currently lists a $1-per-page print charge. Confirm certification and mailing charges with the Clerk.
The CAD property card and Clerk index do not replace a complete title, lien, easement and mineral examination.
Current Freestone County Recording and Plat Details
| Record Service | Current Posted Information |
|---|---|
| Real-property recording | $25 for the first page and $4 for each additional page. |
| Online document print | $1 per page through the public-search portal; credit card required. |
| County plat filing | The Clerk currently posts a $104 cost and requires notarization, a tax certificate and plat application. |
| In-office recording identification | Photo identification has been required for in-office record recordings since November 24, 2025. |
| Recording cutoff | 4:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 4:00 p.m. Friday. |
Freestone County Buyer and Landowner Due-Diligence Checklist
- Match every Property ID to the contract
- Save the current 2026 appraisal record
- Compare CAD acreage with the deed and survey
- Review land and improvement details
- Confirm homestead and other exemptions
- Verify agricultural, timber or wildlife status
- Search every visible tax year
- Search deeds, liens and releases
- Review easements and restrictions
- Confirm legal road access
- Check floodplain and drainage risk
- Verify septic and subdivision requirements
- Review mineral reservations and leases
- Obtain a survey and title commitment
2026 Freestone County Property Calendar
Freestone County Property Office Contacts
| Office | Contact | Handles |
|---|---|---|
| Freestone Central Appraisal District |
Don Awalt, Chief Appraiser 218 N. Mount Fairfield, TX 75840 903-389-5510 general.info@freestonecad.org Mon-Thu, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Fri, 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. |
Property search, values, exemptions, ownership, GIS, agricultural appraisal, renditions and protests. |
| Freestone County Tax Assessor-Collector |
Daniel M. Ralstin 305 Commerce St. P.O. Box 257 Fairfield, TX 75840 903-389-2336 Mon-Thu, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Fri, 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. |
Property-tax statements, balances, online payments, receipts, delinquent accounts and vehicle services. |
| Freestone County Clerk |
Renee Gregory 103 E. Main P.O. Box 1010 Fairfield, TX 75840 903-389-2635 Mon-Thu, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Fri, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. |
Deeds, liens, releases, easements, plats, mineral documents, recording and certified copies. |
| Freestone County Services |
Steve Black 118 E. Commerce, Room 305 Fairfield, TX 75840 903-389-8884 county.services@co.freestone.tx.us |
911 addressing, on-site sewage facilities, septic permits and inspections. |
Freestone CAD Department Contacts
| Task | Current District Contact |
|---|---|
| Chief-appraiser question | Don Awalt, RPA, CTA, CCA |
| Deputy chief appraiser | Jason Moore, RPA |
| Real-estate appraisal | Debbie Hunt, Coltin Bottoms or Trent Neely |
| Business personal property | Tina Gilley-Lee |
| Ownership, mapping or GIS | Melissa Marberry |
| Records management | Desiree Frasier |
| Non-value complaint or procedural question | Bobbi Shepherd, Taxpayer Liaison Officer |
| General email | general.info@freestonecad.org |
Map to Freestone Central Appraisal District
Freestone County CAD Property Search FAQs
What is the official Freestone County CAD property search?
Use freestonecad.org. The official search supports owner name, Owner ID, Property ID, address, Geo ID, legal description, abstract, subdivision, lease and advanced criteria.
What are Freestone CAD’s address, phone number and hours?
Freestone CAD is at 218 N. Mount in Fairfield. Call 903-389-5510. The office is open Monday-Thursday from 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. and Friday from 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Does Freestone CAD collect property taxes?
No. Freestone CAD determines appraised values and administers exemptions and protests. The Freestone County Tax Assessor-Collector collects property taxes.
Why does the tax search not show a 2026 bill?
The Freestone CAD appraisal search already offers tax year 2026, while the separate Tax Office database currently lists tax years only through 2025. The issued 2026 statement is not yet available there.
How do I search rural Freestone County property without an address?
Use the Property ID, Geo ID, abstract, legal description, subdivision or interactive map. Confirm the result by matching acreage and survey information.
How do I apply for a Freestone County homestead exemption?
Download the official form from Freestone CAD, attach the required identification and supporting ownership documents, submit it to the district and verify approval on the property record.
What is the normal 2026 Freestone County protest deadline?
The usual deadline is May 15 or 30 days after the Notice of Appraised Value was delivered, whichever is later. Use the exact date printed on the notice.
Where can I find Freestone County agricultural requirements?
Use Freestone CAD’s Records, Data and Reports page for the local intensity standards, open-space manual and 2026 agricultural-value calculation.
Who appraises Freestone County mineral and industrial accounts?
Freestone CAD states that Pritchard & Abbott appraises mineral, utility and industrial accounts, while district staff appraises local real estate and personal property.
Where can I search Freestone County deeds and liens?
Use freestone.tx.publicsearch.us, the official County Clerk records portal. Use a title company or attorney when a complete title and lien conclusion is required.
Independent Editorial Notice
County-CAD.us is an independent informational website. It is not affiliated with Freestone Central Appraisal District, Freestone County, the Appraisal Review Board, any taxing unit or the State of Texas.
Property values, deadlines, exemptions, agricultural standards, tax balances, processor fees, office hours, permit requirements and online systems can change. Confirm time-sensitive information directly with the responsible official office before filing, paying, buying, developing land or relying on a record for a legal transaction.
Editorial verification: July 23, 2026.
Estimate Taxes, Exemptions, Escrow, Protest Savings and Next Steps
This sitewide tool helps homeowners, buyers, sellers and investors understand property tax numbers before they check the official county appraisal district or tax office. It runs in your browser, does not collect personal data and gives practical next steps after each calculation.
What are you trying to do today?
Choose your main goal. The tool will guide you to the right calculation or next step.
Use Tax, Exemption and Protest tabs to understand your appraisal notice and possible savings.
Use Buyer Budget and Monthly Escrow before relying only on a mortgage payment estimate.
Property Tax Estimate Calculator
Estimate annual tax using property value, assessment ratio, exemptions and local tax rate.
Homestead and Exemption Savings
Estimate how much a homestead, senior, disabled, veteran or local exemption may reduce annual tax.
Monthly Escrow / Ownership Cost
Estimate monthly property tax, insurance, HOA and reserve cushion. Useful for buyers and homeowners comparing affordability.
Property Tax Protest Savings
Estimate possible savings if your appraised value is reduced after a protest, evidence review or correction.
Appraised Value Growth / Cap Impact
Estimate how a value increase or appraisal cap may affect taxable value. Rules vary by state, county and exemption status.
Home Buyer Monthly Budget Estimate
Estimate a more realistic monthly ownership cost by adding mortgage, property tax, insurance and HOA.
Find Official County CAD and Tax Resources
Enter county and state to create safe search links. This avoids guessing official URLs and helps users find the correct county appraisal district, property search, tax payment and exemption pages.
Why this tool helps your site
It gives visitors an interactive reason to stay on the page, calculate their own numbers and move from general reading to practical action.
Best placement
- Below county CAD articles
- Before FAQ section on long posts
- Inside sidebar or after first major section on desktop
Estimate disclaimer
Values are educational estimates. Visitors should confirm final values, exemptions, tax rates, payment status and deadlines with official county resources.