Stephens County CAD – Property Search, Records & Appraisal District

by
Stephens County, Texas property guide

Stephens County Property Records, Values, Minerals and Tax Help

Search Stephens County appraisal records by owner, address, legal description, geographic ID or property ID, then use the account to verify market value, appraisal history, exemptions, land, improvements and taxing jurisdictions.

This guide also explains Stephens County’s R, P and N account prefixes, online protest process, mineral and lake-property checks, tax-payment path, deed-record search, agricultural appraisal issues and the limits of online GIS parcel lines.

Search Stephens CAD Open protest guidance Search tax bills
Official records and contacts checked August 3, 2026
Search methods Five official lookup paths Owner, address, legal description, geographic ID and property ID.
Account decoder R · P · N prefixes Real estate, business personal property and mineral accounts.
Latest posted rates 2025 tax-year table Do not treat the posted 2025 rates as final 2026 rates.
CAD office 201 South Rose Breckenridge office led by Chief Appraiser William Thompson.
Choose the correct task

Start With the Right Stephens County Portal

Property appraisal, tax collection, deed recording and boundary research are separate functions. Choose your goal before opening a portal.

1

Find a property account

Search the appraisal database for ownership, property IDs, values, legal descriptions, exemptions and jurisdiction information.

Open Stephens CAD search →
2

Search a street address

Enter the street number and base street name without Road, Street, Drive or another suffix.

Open address search →
3

File or prepare a protest

Stephens CAD states that it prefers property owners to file ARB protests online through its website.

Review protest process →
4

Search or pay a tax bill

Use the separate Stephens Tax collection system for balances, bills, delinquency and payments.

Open Stephens Tax →
5

Verify a deed or lien

Search the County Clerk’s recorded real-property documents rather than relying only on the CAD owner field.

Open County Clerk page →
6

Review proposed taxes

Use the local Truth-in-Taxation database during August and September for proposed rates, hearings and estimates.

Open tax-rate database →
Do not use an appraisal-district map to place a fence, confirm an easement or determine a construction setback. CAD maps are appraisal tools. Boundary, access, easement and setback decisions require recorded documents, applicable local rules and, when necessary, a licensed survey.
Account-type decoder

What R, P and N Mean in the Stephens CAD Search

The official property-ID search identifies three common prefixes. Confirm the account type before paying, protesting or requesting a correction.

R

Real property

Land, houses, commercial buildings, improvements and other interests in real estate.

Check: land acreage, building details, situs address, exemptions and taxing units.

P

Personal property

Income-producing business assets such as furniture, equipment, inventory and machinery.

Check: business name, location, ownership date, asset category and rendition information.

N

Mineral property

Producing and non-producing mineral interests, including oil and gas accounts carrying value.

Check: lease, operator, owner interest, decimal or percentage, property ID and appraisal year.

Do not assume two similar-looking mineral accounts are duplicates. Separate leases, wells, ownership interests, operators, interest types or taxing jurisdictions can create several N accounts for the same owner.
Property-record decoder

How to Read a Stephens County Appraisal Record

Record field What it means What to verify
Property ID The appraisal district’s unique account reference. Include the R, P or N prefix when contacting either the CAD or Tax Office.
Geographic ID A location or appraisal-mapping identifier used by the district. Do not confuse it with the property ID or the County Clerk’s recording number.
Owner name The ownership name currently maintained for appraisal administration. Recent deeds and inherited interests may not yet be reflected.
Ownership interest The percentage or decimal carried for the displayed owner. Especially important for minerals, estates, heirship and joint ownership.
Mailing address The address used for appraisal notices and other correspondence. It may differ from the physical property address.
Situs address The physical location associated with the account. Rural, lake, vacant-land and mineral accounts may not show a conventional address.
Legal description An abbreviated appraisal description referencing surveys, abstracts, lots, blocks or tracts. Use the recorded deed or plat—not the abbreviated CAD wording—to prepare legal documents.
Market value The district’s opinion of value as of the applicable January 1 appraisal date. Review land, improvement, personal-property and mineral components separately.
Appraised value The value after an applicable appraisal limitation or special-valuation rule. It can differ from market value for a qualified homestead or specially appraised land.
Taxable value The amount remaining for a taxing unit after its exemptions and applicable limitations. Different entities can have different taxable values for the same property.
Qualified exemptions Approved homestead, age-65, disability, veteran or other exemption information. Some exemption details may be withheld online for confidentiality.
Improvement details Building type, area, age, class, condition and other appraisal characteristics. Incorrect measurements or condition ratings can affect the appraisal.
Appraisal records are useful research tools but are not title evidence. The County Clerk’s recorded documents control deed, lien, release, easement and mineral-conveyance research.
Map and parcel guidance

How to Use the Stephens CAD Map Without Creating a Boundary Problem

The official search displays a Map/GIS option within property-search results. Use it to locate the appraisal account and surrounding parcels—not to make legal boundary or construction decisions.

Find the property through the appraisal search. Start with the property ID or street address and open the correct account.
Select the Map/GIS option. Compare the displayed property ID, geographic ID, owner and surrounding road network.
Check adjoining accounts separately. A residence, acreage tract, lake lot, improvement and mineral interest can have separate records.
Use the map to identify—not establish—the parcel. Mapping layers can be approximate, outdated, generalized or shifted from aerial imagery.
Verify legal questions independently. Review the recorded deed, plats, easements, restrictions and a survey when exact location matters.
Appropriate GIS uses Locating an appraisal account, checking nearby parcel IDs, comparing jurisdiction layers and finding the property record linked to a rural tract.
Do not use GIS alone for Fence placement, lake-access rights, easements, setbacks, encroachments, acreage certification, construction layout or a deed description.
Stephens-specific appraisal context

What the Latest Stephens CAD Annual Report Reveals

The district’s 2025 annual report provides useful context for understanding local accounts, but its countywide observations are not a substitute for evidence about one specific property.

Appraisal cycle Annual appraisal The report says all properties are appraised annually.
Field review About one-third Approximately one-third of county properties are physically viewed each year.
Parcel mix 98% Real and mineral property together account for about 98% of parcels.
Value mix About 87% Real and mineral property produce about 87% of district value.

Real-property appraisal

The annual report identifies Eagle Consulting, Inc. as the district’s contracted real-property appraiser.

Mineral and industrial appraisal

Thomas Y. Pickett, Inc. is identified as the district’s mineral and industrial appraisal contractor.

Technology and CAMA

Southwest Data Solutions provides the district’s property-search and computer-assisted mass-appraisal technology.

Local land-market observation—not an automatic value schedule: The report says small acreage tracts under 20 acres increased from about $3,850 per acre in 2021 to about $9,000 per acre in 2025, while a 640-acre example moved from about $2,050 to $3,400 per acre. Location, access, water, lake influence, improvements, restrictions, shape and actual market evidence still matter.
Land, lake and mineral checks

Special Issues for Stephens County Rural and Mineral Property

Small acreage and homesites

  • Separate market value from agricultural productivity value.
  • Check road frontage and actual access.
  • Compare tracts of similar size and utility.
  • Identify homesite acreage separately.
  • Do not rely on a countywide per-acre average.

Lake-influenced property

  • Verify actual waterfront or water access.
  • Check elevation, flood and topography issues.
  • Review restrictions and easements.
  • Compare truly similar lake locations.
  • Separate dock or improvement issues from land value.

Mineral interests

  • Confirm the N property ID.
  • Check lease and operator information.
  • Verify ownership interest or decimal.
  • Review each tax year separately.
  • Compare deed, assignment and division-order evidence.
Stephens County’s principal agricultural uses are locally different from irrigated-crop counties. The annual report describes cattle production, some sheep and recreational hunting as major land uses, with little irrigated cropland because of water limits and cost.
Office-routing guide

Stephens CAD vs Tax Office vs County Clerk

Use Stephens CAD

Appraisal matters

  • Property values and characteristics.
  • Homestead and veteran exemptions.
  • Agricultural special appraisal.
  • Business renditions.
  • Mineral appraisal questions.
  • Protests and ARB hearings.
  • Appraisal mailing address.
Use Tax Office

Billing and collection

  • Current tax balance.
  • Online payment.
  • Payment receipt.
  • Penalty and interest.
  • Delinquent taxes.
  • Tax bill copies.
  • Payment posting questions.
Use County Clerk

Recorded instruments

  • Deeds and deeds of trust.
  • Liens and releases.
  • Plats and easements.
  • Restrictions.
  • Oil and gas leases.
  • Mineral conveyances.
  • Recording references.
Your question Correct office Why
Why did my market value change? Stephens CAD The appraisal district determines market and appraised values.
Why did my final bill change? Compare CAD and Tax Office records Value, exemptions, taxable value and adopted rates can all affect the bill.
Was my online payment received? Tax Assessor-Collector Stephens CAD does not collect or post tax payments.
Who legally owns the property? County Clerk records The CAD owner field is not a title determination.
Where is the exact boundary? Survey and recorded documents CAD parcel lines do not replace a licensed boundary survey.
Was my exemption approved? Stephens CAD The chief appraiser reviews exemption applications.
Tax-payment workflow

How to Search and Pay Stephens County Property Taxes

The Stephens County Tax Assessor-Collector handles collection from Suite 100 in the Stephens County Courthouse. The county publishes two online routes: the Stephens Tax account system and Certified Payments using bureau code 9583001.

Open the Stephens Tax account system. Use the official tax-office database.
Search by owner, address, ID or legal description. Use the full property ID when possible and confirm that you are searching the Stephens TAX collection office.
Select “View Property.” Verify the owner, account type, property description and tax year before proceeding.
Open the actual property-tax bill. The county instructs users to scroll down and select the link for the actual tax bill.
Select “Pay Property Taxes.” Follow the official payment instructions and review any processing fee before authorization.
Save the payment confirmation. Record the property ID, tax year, amount, confirmation number and payment date.
Contact the Tax Office when posting matters. Call 254-559-2732 for balance, receipt, penalty, delinquency or posting questions.
Direct payment processor The county also links to Certified Payments and publishes bureau code 9583001. Confirm the jurisdiction and account before submitting money.
Paying does not replace an appraisal protest. A tax payment resolves a collection obligation. It does not automatically correct a value, property characteristic, exemption or ownership issue.
Applications and exemptions

Stephens County Homestead, Agricultural and Rendition Forms

Task Official form or page Prepare before filing
Residence homestead Form 50-114 Property ID, ownership details, occupancy date and identification requested by the form.
Disabled-veteran exemption Form 50-135 VA or military documentation supporting the qualifying disability or surviving-spouse claim.
1-d-1 agricultural appraisal Form 50-129 Acreage, use history, livestock or production activity, operator information and evidence of intensity.
Business personal-property rendition Form 50-144 Inventory, furniture, machinery, equipment and other income-producing property owned or controlled on January 1.
Property-owner protest Current Comptroller protest form Property ID, protest ground, requested result and organized evidence.
Electronic communications Stephens CAD request page File the requested form and supporting documentation with the applicable tax official, not with the Comptroller.

Current school homestead amount

Stephens CAD’s current exemption page shows a $140,000 general residence-homestead exemption for Albany, Breckenridge, Graham, Moran, Ranger and Woodson ISDs.

Age-65 and disability amounts

The current page lists $12,000 for Stephens County, $3,000 for the City of Breckenridge, $60,000 for most listed school districts and $63,000 for Ranger ISD.

An exemption belongs to an eligible owner and property—not permanently to an address. Buyers, heirs, surviving spouses and owners who move may need a new application or updated documentation.
Appraisal-review workflow

How to Protest a Stephens County Appraised Value

Stephens CAD states that it prefers property owners to file protests online. The usual deadline for most protests is May 15 or 30 days after the appraisal notice is delivered, whichever is later. Follow the exact date printed on the notice.

Read the entire Notice of Appraised Value. Check the tax year, market value, appraised value, exemptions, property description and protest deadline.
Verify the property data before arguing about value. Review acreage, building size, age, condition, property class, ownership interest and taxing jurisdictions.
Select the correct protest ground. Common issues include excessive appraisal, unequal appraisal, incorrect property description, denied exemption, ownership error or denial of special appraisal.
Use the official online process when available. Start at the Stephens CAD protest-process page.
Save proof of filing. Keep the electronic confirmation, timestamped email, stamped copy, certified-mail receipt or tracking record.
Request the district’s evidence. Stephens CAD provides an evidence-request route under its protest-process resources.
Build evidence around a requested result. State the value, exemption decision or property correction you want and connect each document to that request.
Attend the informal review and ARB hearing. An informal agreement may resolve the dispute. Otherwise the Appraisal Review Board hears the protest.

Useful evidence

  • Comparable sales near January 1.
  • Comparable CAD records supporting unequal appraisal.
  • Dated condition photographs.
  • Repair estimates and inspection reports.
  • Correct measurements or property characteristics.
  • Access, topography or location evidence.
  • Lease, division-order or mineral-interest records.

Weak evidence by itself

  • A mortgage balance.
  • A higher tax bill without identifying an appraisal issue.
  • An undated automated online estimate.
  • A GIS outline treated as a survey.
  • Sales from a different property class.
  • Market value compared with another owner’s capped value.
  • Repairs occurring after January 1 without earlier evidence.
Public ARB hearing information is separately searchable. Stephens CAD publishes a protest-hearing database. Use the hearing notice for your specific appearance, evidence and scheduling instructions.
Annual filing calendar

Stephens County Property-Tax Dates to Watch

January 1 — appraisal date Property ownership, condition, use and taxable business assets are generally evaluated as of January 1.
April 15 — general rendition deadline Most business-personal-property renditions are generally due April 15. Texas law provides extension procedures in qualifying situations.
April 30 — common exemption and agricultural date Residence-homestead and open-space agricultural applications are generally due by April 30, subject to late-filing and special rules.
May 15 or 30 days after notice — usual protest deadline Use whichever date is later for most protests and follow the specific date on the appraisal notice.
Summer — ARB review and roll certification Informal reviews, ARB hearings, exemption processing and corrections occur before certification.
August and September — rate-adoption period Local governing bodies calculate, propose and adopt tax rates through the Truth-in-Taxation process.
Tax-bill season — verify before paying Match the tax year, property ID, exemptions and taxing units before submitting payment.
Special deadlines apply to some late notices, omitted property, denied exemptions and correction motions. Weekends and legal holidays can also affect dates. Use the official notice and contact Stephens CAD before the deadline when uncertain.
Latest posted rate table

Stephens County 2025 Tax Rates

As of this guide’s August 3, 2026 verification, Stephens CAD’s rate page displayed the following 2025 adopted rates per $100 of taxable value. These figures should not be presented as final 2026 rates.

Taxing entity Entity code 2025 rate per $100
City of Breckenridge CBR 1.02893
Stephens Memorial Hospital District HD 0.228406
Albany ISD SAL 0.68220
Breckenridge ISD SBR 0.75750
Graham ISD SGR 0.98630
Moran ISD SMO 0.89560
Ranger ISD SRA 0.66110
Stephens County STC 0.66539
Woodson ISD SWD 0.76880
Basic entity estimate Taxable value ÷ 100 × that entity’s adopted rate. Calculate each taxing unit separately because exemptions and taxable values can differ.
Check 2026 proposals Use Stephens County Truth in Taxation during the annual rate-adoption period for property-specific estimates and public-hearing details.
Deed and ownership research

How to Verify Stephens County Real-Property Records

The County Clerk publishes online access through County Government Records. Registration and index searching are currently free. The Clerk’s page lists document images at $1 per page and an optional $300 monthly unlimited-image subscription.

Open the Stephens County Clerk page. Review the official contact and real-property-record instructions.
Open County Government Records. Select Stephens County after signing in or creating the free search registration.
Search the grantor, grantee or document information. Try current and prior owners, trusts, estates, businesses and mineral-interest parties.
Compare the recording details with the CAD account. Match the legal description, recording date, instrument number and parties.
Purchase an image only when needed. Review the Clerk’s current fee before ordering a document image.
Official County Clerk page Search recorded documents
Buyer, seller and heir checks

What to Verify Before and After a Property Transfer

Before buying

  • Match the R account to the deed description.
  • Review all N mineral accounts separately.
  • Check current and delinquent taxes.
  • Verify exemptions without assuming they transfer.
  • Review survey, easement and access documents.
  • Confirm school and special-district assignments.

After closing

  • Confirm that the deed was recorded.
  • Allow time for the CAD owner update.
  • Correct the appraisal mailing address.
  • File a homestead application when eligible.
  • Review notices still sent to the prior owner.
  • Save the new property ID and tax account details.

Inherited property

  • Gather probate, heirship and deed documents.
  • Identify ownership percentages.
  • Check real and mineral accounts.
  • Ask which documents the CAD requires.
  • Review surviving-spouse exemption eligibility.
  • Seek qualified title help when ownership is unresolved.
Troubleshooting

Fix Common Stephens CAD Search and Account Problems

Problem Likely reason Best next action
No result by owner Different spelling, old owner, trust, estate, business or mineral listing. Enter only the first part of the last name, then try address, ID or legal description.
No result by address Street suffix, rural format, no situs address or abbreviated database entry. Remove Street, Road, Drive and city information; search the legal description next.
Property ID is rejected Missing R, P or N prefix, incorrect digits or a tax-office number entered into the CAD search. Copy the complete appraisal property ID exactly as displayed.
New owner is missing The deed was recently recorded or is still being processed. Verify the recording with the County Clerk and give Stephens CAD the instrument information.
Homestead is not shown No application, pending review, missing documentation, denial or wrong account. Contact Stephens CAD with the property ID and application information before refiling.
Several mineral accounts appear Separate leases, interests, operators, wells or taxing jurisdictions. Compare each N property ID, ownership percentage, lease and appraisal year.
GIS parcel does not match the fence Approximate mapping, imagery shift, deed issue or an actual encroachment. Review the deed and survey; do not move a fence based only on the map.
Payment is not posted Processor delay, incorrect account, rejected transaction or pending settlement. Keep the confirmation and contact the Tax Office at 254-559-2732.
Tax bill differs from CAD market value Exemptions, appraisal limits, different tax year or entity-specific taxable values. Compare each jurisdiction’s taxable value and adopted rate separately.
Need a past ARB hearing record The regular property search is not the protest-hearing database. Use the Stephens CAD protest database or submit a focused records request.
Verified local contacts

Stephens CAD, Tax Office and County Clerk Contacts

Stephens County Clerk

Stephens County Courthouse
200 West Walker, Suite 116
Breckenridge, TX 76424

County Clerk: Jackie Ensey
Phone: 254-559-3700
Fax: 254-559-5892

Official County Clerk page
Call before a deadline-sensitive office visit. Hours, holiday closures, lunch access, hearing schedules and document-acceptance procedures can change. Bring the property ID, tax year, notice and copies of supporting documents.
10 practical answers

Stephens County CAD Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is the official Stephens County CAD search free?
Yes. The official appraisal database provides public owner, address, legal-description, geographic-ID and property-ID searches without requiring payment to a third-party property-record website.
2. What do R, P and N mean in a Stephens CAD property ID?
R identifies real-estate accounts, P identifies business personal-property accounts and N identifies mineral-property accounts. Include the prefix whenever you search or contact the district.
3. Can the Stephens CAD map establish my exact property line?
No. The Map/GIS tool helps locate appraisal parcels but does not replace a licensed survey, deed, plat or easement review for boundary and construction decisions.
4. Can I file a Stephens County appraisal protest online?
Stephens CAD states that it prefers property owners to file Appraisal Review Board protests online through its website. Review the official protest page and save the submission confirmation.
5. What is the usual Stephens County protest deadline?
The usual deadline for most Texas appraisal protests is May 15 or 30 days after the appraisal notice is delivered, whichever is later. Follow the exact deadline printed on your notice.
6. Where do I pay Stephens County property taxes?
Pay through the Stephens County Tax Assessor-Collector’s official tax-account system or the county’s linked Certified Payments service. Stephens CAD does not collect tax payments.
7. What homestead exemption does Stephens CAD currently show for school districts?
The current exemption page shows a $140,000 general residence-homestead exemption for the listed school districts, including Breckenridge ISD. Verify the amount and eligibility for your specific tax year.
8. Why can one owner have several mineral accounts?
Separate leases, operators, wells, ownership percentages, interest types and taxing jurisdictions can create multiple N accounts. Compare each property ID and ownership interest independently.
9. Is the owner name on the CAD record legal proof of ownership?
No. The appraisal owner field is maintained for property-tax administration. Use the Stephens County Clerk’s recorded deed and appropriate title evidence to verify legal ownership.
10. What are Stephens CAD’s current office phone and address?
Stephens County Appraisal District is at 201 South Rose Avenue, Breckenridge, Texas 76424. Its published phone number is 254-559-8233.
Independent information notice: County-CAD.us is not Stephens County, Stephens County Appraisal District, the Appraisal Review Board, the Stephens County Tax Assessor-Collector or the County Clerk. Property values, exemptions, rates, balances, deadlines, office hours, portal functions and fees can change. Verify account-specific and deadline-sensitive information through the linked official systems. This guide does not provide legal, tax, surveying, title, mineral or appraisal advice.
Free County CAD Property Tax Assistant

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.

Start Free Tool
8-in-1Calculator, checklist and official-search helper in one widget.
No loginWorks instantly without collecting names, emails or property IDs.
Mobile-firstDesigned for phone users reading county CAD articles.
HelpfulGives next steps, not only numbers.

What are you trying to do today?

Choose your main goal. The tool will guide you to the right calculation or next step.

Best for homeowners

Use Tax, Exemption and Protest tabs to understand your appraisal notice and possible savings.

Best for buyers

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.

County-CAD.us
Independent Platform

County-CAD.us provides verified access to official County Appraisal District (CAD) property records across the United States.

We offer step-by-step guides, manually verified links, and practical instructions to help users access official data quickly and accurately.

Quick Links

About Us

Contact Us

Editorial Policy

Legal

Privacy Policy

Disclaimer

Terms & Conditions

Disclaimer: County-CAD.us is an independent informational website and is not affiliated with any government agency, County Appraisal District, or public authority. We do not provide official services or manage government records. All information is provided for educational purposes only. Users must verify details through official government websites.

All trademarks, logos, and names belong to their respective owners.

© 2026 County-CAD.us — All Rights Reserved