2009 Texas Code
PROPERTY CODE
TITLE 3. PUBLIC RECORDS
CHAPTER 12. RECORDING OF INSTRUMENTS  

PROPERTY CODE

TITLE 3. PUBLIC RECORDS

CHAPTER 12. RECORDING OF INSTRUMENTS

Sec. 12.001. INSTRUMENTS CONCERNING PROPERTY. (a) An

instrument concerning real or personal property may be recorded

if it has been acknowledged, sworn to with a proper jurat, or

proved according to law.

(b) An instrument conveying real property may not be recorded

unless it is signed and acknowledged or sworn to by the grantor

in the presence of two or more credible subscribing witnesses or

acknowledged or sworn to before and certified by an officer

authorized to take acknowledgements or oaths, as applicable.

(c) This section does not require the acknowledgement or

swearing or prohibit the recording of a financing statement, a

security agreement filed as a financing statement, or a

continuation statement filed for record under the Business &

Commerce Code.

(d) The failure of a notary public to attach an official seal to

an acknowledgment, a jurat, or other proof taken outside this

state but inside the United States or its territories renders the

acknowledgment, jurat, or other proof invalid only if the

jurisdiction in which the acknowledgment, jurat, or other proof

is taken requires the notary public to attach the seal.

Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3489, ch. 576, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1,

1984. Amended by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 162, Sec. 2, eff.

Sept. 1, 1989; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 603, Sec. 2, eff. June

14, 1995.

Sec. 12.0011. INSTRUMENTS CONCERNING PROPERTY: ORIGINAL

SIGNATURE REQUIRED FOR CERTAIN INSTRUMENTS. (a) For the

purposes of this section, "paper document" means a document

received by a county clerk in a form that is not electronic.

(b) A paper document concerning real or personal property may

not be recorded or serve as notice of the paper document unless:

(1) the paper document contains an original signature or

signatures that are acknowledged, sworn to with a proper jurat,

or proved according to law; or

(2) the paper document is attached as an exhibit to a paper

affidavit or other document that has an original signature or

signatures that are acknowledged, sworn to with a proper jurat,

or proved according to law.

(c) An original signature may not be required for an electronic

instrument or other document that complies with the requirements

of Chapter 15 of this code, Chapter 195, Local Government Code,

Chapter 322, Business & Commerce Code, or other applicable

law.

(d) This section does not apply to a child support lien notice

issued by the Title IV-D agency under Chapter 157, Family Code.

For purposes of this subsection, "Title IV-D agency" has the

meaning assigned by Section 101.033, Family Code.

Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch.

213, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2007.

Amended by:

Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

87, Sec. 20.003, eff. September 1, 2009.

Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

767, Sec. 33, eff. June 19, 2009.

Sec. 12.002. SUBDIVISION PLAT; PENALTY. (a) The county clerk

or a deputy of the clerk with whom a plat or replat of a

subdivision of real property is filed for recording shall

determine whether the plat or replat is required by law to be

approved by a county or municipal authority or both. The clerk or

deputy may not record a plat or replat unless it is approved as

provided by law by the appropriate authority and unless the plat

or replat has attached to it the documents required by Subsection

(e) or by Section 212.0105 or 232.023, Local Government Code, if

applicable. If a plat or replat does not indicate whether land

covered by the plat or replat is in the extraterritorial

jurisdiction of the municipality, the county clerk may require

the person filing the plat or replat for recording to file with

the clerk an affidavit stating that information.

(b) A person may not file for record or have recorded in the

county clerk's office a plat or replat of a subdivision of real

property unless it is approved as provided by law by the

appropriate authority and unless the plat or replat has attached

to it the documents required by Section 212.0105 or 232.023,

Local Government Code, if applicable.

(c) Except as provided by Subsection (d), a person who

subdivides real property may not use the subdivision's

description in a deed of conveyance, a contract for a deed, or a

contract of sale or other executory contract to convey that is

delivered to a purchaser unless the plat or replat of the

subdivision is approved and is filed for record with the county

clerk of the county in which the property is located and unless

the plat or replat has attached to it the documents required by

Subsection (e) or by Section 212.0105 or 232.023, Local

Government Code, if applicable.

(d) Except in the case of a subdivision located in a county to

which Subchapter B, Chapter 232, Local Government Code, applies,

Subsection (c) does not apply to using a subdivision's

description in a contract to convey real property before the plat

or replat of the subdivision is approved and is filed for record

with the county clerk if:

(1) the conveyance is expressly contingent on approval and

recording of the final plat; and

(2) the purchaser is not given use or occupancy of the real

property conveyed before the recording of the final plat.

(e) A person may not file for record or have recorded in the

county clerk's office a plat, replat, or amended plat or replat

of a subdivision of real property unless the plat, replat, or

amended plat or replat has attached to it an original tax

certificate from each taxing unit with jurisdiction of the real

property indicating that no delinquent ad valorem taxes are owed

on the real property. If the plat, replat, or amended plat or

replat is filed after September 1 of a year, the plat, replat, or

amended plat or replat must also have attached to it a tax

receipt issued by the collector for each taxing unit with

jurisdiction of the property indicating that the taxes imposed by

the taxing unit for the current year have been paid or, if the

taxes for the current year have not been calculated, a statement

from the collector for the taxing unit indicating that the taxes

to be imposed by that taxing unit for the current year have not

been calculated. If the tax certificate for a taxing unit does

not cover the preceding year, the plat, replat, or amended plat

or replat must also have attached to it a tax receipt issued by

the collector for the taxing unit indicating that the taxes

imposed by the taxing unit for the preceding year have been paid.

This subsection does not apply if:

(1) more than one person acquired the real property from a

decedent under a will or by inheritance and those persons owning

an undivided interest in the property obtained approval to

subdivide the property to provide each person with a divided

interest and a separate title to the property; or

(2) a taxing unit acquired the real property for public use

through eminent domain proceedings or voluntary sale.

(f) A person commits an offense if the person violates

Subsection (b), (c), or (e). An offense under this subsection is

a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $10 or more

than $1,000, by confinement in the county jail for a term not to

exceed 90 days, or by both the fine and confinement. Each

violation constitutes a separate offense and also constitutes

prima facie evidence of an attempt to defraud.

(g) This section does not apply to a partition by a court.

Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3489, ch. 576, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1,

1984. Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 149, Sec. 22, eff.

Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 624, Sec. 3.09, eff.

Sept. 1, 1989; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 570, Sec. 1, eff. June

15, 1991; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 583, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1997; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 404, Sec. 27, eff. Sept. 1, 1999;

Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 812, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts

1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1382, Sec. 8, eff. June 19, 1999.

Amended by:

Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch.

1126, Sec. 26, eff. September 1, 2005.

Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch.

1154, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2005.

Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch.

289, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2007.

Sec. 12.003. INSTRUMENT IN GENERAL LAND OFFICE OR ARCHIVES. (a)

If written evidence of title to land has been filed according to

law in the General Land Office or is in the public archives, a

copy of the written evidence may be recorded if:

(1) the original was properly executed under the law in effect

at the time of execution; and

(2) the copy is certified by the officer having custody of the

original and attested with the seal of the General Land Office.

(b) A court may not admit a title to land that was filed in the

General Land Office as evidence of superior title against a

location or survey of the same land that was made under a valid

land warrant or certificate prior to the filing of the title in

the General Land Office unless prior to the location or survey:

(1) the older title had been recorded with the county clerk of

the county in which the land is located; or

(2) the person who had the location or survey made had actual

notice of the older title.

Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3490, ch. 576, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1,

1984.

Sec. 12.004. FOREIGN DEED. If written evidence of title to land

has been filed outside the county in which the land is located or

outside the state, a copy of the written evidence may be recorded

in the county in which the land is located if:

(1) the original was properly executed and recorded under the

law governing the recording; and

(2) the copy is certified by the officer having legal custody of

the original.

Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3490, ch. 576, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1,

1984.

Sec. 12.005. PARTITION. (a) A court order partitioning or

allowing recovery of title to land must be recorded with the

county clerk of the county in which the land is located in order

to be admitted as evidence to support a right claimed under the

order.

(b) A record of an order is sufficient under this section if it

consists of a brief statement by the clerk of the court that made

the order, signed and sealed by the clerk, that includes:

(1) the identity of the case in which the partition or judgment

was made;

(2) the date of the case;

(3) the names of the parties to the case;

(4) a description of the land involved that is located in the

county of the recording; and

(5) the name of the party to whom the land is decreed.

Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3490, ch. 576, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1,

1984.

Sec. 12.006. GRANT FROM GOVERNMENT. A grant from this state or

the United States that is executed and authenticated under the

law in effect at the time the grant is made may be recorded

without further acknowledgement or proof.

Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3491, ch. 576, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1,

1984.

Sec. 12.007. LIS PENDENS. (a) After the plaintiff's statement

in an eminent domain proceeding is filed or during the pendency

of an action involving title to real property, the establishment

of an interest in real property, or the enforcement of an

encumbrance against real property, a party to the action who is

seeking affirmative relief may file for record with the county

clerk of each county where a part of the property is located a

notice that the action is pending.

(b) The party filing a lis pendens or the party's agent or

attorney shall sign the lis pendens, which must state:

(1) the style and number, if any, of the proceeding;

(2) the court in which the proceeding is pending;

(3) the names of the parties;

(4) the kind of proceeding; and

(5) a description of the property affected.

(c) The county clerk shall record the notice in a lis pendens

record. The clerk shall index the record in a direct and reverse

index under the name of each party to the proceeding.

(d) Not later than the third day after the date a person files a

notice for record under this section, the person must serve a

copy of the notice on each party to the action who has an

interest in the real property affected by the notice.

Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3491, ch. 576, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1,

1984.

Amended by:

Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

297, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.

Sec. 12.0071. MOTION TO EXPUNGE LIS PENDENS. (a) A party to an

action in connection with which a notice of lis pendens has been

filed may:

(1) apply to the court to expunge the notice; and

(2) file evidence, including declarations, with the motion to

expunge the notice.

(b) The court may:

(1) permit evidence on the motion to be received in the form of

oral testimony; and

(2) make any orders the court considers just to provide for

discovery by a party affected by the motion.

(c) The court shall order the notice of lis pendens expunged if

the court determines that:

(1) the pleading on which the notice is based does not contain a

real property claim;

(2) the claimant fails to establish by a preponderance of the

evidence the probable validity of the real property claim; or

(3) the person who filed the notice for record did not serve a

copy of the notice on each party entitled to a copy under Section

12.007(d).

(d) Notice of a motion to expunge under Subsection (a) must be

served on each affected party on or before the 20th day before

the date of the hearing on the motion.

(e) The court shall rule on the motion for expunction based on

the affidavits and counteraffidavits on file and on any other

proof the court allows.

(f) After a certified copy of an order expunging a notice of lis

pendens has been recorded, the notice of lis pendens and any

information derived from the notice:

(1) does not:

(A) constitute constructive or actual notice of any matter

contained in the notice or of any matter relating to the

proceeding;

(B) create any duty of inquiry in a person with respect to the

property described in the notice; or

(C) affect the validity of a conveyance to a purchaser for value

or of a mortgage to a lender for value; and

(2) is not enforceable against a purchaser or lender described

by Subdivision (1)(C), regardless of whether the purchaser or

lender knew of the lis pendens action.

(g) The court in its discretion may require that the party

prevailing in the expunction hearing submit an undertaking to the

court in an amount determined by the court.

Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

297, Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2009.

Sec. 12.008. CANCELLATION OF LIS PENDENS. (a) On the motion of

a party or other person interested in the result of or in

property affected by a proceeding in which a lis pendens has been

recorded and after notice to each affected party, the court

hearing the action may cancel the lis pendens at any time during

the proceeding, whether in term time or vacation, if the court

determines that the party seeking affirmative relief can be

adequately protected by the deposit of money into court or by the

giving of an undertaking.

(b) If the cancellation of a lis pendens is conditioned on the

payment of money, the court may order the cancellation when the

party seeking the cancellation pays into the court an amount

equal to the total of:

(1) the judgment sought;

(2) the interest the court considers likely to accrue during the

proceeding; and

(3) costs.

(c) If the cancellation of a lis pendens is conditioned on the

giving of an undertaking, the court may order the cancellation

when the party seeking the cancellation gives a guarantee of

payment of a judgment, plus interest and costs, in favor of the

party who recorded the lis pendens. The guarantee must equal

twice the amount of the judgment sought and have two sufficient

sureties approved by the court. Not less than two days before the

day the guarantee is submitted to the court for approval, the

party seeking the cancellation shall serve the attorney for the

party who recorded the lis pendens a copy of the guarantee and

notice of its submission to the court.

Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3491, ch. 576, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1,

1984.

Sec. 12.009. MORTGAGE OR DEED OF TRUST MASTER FORM. (a) A

master form of a mortgage or deed of trust may be recorded in any

county without acknowledgement or proof. The master form must

contain on its face the designation: "Master form recorded by

(name of person causing the recording)."

(b) The county clerk shall index a master form under the name of

the person causing the recording and indicate in the index and

records that the document is a master mortgage.

(c) The parties to an instrument may incorporate by reference a

provision of a recorded master form with the same effect as if

the provision were set out in full in the instrument. The

reference must state:

(1) that the master form is recorded in the county in which the

instrument is offered for record;

(2) the numbers of the book or volume and first page of the

records in which the master form is recorded; and

(3) a definite identification of each provision being

incorporated.

(d) If a mortgage or deed of trust incorporates by reference a

provision of a master form, the mortgagee shall give the

mortgagor a copy of the master form at the time the instrument is

executed. A statement in the mortgage or deed of trust or in a

separate instrument signed by the mortgagor that the mortgagor

received a copy of the master form is conclusive evidence of its

receipt. On written request the mortgagee shall give a copy of

the master form without charge to the mortgagor, the mortgagor's

successors in interest, or the mortgagor's or a successor's

agent.

(e) The provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code prevail over

this section.

Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3492, ch. 576, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1,

1984.

Sec. 12.011. CERTIFICATE OF REDEMPTION. An instrument issued by

the United States that redeems or evidences redemption of real

property from a judicial sale or from a nonjudicial sale under

foreclosure of a lien, mortgage, or deed of trust may be recorded

in records of conveyances in each county in which the property is

located if the instrument has been issued according to the laws

of the United States.

Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3493, ch. 576, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1,

1984.

Sec. 12.012. ATTACHMENT. (a) If an officer files a writ of

attachment on real property with a county clerk, the clerk shall

record the name of each plaintiff and defendant in attachment,

the amount of the debt, and the officer's return in full.

(b) A county clerk who receives a certified copy of an order

quashing or vacating a writ of attachment shall record the order

and the name of each plaintiff and defendant.

Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3494, ch. 576, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1,

1984.

Sec. 12.013. JUDGMENT. A judgment of a court may be recorded

if:

(1) the judgment is of a court:

(A) expressly created or established under the constitution or

laws of this state or of the United States;

(B) that is a court of a foreign country and that is recognized

by an Act of congress or a treaty or other international

convention to which the United States is a party; or

(C) of any other jurisdiction, territory, or protectorate

entitled to full faith and credit in this state under the

Constitution of the United States; and

(2) the judgment is attested under the signature and seal of the

clerk of the court that rendered the judgment.

Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3494, ch. 576, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1,

1984. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 189, Sec. 15, eff. May

21, 1997; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 668, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

2001.

Sec. 12.014. TRANSFER OF JUDGMENT OR CAUSE OF ACTION. (a) A

judgment or part of a judgment of a court of record or an

interest in a cause of action on which suit has been filed may be

sold, regardless of whether the judgment or cause of action is

assignable in law or equity, if the transfer is in writing.

(b) A transfer under this section may be filed with the papers

of the suit if the transfer is acknowledged or sworn to in the

form and manner required by law for acknowledgement or swearing

of deeds.

(c) If a transfer of a judgment is filed, the clerk shall record

the transfer appropriately. If a transfer of a cause of action

in which a judgment has not been rendered is filed, the clerk

shall note and briefly state the substance of the transfer on the

court docket at the place where the suit is entered.

(d) A transfer filed under this section is notice to and is

binding on a person subsequently dealing with the judgment or

cause of action.

Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3494, ch. 576, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1,

1984. Amended by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 162, Sec. 3, eff.

Sept. 1, 1989.

Amended by:

Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch.

628, Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2007.

Sec. 12.015. JUDGMENT IN JUSTICE COURT. (a) On the application

of a party interested in land that has been sold under an

execution issued by a justice court, the justice of the peace

having custody of the execution and the judgment under which it

was issued shall make a certified transcript of the judgment, the

execution, and the levy and return of the executing officer.

(b) A certified transcript under this section may be recorded in

the same manner as a deed.

Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3495, ch. 576, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1,

1984.

Sec. 12.016. POWER OF ATTORNEY. A power of attorney may be

recorded.

Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3495, ch. 576, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1,

1984.

Sec. 12.017. TITLE INSURANCE COMPANY AFFIDAVIT AS RELEASE OF

LIEN; CIVIL PENALTY. (a) In this section:

(1) "Mortgage" means a deed of trust or other contract lien on

an interest in real property.

(2) "Mortgagee" means:

(A) the grantee of a mortgage;

(B) if a mortgage has been assigned of record, the last person

to whom the mortgage has been assigned of record; or

(C) if a mortgage is serviced by a mortgage servicer, the

mortgage servicer.

(3) "Mortgage servicer" means the last person to whom a

mortgagor has been instructed by a mortgagee to send payments for

the loan secured by a mortgage. A person transmitting a payoff

statement is considered the mortgage servicer for the mortgage

described in the payoff statement.

(4) "Mortgagor" means the grantor of a mortgage.

(5) "Payoff statement" means a statement of the amount of:

(A) the unpaid balance of a loan secured by a mortgage,

including principal, interest, and other charges properly

assessed under the loan documentation of the mortgage; and

(B) interest on a per diem basis for the unpaid balance.

(6) "Title insurance company" means a corporation or other

business entity authorized to engage in the business of insuring

titles to interests in real property in this state.

(7) "Authorized title insurance agent," with respect to an

Affidavit as Release of Lien under this section, means a person

licensed as a title insurance agent under Chapter 2651, Insurance

Code, and authorized in writing by a title insurance company by

instrument recorded in the real property records in the county in

which the property to which the affidavit relates is located to

execute one or more Affidavits as Release of Lien in compliance

with this section, subject to any terms, limitations, and

conditions that are set forth in the instrument executed by the

title insurance company.

(b) This section applies only to a mortgage on:

(1) property consisting exclusively of a one-to-four-family

residence, including a residential unit in a condominium regime;

or

(2) property other than property described by Subdivision (1),

if the original face amount of the indebtedness secured by the

mortgage on the property is less than $1.5 million.

(c) An authorized officer of a title insurance company or an

authorized title insurance agent may, on behalf of the mortgagor

or a transferee of the mortgagor who acquired title to the

property described in the mortgage, execute an affidavit that

complies with the requirements of this section and record the

affidavit in the real property records of each county in which

the mortgage was recorded.

(d) An affidavit executed under Subsection (c) must be in

substantially the following form:

AFFIDAVIT AS RELEASE OF LIEN

Before me, the undersigned authority, on this day personally

appeared (insert name of affiant) ("Affiant") who, being first

duly sworn, upon his/her oath states:

1. My name is (insert name of Affiant), and I am an authorized

officer of (insert name of title insurance company or authorized

title insurance agent) ("Title Company").

2. This affidavit is made on behalf of the mortgagor or a

transferee of the mortgagor who acquired title to the property

described in the following mortgage:

(describe mortgage, the name of the mortgagor, and the property

described in the mortgage)

3. (Insert name of Mortgagee) ("Mortgagee") provided a payoff

statement with respect to the loan secured by the mortgage.

4. Affiant has ascertained that Title Company delivered to

Mortgagee payment of the loan secured by the mortgage in the

amount and time and to the location required by the payoff

statement.

5. The mortgage relates to:

(A) property consisting exclusively of a one-to-four-family

residence, which may include a residential unit in a condominium

regime; or

(B) property, other than property described by Paragraph (A)

above, for which the original face amount of the indebtedness

secured by the mortgage on the property is less than $1.5

million.

6. Pursuant to Section 12.017, Texas Property Code, this

affidavit constitutes a full and final release of the mortgage

from the property.

Signed this___ day of ___________, ____.

__________________________________________ (signature of affiant)

State of ______________

County of _____________

Sworn to and subscribed to before me on __________ (date) by

____________ (insert name of affiant).

_________________________________ (signature of notarial officer)

(Seal, if any, of notary) __________

___________________________________________________ (printed

name)

My commission expires:

______________________

(e) An affidavit filed under Subsection (c) or (f) must include

the names of the mortgagor and the mortgagee, the date of the

mortgage, and the volume and page or clerk's file number of the

real property records where the mortgage is recorded, together

with similar information for a recorded assignment of the

mortgage.

(f) On or after the date of the payment to which the affidavit

relates, the title insurance company or authorized title

insurance agent must notify the mortgagee at the location to

which the payment is sent that the title insurance company or

authorized title insurance agent may file for record at any time

the affidavit as a release of lien. If notice required by this

section is not provided to the mortgagee, the title insurance

company or authorized title insurance agent may not file for

record the affidavit as a release of lien. The mortgagee may

file a separate affidavit describing the mortgage and property

and controverting the affidavit by the title insurance company or

authorized title insurance agent as a release of lien on or

before the 45th day after the date the mortgagee receives the

notice if the mortgagee mails a copy of the mortgagee's affidavit

to the title insurance company or authorized title insurance

agent within that 45-day period.

(g) An affidavit under Subsection (c) operates as a release of

the mortgage described in the affidavit if the affidavit, as

provided by this section:

(1) is executed;

(2) is recorded; and

(3) is not controverted by a separate affidavit by the mortgagee

in accordance with the requirements of Subsection (f).

(h) The county clerk shall index an affidavit filed under this

section in the names of the original mortgagee and the last

assignee of the mortgage appearing of record as the grantors and

in the name of the mortgagor as grantee.

(i) A person who knowingly causes an affidavit with false

information to be executed and recorded under this section is

liable for the penalties for filing a false affidavit, including

the penalties for commission of offenses under Section 37.02 of

the Penal Code. The attorney general may sue to collect the

penalty. A person who negligently causes an affidavit with false

information to be executed and recorded under this section is

liable to a party injured by the affidavit for actual damages.

If the attorney general or an injured party bringing suit

substantially prevails in an action under this subsection, the

court may award reasonable attorney's fees and court costs to the

prevailing party.

(j) A title insurance company or authorized title insurance

agent that, at any time after payment of the mortgage, files for

record an affidavit executed under Subsection (c) may use any

recording fee collected for the recording of a release of the

mortgage for the purpose of filing the affidavit.

(k) This section does not affect any agreement or obligation of

a mortgagee to execute and deliver a release of mortgage.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 1003, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 30,

1993.

Amended by:

Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

997, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.

Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

997, Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2009.

Sec. 12.018. TRANSFER BY RECEIVER OR CONSERVATOR OF FAILED

DEPOSITORY INSTITUTION. If a bank, savings and loan association,

savings bank, or other depository institution is placed in

receivership or conservatorship by a state or federal agency,

instrumentality, or institution, including the Banking Department

of Texas, Department of Savings and Mortgage Lending of Texas,

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Resolution Trust

Corporation, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Federal

Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation, or their successors, a

person at any time may record an affidavit or memorandum of a

sale, transfer, purchase, or acquisition agreement between the

receiver or conservator of the failed depository institution and

another depository institution. If the sale, transfer, purchase,

or acquisition agreement transfers or sells an interest in land

or in a mortgage or other lien vested according to the real

property records in the failed depository institution, a recorded

affidavit or memorandum under this section is constructive notice

of the transfer or sale. The failure of the affidavit or

memorandum to be executed by the record owner or of the

affidavit, memorandum, or agreement to contain language of

conveyance does not create a defect in title to the land or the

lien.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 1004, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 30,

1993. Renumbered from Property Code Sec. 12.017 by Acts 1995,

74th Leg., ch. 76, Sec. 17.01(43), eff. Sept. 1, 1995.

Amended by:

Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch.

921, Sec. 6.064, eff. September 1, 2007.

Disclaimer: These codes may not be the most recent version. Texas may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.