What We Do
Our Services
Professional abstracting and record research services for Runnels County, Texas — including oil and gas lease and mineral searches. Every search is prepared with care from the official county deed records.
Runsheet
A chronological compilation of all recorded instruments in the official county records for a specific survey or abstract area. A runsheet covers all entries within a given survey or abstract — it is not limited to a single property and may reference instruments affecting multiple tracts within that survey area.
What to Provide
- ✓Legal description (survey name and abstract number, or lot/block/subdivision)
- ✓County
- ✓Date range (if limiting scope)
- ✓Any known prior instrument numbers for reference
Common Use Cases
- →Preliminary investigation of instruments on a survey or abstract
- →Mineral rights investigation
- →Supporting documentation for a chain of title search
- →Estate and probate matters
Abstract of Title
A comprehensive, formally structured report presenting a complete examination of all instruments in the public record affecting a specific tract of land. Includes a table of contents, index, and full copies of referenced documents. Prepared in official report format for use by attorneys in legal opinions and other professional services.
What to Provide
- ✓Full legal description
- ✓County
- ✓All known prior instrument numbers
- ✓Date range (if applicable)
Common Use Cases
- →Attorney preparation of a legal title opinion
- →Real estate closings requiring full documentation
- →Legal proceedings requiring a certified record of instruments
- →Lending institution or professional requirements
Chain of Title
A targeted search identifying the recorded instruments that document ownership history for a specific property — returned as a curated list or tailored runsheet of relevant conveyances, encumbrances, and releases found in the public record. Does not include full instrument copies as a full abstract report would.
What to Provide
- ✓Full legal description (survey name and abstract number, or lot/block/subdivision)
- ✓County
- ✓Starting point or date for the chain
- ✓Ending date (if limiting scope)
Common Use Cases
- →Establishing ownership history for a specific property
- →Due diligence for real estate acquisitions
- →Supporting mineral rights investigations
- →Probate, estate, and heirship matters
Grantor/Grantee Search
A search of the official county grantor/grantee index identifying every recorded instrument associated with a specific individual or entity. Useful for identifying all property interests, encumbrances, or conveyances connected to a name across the county record.
What to Provide
- ✓Full legal name of the individual or entity
- ✓County
- ✓Date range for the search
- ✓Any known name variations or aliases
Common Use Cases
- →Identifying all property interests held by an individual or company
- →Lien and encumbrance searches
- →Judgment searches affecting real property
- →Due diligence for acquisitions
Oil, Gas & Mineral Search
A search of all mineral and royalty instruments in the official county records affecting a specific survey or tract — including oil and gas leases, assignments, mineral deeds, royalty conveyances, and division orders.
What to Provide
- ✓Legal description (survey name and abstract number)
- ✓County
- ✓Date range
- ✓Depth limitations (if any)
Common Use Cases
- →Oil and gas lease acquisition and verification
- →Mineral rights due diligence
- →Division order preparation
- →Royalty interest confirmation
Custom Research
Have a specific research need that doesn't fit a standard search type? Describe your project and we'll provide a custom quote.
What to Provide
- ✓Description of the research objective
- ✓County
- ✓Any relevant names, legal descriptions, instrument numbers, or date ranges
- ✓Intended use (attorney opinion, due diligence, personal research, etc.)
Common Use Cases
- →Multi-tract projects requiring coordinated searches
- →Unusual instrument types or index sources outside standard searches
- →Research supporting litigation, estate, or heirship proceedings
- →Projects that require scoping discussion before pricing
Supplemental / Update Search
Extends a prior runsheet, abstract, or chain of title to the current date. Requires the effective date of the prior search. Common for repeat landman clients keeping active tract files current.
What to Provide
- ✓Effective date of the prior search (the date through which the original search ran)
- ✓Legal description or name from the original search
- ✓County
- ✓Any known instrument numbers recorded since the prior effective date
Common Use Cases
- →Keeping active landman tract files current for ongoing drilling programs
- →Pre-closing update to an existing abstract or runsheet
- →Lender update search before loan funding
- →Extending coverage after a gap period or ownership change
Important to Understand
What Abstract Research Is Not
Abstract and record research serves a specific professional purpose. Understanding its scope and limitations helps you use it correctly.
Not Title Insurance
We do not issue title insurance policies, commitments, or binders. Title insurance is a product sold by licensed underwriters. Abstract research is a professional service that documents what the public record contains — it does not insure against undisclosed claims or off-record defects.
Not a Legal Opinion
We report what the instruments in the public record say. We do not interpret the legal effect of those instruments, advise on marketability of title, or render opinions on ownership. For legal conclusions, consult a licensed Texas attorney.
Not a Guarantee of Clear Title
A thorough abstract may reveal a complex or clouded title history. Our job is to find and report that history accurately — not to certify that title is clear. The absence of instruments in the index does not guarantee that no interest exists.
Not a Survey
Abstract and record research works from the written instruments in the county deed records. We do not perform physical boundary surveys, stake property lines, or certify acreage. For surveying questions, engage a licensed Texas land surveyor.
Not Unlimited in Scope
Our searches are conducted in the official county deed records indexed at the county clerk's office. Federal liens, IRS tax liens filed in federal court, probate matters, and instruments recorded in adjacent counties are not automatically included unless specifically requested.
Not a Substitute for Due Diligence
Record research is one component of a complete due diligence process. Depending on your transaction, you may also need environmental assessments, surveys, tax certificate searches, or other professional evaluations. We provide the records component — thorough and accurate.
Runnels County Abstract Company liability is limited to a refund of the search fee. All searches are prepared from the officially indexed records at the Runnels CountyClerk's office and are subject to the completeness and accuracy of that index.