This guide helps you use official Travis County, Texas property search tools to look up ownership, addresses, values, and related tax records. It shows where to search, what details to enter, and what to check in the results through the Travis Central Appraisal District.

This site is independent and does not provide legal, tax, or financial advice or guarantees. Use official county and appraisal district resources for final confirmation.

Start with the main county appraisal search tool. The database can be searched by owner name, property address, account number, or doing business as.

  • Owner name
  • Property address
  • Account number
  • Doing business as (DBA)

If you are missing part of the address or owner information, a broader search usually works better than a very exact one.

  • Open the search tool.
  • Enter an owner name, street address, account number, or DBA.
  • Review the record details shown for the property, including ownership and value fields.
  • Use the result page to compare the year, property ID, Geographic ID, legal description, and market value.

Search tip: TCAD recommends leaving off street suffixes like St, Dr, Ln, Ave, Rd, or Cv, and trying fewer words if your first search does not return the property.

What the search results can show

The property search results can display items such as the year, property ID, type, Geographic ID, tax office ID, owner name, property address, city, legal description, and market value.

Use the year field carefully. TCAD notes that current-year information is still a work in progress, while prior-year data is informational and may not match the values later certified to the tax office.

The records are provided for ad valorem taxation purposes, and TCAD states that the information is public but distributed without warranty.

Maps and Geographic ID

If you need to connect a property result to a map, use the Geographic ID from the search result. The first six digits identify the map number.

On the maps page, the first two digits of the Geographic ID point to the PDF folder, and the next four digits identify the file. TCAD also notes that its fully accessible maps are available through the online property search.

You can review the county mapping page here: open TCAD maps.

Property values, notices, and next steps

TCAD determines property values and sends Notices of Appraised Value. Every spring, owners whose market value increased by at least $1,000 over the last year will receive a notice.

The notice and online records may show three different value types: market value, net appraised value, and taxable value. Market value reflects what the property would sell for as of January 1, while taxable value is the figure used by taxing units to calculate taxes.

If you think the market value is wrong, TCAD says you can protest it. The protest deadline is May 15 or 30 days after the notice is mailed, whichever is later.

For owners who want to act after reviewing a record, TCAD also provides pages for filing a protest, checking homestead exemption options, and accessing online and printable forms.

Who handles appraisals and tax bills

The Travis Central Appraisal District handles property values, appraisal notices, protests, and exemption or deferral applications. It does not calculate or collect property tax payments.

If your question is about the property record itself, start with TCAD. If your question is about the tax bill or payment, TCAD directs property owners to the Travis County Tax Office instead.

TCAD also states that taxes are generally due when the tax statement is issued around October 1, and payments are due by January 31 of the following year.

Property search contacts

Use these contacts if you need help with the county appraisal search, record details, or appraisal district procedures.

  • Travis Central Appraisal District — 850 East Anderson Lane, Austin, TX 78752
    Phone: (512) 834-9317
    Email: [email protected]
    Hours: Mon – Wed – Fri 7:45 am – 4:45 pm; Tues – Thurs 9:00 am – 4:45 pm
  • Mailing address — P.O. Box 149012, Austin, TX 78714-9012
  • Taxpayer Liaison Officer
    Email: [email protected]

Common questions

How do I search for a property in Travis County, Texas?

Use the Travis Central Appraisal District online property search. You can search by owner name, property address, account number, or DBA. If a search comes back empty, TCAD recommends using fewer words or leaving off street suffixes.

What should I do if I cannot find a property by address?

Try entering only the first word of the street name or removing the street suffix. TCAD also says that if you do not know the street number, you can search by street name alone. A broader search often works better than a narrow one.

Are the values in the online record final?

Not always. TCAD says current-year information should be treated as a work in progress, and prior-year data is informational only. If you need to act on a value, compare it with your notice and use TCAD’s protest process if needed.

Does TCAD collect property tax payments?

No. TCAD handles appraisals, notices, protests, and exemptions, but it does not calculate or accept tax payments. For billing or payment questions, contact the Travis County Tax Office.

How do I use the map number from a property record?

Look at the Geographic ID on the property search results page. The first six digits are the map number, with the first two digits identifying the PDF folder and the next four digits identifying the file. You can also use the accessible map tools linked through TCAD’s online search pages.