Dallas County's property fraud page doesn't open with a sign-up button. It opens with a law. Its first line tells fraud victims to follow "the requirements in Texas Government Code 51.9035"1.
That 2025 law lets an owner clear a fake deed without suing anyone. So this guide starts with the law, then covers the free alert.
How do you clear a fake deed in Dallas County without a lawsuit?
Record a sworn owner's affidavit, mail notice to the names on the fake deed, and wait 120 days. If no one files a sworn reply, a district judge can rule that the deed doesn't transfer your property, with no filing fee.
"The district clerk may not collect a filing fee for filing a petition under this section."
The route comes from Senate Bill 1734 by Sen. Royce West, who represents Dallas County2,3. A Senate analysis calls it "a clear and inexpensive route to justice when deed theft occurs"2.
It applies to a deed, the signed paper that moves property from one owner to the next. Each deed names a grantor, the "seller," and a grantee, the "buyer."
- Download the forms. The County Clerk's property fraud page posts all four: the owner's affidavit, the certificate of mailing, the petition and the judge's findings1.
- Sign the owner's affidavit before a notary. Attach a copy of the fake deed. A notary checks your ID and watches you sign. The Recording Division lists one on the 4th floor, in the Treasurer's office, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. daily, for $10 cash4.
- Record it with the County Clerk at 500 Elm Street, Suite 2100. Recording usually costs $25 for the first page, but the county says these fraud forms record free1,4.
- Mail notice to both names on the fake deed. Send a letter and a copy of your recorded affidavit to the grantor and the grantee at their last known addresses. Use certified or registered mail, return receipt requested5.
- Record the certificate of mailing, with your letter and the mail receipt attached1,5.
- Wait 120 days from the day the certificate is filed. In that time, the grantor or grantee may record a controverting affidavit, a sworn statement that your affidavit is untrue or the deed is valid5.
- File the petition with the District Clerk. If no controverting affidavit was recorded in time, file the petition and the findings form at 600 Commerce Street, Suite 103. There is no filing fee1,6.
- Record the judge's finding. A judge may rule on your papers alone, with no hearing. Get a certified copy of the finding from the District Clerk and record it with the County Clerk, free1,6.
Mail both names, even though the county's page names one. The page says to mail "the person who claims to own the property." The law says the grantor and the grantee1,5.
Use ZIP code 75202. The county's page prints 75052 for both clerks, but their own pages give 752027,8.
The judge's finding protects the next sale too. Once it is recorded, a later buyer or lender "may rely conclusively" on it5. It settles only whether the deed passes title, not any other claim6.
What if the fake paper is a lien, not a deed?
A separate free motion covers fake liens: Government Code 51.903, in place since 1997. A lien is a recorded claim that you owe money, tied to your property. If you believe one is fraudulent, you can file a sworn "motion for judicial review" with the District Clerk6.
A judge may rule on the papers alone, and neither clerk may charge a fee. The motion itself says it "does not seek to invalidate a legitimate lien," and a frivolous one can bring sanctions6.
The law prints the motion's suggested wording. The District Clerk's fraudulent lien forms cover a related motion, Section 51.902, for liens from fake courts9.
| Fake deed | Fake lien | |
|---|---|---|
| The law | Property Code 5.0206 and Government Code 51.9035 (2025) | Government Code 51.903 (1997) |
| What you file | A petition, once your owner's affidavit has gone 120 days with no sworn reply | A sworn motion for judicial review |
| Filing fee | None | None |
| Hearing | Not required. The judge may rule on the papers | Not required. The judge may rule on the papers |
| Recording the ruling | Free at the County Clerk | Free at the County Clerk |
| Forms in Dallas County | On the County Clerk's property fraud page | Suggested wording is in the law itself |
What did Texas change about deed fraud in 2025?
Texas made deed theft its own felony, told clerks to check suspect filings, and gave owners the free petition. Sen. Royce West wrote the two biggest bills, SB 1734 and SB 162,10.
- July 1, 2023Dallas County asks for photo ID for documents that convey property from one person to another7.
- Sept. 1, 2025Three laws start. SB 1734 creates the petition, and under SB 647 a clerk must refuse a suspect filing if a prosecutor finds probable cause or the filer can't back it up6. Under SB 693, a notary who knowingly notarizes a property transfer for someone who never appeared commits a state jail felony11.
- Dec. 4, 2025Deed theft becomes its own crime. Real property theft and real property fraud are felonies, with 10 years to bring charges. Every Texas county clerk must ask for photo ID from anyone filing a property document in person10,12,13,14.
- Jan. 1, 2026Clerks tip off police. If you report a deed filed after this date as fake, the clerk must tell the police where the property is. Any photo ID details from the filer go with your report6.
The penalty depends on the home's value. Moving someone's property out of their name without consent is a second-degree felony under $300,000 of market value. It is a first-degree felony at $300,000 or more, based on the appraisal district's roll12.
A Dallas County homestead exemption on the home raises the charge a level. So does an owner who is elderly or disabled, or a nonprofit like the Lancaster church below12,13.
Dallas County Assistant DA Phillip Clark said in 2025 that the change lengthens the time victims can report deed fraud "from five to ten years"15.
How do you sign up for the Dallas County property fraud alert?
Create a free account at dallas.tx.publicsearch.us/property-alert, then set an alert on your name or your deed. The County Clerk runs it with its partner, Neumo Property Alerts, and calls it "free to the public"1,16.
- Open the sign-up page at dallas.tx.publicsearch.us/property-alert, or click the sign-up image on the County Clerk's fraud page1.
- Register with your first name, last name, email and a password. It is free17.
- Choose "Enter a Keyword" and type your name last name first. Neumo's example: "Dave Johnson" becomes "Johnson Dave"17.
- Add every version of your name. The 2009 news story on the county's first alert said to "include all variations of your name that you think a crook might use." Think middle initials, initials only, a maiden name, and any trust or company that holds your home18.
- Watch your deed too. Open your deed in the records search and click the shield icon to watch its property address, if the county indexed one17.
- Add family members. Each alert goes to one email address, and there is no limit on alerts. A relative can open their own account and add your name17.
The alert is free, but it has limits.
- It watches words. It matches the names you enter, or your deed's indexed address17.
- It reports after recording. The system scans every night, and your email should come "within a few hours"17.
- It covers Dallas County only. It watches real property filings "within the county"16.
- It makes no promise. The county "assumes no liability for failure to provide any property owner" with notice16.
Few owners sign up. County Clerk John Warren told NBC 5 in 2025: "We provide a property fraud alert system, but it's difficult to get people to register."15
How often does deed fraud happen in Dallas County?
Not often, but the cases are real and can take years to fix. For how these schemes work in general, see what deed theft is.
The second case shows where the free petition stops. When the other side insists a deed is real, the dispute goes to a regular lawsuit, like that quiet title suit.
A third case shows the court route working. On April 9, 2026, a judge voided a forged deed to land on Riverwood Road, near the Trinity River, and returned it to the late owner's granddaughter23. The man accused of forging it was charged with forgery and theft in July 2026, and as of FOX 4's August report he was charged, not convicted24.
Who is the Dallas County recorder of deeds, and who else can help?
In Texas, the county clerk is the recorder of deeds. Dallas County's Recording Division keeps the property records, takes the fraud forms and runs the alert. The District Clerk takes the petition7,1.
If you find a fake deed, start here:
- Get a copy. Search your name in the Dallas County property records at dallas.tx.publicsearch.us and note the document number25.
- Report it. Tell the Recording Division and the police where the property is. Neumo's help page also suggests calling your lawyer17.
- Pick your path. Start the affidavit route above, or see a lawyer if the other side will fight.
| Office | Use it for | How to reach it |
|---|---|---|
| County Clerk, Recording Division (the recorder of deeds) | Property records, the fraud forms, the alert, reporting a fake deed | Records Building, 500 Elm Street, Suite 2100, Dallas, TX 75202. (214) 653-7099. 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday |
| District Clerk | The free petition or lien motion, and a certified copy of the judge's finding | George L. Allen, Sr. Courts Building, 600 Commerce Street, Suite 103, Dallas, TX 75202. (214) 653-7307 |
| Police | A crime report | The police department for the area where the property is |
| District Attorney, Specialized Crime Division | Its Fraud Unit handles forgery and mortgage fraud. Its Elder Abuse Unit focuses on elderly victims | Frank Crowley Courts Building, 133 N. Riverfront Blvd., LB 19, Dallas, TX 75207. (214) 653-3600 |
| Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas | Free civil legal help for people with low incomes | 1515 Main St., Dallas, TX 75201. 214-748-1234. Legal Aid Line 1-888-529-5277 |
Sign-up links, addresses, fees and phone numbers on this page were checked on October 25, 20261,4,8,16,26,27.
Frequently asked questions
Is a property fraud alert legitimate?
Yes, when it comes from your county. Dallas County's alert is a free County Clerk service, linked from the Clerk's own fraud page, with Neumo Property Alerts as its partner. Sign up only through dallascounty.org or dallas.tx.publicsearch.us.
Is property fraud Alert a free service?
Yes. The County Clerk calls Dallas County's alert "free to the public," and Neumo's help page says registering and creating alerts cost nothing. You need an account with an email address.
How can I get a property fraud alert in Texas?
Sign up with the county clerk in each county where you own property. Dallas County's alert is at dallas.tx.publicsearch.us/property-alert, while Tarrant County's is on propertyfraudalert.com. Our map of free county alerts lists more.
How can I remove a fraudulent lien in Texas?
File a sworn motion for judicial review with the district clerk under Government Code 51.903. A judge may rule on the papers alone, with no filing fee and no fee to record the ruling. The motion is only for fraudulent liens, and a frivolous one can bring sanctions.
Does Texas have a deed fraud law?
Yes. Since Dec. 4, 2025, real property theft and real property fraud have been felonies under Penal Code sections 31.23 and 32.60. Before that, prosecutors used theft and forgery laws, as in the Lancaster church case.
How do I get a copy of a deed in Dallas County?
Search the County Clerk's online records at dallas.tx.publicsearch.us by name, document type or document number. For a certified copy, the Recording Division charges $1.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee per document. Our guide on how to find the deed to your house walks through each step.
Turn on the free alert today
It costs nothing, and you can add as many names as you need. Keep the county's four fraud forms bookmarked too, in case you ever need them.
Sign up for the Dallas County alertSee how Still My Home worksOwn a home in another Texas county, or out of state? Check our guide to free county fraud alerts for the county where it sits.
Sources
- Property Fraud Alert, Dallas County Clerk, Recording Division, checked October 25, 2026
- Bill analysis, S.B. 1734 (enrolled), by West, Senate Research Center, July 2, 2025
- Texas Senate approves bill to protect Texans from real estate fraudsters, Atirikta Kumar, The Texas Tribune, August 1, 2025
- Recording Division Frequently Asked Questions (fees and notary), Dallas County Clerk, checked October 25, 2026
- Property Code, Sections 5.0206 and 5.0207, Texas Legislature, added by SB 1734, effective September 1, 2025, checked October 25, 2026
- Government Code, Chapter 51, Subchapter J (Sections 51.901 to 51.9035), Texas Legislature, current through the 89th Legislature, 2nd Called Session, 2025, checked October 25, 2026
- Recording Division, Dallas County Clerk, checked October 25, 2026
- District Clerk, Dallas County, checked October 25, 2026
- Fraudulent Lien forms, Dallas County District Clerk, checked October 25, 2026
- Bill analysis, S.B. 16 (enrolled), by West et al., Senate Research Center, September 9, 2025
- Government Code, Section 406.0091, notarization for a person not personally appearing, Texas Legislature, added by SB 693, effective September 1, 2025, checked October 25, 2026
- Penal Code, Section 31.23, Real Property Theft, Texas Legislature, effective December 4, 2025, checked October 25, 2026
- Penal Code, Section 32.60, Real Property Fraud, Texas Legislature, effective December 4, 2025, checked October 25, 2026
- Local Government Code, Section 191.010, photo identification, Texas Legislature, as amended effective December 4, 2025, checked October 25, 2026
- Texas House passes legislation targeting deed fraud, NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth, August 26, 2025
- Neumo Property Alerts (sign-up page), Dallas County Clerk and Neumo, checked October 25, 2026
- Property Alert FAQ, Neumo help center, linked from the Dallas sign-up page, checked October 25, 2026
- Dallas County offers free property fraud alert, Kevin Krause, The Dallas Morning News, November 10, 2009
- Property Fraud Alert, county list, Fidlar Technologies, checked October 25, 2026
- Dallas pastor sentenced to 35 years in prison for stealing 3 church properties, FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth, June 10, 2024
- Dallas pastor gets 35 years in prison for stealing properties from 3 other churches, De'Anthony Taylor, NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth, June 10, 2024
- Lawsuit reignites alleged deed fraud battle over Dallas homes, Tanya Eiserer, WFAA, March 27, 2026
- Dallas begins cleanup at Trinity River illegal dump site, FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth, June 29, 2026
- Trinity River cleanup investigation leads to felony charges against Dallas man for deed fraud, FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth, August 4, 2026
- Official Record Search, Dallas County Clerk, checked October 25, 2026
- Specialized Crime Division, Dallas County Criminal District Attorney's Office, checked October 25, 2026
- Office Locations, Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas, checked October 25, 2026