Refugio County Appraisal District CAD 2026

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Refugio County, Texas · Property search, coastal land, mineral accounts, exemptions, protests, taxes and deeds

Navigate a Refugio County Parcel From Coastal Map to Verified Tax Account

Start with Refugio Central Appraisal District when you need a property ID, Geo ID, appraisal owner, situs address, legal description, acreage, lease information, land or improvement value, exemption, agricultural appraisal or protest record.

Refugio County’s property mix includes town lots, rural acreage, coastal property, mineral interests, industrial accounts and business assets. The correct search field can therefore matter more than a complete postal address.

Open official property search Open interactive map Search and pay property taxes
Property ID Geo ID Owner or company name Address or county road Abstract or legal description Lease name or number
COASTAL PARCEL NAVIGATOR VERIFYING
SEARCH → MAP → VERIFY → ACT
Local office split: Refugio CAD determines appraisal values, property characteristics, exemptions, agricultural qualification and protest matters. The Refugio County Tax Assessor-Collector handles consolidated tax balances, payments, statements and receipts. The County Clerk maintains recorded deeds, liens and official property documents.
Best search field

Property ID or Geo ID gives the strongest account match.

CAD address

420 N. Alamo Street, Refugio, Texas 78377.

CAD phone

(361) 526-5994

Tax-office phone

(361) 526-2023

Chief Appraiser

Phillip E. Gonzales.

Start with the exact task

What do you need from the Refugio County property account?

FIND A PROPERTY Search the appraisal record

Use owner, property ID, Geo ID, address, legal description, abstract or subdivision.

Follow the search workflow
CHECK MINERALS Search lease-based accounts

Use mineral property type, owner, lease name, lease number, abstract or legal description.

Review mineral-account steps
PAY PROPERTY TAX Use the County Tax Office portal

Search the correct account, verify every jurisdiction and save the payment receipt.

Follow the payment steps
PROTEST A VALUE Request a PIN and file

Save the notice and evidence, use an accepted filing route and retain confirmation.

Prepare a focused protest
APPLY FOR EXEMPTION Use the official CAD form

Prepare identification, ownership, occupancy or land-use evidence before submission.

Review exemption steps
VERIFY OWNERSHIP Search County Clerk records

The CAD owner entry does not replace a recorded deed, lien or title examination.

Check official records

Go directly to the Refugio County property task

The first sections solve the appraisal search. Later sections cover coastal and rural property, minerals, exemptions, protests, tax payments, deeds, reports and local contacts.

Live portal click guide

Know what to select on the Refugio CAD search screen

REFUGIO CENTRAL APPRAISAL DISTRICT PROPERTY SEARCH
Enter owner, property ID, Geo ID, address, legal description or lease information
SEARCH
Basic Search By Owner By Property All Criteria Advanced Search
BASIC SEARCH Start with one strong detail

Use owner name, owner ID, property ID or a short address.

BY OWNER Use last name first

Add care-of or mailing information only when a broad search is too large.

BY PROPERTY Use legal or lease fields

Best for rural land, minerals, abstracts, subdivisions and leases.

ADVANCED Combine carefully

Add category, acreage or value filters only after a broad search.

Visual-reference note: the existing article did not contain a useful county-specific search screenshot. This original interface guide explains the live portal without presenting a fabricated official screenshot.
Advanced search fields

Choose the search field that matches the Refugio County property

Use legal, lease and appraisal identifiers when a normal address search fails
Search field Best use Practical entry tip
Property ID Opening one exact appraisal account. Copy it from an appraisal notice, tax statement or prior property page.
Geo ID Matching a parcel to its geographic and legal reference. Enter the complete identifier exactly as displayed.
Owner ID Finding property connected to a known appraisal owner. Do not confuse owner ID with property ID.
Previous owner Finding recently sold, inherited or transferred property. Compare the deed date and file number with County Clerk records.
Legal description Finding property without a reliable postal address. Search one distinctive tract, survey, lot or block phrase.
Abstract Finding rural acreage and survey-based property. Use the abstract number from the deed or prior appraisal record.
Subdivision Finding platted town, coastal or residential property. Confirm lot, block, address and owner.
Lease name or number Finding mineral, oil or gas interests. Try a shortened lease name when punctuation or spacing differs.
Field Search Searching deed date, file number, volume, page, tract, lot, block or survey. Choose the field first, then enter a short exact value.
Category or value search Researching comparable property classes or value ranges. Use a reasonable range instead of one exact value.
Interactive parcel map

Verify a coastal or rural parcel before relying on an address

Open the official interactive map Open Refugio CAD Interactive Map
Locate the property with a known reference Use property ID, Geo ID, owner, road, legal description, subdivision or nearby landmark where supported.
Compare neighbouring parcels Review apparent tract shape, road frontage, nearby ownership and surrounding improvements.
Match the map to the property account Confirm the property ID, Geo ID, legal description and acreage.
Use legal documents for legal decisions Obtain the recorded deed, plat, easements and professional survey before fencing, dividing, building or buying.
Coastal-map warning: CAD parcel lines do not establish shoreline ownership, wetland status, flood-zone status, drainage rights, easements, public access or a legally surveyed boundary.
Account-field decoder

Understand the important fields inside a Refugio CAD account

Use each field to decide what must be verified next
Account field What it tells you What it does not prove Best next action
Property ID The appraisal-district property identifier. That every tax or deed system uses the same number. Match it with the CAD reference number and tax account.
Geo ID A geographic or legal parcel reference. A professionally surveyed boundary. Compare the map, deed and survey.
Owner shown The owner carried for appraisal and tax administration. Clear title or a complete ownership history. Search County Clerk official records.
Property type Whether the account is real estate, mineral or personal property. That all related interests are on one account. Search every relevant property type.
Legal description The tract, lot, block, survey, abstract or subdivision reference. That abbreviated CAD wording is sufficient for a deed. Open the recorded instrument.
Lease information The lease name or number associated with a mineral account. Current ownership percentage, production or royalty entitlement. Compare conveyances, division orders and operator records.
Market value CAD’s opinion of market value as of January 1. A guaranteed selling price or final tax amount. Compare sales, condition and equal-appraisal evidence.
Agricultural value The productivity value applied to qualifying open-space land. Continued qualification after an ownership or use change. Review land use, acreage and filing status.
Exemptions Tax benefits applied to the account or taxing unit. That every jurisdiction grants the same amount. Review taxable value by jurisdiction.
Taxing units The County, town, school and special districts attached to the property. That the tax calculation or payment has been verified. Open the official County Tax Office account.
Value explanation

Move from market value to taxable value and the final tax bill

VALUE 1 Market value

Refugio CAD’s opinion of market value as of January 1 for the selected tax year.

VALUE 2 Appraised or productivity value

The value after an applicable appraisal limitation or qualifying agricultural appraisal.

VALUE 3 Taxable value

The value remaining after exemptions for each individual taxing jurisdiction.

Do not estimate the final bill from market value alone. The amount depends on taxable value, exemptions, adopted tax rates, appraisal limitations, agricultural valuation, payments, penalties and interest.
Active local taxing units include Refugio County, Austwell-Tivoli ISD, Woodsboro ISD, Refugio ISD, the towns of Austwell, Refugio, Woodsboro and Bayside, the Groundwater Conservation District, Drainage District No. 1, Memorial Hospital District and WCID Nos. 1 and 2.
Search troubleshooting

Fix a Refugio CAD search that returns no property

Change one search detail at a time
Problem Likely reason Practical fix
Owner name returns nothing The account may use LASTNAME FIRSTNAME, a company, trust, estate or prior owner. Search only the last name or one distinctive entity word.
Address is not recognised The situs may use different road wording or a rural legal description. Use fewer address words, then search owner, ID, abstract or map.
Mineral account is missing The search may be limited to real estate or the interest may use a lease name. Select Mineral Property and search owner, lease, abstract or property ID.
Business account is missing The account may be classified as Personal Property or use a legal business name. Change the property type and search company, DBA or owner.
Only delinquent accounts appear The Tax Due Only filter is selected. Clear the filter and repeat the search.
Recently purchased property shows the seller The recorded deed may still be processing into CAD ownership records. Confirm recording with the County Clerk and give CAD the document number.
Inherited property remains under the deceased owner Probate, affidavit or deed information may not have been provided to CAD. Gather recorded ownership documents and ask CAD what is required.
Rural acreage is split among results Separate tracts, abstracts, improvements or ownership interests have separate IDs. Save every account and compare legal description, Geo ID and acreage.
Tax portal cannot find the CAD property ID The Tax Office may use an account number or CAD reference number. Search owner, address or CAD reference number and compare the legal description.
Map lines differ from the deed or survey The GIS is an appraisal layer rather than a legal survey. Use the recorded deed, plat and survey for legal conclusions.
Call script for a difficult property search
I am trying to locate property associated with [owner, trust, business or lease] near [road, town or legal description]. I have [property ID, Geo ID, abstract, deed reference, lease name or approximate acreage] for tax year [year]. Please help me identify every related real-estate, mineral or personal-property account and explain what documentation is needed if the account information is incorrect.
Local property scenarios

Extra checks for Refugio, Woodsboro, Bayside, Austwell and Tivoli property

Town of Refugio residence

Check the Town, Refugio ISD, County, hospital, groundwater and applicable special-district lines.

Woodsboro property

Confirm the town boundary, Woodsboro ISD, legal description and all special-district jurisdictions.

Bayside coastal property

Verify subdivision, lot, block, situs, WCID jurisdiction and recorded access or easement information.

Austwell property

Check the Town of Austwell, Austwell-Tivoli ISD, rural legal description and applicable water or drainage district.

Tivoli-area acreage

Use owner, Geo ID, abstract and legal description when a normal postal address does not locate the tract.

Coastal or marsh-adjacent land

CAD records do not determine wetlands, floodplain, environmental restrictions, shoreline rights or development permission.

Storm-damaged improvement

Keep dated photographs, repair estimates, insurance documents and demolition or permit records.

Wind, utility or industrial property

Search the owner and property type and verify whether related land, equipment and leasehold accounts are separate.

Inherited family acreage

Compare estate, probate, affidavit and deed documents before requesting an appraisal-owner change.

Mineral and lease accounts

Search Refugio County mineral interests separately from surface land

Key distinction: the surface parcel, mineral interest, lease, operator account and business equipment may appear under different property IDs and ownership names.
Select Mineral Property Do not leave the portal restricted to Real Estate when researching an oil, gas or mineral interest.
Search the mineral owner Try the individual, company, trust, estate or prior owner in LASTNAME FIRSTNAME or entity-name format.
Search lease name and lease number Use a shortened lease name when the exact punctuation or suffix is unknown.
Use abstract and legal description These fields can connect a mineral account to the broader survey or tract location.
Compare the appraisal year Production, ownership, operator and value data can differ from year to year.
Prepare account-specific evidence Gather conveyances, probate documents, division orders, royalty statements, operator information and lease documents.
Use Clerk documents for ownership CAD records do not replace a mineral-title examination or recorded conveyance research.
Do not assume the surface owner owns every mineral interest. Severed minerals, royalties, overriding interests and fractional ownership require recorded-document and title research.
Correct-office routing

Send each Refugio County property question to the right office

Contact the office that controls the disputed information
Your need Correct starting point Prepare first
Appraised value or property characteristics Refugio Central Appraisal District Property ID, year, notice and evidence.
Homestead, veteran or another exemption Refugio Central Appraisal District Application, identification and qualification date.
Agricultural or wildlife appraisal Refugio Central Appraisal District Acreage, use history, leases, maps and production records.
Mineral or lease appraisal Refugio Central Appraisal District Owner, lease, operator, property ID, abstract and tax year.
Tax balance, payment, statement or receipt Refugio County Tax Assessor-Collector Account number, CAD reference, owner, year and payment information.
Recorded deed, lien, plat or probate document Refugio County Clerk Grantor, grantee, date, subdivision, document number or legal description.
Floodplain, development or subdivision requirement Relevant County or municipal permitting authority Parcel, survey, project description and proposed use.
Boundary, easement or title conclusion Licensed surveyor, title company or qualified attorney Deeds, plats, easements, surveys and CAD map.
Account corrections

Correct the Refugio County record that controls the error

Incorrect appraisal owner Confirm the recorded deed, probate order, affidavit or mineral conveyance before requesting a CAD update.
Incorrect mailing address Give CAD the property ID, current owner, old address, new address and requested identification.
Incorrect situs address Compare CAD, GIS, emergency addressing, municipal addressing and recorded legal information.
Incorrect acreage or legal description Compare the account with the deed, plat, survey, abstract and Geo ID.
Incorrect improvement details Prepare photographs, measurements, plans, repair estimates, permits or demolition records.
Incorrect mineral ownership Prepare the recorded conveyance, probate record, division order and lease information requested by CAD.
Missing exemption or agricultural value Confirm the application year, qualification date, supporting evidence and filing proof.
Payment posted incorrectly Contact the Tax Office with the receipt, account, year, amount and confirmation number.
A correction request may not preserve a protest deadline. File a timely protest when the appraisal action is protestable and the notice deadline is approaching.
Homestead and exemptions

Use the correct Refugio CAD exemption form and retain proof

Residence homestead

Complete the official application and attach the driver licence copy or other identification required by law.

Over-65 or disabled

Review additional exemption, school-tax ceiling, instalment and deferral rules.

Disabled veteran

Use the appropriate veteran or surviving-spouse form and attach VA documentation.

Inherited residence

Prepare heirship, probate or ownership documentation and review any required affidavit.

Electronic communication

The forms page includes a request for electronic delivery of communications with a tax official.

Other exempt property

Use Texas Comptroller forms for charitable, religious, governmental and other qualifying property.

Application preparation checklist

Property ID and Geo ID
Owner name exactly as shown
Recorded ownership documentation
Driver licence or acceptable identification
Occupancy or qualification date
Age, disability or VA evidence
Additional affidavit when required
Copy and proof of submission
Open Refugio CAD forms
Official filing address: Refugio Central Appraisal District, P.O. Box 156, Refugio, Texas 78377-0156. The official forms page states that homestead applications must include a driver licence copy or other information required by the Texas Property Tax Code.
Agricultural and wildlife appraisal

Prepare land-use records before filing for open-space valuation

Published 2026 local deadline: Refugio CAD states that Form 50-129 open-space applications and 2026 wildlife-management annual reports were due before May 1. Verify late-filing options directly with CAD.
Livestock grazing

Keep stocking, lease, purchase, sale, veterinary and management records.

Cropland or hay

Prepare planting, production, harvesting, sales and expense evidence.

Wildlife management

Confirm prior qualifying appraisal and retain the wildlife plan and annual activity report.

Coastal grazing land

Document usable acreage, actual agricultural activity and any non-qualifying portions.

Several tracts

List every property ID, Geo ID, abstract, legal description and acreage amount.

Leased agricultural land

Keep the written lease, payment records and proof of the actual qualifying use.

Storm or drought disruption

Document conditions, management decisions and the continued intent to maintain qualifying use.

Ownership change

Do not assume the prior owner’s application automatically resolves every new-owner filing requirement.

Use change

Ask about rollback-tax consequences before converting qualifying land to another use.

Open agricultural forms
Business personal property

File and verify Refugio County business-property accounts

Published local deadline: Refugio CAD states that business owners must file Form 50-144 by April 15 and that a 10% penalty applies when the rendition is not filed by the deadline, subject to applicable extension and statutory rules.
Furniture and equipment

List asset type, acquisition date, original cost, condition, location and ownership.

Inventory

Keep representative inventory, purchase, sales and accounting records.

Industrial machinery

Identify machinery, tools, process equipment and assets still in use even when fully depreciated.

Leased assets

Report legal owner, lessee, physical location and whether another account reports the property.

Closed or relocated business

Report the closure or move date and the asset location on January 1.

Freeport property

Review qualification, inventory movement and application evidence before filing.

Refugio CAD publishes a 2026 BPP depreciation schedule in its Data and Records section. Use it as appraisal guidance, then compare the district’s schedule with the actual asset type, age, condition and continued use.
Open rendition forms Open BPP depreciation schedules
Appraisal protest

Prepare a Refugio County protest around one specific issue

General Texas deadline rule: most protests are due by May 15 or 30 days after the notice was delivered, whichever is later. The deadline printed on the individual notice controls.
Save the complete appraisal account Keep the property ID, Geo ID, legal description, property type, land, improvements, values and exemptions.
Read the Notice of Appraised Value Confirm the proposed value, property details, exemption status, online instructions and deadline.
Identify the exact protest reason Examples include market value, unequal appraisal, incorrect property facts, exemption denial, agricultural denial, mineral value or business-property value.
Request the online account PIN when needed Refugio CAD requires the owner to create an account or sign in before requesting the property’s unique PIN. Request a Refugio CAD PIN
Open the official online protest system Open Refugio CAD Online Protest
Use a written filing when needed Submit a clear Notice of Protest through an accepted method and follow the instructions on the appraisal notice.
Preserve proof of filing Save the portal confirmation, email timestamp, certified-mail receipt or stamped copy.
Request the district’s evidence The official forms page includes a Request for Hearing Evidence form.
Build evidence tied to the issue Use sales, equal-appraisal accounts, photographs, repair estimates, surveys, agricultural records, mineral records or asset lists.
State the requested result first Begin the informal review or hearing with the value or correction requested and then present the strongest proof.

Evidence packet checklist

Notice of Appraised Value
Saved Refugio CAD property account
One-page requested correction
Comparable sales or equal-appraisal evidence
Dated condition or storm-damage photographs
Repair estimates or professional reports
Survey, acreage or building measurements
Agricultural, mineral, exemption or BPP evidence
A phone call does not preserve the protest deadline. File through an accepted written or electronic method and retain proof.
ARB hearing preparation

Check Refugio CAD hearing information and prepare your presentation

Open the public hearing search Use the official View Protest Hearings option on the Refugio CAD website. Search Refugio CAD Protest Hearings
Confirm the property and protest year Match the property ID, owner and tax year before relying on a hearing result.
Read the official hearing notice The notice controls the date, time, location, participation method and evidence-delivery requirements.
Organise exhibits Number pages, remove duplicates and place the strongest evidence first.
Prepare a short opening Identify the property, protest issue, requested value or correction and the best supporting proof.
Save the final ARB order Review the deadline for any available arbitration, district-court or SOAH appeal.
Refugio CAD continued publishing 2026 ARB public-meeting information through July 2026. Use the live News and hearing pages for current meeting or status information.
Tax search and payment workflow

Search and pay Refugio County property taxes through the official collector

Consolidated collection: the Texas Comptroller directory lists the Refugio County Tax Assessor-Collector as serving the County, towns, school districts, hospital district, drainage district, groundwater district and both WCIDs.
STEP 1 Find the tax account

Search owner, address, account number, CAD reference number or fiduciary number.

STEP 2 Verify every jurisdiction

Compare the owner, legal description, tax year, levy, balance and taxing units.

STEP 3 Pay and save proof

Use credit card or eCheck only after verifying the account and current fee.

Open the official Refugio County Tax Office portal Search Refugio County Property Taxes
Choose the strongest search field Start with the tax account number or CAD reference number. Otherwise use owner name in last-name-first order or the property address.
Use a second search criterion only when needed The portal allows an optional second field to narrow a common owner name or broad address search.
Match the correct property Compare the certified owner, property address, legal description, account number and CAD reference.
Review every year and jurisdiction Check current and prior-year balances, payments, penalties, interest and all local taxing units.
Review payment methods and fees The official portal permits online payment by credit card or eCheck. The live checkout screen controls the current fee.
Save the confirmation and tax statement Retain the account, year, amount, fee, payment date and confirmation number.
Verify that payment posted Reopen the account after processing or contact the Tax Office with the confirmation.
Multiple-property option: the official tax portal allows users to create a portfolio containing several accounts for easier review and payment. A locked portfolio can also be used when mailing a consolidated payment with its portfolio lock ID.
The portal also allows an eligible owner to register for certified tax statements by email after locating the account.
Payment-call script
I am reviewing tax account [number] or CAD reference [number] for tax year [year]. Please confirm the current total due, every included taxing jurisdiction, whether penalties or attorney fees are included, the accepted payment methods, the current convenience fee and how I can verify that payment posted.
Tax rates and Truth in Taxation

Separate the appraisal value from each local tax-rate decision

As of July 31, 2026, Refugio CAD’s Data and Records page lists the 2025 adopted tax-rate file as its latest annual rate document. The 2026 rates are generally proposed and adopted later in the annual budget cycle.
Open the Refugio County tax-notice database Open Refugio County Tax Notices
Search the exact property Match owner, property ID, address and legal description.
Review each taxing unit separately Compare County, town, school, hospital, drainage, groundwater and water-control information.
Follow rate activity during August and September Local governing bodies propose and adopt rates during the annual Truth-in-Taxation process.
Contact the taxing unit about its budget or rate Refugio CAD appraises property but does not adopt each local tax rate.
A value protest and a tax-rate comment are different actions. Protest the appraisal through Refugio CAD. Comment on a proposed tax rate through the governing taxing unit.
Open CAD tax-rate files Open County tax worksheets
Deeds, liens and legal ownership

Use Refugio County Clerk records when title matters

The owner shown by CAD is not a title opinion. Recorded deeds, mineral conveyances, deeds of trust, liens, releases, judgments, probate records and plats answer legal questions that an appraisal account cannot.
Save the CAD property information Record the owner, property ID, Geo ID, situs, legal description, abstract and file references.
Open the official County Clerk page Open Refugio County Clerk
Open the official records search Search grantor or grantee, subdivision, document type, document number and recorded-date range. Search Refugio County Official Records
Choose index or full-text search Use indexed fields for precise research. Full-text OCR can help locate words inside documents but should be verified against the recorded image.
Review related documents Check deeds, deeds of trust, mineral conveyances, liens, releases, judgments, easements, plats and probate-related documents.
Request the correct copy type Confirm whether the intended use requires an online image, plain copy or certified copy.
Use professional title research for conclusions A public-record search does not guarantee clear title or identify every mineral, probate, lien or boundary issue.
In-person filing rule effective September 1, 2025: the County Clerk requires valid photo identification from a person presenting a real-property document for in-person recording. The Clerk also states that the office does not provide a notary or property-filing forms.
Refugio County Clerk
Refugio County Courthouse
808 Commerce Street
Refugio, Texas 78377
Mailing: P.O. Box 704, Refugio, Texas 78377

Phone: (361) 526-2233
Alternate: (361) 526-2727
Fax: (361) 526-1325

County Clerk: Margie A. Castellano

Published Clerk hours

Monday-Thursday:
8:00 AM-12:00 PM
1:00 PM-4:30 PM

Friday:
8:00 AM-12:00 PM
1:00 PM-4:00 PM

Friday recording cutoff is 3:30 PM. Public search computers and record-room access have separate closing times.

The official records portal also offers a Property Alert option for monitoring newly recorded documents connected with a registered name.
Reports, data and public records

Use Refugio CAD publications for research beyond one account

2026 BPP depreciation schedule

Review current business-personal-property depreciation guidance.

2025 tax rates

Review the latest annual adopted-rate file currently listed by CAD.

2026 low-income housing cap rate

Use the published current-year file for qualifying low-income housing appraisal research.

2026 holiday schedule

Check closures before visiting or attempting an in-person deadline filing.

2025 annual report

Review district activity, appraisal administration and property information.

Utility usage reports

Review published district utility information for transparency.

Appraisal rolls and exports

Use available data resources for bulk or historical appraisal research.

Board and ARB notices

Review meeting agendas and current public notices through the News page.

Open-records request

Use the official request form when the needed record is not already published.

Open data and reports Open CAD news and notices Open records-request form

Prepare a focused public-information request

Search the published resources first Check property records, map, forms, data reports, tax rates and hearing information.
Describe the record precisely Include property ID, Geo ID, owner, tax year, date range and exact document or dataset.
Send the request to CAD Use the official open-records form or email refugiocad@refugiocad.org.
Keep proof and respond to clarification Save the submitted request and narrow it when a more precise description will produce the needed record.
2026 property-tax calendar

Important Refugio County appraisal and tax dates

Ownership, condition, use and value date Most property is appraised according to its status and market value as of January 1.
Published business-property rendition deadline Refugio CAD states that Form 50-144 is due by April 15 and warns of a 10% late-filing penalty.
File homestead before May 1 Refugio CAD publishes homestead applications as due before May 1. Review late-filing rules when the normal date was missed.
File open-space and wildlife documents before May 1 The district publishes Form 50-129 and the 2026 wildlife-management annual report as due before May 1.
Normal protest deadline File by May 15 or 30 days after notice delivery, whichever is later, unless another deadline applies.
Appraisal-roll approval and certification period Supplemental changes and unresolved protests can affect later account information.
Tax-rate proposal and adoption period Local taxing units consider budgets and adopt rates through the Truth-in-Taxation process.
Tax statements generally begin Search the Tax Office portal when an expected statement does not arrive.
Normal final payment date without penalty For 2026 taxes, January 31, 2027 falls on a Sunday. Verify the next-business-day treatment on the official statement.
The individual notice, application, ARB order or tax statement controls. Verify the exact deadline for the property and tax year before relying on a general calendar.
Verified local contacts

Refugio County property offices and where to visit

Refugio Central Appraisal District
420 N. Alamo Street
Refugio, Texas 78377-2504
Mailing: P.O. Box 156, Refugio, Texas 78377-0156

Phone: (361) 526-5994
Fax: (361) 526-4144
Email: refugiocad@refugiocad.org

Chief Appraiser: Phillip E. Gonzales

The official contact page does not publish standard lobby hours. Call before travelling.

Refugio County Tax Assessor-Collector
808 Commerce Street, Room 109
Refugio, Texas 78377-3151

Phone: (361) 526-2023
Fax: (361) 526-2279
Email: liz.kelley@co.refugio.tx.us

Tax Assessor-Collector: Liz L. Kelley

Call before visiting because the County page does not publish regular office hours.

Refugio County Clerk
Refugio County Courthouse
808 Commerce Street
Refugio, Texas 78377
Mailing: P.O. Box 704, Refugio, Texas 78377

Phone: (361) 526-2233
Alternate: (361) 526-2727
Fax: (361) 526-1325

County Clerk: Margie A. Castellano

County Clerk hours

Monday-Thursday:
8:00 AM-12:00 PM
1:00 PM-4:30 PM

Friday:
8:00 AM-12:00 PM
1:00 PM-4:00 PM

Recording, record-room and public-computer cutoffs can occur before the office closes.

Call before travelling. Confirm holiday closures, office hours, required identification, accepted filing methods and whether the task belongs to CAD, the Tax Office or the County Clerk.
Official action links

Official Refugio County property resources

Property search

Search owner, property, legal, lease, field, category and value information.

Open Refugio CAD
Interactive map

Review parcel location, neighbouring accounts and rural or coastal context.

Open CAD map
Forms

Find homestead, agricultural, rendition, evidence and records-request forms.

Open forms library
Online protest

File or manage an eligible appraisal protest online.

Open online protest
Account PIN

Create an account or sign in before requesting the property’s online PIN.

Request a PIN
Tax search and payment

Search balances, pay online and register for certified statements by email.

Open Tax Office portal
CAD data and reports

Review schedules, rates, annual reports, holidays and public information.

Open data and reports
Official records

Search recorded deeds, liens, subdivisions and document numbers.

Open Clerk records search
Editorial accountability

How this Refugio County guide was rebuilt

Mahesh Kumar, editor of AppraisalDistrict.org

Existing editor image retained and local workflows expanded

This regenerated article retains the useful editor image from the existing page while replacing the earlier general guide with detailed owner, ID, address, legal-description and lease search instructions; mineral-account guidance; coastal and rural-property checks; exemption preparation; agricultural and BPP deadlines; online protest steps; consolidated tax-payment guidance; and current County Clerk recording rules.

The official review used Refugio Central Appraisal District’s live search, forms, contact, news and records pages; the Refugio County Tax Office portal; Refugio County government; the County Clerk’s official records search; and the Texas Comptroller county directory.

AppraisalDistrict.org is an independent informational website and is not operated by Refugio Central Appraisal District, Refugio County or the Texas Comptroller.

Refugio County answers

10 common Refugio County Appraisal District questions

1. How do I search Refugio County property records?

Use the official Refugio CAD portal. Search by owner, property ID, Geo ID, address, legal description, abstract, subdivision, lease information or another available criterion.

2. How should I enter an owner name in Refugio CAD?

Enter an individual as LASTNAME FIRSTNAME. If the full name returns nothing, search only the last name. For a company, trust, estate or ranch, use one distinctive word.

3. Why does a Refugio CAD address search return no result?

The property may use a different road abbreviation, rural legal description, lease name or Geo ID. Search fewer address words, then try owner, property ID, abstract, legal description or the map.

4. Can I search mineral property in Refugio CAD?

Yes. Select Mineral Property and search by owner, property ID, Geo ID, lease name, lease number, abstract or legal description.

5. Who collects Refugio County property taxes?

The Refugio County Tax Assessor-Collector provides consolidated collection for the active County, town, school, hospital, drainage, groundwater and water-control taxing units listed by the Texas Comptroller.

6. How do I pay Refugio County property taxes online?

Use the official Tax Office portal. Search by account number, CAD reference number, owner or address, verify the property and year, then pay by credit card or eCheck.

7. How do I apply for a Refugio County homestead exemption?

Download the application from the official forms page, complete the ownership and occupancy information, attach the required identification, submit it to CAD and retain proof.

8. How do I protest a Refugio County appraisal?

Save the appraisal account and notice, identify the protest reason, request a PIN when needed, use the official online protest system or another accepted method and keep confirmation.

9. Does the owner shown by Refugio CAD prove legal ownership?

No. The CAD owner entry supports appraisal and tax administration. Use recorded Refugio County Clerk documents and professional title research when ownership or liens matter.

10. Can Refugio CAD acreage or map lines be used as legal boundaries?

No. CAD maps and acreage are appraisal research tools. Obtain the recorded deed, plat, easement information and a professional survey before making a legal boundary decision.

Accuracy, affiliation and legal-use notice

AppraisalDistrict.org is an independent informational resource. It is not Refugio Central Appraisal District, Refugio County, the Tax Assessor-Collector, the County Clerk, an Appraisal Review Board, the Texas Comptroller, a title company or a surveying firm.

Property owners, values, exemptions, agricultural qualification, mineral accounts, protest status, tax balances, processor fees, forms, office hours and deadlines can change. Verify the live official record before filing, paying, travelling, buying, selling or making a legal or financial decision.

Refugio CAD maps, legal descriptions, acreage and owner information are intended for appraisal and tax administration. They should not replace recorded deeds, plats, mineral-title research, flood or environmental review, title examinations, easement research or professional boundary surveys.

Official-source review completed July 31, 2026. Sources reviewed include Refugio Central Appraisal District, the Refugio County Tax Assessor-Collector, the official Tax Office payment portal, Refugio County Clerk, the official County records search and the Texas Comptroller Property Tax Assistance Division.

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