Sterling County Appraisal District Sterling CAD Tax guide 2026

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Sterling County, Texas · Homes, ranches, agriculture, minerals, protests, tax payment and deeds

Navigate Sterling County Property Records From Ranch Gate to Tax Receipt

Sterling CAD’s search is built for more than Sterling City homes. It includes ranch tracts, agricultural land, business property, pipelines, utilities and oil or gas interests that may require a legal description, abstract, geographic ID or lease detail.

Use Sterling County Appraisal District for values, exemptions, maps, special appraisal and protests. Use the Sterling County Tax Assessor-Collector for tax bills and payments, and the County Clerk for deeds, liens and recorded land documents.

Search official Sterling CAD records Search and pay property taxes Fix a missing property result
Property or Owner ID Geographic ID Legal description Abstract or subdivision Lease name or number
WEST TEXAS PROPERTY SIGNAL ROUTING ACCOUNT
SEARCH → VERIFY → SAVE → ACT
Choose the property type before assuming an account is missing. Sterling CAD separates Real, Personal and Mineral property. A ranch owner can have separate land, business, pipeline, utility or mineral accounts that do not appear in a basic residential-address search.
Best search detail

Property ID, Owner ID or Geographic ID.

CAD office

812 4th Street, Sterling City.

Tax office

609 4th Street, Sterling City.

Active taxing units

County, city, school and underground-water district.

Current data status

2026 search and reports; latest posted certified rolls are 2025.

Start with the task

What do you need from the Sterling County property account?

FIND PROPERTY Search the appraisal record

Use owner, ID, address, legal, abstract, subdivision or lease information.

Follow the official search steps
RANCH OR OPEN SPACE Review agricultural use

Confirm acreage, qualifying history, productivity value and wildlife-management evidence.

Prepare land-use proof
MINERAL INTEREST Use lease and mineral fields

Search the owner, estate, company, lease name, lease number or Property ID.

Search mineral accounts
CHECK EXEMPTION Use the official form library

Prepare identification, ownership, qualification and supporting documents.

Review exemption steps
PROTEST VALUE Request the property PIN

Register, connect the property and preserve every online filing confirmation.

Prepare the protest file
PAY TAX OR FIND DEED Use the controlling county office

Use the Tax Office for balances and the County Clerk for recorded ownership documents.

Choose the correct office

Go directly to the Sterling County property task

The search sections come first. Later sections cover ranch land, minerals, business property, online protests, tax payments, deeds and local contacts.

Existing image preserved

Use the Sterling CAD screenshot as a click-and-check guide

Sterling County Appraisal District property search showing owner, address, property ID and detailed search options
This search image appeared in the original article and has been retained. The live interface may change, but the safe process remains the same: select the correct year and property type, search broadly and verify the complete account.
Basic Search

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

By Property

Use Geographic ID, legal description, abstract, subdivision or lease data.

Advanced Search

Use field, category, acreage or value filters only after a simpler search is too broad.

Detailed search controls

Use Sterling CAD’s deeper fields for ranch, pipeline and mineral research

Official Sterling CAD search · begin with one strong identifier

Available search routes

Property ID · Geographic ID · Owner ID
Owner · Care Of · Mailing Street · City · ZIP
Street Number · Direction · Street · City
Legal · Abstract · Subdivision · Acreage
Lease Name · Lease Number · Owner · Agent
Search and verify
Tax Year: match the notice or research task
Property Type: Real, Personal or Mineral
Property ID: save for forms and office contact
Geographic ID: compare with map context
Legal or Lease: match the intended tract or interest
Values and Exemptions: verify the selected year
Useful advanced-search fields and when to use them
Field Best use Common mistake
Previous Owner Recently purchased or inherited property. Searching only the new owner before CAD updates the deed.
Volume, Page or File Number Connecting the appraisal account with a known recorded document. Treating the CAD deed reference as a complete title search.
Abstract, Tract, Lot or Block Ranches and parcels without dependable street addresses. Entering the entire deed description in one search field.
Lease Name or Number Oil, gas and other mineral-interest accounts. Searching a mineral interest under Real property.
Category Narrowing residential, agricultural, commercial, industrial, mineral, utility or business property. Assuming category alone proves the account is correctly classified.
Land Acres or Value Range Researching potential comparison accounts. Assuming similar acreage or value automatically makes a property comparable.
Account-field decoder

Understand what a Sterling CAD property record can and cannot prove

Verify each appraisal field before filing, paying or purchasing
Field What it identifies What it does not prove Next action
Property ID The appraisal account in Sterling CAD. That the Tax Office uses the identical identifier. Save it for forms, calls and protests.
Geographic ID A geographic or parcel-related reference. The surveyed boundary or exact legal acreage. Compare map, deed and survey.
Property Type Real, Personal or Mineral account classification. That every related asset is included. Search all relevant account types.
Owner shown The owner carried for appraisal and notice purposes. Complete title, probate, lien or mineral ownership. Use County Clerk records when ownership matters.
Legal description An abbreviated abstract, tract, survey, lot or block. The complete deed description or access rights. Read the recorded deed and survey.
Lease information A mineral or industrial account connection. Mineral title, royalty ownership or payment entitlement. Review recorded mineral documents.
Market value CAD’s opinion of value as of January 1. A guaranteed sale price or final tax balance. Review property facts and value evidence.
Productivity value Special agricultural or open-space valuation when approved. That the land can change use without tax consequences. Review use history and rollback exposure.
Tax due A collection-related amount displayed for the selected account or year. The live checkout total or payment posting. Verify in the Sterling County Tax portal.
Online account and property PIN

Register before a protest or electronic-service deadline

Find the public property record first Save the Property ID, Owner ID, exact owner name, property type and tax year.
Create an official Sterling CAD account Use an email address you monitor. Register for a Sterling CAD account
Request the unique property PIN Sterling CAD assigns a separate online PIN to each property. Request a Sterling CAD PIN
Sign in and connect the correct account Use the property and owner details requested by the portal. Sign in to Sterling CAD
Review the available property actions The account can support online protest and other electronic services enabled for the property.
Save every confirmation Keep PIN requests, registration messages, uploaded files, filing confirmations and hearing notices.
Sterling CAD also provides a Request for Electronic Delivery of Communications with a Tax Official. Read the consent language and retain a copy before changing how official notices are delivered.
Interactive map and rural research

Use the Sterling CAD map for context—not legal boundaries

Open the official interactive map Open Sterling CAD Interactive Map
Find the appraisal account first Save the Property ID, Geographic ID, owner, legal description, abstract and acreage.
Locate roads and adjoining accounts Map context helps with remote ranches, county roads, surveys, narrow strips and parcels without standard addresses.
Check for separate related accounts Improvements, business assets, pipelines, utilities and mineral interests may appear separately.
Verify legal questions outside the map Use the recorded deed, plat, easements, title records and a professional survey.
A CAD parcel line is not a fence line, access opinion or mineral-title conclusion. Do not build, fence, drill, purchase or resolve an easement dispute from the appraisal map alone.
Search troubleshooting

What to do when a Sterling County property does not appear

Change the search route before assuming the account is absent
Problem Likely reason Practical fix
Owner search returns nothing The record may use a spouse, estate, trust, company or prior owner. Search only the surname or one distinctive entity word.
Address search fails A ranch or rural tract may not use a standard situs address. Search Property ID, Geographic ID, legal, abstract or map.
Ranch tract is missing The property may be indexed by survey, abstract, tract or owner. Use By Property or All Criteria rather than Basic Search.
Mineral account is missing The search is limited to Real property. Select Mineral and search the owner, lease name or lease number.
Business assets are missing The assets may use a separate Personal account. Select Personal and search the legal business or DBA.
Property disappears with a filter “Show only Properties with Tax Due” may be selected. Turn the tax-due filter off and search again.
Recently purchased property shows seller The deed may not yet be processed into the appraisal record. Verify recording with the County Clerk and search the seller.
2026 tax bill is not displayed The tax portal currently lists 2025 and prior years while 2026 rates and statements are not yet complete. Use the 2026 CAD value for appraisal research and check the Tax Office again after statements are issued.
Sterling CAD call script
I am reviewing tax year [year] for Property ID [number], Owner ID [number] or Geographic ID [number]. I searched under [Real, Personal or Mineral]. The account shows [owner, legal description, acreage, lease, value or exemption], but I need help verifying or correcting [specific field]. Which document should I provide?
Sterling County situations

Local search tips for Sterling City, ranches and mineral accounts

Sterling City home

Confirm whether the account includes Sterling County, Sterling City ISD, the City of Sterling City and the underground-water district.

Rural homestead

Separate the residence-homestead portion from the remaining ranch or open-space acreage.

Large ranch tract

Search by owner, survey, abstract, legal description and Geographic ID rather than street address alone.

Agricultural land

Review market value, productivity value, acreage, land class and qualifying-use history separately.

Wildlife-management land

Confirm prior open-space qualification, the wildlife plan and evidence of qualifying management practices.

Oil or gas interest

Search Mineral by owner, estate, company, lease name, lease number and Property ID.

Pipeline or utility account

Confirm the property category, company, agent and appraiser before preparing a value question.

Inherited property

Search the deceased owner, estate and heirs and gather deed, probate or heirship documents.

Business property

Search both the real-estate location and the separate Personal account for equipment and inventory.

Value explanation

Separate market value, appraised value and taxable value

STEP 1 Market value

Sterling CAD’s opinion of value as of January 1 for the selected year.

STEP 2 Appraised or productivity value

The value after an applicable appraisal limitation or approved open-space valuation.

STEP 3 Taxable value

The value remaining after exemptions for each taxing unit.

Market value is not the property-tax bill. The final amount depends on taxable value, adopted rates, exemptions, tax ceilings, payment history, penalties and interest.
2026 statewide homestead amounts: a qualifying residence homestead receives a $140,000 school-district exemption. A qualifying owner who is age 65 or older or disabled receives an additional $60,000 school-district exemption.
2026 non-homestead circuit breaker: qualifying non-homestead real property valued at $5,320,000 or less may receive the temporary 20% appraisal limitation. The statutory program is scheduled to expire after the 2026 tax year unless extended.
Open appraisal rolls and reports Read Sterling CAD value FAQs
Office routing

Use Sterling CAD, the Tax Office or County Clerk correctly

Contact the office that controls the disputed record
Your question Correct office What to prepare
What is the appraised value? Sterling CAD Property ID, tax year and disputed value component.
Why is an exemption missing? Sterling CAD Application, identification, qualification date and filing proof.
Does ranch land qualify for open-space appraisal? Sterling CAD Use history, acreage, leases, production evidence and maps.
How much property tax is due? Sterling County Tax Assessor-Collector Owner, account, property and tax year.
Did an online payment post? Sterling County Tax Office Confirmation, amount, payment date and year.
Who legally owns the property? Sterling County Clerk or title professional Grantor, grantee, date range and legal description.
Who owns a mineral interest? County Clerk records and a qualified mineral-title professional Mineral deeds, reservations, leases, assignments and probate records.
Who sets the tax rate? Each local taxing unit The jurisdiction list from the appraisal account.
The County Tax Assessor-Collector does not determine property values or tax rates. Sterling CAD appraises property, local governing bodies adopt rates and the Tax Office calculates and collects the resulting tax.
Record corrections

Correct the official system that contains the error

Incorrect appraisal owner

Confirm the recorded deed or probate document with the County Clerk, then provide Sterling CAD the evidence it requests.

Incorrect mailing address

Contact Sterling CAD because appraisal notices and exemption correspondence depend on the CAD mailing record.

Incorrect situs address

Determine whether the issue belongs to CAD, county addressing, the city or the postal service.

Incorrect acreage or legal description

Prepare the deed, survey, plat, Property ID and Geographic ID.

Incorrect improvement information

Use measurements, photographs, permits, condition evidence, repair records or demolition proof.

Incorrect mineral account

Prepare the lease, owner, operator, division-order, recorded-document and account information.

Incorrect tax payment

Contact the Tax Office with the receipt, payment confirmation, account, amount and tax year.

Incorrect recorded document

Contact the County Clerk or a qualified professional about a correction instrument and recording requirements.

A correction request does not automatically preserve a protest deadline. Protect any deadline stated on a late, corrected, supplemental or exemption-denial notice.
Official forms and exemptions

Prepare Sterling CAD exemption documents before submission

Residence homestead

For a qualifying principal residence. Match the deed, identification and residence address.

Age 65 or older or disabled

Review the additional exemption, tax ceiling, payment options and possible deferral rights.

Disabled veteran

Use the form matching the VA disability rating, total disability or surviving-spouse situation.

Agricultural appraisal

Use Form 50-129 and prepare land-use history, acreage, lease and production evidence.

Wildlife management

Prepare the required management plan and evidence of qualifying practices.

Electronic delivery

Use the district’s electronic-communications form only after reading the consent terms.

What to prepare

Property ID and exact owner name
Property and mailing addresses
Driver licence or permitted identification
Ownership and qualification date
Deed, heirship or probate documents
Age, disability or VA evidence
Completed application copy
Delivery or mailing confirmation
Mail completed forms to: Sterling County Appraisal District, P.O. Box 28, Sterling City, Texas 76951-0028.
Sterling CAD states that a homestead application must include the applicant’s driver licence or other information required under the Texas Property Tax Code. An affidavit may also be required in certain situations.
Open Sterling CAD forms Review exemption FAQs
Ranch, agriculture and wildlife land

Prove qualifying use—not merely rural ownership

Open-space appraisal is based on qualifying agricultural use and statutory history. A large tract, rural address or a small number of animals does not automatically establish qualification.

Use history

Document how the acreage was used during the required historical period and identify interruptions.

Livestock or crop evidence

Keep herd, grazing, crop, hay, production, sale and expense records.

Leases and maps

Prepare written leases, acreage maps, legal descriptions and areas excluded from qualifying use.

Wildlife management

Prepare the management plan, annual evidence and proof of qualifying practices.

Market and productivity values

Review both values because special appraisal affects taxable treatment rather than erasing market value.

Change of use

Ask how development, subdivision or discontinued agricultural activity could create additional tax.

Property ID and complete legal description
Acreage and land-use map
Livestock, grazing or crop records
Leases, receipts and sales records
Dated property photographs
Prior 1-D-1 applications
Wildlife plan and activity evidence
Timely application confirmation
Do not purchase ranch land assuming the current productivity value will automatically continue. Ownership, acreage, use and management changes can affect qualification and future taxes.
Oil, gas, pipelines and utilities

Search mineral accounts without depending on a surface address

Sterling CAD states that Pritchard & Abbott provides appraisal assistance for mineral, utility and industrial accounts and also assists with real-estate and personal-property appraisal work.
Select Mineral in the property-type filter A mineral interest will not necessarily appear in a Real property search.
Search current and prior owners Try the individual, estate, trust, company, operator or name shown on a prior statement.
Use lease name and lease number These fields can identify accounts without a normal physical address.
Match the tax year and Property ID Mineral ownership, production and valuation can change between years.
Separate appraisal from mineral title The CAD account supports valuation research but does not replace recorded mineral deeds, reservations or assignments.
Prepare a focused value question Include the Property ID, owner, lease, operator, interest description, disputed value and supporting records.
A mineral appraisal account is not a title opinion or royalty statement. Use County Clerk documents and a qualified mineral-title professional when determining legal ownership.
Business personal property

File the rendition even when reviewing the new exemption threshold

For 2026, tangible personal property used to produce income is exempt in a taxing unit when its total taxable value is $125,000 or less in that unit. Business owners should still follow Sterling CAD’s rendition and certification instructions rather than assuming no filing is required.
Select Personal in the search Equipment, inventory and business assets usually use a separate account from the building or land.
Search the legal business and DBA Also try the owner name and business address when the trade name fails.
Download the business-personal-property rendition Open Sterling CAD Rendition Form
List assets owned or managed on January 1 Include inventory, furniture, fixtures, machinery, equipment and other taxable assets.
Use the current depreciation schedule Sterling CAD posts depreciation schedules in its Data and Records section.
Keep proof of timely filing Preserve the rendition, extension request, required certification and delivery confirmation.
Legal business and DBA names
Property ID and physical situs
Asset descriptions and acquisition dates
Original costs and inventory records
Sold or disposed asset evidence
Prior rendition and depreciation data
Extension request when needed
Submission confirmation
The normal rendition deadline was April 15, 2026. A timely written request could generally extend the deadline to May 15, with limited additional relief for good cause.
Online protest and ARB hearing

Check for a current property-specific deadline before assuming protest rights ended

The normal 2026 protest period has passed. The usual deadline was May 15, 2026, or 30 days after delivery of the appraisal notice, whichever was later. A late, corrected, supplemental or exemption-denial notice can create a later deadline.
Save the complete property account Keep the year, property type, owner, IDs, legal or lease details, acreage, values and exemptions.
Read the newest notice Confirm the notice type, delivery date, proposed action and exact filing deadline.
Register and request the unique PIN Do this before attempting to use the online protest service. Request a Sterling CAD PIN
Open the official protest service Sign in and verify that the correct property and year are connected. Open Sterling CAD Online Protest
Identify one clear issue Examples include market value, unequal appraisal, incorrect acreage, property-description error, exemption denial or agricultural denial.
Keep proof of filing Save the online confirmation, email timestamp, certified-mail receipt or stamped copy.
Review the district evidence Compare CAD’s property facts, appraisal model, sales and classifications with the actual property.
Search the hearing status Use the official hearing tool to locate open, scheduled or completed protest information. Search Sterling Protest Hearings
Review the 2026 ARB procedures Open Data and Records and scroll to Appraisal Review Board. Open ARB Rules and Procedures

Evidence packet

Newest appraisal or exemption notice
Saved Sterling CAD account
One-page requested correction
Comparable or equal-appraisal table
Dated condition photographs
Repair estimates or professional reports
Deed, survey, lease or land-use evidence
Proof of timely filing
Open online protest Search hearing status Read 2026 ARB procedures
Tax search, payment and receipt

Use the Sterling County Tax Office portal for the live collection account

As of July 2026, the Tax Office search lists 2025 and prior tax years. The 2026 appraisal value can be reviewed through Sterling CAD, while the 2026 tax bill will depend on rates adopted later in the year.
Copy the CAD Property ID and owner name Keep the appraisal record available while locating the matching tax account.
Open the official Sterling County Tax Office search Open Sterling County Property Tax Search
Select the correct property type and tax year The tax search includes Real, Personal and Mineral accounts and a tax-due filter.
Search by owner, owner ID, property ID or address Use legal, abstract, subdivision or lease information for difficult accounts.
Select the correct property Match the owner, account, property type, legal description and tax year.
Open the Tax Summary button The official portal instructs taxpayers to select the property and click Tax Summary to continue toward online payment.
Review the live amount and processing fee Confirm every unpaid year and the final transaction cost before authorising payment.
Save the confirmation and verify posting Keep the account, tax year, amount, fee, payment date and confirmation number.
Payment safety: begin at the official county page or sterlingcountytax.org. Do not enter banking or card information through an advertisement, text message or copied payment page.
Taxes are normally due when the statement is received and generally become delinquent after January 31. January 31, 2027 falls on a Sunday, so confirm the official next-business-day treatment with the Tax Office before relying on a payment date.
Deeds, liens and public records

Use the Sterling County Clerk when legal ownership matters

Open the official County Clerk page Open Sterling County Clerk
Prepare the party names Gather current and prior grantor or grantee names, spouses, trusts, estates and companies.
Prepare the recording clues Include the approximate date, document type, legal description and any known file number, volume or page.
Ask for the correct record type Examples include deed, deed of trust, lien, release, mineral deed, lease, assignment, plat, probate or heirship document.
Compare the document with the CAD account Match parties, recording date, legal description, acreage and reserved interests.
Use a title professional for complete conclusions A Clerk search does not guarantee clear title or identify every lien, easement, restriction or mineral reservation.
Sterling County Clerk published recording information
Item Published information Practical action
First recording page $26 Confirm the current total before mailing or presenting a document.
Additional recording page $4 per additional page Count every page containing recordable material.
Office hours Monday-Thursday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM Call before travelling for research or recording.
Office hours Friday 8:00 AM-2:00 PM Do not assume normal late-afternoon Friday access.
Foreclosure notices Linked from the County Clerk and county website Verify the current notice and legal description before relying.
Buyer, owner and heir checks

Complete these checks before relying on one Sterling County record

Match every appraisal account

Search Real, Personal and Mineral records connected with the property or owner.

Check every tax year

Review current and prior balances, payment posting, penalties and receipts.

Search recorded documents

Review deeds, liens, releases, easements, probate and mineral reservations.

Recalculate exemptions

Seller homestead exemptions, tax ceilings and appraisal limitations may not continue.

Review taxing units

Confirm county, Sterling City ISD, city and underground-water-district jurisdiction.

Check agricultural status

Determine whether qualifying use will continue and whether a change can create additional tax.

Check mineral reservations

A surface-property transfer does not automatically include every mineral interest.

Verify boundaries and access

Use recorded easements, title records and a professional survey rather than the CAD map.

Save transaction evidence

Keep the deed, title policy, survey, closing statement, tax receipt and exemption confirmation.

The seller’s existing tax bill may not predict the buyer’s future bill. Exemptions, appraisal limitations, open-space qualification, mineral accounts and ownership changes can alter future taxable value.
2026 action calendar

Important Sterling County appraisal and tax dates

Appraisal and qualification date Ownership, use, condition and qualification for many exemptions are generally determined as of January 1.
Appraisal notices normally begin Sterling CAD states that current-year notices are typically mailed in mid-April and website values update after notices are mailed.
Normal rendition deadline Most business-personal-property renditions were due April 15, 2026, subject to extension rules.
Common exemption and special-appraisal date Many exemption and agricultural-appraisal applications use April 30 as the normal filing date.
Normal protest deadline The normal deadline was May 15 or 30 days after notice delivery, whichever was later.
Informal reviews and ARB hearings Check the official hearing search and the property-specific hearing notice.
Local tax-rate process The four local taxing units propose and adopt the rates used to calculate 2026 taxes.
Tax statements generally begin Search the Sterling County Tax Office portal and verify each property and tax year.
Normal payment deadline Taxes are generally payable without penalty through January 31, subject to weekend, holiday and late-statement rules.
The date printed on the official notice, hearing letter, bill or application controls. Use this calendar for preparation rather than as a replacement for a property-specific deadline.
Verified local contacts

Sterling County appraisal, tax and recorded-property offices

Sterling County Appraisal District
812 4th Street
Sterling City, Texas 76951
Mailing: P.O. Box 28, Sterling City, Texas 76951-0028

Phone: 325-378-7711
Email: sterlingcad@sterlingcad.org

Chief Appraiser: Julie McEntire

Appraisal Clerk: Bonnie Koch

Call before visiting to confirm current lobby hours and holiday closures.

Sterling County Tax Assessor-Collector
609 4th Street
Sterling City, Texas 76951
Mailing: P.O. Box 888, Sterling City, Texas 76951-0888

Phone: 325-378-3041
Fax: 325-378-2266
Email: ellen.clark@co.sterling.tx.us

Tax Assessor-Collector: Ellen Clark

Sterling County Clerk
609 4th Avenue
Sterling City, Texas 76951
Mailing: P.O. Box 55, Sterling City, Texas 76951

Phone: 325-378-5191
Fax: 325-378-3111
Email: jerri.mccutchen@co.sterling.tx.us

County Clerk: Jerri McCutchen

Hours: Monday-Thursday, 8:00 AM-4:30 PM; Friday, 8:00 AM-2:00 PM.

Active taxing units

Sterling County, Sterling City Independent School District, the City of Sterling City and Sterling County Underground Water Conservation District.

Open Sterling CAD in Google Maps
Call before making a long rural trip. Confirm lobby hours, document requirements, payment methods and whether the task belongs to CAD, the Tax Office or the County Clerk.
Official action resources

Sterling County appraisal, tax and land-record links

Property search

Search Real, Personal and Mineral accounts by owner, ID, address, legal or lease data.

Open official CAD search
Interactive map

Research remote tracts, roads, surveys and nearby appraisal accounts.

Open interactive map
Forms

Find homestead, veteran, rendition, agricultural, wildlife and electronic-delivery forms.

Open Sterling CAD forms
Register account

Create an official account before requesting a property PIN.

Register online
Request property PIN

Request the unique online PIN assigned to the property.

Request Sterling CAD PIN
Online protest

Sign in and use the official protest service when a valid deadline applies.

Open protest service
Hearing search

Review open, scheduled or completed appraisal protest information.

Search protest hearings
Data and reports

Review tax rates, depreciation, appraisal rolls, 2026 reports and ARB procedures.

Open Data and Records
Property-tax search

Search tax accounts, open Tax Summary and continue to online payment.

Open Sterling County Tax Search
County Tax Office

Review the elected tax office contact and county-published property-search link.

Open Tax Assessor-Collector page
County Clerk

Review recording fees, hours, foreclosure notices and public-record contacts.

Open County Clerk page
State county directory

Verify CAD, Tax Office and active taxing-unit information.

Open Texas Comptroller directory
Editorial accountability

How this Sterling County guide was rebuilt

Mahesh Kumar, editor of AppraisalDistrict.org

Independent research with official task paths

This version preserves the Sterling CAD screenshot and editor image from the previous article while adding property-type filters, mineral and lease searches, tax-due guidance, online PIN steps, hearing lookup, current 2026 reports, ranch evidence, business-property rules, tax-payment instructions and County Clerk routing.

The review used Sterling County Appraisal District, the Sterling County Tax Assessor-Collector, Sterling County Clerk and Texas Comptroller property-tax resources.

AppraisalDistrict.org is an independent informational website and is not operated by Sterling CAD, Sterling County, Pritchard & Abbott or any local taxing unit.

Sterling County answers

10 common Sterling County Appraisal District questions

1. What is the official Sterling County Appraisal District website?

The official website is sterlingcad.org. Use it for property search, forms, mapping, online protest, account registration and appraisal records.

2. How do I search Sterling County property records?

Select the correct year and search by owner, Owner ID, Property ID or address. Use Geographic ID, legal description, abstract, subdivision, lease name or lease number for difficult accounts.

3. What property types can I search?

Sterling CAD separates Real, Personal and Mineral accounts. Search more than one type when land, business assets, utilities or mineral interests may be separate.

4. Who appraises mineral and industrial property?

Sterling CAD states that Pritchard & Abbott provides appraisal assistance for mineral, utility and industrial accounts and also assists with real-estate and personal-property work.

5. Who collects Sterling County property taxes?

The Sterling County Tax Assessor-Collector collects for Sterling County, Sterling City ISD, the City of Sterling City and the underground-water district.

6. How do I pay property taxes online?

Open sterlingcountytax.org, search for the property, select it and open Tax Summary. Confirm the account, year, amount and fee before paying.

7. What was the normal 2026 protest deadline?

The normal deadline was May 15, 2026, or 30 days after delivery of the appraisal notice, whichever was later. A newer special notice may carry another deadline.

8. How do I file a Sterling CAD protest online?

Register for an account, request the property’s unique PIN, sign in and open the official protest service. Keep the confirmation and evidence copies.

9. Where can I find Sterling County deeds and liens?

Contact the Sterling County Clerk at 609 4th Avenue. Prepare party names, approximate dates, document type and any known volume, page or file number.

10. Is the Sterling CAD map a legal survey?

No. Use it for appraisal research only. Use recorded documents, title research and a professional survey for legal boundaries and access.

Accuracy, ownership and official-use notice

AppraisalDistrict.org is an independent informational resource. It is not Sterling County Appraisal District, the Sterling County Appraisal Review Board, Sterling County, the Tax Assessor-Collector, the County Clerk, Pritchard & Abbott or the Texas Comptroller.

Owners, values, exemptions, appraisal-roll status, protest deadlines, tax balances, payment fees, office hours, forms and procedures can change. Verify the live official record before filing, paying, travelling, buying, selling or making a legal, tax or financial decision.

Appraisal maps, acreage, owner entries, legal descriptions, deed references, mineral accounts and lease information are research tools and should not replace a deed, plat, title examination, mineral-title review or professional survey.

Official-source review completed July 30, 2026. Primary sources reviewed: Sterling County Appraisal District, Sterling County Tax Assessor-Collector, Sterling County Clerk and Texas Comptroller property-tax resources.

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