Dallas County Property Search, DCAD Records, Map & 2026 Tax Help
The official Dallas appraisal district property search is maintained by the Dallas Central Appraisal District (DCAD). Its free public database lets you search Dallas County real property by owner name, 17-character account number, street address or business name.
Once you open an account, you can review the property’s location, owner information used for appraisal purposes, legal description, market and appraised values, improvements, land, exemptions, estimated taxes and account history.
DCAD appraises property for 61 local governing bodies in Dallas County. It does not collect property taxes or provide legal title research. Tax payments are handled by the Dallas County Tax Office or the applicable collector, while deeds and recorded real-property documents are maintained by the Dallas County Clerk.
DCAD, Dallas County Tax Office or County Clerk?
Dallas County appraisal data, tax bills and recorded ownership documents are maintained by different offices. Use the table below to avoid being sent from one agency to another.
| What You Need | Correct Office | Best Starting Point |
|---|---|---|
| Search property by owner | Dallas Central Appraisal District | DCAD Owner Search |
| Search by account number | DCAD | DCAD Account Search |
| Search by property address | DCAD | DCAD Address Search |
| Find a parcel on the map | DCAD | DCAD Property Map |
| Apply for homestead exemption | DCAD | Open the property account and choose the homestead filing option. |
| Pay property taxes | Dallas County Tax Office | Property Tax Lookup & Payment |
| Find deeds or recorded documents | Dallas County Clerk | Dallas County Record Search |
How to Use the Dallas Appraisal District Property Search
DCAD separates its public search into owner, account, address and business-name searches. Property owners can also move from a search result into the account page to find forms, appraisal notices and other account-specific links.
Choose the search type
Use an account number when you have it. Otherwise begin with the owner or property address.
Enter only the information DCAD needs
If a detailed search produces no result, reduce the amount of information rather than repeatedly entering different full addresses or names.
Open the blue property-address link
DCAD directs users to click the blue property-address result to reach the detailed appraisal account.
Verify the current appraisal year
DCAD can display current and historical information. Confirm the year before comparing values, exemptions or notices.
Save the 17-character account number
The account number is the most reliable identifier when you later research a protest, tax record, map or exemption.
Search by Owner
DCAD asks for the last name followed by the first name. Its search instructions allow partial-name searches and the % wildcard.
Search by OwnerAfter opening this link
- Enter the owner’s last name.
- Add at least part of the first name when known.
- Select the appropriate property type if helpful.
- Open the blue property-address result.
Search by Address
The street-address search supports a single property or a range of street numbers.
Search by AddressAfter opening this link
- Enter the street number.
- Enter at least two characters of the street name.
- Do not include Street, Drive or Lane in the street-name field.
- Open the matching property record.
Search by Account
DCAD’s account search requires a 17-character account number using letters and numbers only.
Search by AccountAfter opening this link
- Enter the complete 17-character DCAD account number.
- Submit the search.
- Click the blue property-address result.
- Confirm the owner and property location.
What you can review on a DCAD account
- Property location
- Current appraisal owner
- Legal description
- Market value
- Appraised value
- Land information
- Main and additional improvements
- Exemptions
- Estimated tax information
- Account history
- Appraisal notices
- Homestead filing links when available
Dallas CAD Property Map: Search by Parcel, Address or Owner
DCAD’s official property map supports map-based research by account number, property address and owner name. You can also click parcels directly on the map.
Useful Map Tasks
- Locate a property geographically
- Identify nearby parcels
- Search a 17-character account number
- Search a street address
- Search an owner name
- Create a property map or report
Do Not Treat the Map As
- A certified survey
- A final legal-boundary determination
- Proof of an easement
- A title report
- A zoning approval
- A building permit
After opening this link
- Accept the map terms if prompted.
- Choose the feature type you want to search.
- Enter the account, address or owner information.
- Select the correct parcel.
- Use professional survey or title records for legal conclusions.
Market Value, Appraised Value & Taxable Value in Dallas County
DCAD appraises taxable real and business personal property for local taxing units in Dallas County. The value shown on the appraisal account is not the same thing as the final property-tax bill.
Market Value
The appraisal district’s estimate of market value under Texas property-tax law as of the applicable January 1 appraisal date.
Appraised Value
The value after an applicable statutory appraisal limitation is considered. A qualifying cap can cause appraised value to be lower than market value.
Taxable Value
The amount subject to a particular taxing unit after exemptions and applicable limitations are accounted for.
2026 appraisal roll status
DCAD’s 2026 calendar scheduled certification of the appraisal rolls for July 24, 2026, and the district now publishes 2026 certification reports and comparative reports.
Some protested accounts can continue through the Appraisal Review Board process after certification. The district reported more than 250,000 protests for 2026 and stated that hearings could continue through September.
Review 2026 Certification ReportsAfter opening this link
- Locate the Tax Year 2026 reports.
- Choose certified, disputed or combined value reports.
- Use countywide data for context only.
- Return to the individual account for parcel-specific values.
Dallas County Homestead Exemption Rules for 2026
DCAD administers residence-homestead exemptions for qualifying Dallas County property. Filing directly with the appraisal district is free.
Texas school districts must provide a $140,000 general residence-homestead exemption. Qualified owners age 65 or older or disabled receive an additional $60,000 school-district exemption.
Cities, counties and special districts may offer separate local-option exemptions, so the exact exempt amount on a Dallas County property depends on the taxing jurisdictions attached to that account.
How to get the DCAD homestead application
Search for the property by owner, account number or address. Open the blue property-address result, then use the homestead application link on the detailed account page.
Open DCAD Homestead ResourcesAfter opening this link
- Search for your property.
- Open the detailed account.
- Choose the online homestead option or print the application.
- Complete the applicant and residence information accurately.
- Keep your submission confirmation.
Missed April 30?
DCAD states that a late residence-homestead application, including an age-65-or-older or disabled-person exemption, may generally be filed up to two years after the date the applicable taxes become delinquent.
For example, DCAD currently states that a late application for the 2024 homestead exemption may be filed through January 31, 2027.
Processing time
DCAD currently advises applicants to allow up to approximately 90 days for a homestead exemption application to be processed. After processing, search the property account and review the Exemption Details section.
10% Homestead Cap & 2026 Non-Homestead Circuit Breaker
Residence Homestead Cap
A qualifying residence homestead generally receives a 10% annual appraisal limitation after the cap becomes effective under Texas law.
- The cap applies to appraised value, not market value
- Qualifying new improvements are treated separately
- The limitation normally begins after homestead qualification
- A sale can remove the prior owner’s cap
2026 Circuit-Breaker Limit
Certain non-homestead real property valued at $5.32 million or less can qualify for Texas’ temporary 20% appraisal limitation.
- 20% annual limitation for qualifying property
- $5.32 million 2026 eligibility ceiling
- New improvements are added separately
- Several special-appraisal property types are excluded
After opening this link
- Find the residence-homestead appraisal limitation section.
- Review the separate non-homestead circuit-breaker rules.
- Check the 2026 value ceiling.
- Confirm whether your property type is eligible.
2026 Dallas CAD Protest Deadlines & uFile Process
DCAD used three major appraisal-notice mailings for 2026, with different protest deadlines depending on the account and notice type.
| 2026 Notice Group | Mail Date | Published Protest Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Real Property — Residential & Commercial | April 14, 2026 | May 15, 2026 |
| Business Personal Property | May 12, 2026 | June 11, 2026 |
| Miscellaneous / Later Notices | June 1, 2026 | July 1, 2026 |
How the 2026 protest process works
Open the property account
Search by owner, account or address and open the detailed appraisal account.
Review the 2026 appraisal notice
Check proposed value, exemptions, property characteristics and the specific protest deadline shown for the account.
Use uFile for an eligible protest
DCAD identifies its uFile Online Protest System as the preferred filing method for efficiency.
Keep confirmation
DCAD’s uFile instructions state that every filing screen must be completed and the owner must receive confirmation that the protest was filed.
Watch for the ARB hearing notice
For outstanding 2026 protests, DCAD states that a hearing notice is mailed at least 15 days before the scheduled ARB hearing.
Residential Protest
Commercial Protest
Business Personal Property
After opening this link
- Search the property account.
- Open the account-detail page.
- Locate the uFile Online Protest link when available.
- Complete every required uFile screen.
- Save the filing confirmation and monitor the account for hearing information.
Dallas County Property Tax Search, Payment & 2026 Rate
The Dallas County Tax Office provides an online application to access property-tax information and pay property taxes. It is separate from DCAD.
DCAD Handles
- Appraisal records
- Market value
- Appraised value
- Exemptions
- Property protests
Dallas County Tax Office Handles
- Property-tax lookup
- Tax statements
- Payments
- Delinquency questions
- Payment arrangements
Online payment fees currently listed by the Tax Office
| Payment Method | Published Online Fee |
|---|---|
| ACH / eCheck | $0.00 |
| Credit Card | 2.05% of amount charged, $2.85 minimum |
| Debit Card | $2.85 per transaction |
| Digital Wallet | 2.05% of amount charged, $2.85 minimum |
After opening this link
- Open the property-tax lookup application.
- Find the correct tax account.
- Verify the property and tax year.
- Review the balance and payment status.
- Check the convenience fee before submitting payment.
Dallas County Deeds, Liens & Real Property Records
DCAD warns that its website is for appraisal information and that title research should be performed through the appropriate County Clerk. The appraisal owner field is not a legal title opinion.
Use DCAD For
- Appraisal owner
- Property address
- Account number
- Values
- Exemptions
- Property characteristics
Use Dallas County Clerk For
- Deeds
- Official public records
- Recorded real-property documents
- UCC records
- Other recorded instruments
After opening this link
- Locate the County Clerk section.
- Select UCC / Personal Property / Deeds or the relevant record type.
- Search using the supported name or document information.
- Verify the recording information before relying on the result.
Why Two Dallas County Properties Can Have Very Different Taxes
Dallas County contains many cities, independent school districts and special taxing units. Two properties with similar DCAD market values can therefore have substantially different total tax bills.
City of Dallas
A City of Dallas parcel can include Dallas County, a school district, city taxes and additional applicable taxing units. Check the individual account rather than assuming one countywide total rate.
Irving
Irving-area parcels can fall under different school or special-district combinations. Compare taxing jurisdictions along with appraised value.
Garland & Mesquite
School-district and municipal boundaries can materially change a property’s total tax rate even when market values are similar.
Richardson
Some Richardson addresses cross county lines. Confirm that the parcel is actually appraised by DCAD before assuming Dallas County records apply.
Carrollton
Carrollton also extends across county boundaries. Use the appraisal account, not just the mailing city, to identify the correct county appraisal district.
Highland Park & University Park
These municipalities are within Dallas County but maintain their own city and school-related taxing context. Verify the full list of taxing entities on the specific account.
Dallas Central Appraisal District Address, Phone & Hours
DCAD Main Office
Dallas Central Appraisal District
2949 North Stemmons Freeway
Dallas, TX 75247
Customer Service: 214-631-0910
Main switchboard: 214-631-0520
Public Lobby Hours
Monday–Friday:
7:30 AM–5:00 PM
DCAD lists longer weekday telephone availability for some departments. Confirm the current schedule before traveling for a specialized service.
Map: Dallas Central Appraisal District
After opening this link
- Confirm the main office address.
- Review current lobby hours.
- Use the department phone number matching your issue.
- Check whether your request can be handled online before visiting.
Dallas Appraisal District Property Search FAQs
1. Is the Dallas County CAD property search free?
Yes. Dallas Central Appraisal District provides free public online searches by owner name, account number, street address and business name. The DCAD property map is also available for public parcel research.
2. What is the official Dallas County appraisal district called?
The official agency is Dallas Central Appraisal District, commonly called DCAD or Dallas CAD. It appraises property for ad valorem taxation on behalf of local governing bodies in Dallas County.
3. How do I search Dallas County property by owner?
Use DCAD’s Find Property by Owner Name page. Enter the owner’s last name and available first-name information, open the matching blue property-address result and verify the account before using the values.
4. How many characters are in a DCAD account number?
DCAD’s account-number search requires a 17-character account number. Its property map also accepts a 17-character alphanumeric or numeric account identifier.
5. What was the 2026 DCAD residential protest deadline?
For the first 2026 real-property mailing, which covered residential and commercial accounts, DCAD published May 15, 2026 as the protest deadline. Later notice groups had different deadlines, so an owner should always verify the deadline tied to the specific appraisal notice.
6. Is filing a homestead exemption with DCAD free?
Yes. DCAD states that filing a residence-homestead exemption application directly with the district is free of charge.
7. What is the Texas school homestead exemption in 2026?
Texas school districts must provide a $140,000 general residence-homestead exemption. A qualifying homeowner age 65 or older or disabled receives an additional $60,000 school-district exemption.
8. Where do I pay Dallas County property taxes?
Use the Dallas County Tax Office property-tax lookup and payment system when that office is the collector for your account. DCAD determines appraisal values and exemptions but does not collect your property-tax payment.
9. Where can I search Dallas County deeds?
Use the Dallas County Clerk’s official record-search resources for deeds and other recorded real-property documents. DCAD specifically advises that title research should be performed through the appropriate County Clerk rather than through the appraisal website.
10. Where is Dallas Central Appraisal District located?
DCAD is located at 2949 North Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, TX 75247. Customer Service is 214-631-0910, and the public lobby is listed as open Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
Official Sources Used for This 2026 Dallas County Guide
This article was researched against current primary government resources, including:
- Dallas Central Appraisal District
- DCAD Owner Property Search
- DCAD Account Number Search
- DCAD Street Address Search
- DCAD Property Map
- DCAD 2026 Certification Reports
- Dallas County Property Tax Lookup & Payment
- Dallas County Official Record Search
- Texas Comptroller Property Tax Exemptions
- Texas Comptroller Property Valuation Rules
Last factual review: September 11, 2026. Appraisal records, protest status, exemption rules, tax rates, payment fees, office access and government web systems can change. Verify property-specific information through the responsible official source before filing, paying or relying on a deadline.