Five documents make a mineral rights offer faster and more accurate: your deed or conveyance (what you own), division orders (your decimal in each well), three to twelve months of royalty check stubs (what it actually pays), the oil and gas lease (your royalty rate — 25% is the owner-favorable target — and cost language), and county tax statements (a cross-check that nothing was missed). Missing some? Request the offer anyway — Buckhead researches the records on every evaluation.
You do not need a single piece of paper to request an offer from Buckhead Energy — we can research your interest from public records alone. But owners who can share a few key documents get faster, tighter offers, because the documents remove guesswork. Here are the five that matter most, what each one tells a buyer, and where to find them if you are not sure you have them.
1. Your Deed or Conveyance
The deed (or probate documents, if you inherited) shows exactly what interest you own and how you came to own it — the tract's legal description, the fraction conveyed, and any reservations. It is the anchor of the title chain. If you cannot find yours, the county clerk where the minerals sit maintains the recorded copy.
2. Division Orders
A division order states your decimal interest in a specific well — the single most useful number in valuing producing interests. It ties your ownership to actual wells and confirms how the operator is paying you. Owners typically receive one before first payment on each new well.
Your decimal interest on the division order, multiplied across the wells paying you, is the skeleton of a producing-minerals valuation.
3. Recent Royalty Check Stubs
Check stubs (revenue statements) show production volumes, prices, deductions, and taxes by well, month by month. The last three to twelve months of stubs let a buyer see exactly what your interest is earning and how it is trending — far more reliable than a single month, which can be skewed by timing or one-time adjustments. Stubs are the authoritative record of what you are actually being paid.
4. The Oil and Gas Lease
The lease sets your royalty rate and the cost language that determines what you net. A 1/4 (25%) royalty — the strongest, most owner-favorable rate to target — pays meaningfully more than an old 1/8 lease on the same production, and "cost-free" royalty language protects your checks from post-production deductions. If your minerals are leased but not producing, the lease's primary term and expiration matter too.
5. County Tax Statements
Annual ad valorem tax statements from the county appraisal district list the producing properties assessed to you. They are a handy cross-check that no paying well has been missed — especially for owners with interests scattered across multiple counties or states.
Missing Documents? Don't Let That Stop You
If you have some, most, or none of these, request the offer anyway. Buckhead Energy researches county records, state regulatory filings, and production data on every evaluation — the documents simply accelerate the process and sharpen the result. Gather what you have, send it with your request, and we will fill in the rest.
Key Takeaways
- Your deed or probate documents anchor what you own; the county clerk holds recorded copies.
- Division orders carry your decimal interest — the key number for valuing producing wells.
- Three to twelve months of check stubs show real, trend-level income — the authoritative record.
- The lease sets your royalty rate (target 25%) and the deduction language that determines what you net.
- No documents? Request the offer anyway — a direct buyer can research your interest from public records.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get an offer without any documents?
Yes. Buckhead Energy researches county records, regulatory filings, and production data on every evaluation. Documents speed up the process and tighten the offer, but they are not required.
Where do I find my mineral deed?
The county clerk (or recorder) in the county where the minerals are located maintains recorded copies of deeds and probate documents. Many counties offer online search.
How many check stubs should I share?
Three to twelve months is ideal. A single month can be skewed by timing or one-time adjustments; a run of stubs shows the real trend.
What if I never received a division order?
Contact the operator's owner-relations department. If a well is paying you, a division order or pay-deck record exists with your decimal interest.
Does my royalty rate affect what my minerals are worth?
Yes — a 1/4 (25%) royalty pays twice what a 1/8 lease pays on identical production, which flows directly into value. Lease language on deductions also affects what you net.
Disclaimer: Buckhead Energy is not a tax, legal, or investment advisor, and nothing in this article should be construed as tax, legal, or investment advice. This information is general in nature and provided solely for your convenience and education. Every owner's situation is different — always consult a qualified CPA, tax professional, attorney, or financial advisor before making any decision regarding your mineral rights, taxes, or finances.