To be effective, a transfer on death deed must:
(1) except as otherwise provided in Subdivision (2), contain the essential elements and formalities of a recordable deed;
(2) state that the transfer of an interest in real property to the designated beneficiary is to occur at the transferor's death; and
(3) be recorded before the transferor's death in the deed records in the county clerk's office of the county where the real property is located.
Official text of the Texas Estates Code as published by the Texas Legislative Council.