To satisfy the requirement of making a written offer when the (owners or their heirs) are unknown or cannot be located after due diligence, address the initial offer letter to the record owner at the record owner's last known address, as shown by local tax rolls. Also send a copy of this letter to the address of the subject property, if the address is different from the last known address. In the letter, state that it is the last known means of trying to locate the record owner, or the owner's heirs, and describe the efforts made to find the owner. Such letters should have the notation under TxDOT's return address: “Forwarding and Address Correction Requested.”

Suggested sources for locating people include:

area phone books and local directories;
directories on the internet;
people finder programs;
neighbors at last known address;
neighbors of the subject property interest;
local utility companies;
post office for forwarding address;
driver's license;
probate records;
property records;
marriage license;
voters' registration;
civil or criminal court records; and
witnesses or attorneys shown on any legal documents found.

Follow the procedure described above when a person without legal claim to a property interest (a a mere possessor, or an unperfected adverse possessor) is occupying or using the premises. However, when the ED proceedings are filed, make this person without legal claim a party to the proceedings as an adverse possessor even if the owners are found.