Virginia Property Records
Professional title examination for all 133 Virginia recording jurisdictions (95 counties and 38 independent cities). Circuit Court Clerk system. Deed of trust state. Grantor tax jurisdiction. No statewide portal. Reports from $29.
How to Search Virginia Property Records
Virginia property records are maintained by the Clerk of the Circuit Court in each of the state's 133 recording jurisdictions (95 counties and 38 independent cities). Virginia is unique among all U.S. states in that its independent cities are separate recording jurisdictions from the counties that surround them. Under Va. Code Section 55.1-600, all instruments affecting real property must be recorded in the circuit court of the county or city where the property is situated.
Virginia is a race-notice recording state, a deed of trust state (not mortgage), and imposes both a state recordation tax and a grantor tax on property transfers. Virginia does not have a single statewide portal for property records. Each of the 133 circuit court clerks maintains separate records. Some use the Virginia Secure Remote Access (SRA) system, others use third-party platforms, and some require in-person or mail requests. U.S. Title Records provides professional Virginia property records examination for all 133 jurisdictions from $29. Email office@ustitlerecords.com with questions.
95 Counties + 38 Independent Cities = 133 Jurisdictions
Virginia's independent city system is unique in the United States. Independent cities (such as Richmond, Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Alexandria, Charlottesville, and Roanoke) are not part of any county. Each independent city has its own Circuit Court Clerk who maintains separate land records. When searching Virginia property records, you must identify whether the property is located in the county or the adjacent independent city, as the recording offices are entirely separate. For example, Fairfax County and the City of Fairfax are different jurisdictions with different clerks. U.S. Title Records identifies the correct recording jurisdiction automatically for any Virginia address.
Grantor Tax and Recordation Tax
Virginia imposes two taxes on property transfers. The state recordation tax under Va. Code Section 58.1-801 is $0.25 per $100 of the sale price or fair market value (whichever is greater), paid by the grantee. The grantor tax under Va. Code Section 58.1-802 is $0.50 per $500 of the consideration, paid by the grantor (seller). In Northern Virginia (NOVA) jurisdictions, an additional regional grantor tax of $0.15 per $100 is assessed under Va. Code Section 58.1-802.2 to fund regional transportation. Local jurisdictions may levy an additional tax of up to one-third of the state recordation tax. For a $500,000 sale, combined state and local taxes can exceed $5,000.
Virginia Property Records System
How Virginia's unique 133-jurisdiction recording system operates
Circuit Court Clerk (Deed Book System)
Virginia Circuit Court Clerks record all instruments in the "deed book" pursuant to Va. Code Section 17.1-223. This includes deeds, deeds of trust, certificates of satisfaction, construction liens (mechanic liens), federal tax liens, lis pendens, easements, plats, and other instruments affecting real property. Documents are indexed in grantor-grantee indexes organized alphabetically. Virginia requires a cover sheet (Va. Code Section 17.1-227.1) detailing parties, consideration, and parcel identification numbers. All signatures must be original and notarized. UCC filings on personal property are filed with the State Corporation Commission, not local circuit courts.
Deed of Trust (Not Mortgage)
Virginia uses deeds of trust rather than traditional mortgages. The borrower (grantor) conveys legal title to a trustee (who must be a Virginia resident if an individual) who holds it as security for the lender (beneficiary). Upon default, the trustee can conduct a non-judicial foreclosure (trustee's sale) under Va. Code Section 55.1-320 et seq. When the loan is paid, the lender records a Certificate and Affidavit of Satisfaction, releasing the lien. Virginia does NOT have a statutory right of redemption after a trustee's sale. For foreclosure auction due diligence, a Full Owner Lien Report ($195) is recommended.
Non-Judicial Foreclosure (No Redemption)
Virginia permits non-judicial foreclosure through the trustee's sale process. After the borrower defaults, the trustee advertises the sale for a minimum of 14 days (once a week for two successive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation). The sale is conducted at public auction. Virginia provides NO statutory right of redemption after the trustee's sale. Once the trustee's deed is recorded, the sale is final and the former owner has no right to reclaim the property. This contrasts with states like Michigan (6-month redemption) and Illinois (up to 7-month redemption). A title report search identifies active foreclosure proceedings.
Military and VA Loan Activity
Virginia has the largest concentration of active-duty military, veterans, and Department of Defense civilian employees in the United States, centered around Hampton Roads (Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Newport News), Northern Virginia (Pentagon, Fort Belvoir, Quantico), and the Richmond area (Fort Gregg-Adams). VA loan activity is significantly higher in Virginia than in most other states. VA loans are assumable without a due-on-sale clause trigger, which creates unique title search considerations for both assumption transactions and seller financing structures. A Full Owner Lien Report ($195) identifies existing VA loans and all other encumbrances.
Virginia Property Lien Types
Encumbrances affecting Virginia real property with statutory citations
Deeds of Trust
Voluntary specific lien. Recorded in deed book at Circuit Court Clerk's office. Three-party structure: grantor (borrower), trustee (VA resident required for individuals), and beneficiary (lender). Non-judicial foreclosure through trustee's sale. Certificate and Affidavit of Satisfaction recorded upon payoff.
Judgment Liens
Involuntary general lien. Judgment lien docketed with the Circuit Court Clerk in the jurisdiction where the debtor's property is located. Attaches to all real property in that jurisdiction. Duration: 10 years under Va. Code Section 8.01-251, renewable for additional 10-year periods by motion. Must be docketed in each jurisdiction where the debtor owns property.
Mechanic Liens (Construction Liens)
Governed by Va. Code Section 43-1 et seq. Contractor must file a memorandum of lien with the Circuit Court Clerk within 90 days of the last day of furnishing labor or materials. Subcontractors must serve a preliminary notice within 30 days of first furnishing. Foreclosure suit within 6 months of recording. Virginia mechanic liens relate back to the date of first visible improvement.
Property Tax Liens
Automatic first priority. Virginia localities assess real estate annually. Tax rates vary significantly by jurisdiction (from under $0.50 per $100 of assessed value in some rural counties to over $1.00 per $100 in urban areas). Delinquent taxes accrue penalty and interest. After 3+ years delinquent, the locality can initiate judicial tax sale proceedings. A Property Detail Report ($29) shows current assessment and tax status.
Federal Tax Liens (IRS)
Filed with the Circuit Court Clerk. Blanket lien on all real and personal property. Duration: 10 years from assessment, renewable. At foreclosure, IRS retains 120-day right of redemption.
Virginia State Tax Liens
The Virginia Department of Taxation records tax liens for unpaid state income taxes, withholding taxes, and sales taxes. Filed with the Circuit Court Clerk. Duration: 20 years. Must be satisfied before title can transfer. A Full Owner Lien Report ($195) identifies state tax liens.
HOA/POA Assessment Liens
Under the Virginia Property Owners' Association Act (Va. Code 55.1-1800 et seq.) and the Virginia Condominium Act (Va. Code 55.1-1900 et seq.). Virginia does NOT have a statutory super lien provision. HOA liens take priority based on recording date. The association can foreclose under Va. Code 55.1-1833.
Lis Pendens
Recorded with the Circuit Court Clerk under Va. Code Section 8.01-268 to provide constructive notice that litigation affecting the property is pending. Required for all foreclosure actions and partition suits. Any person acquiring interest after recording takes subject to the outcome.
A Property Lien Report ($95) identifies all recorded encumbrances. A Full Owner Lien Report ($195) adds personal liens, UCC filings (State Corporation Commission), and bankruptcy records.
Virginia Property Records Questions
Authoritative answers regarding Virginia real property records and title examinations
How Do I Search Virginia Property Records?
Submit the property address to U.S. Title Records for professional Virginia property records examination covering all 133 jurisdictions (95 counties + 38 independent cities). Reports from $29 to $375. Free resources include individual Circuit Court Clerk websites (some offer online deed book searches) and the Commissioner of the Revenue or City Assessor websites (property values, tax data). Virginia has no statewide portal. Each of the 133 jurisdictions maintains separate records on different platforms.
Search VA Records →How Much Does a Virginia Title Search Cost?
Virginia property records examination fees at U.S. Title Records: Property Detail Report $29, Document Image $45, Title Search by Name $75/$535, Property Lien Report $95, Full Owner Lien Report $195, Chain of Title Report $275, Expanded Title Search $375. Same pricing for all 133 Virginia jurisdictions. No subscription or account required. View complete schedule of fees.
Schedule of Fees →What Is the Difference Between a Virginia County and Independent City?
Virginia's 38 independent cities are separate governmental and recording jurisdictions from the 95 counties. Each independent city has its own Circuit Court Clerk, Commissioner of the Revenue (or City Assessor), and Treasurer. Property records for the City of Norfolk are filed with the Norfolk City Circuit Court, not Norfolk County (which does not exist). This distinction is critical: a search in the wrong jurisdiction returns no results. U.S. Title Records identifies the correct recording jurisdiction automatically.
Submit Search Request →Is There a Right of Redemption After Virginia Foreclosure?
No. Virginia does NOT provide a statutory right of redemption after a non-judicial trustee's sale. Once the trustee's deed is recorded, the sale is final. This makes Virginia one of the fastest states for foreclosure resolution. The trustee's sale requires only 14 days of advertisement. For foreclosure auction buyers, clear title is obtained more quickly than in states with redemption periods, but pre-auction lien research remains essential.
Auction Buyer Guide →What Is the Virginia Grantor Tax?
Virginia imposes a grantor tax at $0.50 per $500 of consideration, paid by the seller. In Northern Virginia jurisdictions (Arlington, Fairfax County, Fairfax City, Loudoun, Prince William, Alexandria, Falls Church, Manassas, Manassas Park), an additional regional grantor tax of $0.15 per $100 is assessed. The state recordation tax ($0.25 per $100) is paid by the buyer. Local jurisdictions may add up to one-third of the state rate. For a $600,000 NOVA sale, combined taxes can exceed $6,500.
Deed Retrieval →Where Are Virginia UCC Filings Recorded?
Virginia UCC financing statements for personal property are filed with the State Corporation Commission (SCC), not local Circuit Court Clerks. UCC fixture filings (liens on fixtures attached to real property) are recorded with the Circuit Court Clerk. A Full Owner Lien Report ($195) searches both the SCC database and Circuit Court records. For asset investigation beyond property records, visit U.S. Asset Records.
Full Owner Lien Report →Search Virginia Property Records
Professional title examination for any property in all 133 Virginia recording jurisdictions. Counties, independent cities, and Northern Virginia. Reports from $29. For asset investigation, visit U.S. Asset Records.