Alexandria City Deed Records

Alexandria deed records are filed with the Alexandria Circuit Court Clerk at 520 King Street in the heart of Old Town. As an independent city, Alexandria maintains its own land record system separate from any surrounding county. The clerk's office records property deeds, deeds of trust, plat records, liens, and all other instruments that affect real estate within city limits. You can search the grantor and grantee index through Virginia's SRA system or visit the clerk's office in person. Certified copies are available on request, and most routine searches can be done without leaving your desk using the free online index.

Alexandria Circuit Court Clerk

The Alexandria Circuit Court Clerk's office is located at 520 King Street, Room 307, Alexandria, VA 22314. Clerk J. Greg Parks heads the office, which records all land instruments for property within the City of Alexandria. The filing window is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Emailed documents are not accepted for recording. If you need to drop off an instrument, bring it in person or use an approved eRecording vendor.

You can reach the clerk's office by phone at 703-746-4044. For questions about probate intake, email probate.intake@alexandriava.gov. The judges' chambers are on the 4th floor at the same address, reachable at 703-746-4123. Chamber calls are taken 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Alexandria Law Library sits at the same address, Lower Level, and is open 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. with phone access at 703-746-4077.

Need a referral to a real estate attorney? The Attorney Referral Service for Alexandria is available at 703-548-1106. This can be useful if you need help understanding a deed or clearing a title issue before filing.

Important: Alexandria vs. Falls Church Property

Not all Northern Virginia property goes to Alexandria. Real estate located in the City of Falls Church must be recorded with the Arlington County Circuit Court, not with Alexandria. If you are not sure which jurisdiction your property falls under, check the property address against city boundary maps before recording. Filing in the wrong court delays your transaction.

Property within Alexandria city limits always goes to the Alexandria Circuit Court. There is no overlap with Arlington County for Alexandria-based parcels. The two courts serve distinct jurisdictions, and each maintains its own deed books and index. This matters most for properties near the city border.

How to Search Alexandria Deed Records Online

Virginia's free SRA system provides access to the Alexandria grantor and grantee index. Enter a party name or search by date range to pull up instrument records. The SRA shows the instrument type, recording date, deed book, and page number. Full document images may require a paid subscription, but the index itself is free.

For in-person searching, public access terminals are available at the clerk's office. Staff can assist with older records, deed book lookups, and requests for certified copies. Copies cost $0.50 per page under Virginia Code. If you need a certified copy, there is an additional certification fee.

The Library of Virginia also holds historical Alexandria land records. For very old deeds predating electronic indexing, the LVA's online catalog or microfilm collections may be the best starting point.

What Gets Recorded in Alexandria

The clerk's office accepts a wide range of real property instruments. Common document types include warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, deeds of trust, certificates of satisfaction, easement agreements, and powers of attorney related to real estate. Subdivision plats, condominium declarations, judgment liens, notices of lis pendens, and UCC filings that affect real property are also recorded here.

Under Virginia Code § 55.1-407, Virginia follows a race-notice recording rule. An unrecorded deed can be voided by a later purchaser who records first without notice of the prior transfer. In a city like Alexandria with a fast-moving real estate market, recording promptly after closing is essential to protect your ownership interest.

Plats and subdivision plans are also kept on file. If you are researching a parcel's legal description, the recorded plat may be the most precise source for boundary lines and easement locations.

Recording Fees and Requirements

Virginia's recording fee schedule is set by Virginia Code § 17.1-275. The base fee is $18 for instruments up to 10 pages. Documents of 11 to 30 pages cost $32 to record. Instruments longer than 30 pages carry a $52 fee. These amounts apply statewide, including Alexandria.

A state recordation tax also applies to most conveyances. Under Virginia Code § 58.1-801, the grantor's tax is 25 cents per $100 of the consideration paid. Some transfers qualify for an exemption under Virginia Code § 58.1-811, including transfers between spouses and certain business reorganizations.

Every deed submitted for recording must include a cover sheet. The document must be legible, printed or typed in at least 8-point font, and on paper no larger than 8.5 by 14 inches. The clerk's office will reject documents that do not meet these basic requirements.

Electronics and Courthouse Access Policy

As of April 1, 2025, anyone bringing electronics into the Alexandria courthouse must carry a color-coded pass on a lanyard. Attorneys need a red badge. An attorney bar card alone no longer grants permission to bring in electronic devices. Apply for your courthouse pass through the online application form. Plan ahead if you intend to bring a laptop or phone to the clerk's office.

The courthouse follows Alexandria City Government closures. When the city government is closed for inclement weather or holidays, the clerk's office is closed as well. Call the inclement weather hotline at 703-746-4636 for current status before making a trip.

Images From Alexandria Circuit Court

The screenshot below is from the Alexandria Circuit Court website, where you can find current clerk information, contact details, and recording guidelines.

The image above shows the main Alexandria Circuit Court page. Use it to confirm current hours and any updates to recording requirements before visiting.

The second screenshot below is from the courthouse electronics pass application form, which is required for anyone bringing devices into the Alexandria courthouse as of April 2025.

If you plan to use a laptop at the public access terminal in the clerk's office, submit this form in advance to avoid delays at the security checkpoint.

Additional Resources

Virginia's property transfer statutes are codified in Title 55.1 of the Virginia Code. Key sections include § 55.1-300 on the validity of deeds and conveyances and § 55.1-600 on deeds of trust. The Virginia Circuit Courts directory lists contact information for all circuit court clerks in the state.

For questions about property taxes on Alexandria real estate, contact Virginia Tax for state-level questions or Alexandria's own Department of Real Estate Assessments for city-level assessments. Vital records such as birth and death certificates are handled separately by the Virginia Department of Health.

Nearby Cities and Counties

Alexandria borders Arlington County and Fairfax County. Property in those jurisdictions is handled by their respective circuit court clerks. The City of Falls Church, though geographically nearby, records with Arlington County.