Accomack County Deed Records

Accomack County deed records are filed and maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk in Accomac, Virginia, on the Eastern Shore. The office holds land records dating to 1663, making it one of Virginia's oldest deed repositories. Anyone who needs to search property ownership, verify title history, or record a new deed can access these records through the clerk's office or online through state-provided tools.

Accomack County Circuit Court Clerk

The Circuit Court Clerk in Accomack County is the official custodian of all land records for the county. The clerk's office records, indexes, and preserves deeds, deeds of trust, plats, and other real property instruments. When a deed is submitted, staff check it for compliance, collect the required fees and taxes, and return the original after recording. You can visit the office in person or contact them to request certified copies.

The Accomack County Circuit Court is located in the county seat of Accomac. The clerk's office is part of Virginia's 2nd Judicial Circuit. Hours and contact details are available on the court's website. For mailed requests, include a self-addressed stamped envelope so the clerk can return your original documents after recording.

Note: Older Accomack County land records, including some deed books from the 1600s and 1700s, may be available on microfilm at the clerk's office or through the Library of Virginia.

Searching Accomack Deed Records Online

Virginia offers a free online tool for searching deed records. The Supreme Court of Virginia's SRA (Secure Remote Access) system lets you search grantor and grantee indexes for Accomack County without visiting the courthouse. The index shows basic details like the names of the parties, the type of instrument, the date of recording, and the deed book and page reference. Full image access requires a paid subscription through the local clerk's office.

For in-person searches, the clerk's office maintains both computerized indexes and older grantor/grantee deed books. Accomack's records go back to 1663, so searches for older property may require consulting microfilm or bound deed books. Staff can assist with locating records, though they cannot provide legal advice.

If you need to track down records from before the county's formation or from related historical periods, the Library of Virginia holds digitized and microfilmed collections of early Virginia land records, including materials from the Eastern Shore.

What Gets Recorded in Accomack County

The Accomack County Circuit Court Clerk records all instruments that affect real property in the county. This includes warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, deeds of trust, and mortgages. It also includes certificates of satisfaction when a lien is paid off, easement deeds, subdivision plats, powers of attorney for real estate transactions, judgment liens, and notices of lis pendens.

Under Virginia Code § 55.1-407, an unrecorded deed is void against a bona fide purchaser who records first. This means recording your deed promptly is critical to protecting your ownership rights. Virginia uses a race-notice recording system, so priority goes to the party who records first with proper notice.

Condominium declarations and UCC filings that affect real property are also recorded at the Circuit Court Clerk's office. If a transaction involves property in Accomack County, the deed must be filed here, not in any other Virginia county.

How to Record a Deed in Accomack County

To record a deed in Accomack County, you must submit the original document with original signatures and notarization. The document must meet the format requirements set out in Virginia Code § 55.1-300. Pages must be numbered, and the grantor's and grantee's surnames must appear in all caps or underscored in the first clause of the deed.

Under Virginia Code § 17.1-252, the tax map or parcel ID number must appear on the first page of the deed. Social security numbers must be removed before filing per § 17.1-227. A cover sheet is required in most Virginia circuit court clerk offices. Bring or include a self-addressed stamped envelope for return of your original documents.

Many Virginia clerks now accept documents through eRecording services, which allow title companies and settlement agents to submit deeds electronically. Check with the Accomack County clerk's office directly to confirm current eRecording availability.

Note: Documents submitted without the required tax map number or with SSNs present will be rejected at the clerk's counter.

Recording Fees and Taxes in Accomack County

Accomack County follows Virginia's statewide fee schedule set under Virginia Code § 17.1-275. The base fee is $18 for documents of 10 pages or fewer. Documents running 11 to 30 pages cost $32 to record. Any document over 30 pages carries a $52 fee. Of each fee, $3.50 goes to the Library of Virginia for records preservation.

In addition to recording fees, most deeds are subject to the state recordation tax. Under Virginia Code § 58.1-801, the tax rate is 25 cents per $100 of the consideration or actual value of the property, whichever is greater. Certain transfers may qualify for an exemption under § 58.1-811, such as transfers between family members or government entities.

Copies of recorded documents cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies carry an additional certification fee. If you need a certified copy for a legal or financial purpose, confirm the current fee with the clerk's office before submitting your request.

Accomack County Land Records History

Accomack County has one of the longest continuous land record histories in Virginia. Records date to 1663, spanning more than three and a half centuries of property transactions on Virginia's Eastern Shore. These records document the transfer of land from colonial grants through modern sales and refinances. Researchers doing title searches or genealogical work often find Accomack records particularly valuable because of this depth.

Older deed books are maintained at the courthouse and, in some cases, on microfilm. The Library of Virginia has digitized portions of early Virginia land records, and their online catalog can help you identify which deed books cover a specific time period. The SRA system provides index access for more recent records, while older materials may require an in-person visit to the courthouse or the Library of Virginia.

The image below shows the Accomack County Circuit Court's online presence through the Virginia court system, where deed records and other land instruments are indexed.

The Accomack County Circuit Court page provides direct access to the court's resources and contact information for the clerk's office.

Use this resource to find current office hours, contact details, and links to online deed record searches for Accomack County.

Getting Copies of Accomack Deed Records

You can get copies of recorded deeds in Accomack County in person at the Circuit Court Clerk's office. Bring the deed book and page number if you already have it, or use the index to look up the document first. Copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies are available for an additional fee and may be needed for legal proceedings or lender requirements.

Mail requests are accepted by most Virginia circuit court clerks. Include a written request with the grantor or grantee name, approximate recording date, and property description. Enclose payment and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Processing time varies, so call ahead if you have a deadline.

For older records or microfilm copies, you may need to contact the Library of Virginia directly. They hold original deed books and microfilm for many early Virginia counties, and some materials are accessible online through their digital collections.

Nearby Counties

Deed records for neighboring counties on Virginia's Eastern Shore are filed with their respective Circuit Court Clerk offices.