Alleghany County Deed Records

Alleghany County deed records are filed with the Circuit Court Clerk in Covington, Virginia, which serves as the county seat. The clerk's office is part of the 25th Judicial Circuit and holds recorded land records including deeds, deeds of trust, plat records, and property liens. Anyone searching for property ownership history or needing to record a new deed for Alleghany County land can use the clerk's office or Virginia's online index tools.

Alleghany County Circuit Court Clerk

The Alleghany County Circuit Court Clerk's office is the official recorder of all real property instruments in the county. The office records deeds, deeds of trust, plats, easements, and other land-related documents. Staff collect fees, check documents for compliance with state requirements, and maintain indexes so the public can search recorded instruments. The Alleghany County Circuit Court page lists current contact information, mailing address, and office hours.

Covington is an independent city, but the Alleghany County courthouse is located there. City property located within the limits of the City of Covington is recorded with Covington's own circuit court clerk, not Alleghany County. Make sure you know whether your property is within city limits or in unincorporated Alleghany County before you file.

Searching Alleghany County Deed Records

Virginia's free SRA online system lets you search grantor and grantee indexes for Alleghany County deed records without visiting the courthouse. The system shows key details like party names, instrument type, recording date, and deed book and page reference. To view full document images, you need a subscription through the local clerk's office.

For in-person searching, visit the clerk's office during regular business hours. The office has public access terminals where you can search the computerized index. Older deed books may be available for review on-site. If you are looking for land records prior to 1822, when Alleghany County was formed from Botetourt, Bath, and Monroe Counties, you may need to check those parent counties' records as well.

The Library of Virginia also holds historical deed records and microfilm collections for many Virginia counties, including early records from the western part of the state. Their online catalog can help you identify what is available before making a trip.

Pre-1822 Land Records and Parent Counties

Alleghany County was formed in 1822 from portions of Botetourt, Bath, and Monroe Counties. Land records for property that was within those boundaries before 1822 would have been recorded in one of those parent jurisdictions. Botetourt and Bath County records are held by their respective circuit court clerks in Virginia. Monroe County became part of West Virginia when that state was formed in 1863, so pre-Civil War records from that area may be held by West Virginia.

This is important for anyone doing a full title search or historical property research in Alleghany County. Your chain of title for an older parcel may lead you back to deed books in Botetourt or Bath County. Check the Library of Virginia for available microfilm and digital resources covering these parent county records.

Note: When tracing title on older Alleghany County parcels, plan to check parent county records if the chain of title predates 1822.

What Deed Records Are Filed in Alleghany County

The Alleghany County Circuit Court Clerk records all instruments that affect real property in the county. This covers warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, deeds of trust, mortgages, and certificates of satisfaction. Plats and subdivision maps, easement deeds, judgment liens, and notices of lis pendens are also recorded here. Powers of attorney that affect real estate transactions in Alleghany County are recorded at the clerk's office as well.

Under Virginia Code § 55.1-407, recording is what gives your deed legal priority over later claimants. An unrecorded deed is void against any bona fide purchaser who records without notice. This is why prompt recording after any real estate closing matters.

How to Record a Deed in Alleghany County

To record a deed in Alleghany County, submit the original document with original signatures and notarization. The deed must comply with Virginia Code § 55.1-300. Pages must be numbered, party surnames must appear in all caps or underscored in the first clause, and the tax map or parcel ID number must appear on the first page as required by § 17.1-252.

Social security numbers must be removed before filing per § 17.1-227. A cover sheet is required in most Virginia clerk offices. Bring a self-addressed stamped envelope so the clerk can return your original after it has been recorded and imaged. eRecording may be available through authorized service providers; contact the clerk's office to check current options.

The image below is from the Alleghany County Circuit Court's official page, the primary resource for deed recording and land record access in this county.

The Alleghany County Circuit Court page provides clerk contact details, current hours, and links to online record search tools.

Visit this page to confirm hours, get the current mailing address, and find access links for the SRA online index covering Alleghany County land records.

Recording Fees and Taxes

Alleghany County recording fees follow Virginia's statewide schedule under Virginia Code § 17.1-275. A document of 10 pages or fewer costs $18. Documents of 11 to 30 pages cost $32. Documents with more than 30 pages cost $52. The $3.50 Library of Virginia preservation fee is included in each recording fee.

Deeds are also subject to the state recordation tax of 25 cents per $100 of consideration under § 58.1-801. Certain transfers qualify for exemption under § 58.1-811. Copies cost $0.50 per page, with an additional fee for certification.

Nearby Counties

Deed records for counties neighboring Alleghany are maintained by their own Circuit Court Clerk offices.