Search Chesterfield County Deed Records

Chesterfield County deed records are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk at 9500 Courthouse Road in Chesterfield, Virginia, and document all real property transactions in the county dating back to 1749. The office records deeds, deeds of trust, plats, and other land instruments, and offers online index access for deeds recorded since 1967. With eRecording available for many document types, Chesterfield is one of Virginia's most accessible counties for recording and searching real property records.

Chesterfield County Circuit Court Clerk

The Chesterfield County Circuit Court Clerk maintains permanent land and court records dating from 1749. The Deed Recording Division handles the intake, indexing, and storage of all real property instruments. Online deed and will indexes are available for deeds recorded since 1967 and wills since 1994. For documents outside those date ranges, you need to visit the courthouse or contact the Record Room directly.

The Chesterfield County Land Records page on the county's official website provides additional detail on recording procedures, acceptable document types, and eRecording options. The court is also listed in the Virginia Circuit Court directory under the 12th Judicial Circuit.

Online Deed Records Search in Chesterfield County

Chesterfield County's online deed index covers records from 1967 to the present. You can access the grantor and grantee index through the Virginia SRA (Secure Remote Access) system. The free index shows party names, instrument type, recording date, and deed book reference. Full-image access to scanned deed documents requires a paid SRA subscription arranged through the clerk's office.

For deed records before 1967, the Record Room at the courthouse holds physical deed books. Staff at 804-717-6517 can help you locate older records by book and page reference or by grantor/grantee name. For very early records from the mid-1700s through the 1800s, the Library of Virginia may have microfilmed copies that supplement what is available at the courthouse.

The VJEFS judgment lien system and the Virginia Case Information system are useful tools for checking whether court judgments have attached as liens on Chesterfield County property. Combining a deed index search with a judgment check is standard practice in any title examination for the county.

eRecording in Chesterfield County

Chesterfield County accepts eRecording for most real property documents. Three authorized service providers connect title companies, lenders, and attorneys to the clerk's system:

• Simplifile: 800-460-5657
• CSC: 866-652-0111
• ePN: 888-325-3365

Not all document types qualify for eRecording. Deeds of Assumption, Deeds of Gift and Assumption, Deeds of Exchange, Deeds Arising from Contract, and documents affecting multiple jurisdictions cannot be submitted electronically. Plats must be submitted in person and cannot be eRecorded. When in doubt, call the Deed Recording Division at 804-748-1285 before attempting electronic submission.

eRecording does not change the substantive requirements for recorded documents. The document must still include the cover sheet required by § 17.1-227, the tax map ID (15 digits in Chesterfield County) on the first page per § 17.1-252, original signatures with notarization, and numbered pages. The same fees apply whether you record in person or electronically.

What Gets Recorded at the Chesterfield Clerk's Office

The Chesterfield County clerk records all instruments that create, transfer, or encumber interests in real property within the county. Warranty deeds under § 55.1-300 are the most common. Quitclaim deeds, deeds of trust, and certificates of satisfaction are also regularly filed. Subdivision plats must be recorded before any lot in the plat can be sold, though plats cannot be submitted electronically in Chesterfield.

Other commonly recorded instruments include easement deeds, condominium declarations, powers of attorney for real estate transactions, judgment liens, mechanic's liens, notices of lis pendens, and UCC filings affecting real property fixtures. Virginia's race-notice rule under § 55.1-407 means recording promptly after closing is essential to protect ownership priority.

Recording Fees and Requirements

Recording fees in Chesterfield County follow the statewide schedule under § 17.1-275: $18 for documents of 10 pages or fewer, $32 for 11 to 30 pages, and $52 for over 30 pages. The state recordation tax is 25 cents per $100 of consideration under § 58.1-801. Grantor tax under § 58.1-811 applies to most conveyances. Certified copies cost $0.50 per page, with a $2.00 certification fee per document.

Documents submitted over the counter must be brought in person during recording hours (8:00 AM to 3:30 PM). Chesterfield does not allow documents to be left overnight; the submitter must be present. Batches are limited to 20 document sets per customer per visit. The tax map number (15 digits) must come from the Chesterfield Department of Tax Administration at 703-222-8234 if you do not already have it. For mailed recordings, include a self-addressed stamped envelope for return of originals.

Additional Property Research Resources

Beyond the deed index, several other tools support property research in Chesterfield County. The VJEFS system shows judgment liens across the state. The Virginia Case Information system lets you search by party name for court cases that may have produced judgments. Together these tools give a clearer view of a property's encumbrance status.

The Virginia Department of Taxation provides guidance on recordation tax rates and exemptions. Some transactions may qualify for reduced or waived recordation tax under § 58.1-811. A real estate attorney or title company familiar with Chesterfield County can help determine whether an exemption applies and calculate the total amount due at recording.

The image below is from the Chesterfield County Land Records page, which details the office's recording procedures, accepted document types, and eRecording service providers.

Visit the Land Records page on the county website for current recording hours, fee schedules, and specific instructions for submitting deeds and other land instruments in Chesterfield County.

Nearby Counties

Properties near Chesterfield's borders may be recorded in an adjacent jurisdiction. Independent cities in the area have their own circuit courts and deed records.