Craig County Deed Records

Craig County deed records are filed with the Circuit Court Clerk in New Castle, Virginia, and cover all real property transactions within the county's borders. The clerk's office provides land record recording services, public access to deed books, grantor and grantee indexing, and copy services for recorded documents. Anyone who needs to search property ownership, trace a title chain, or record a new deed can access Craig County deed records through the clerk's office or through Virginia's statewide online tools.

Craig County Circuit Court Clerk

The Circuit Court Clerk in Craig County is the official custodian of all land records for the county. The office records and indexes deeds, deeds of trust, plats, mortgages, and other instruments that affect real property in the county. When you submit a document for recording, staff check it against Virginia's requirements, collect fees and taxes, assign a deed book and page number, and return the original after recording is complete.

The Craig County Circuit Court is in New Castle, the county seat. The office is part of Virginia's 25th Judicial Circuit. Craig is one of Virginia's smallest counties by population. The clerk's office is small and can typically handle inquiries in a personal and direct way. Call ahead or check the court's website for current hours and local requirements before visiting or mailing documents for recording.

For mailed submissions, include a self-addressed stamped envelope so the clerk can return your original documents after they have been recorded and stamped with the deed book and page number.

How to Search Craig County Deed Records

The primary online tool for searching Craig County deed records is Virginia's Secure Remote Access (SRA) system. This free statewide index lets you search grantor and grantee entries for Craig County. Results show the party names, instrument type, recording date, and deed book reference. Full document image access requires a paid subscription set up through the clerk's office in New Castle.

In-person searching at the New Castle courthouse gives you access to the deed books and any plat records maintained by the clerk's office. Staff can help you locate records by grantor or grantee name or by deed book and page number. For older land records from the 19th century, the Library of Virginia holds microfilmed collections from many Virginia counties. The LVA's online catalog can tell you which materials are available for Craig County before you make the trip.

The VJEFS judgment lien system provides a statewide database for searching judgment liens, which is a necessary step in any title examination. A property owner with an unsatisfied court judgment may have a lien attached to all real estate they hold in Craig County.

Documents Recorded in Craig County

Craig County's land records include all instruments that create, transfer, or encumber interests in real property within the county. Warranty deeds under Virginia Code § 55.1-300 are the most common type. Quitclaim deeds, deeds of trust, and certificates of satisfaction are also regularly filed. When a property is subdivided, the plat must be recorded at the clerk's office before any of the new lots can be sold.

Easement deeds, judgment liens, notices of lis pendens, mechanic's liens, powers of attorney used in real estate transactions, and UCC filings affecting real property fixtures are also part of the recorded land record set in Craig County. Under § 55.1-407, a deed that is not recorded promptly can lose priority to a later buyer who records first without notice of the prior conveyance. Recording as soon as possible after closing is the safest practice.

Recording Fees and Requirements

To record a deed in Craig County, submit the original with original signatures and notarization. A cover sheet is required under § 17.1-227. The tax map parcel number must be on the first page per § 17.1-252. Pages must be numbered. Social Security numbers may not appear anywhere in the document. Format requirements under § 55.1-300 for margins, font, and page size must be met.

Fees follow the statewide schedule under § 17.1-275: $18 for 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 also applies to most conveyances. Certified copies cost $0.50 per page. If you want originals returned by mail, include a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Public Access and Copy Services

The Craig County clerk's office provides public access to deed books and indexes during business hours. You can search records yourself at the clerk's office or request that staff help locate a specific instrument. Uncertified copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies carry the court's seal and are accepted for legal purposes. If you need a certified copy of a recorded deed, contact the clerk's office with the deed book and page number, grantor and grantee names, and approximate recording date to help speed up the process.

Mail requests for copies are accepted. Include the relevant deed information, payment by check made to the clerk, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. If you are not sure how many pages the document contains, call the clerk's office first to confirm the page count and the exact amount due before sending your request.

Additional Research Tools

The Virginia Case Information system lets you search court cases in Craig County by party name, which can help identify judgments that may have become liens on property. The Virginia Circuit Court directory lists contact information for all circuit courts in the state. The Virginia Department of Taxation provides guidance on recordation taxes and exemptions that may apply to specific types of conveyances in Craig County.

For questions about title issues, property boundaries, or deed requirements, the Virginia State Bar's lawyer referral service can connect you with a real estate attorney familiar with Craig County and the surrounding region of the New River Valley and Alleghany Highlands.

The Craig County Circuit Court website, shown below, provides the clerk's current contact information and local recording requirements for New Castle.

Visit the court's website before submitting documents to confirm current hours and any local procedures specific to the Craig County clerk's office.

Nearby Counties

Properties near Craig County's borders may be recorded in a neighboring county. Check the correct jurisdiction before submitting any deed for recording.