Fairfax County Deed Records

Fairfax County deed records are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk at 4110 Chain Bridge Road in Fairfax, Virginia, and cover all real property transactions in the county and the independent City of Fairfax. The clerk's office handles a high volume of deed recording, offers eRecording through the Electronic Filing System (EFS), and provides SRA online index access for recorded instruments. Whether you are searching for a title chain or submitting a new deed for recording, the Fairfax County Land Records Division is the central point for all deed record services in the county.

Fairfax County Circuit Court Clerk Land Records

The Fairfax County Circuit Court Clerk, Hon. Christopher J. Falcon, oversees the land records division, which processes one of the highest volumes of deed recordings in Virginia. The clerk's office records deeds, deeds of trust, plats, easements, condominium declarations, UCC filings, and all other instruments affecting real property in the county. Documents must be submitted over the counter during recording hours; the office does not accept documents left overnight.

The official Fairfax County Land Records page contains detailed guidance on submission requirements, acceptable document types, and current procedures. You can also find the clerk listed in the Virginia Circuit Court directory under the 19th Judicial Circuit.

Jurisdiction Notes for Fairfax County Deed Records

Fairfax County also records deeds for property within the independent City of Fairfax. That means if you have property in the City of Fairfax and need to record a deed, the Fairfax County Circuit Court Clerk is the correct office. This is an important distinction because Virginia's independent cities generally have their own circuit courts.

Property in the City of Falls Church does not file with Fairfax County. Falls Church deeds are recorded with Arlington County Circuit Court. Property in the City of Alexandria files with the Alexandria Circuit Court. If you have any doubt about which jurisdiction handles a specific parcel, check with the Fairfax County Department of Tax Administration at 703-222-8234 to confirm the tax map number and the correct recording office.

Highway plats and documents that affect multiple jurisdictions cannot be submitted through the Electronic Filing System. These must be filed over the counter in person during recording hours.

Searching Fairfax County Deed Records Online

The Virginia SRA (Secure Remote Access) system provides online access to the grantor and grantee indexes for Fairfax County deed records. The free index shows party names, instrument type, recording date, and deed book reference. Full-image access to the complete text of recorded deeds requires a paid SRA subscription. Contact the Land Records division at (703) 691-7320 (press 3, then 3) to set up a subscription.

For in-person searching at the Fairfax County Courthouse, you can review deed books and indexes during regular public hours. Fairfax County's land records go back many decades and the volume of recorded instruments is substantial. Using the SRA index to identify the deed book and page reference before visiting the courthouse can save time. Staff are available to help locate records during business hours, though they cannot provide legal advice.

The VJEFS judgment lien system and the Virginia Case Information system both support title searches in Fairfax County. Given the county's large population, the volume of judgments filed here is higher than in most Virginia counties. A thorough title search requires checking both systems alongside the deed index.

eRecording in Fairfax County

Fairfax County offers eRecording through its own Electronic Filing System (EFS) for most document types. Title companies, lenders, and attorneys can submit documents electronically without appearing at the courthouse. This is especially useful given the high volume of transactions in the county and the strict 3:00 PM recording cutoff for over-the-counter submissions.

Not all document types can be eRecorded. Multi-jurisdiction documents and highway plats must be submitted in person. For any document you are unsure about, call the Land Records division before attempting electronic submission. The EFS is distinct from Simplifile and other third-party providers used by some Virginia counties; Fairfax County uses its own county-administered system.

Over-the-counter submissions are limited to batches of 20 document sets per customer per visit. Submitters must be present; documents cannot be left at the clerk's office overnight or unattended. If your batch exceeds 20 sets, plan separate visits or use the EFS for the remainder.

What Gets Recorded in Fairfax County

Fairfax County's land records include the full range of instruments affecting real property in the county and in the City of Fairfax. 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. Condominium declarations are significant here given the number of condominium developments in the county.

Subdivision plats must be recorded at the clerk's office before lots can be sold, though plats cannot be eRecorded and must be submitted in person. Easement deeds, judgment liens, mechanic's liens, notices of lis pendens, powers of attorney for real estate, and UCC filings are also recorded. Under § 55.1-407, a deed not recorded promptly can lose priority to a later purchaser who records first. In a high-volume market like Fairfax County, this risk is real and recording the same day as closing is common practice.

Recording Requirements and Fees

Documents submitted for recording in Fairfax County must meet Virginia's standard requirements. A Fairfax Land Records cover sheet is required (separate from the standard Virginia cover sheet in some respects); check the official land records page for the current form. The tax map number (obtained from the Department of Tax Administration at 703-222-8234 if needed) must appear on the first page per § 17.1-252. Original signatures and notarization are required. Pages must be numbered. Social Security numbers may not appear in the document per § 17.1-227.

Recording fees under § 17.1-275 are $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. A SASE must be included with any submission where you want originals returned by mail. For electronic recordings, return is handled through the EFS system.

Additional Resources for Fairfax County Property Research

The Virginia Department of Taxation covers recordation tax rates and exemptions under § 58.1-811. Given the high property values in Fairfax County, recordation tax and grantor tax amounts can be substantial. A title company or real estate attorney familiar with the county can calculate the exact tax due and ensure all required forms are completed before recording.

The Library of Virginia holds historical land records for Virginia counties. For very old Fairfax County deeds, the LVA may have microfilmed materials to supplement what is available through the SRA system. The Virginia State Bar's referral service can connect you with a real estate attorney in Northern Virginia if you need legal guidance on a specific transaction or title issue.

The image below is from the Fairfax County Land Records page, which provides the official guidance on recording procedures, submission requirements, and eRecording options for deed records in Fairfax County.

The Land Records page on the county website is the definitive source for current recording requirements, cover sheet forms, and EFS eRecording access for Fairfax County deed submissions.

Nearby Counties

Properties near Fairfax County's borders may be recorded in an adjacent county or independent city. Falls Church deeds file with Arlington County; Alexandria deeds file with Alexandria Circuit Court.