Lancaster County Deed Records

Lancaster County deed records are kept by the Circuit Court Clerk in Lancaster, Virginia, on the Northern Neck. The clerk's office maintains property deeds, deeds of trust, mortgage instruments, plat records, and other land-related filings for all real property located in the county. You can search these records online through Virginia's free index system, visit the courthouse in person, or mail a written request to get copies of recorded instruments.

Circuit Court Clerk's Office

The Circuit Court Clerk for Lancaster County is the official keeper of all land records in the county. The clerk records, indexes, and stores deeds, deeds of trust, plats, and other instruments that affect real property. When you bring a deed in for recording, staff check it against state requirements, collect the recording fee and any applicable taxes, stamp the document with the date of recording, and return the original after processing.

The Lancaster County Circuit Court is part of Virginia's 15th Judicial Circuit. The courthouse is in Lancaster, the county seat. Visit the court's website for current hours and contact details. If you are submitting by mail, include a self-addressed stamped envelope so your original documents are returned after recording.

Public access to deed books and indexes is available at the clerk's office. Staff can help you locate a specific instrument by deed book reference or party names. They are not able to provide legal interpretation of deed language.

Online Deed Record Search

Virginia offers a free online index through the Supreme Court of Virginia's SRA system. This tool lets you search grantor and grantee indexes for Lancaster County without coming to the courthouse. You can look up documents by party name and see the document type, recording date, and deed book and page number. Full image access may require a paid subscription through the clerk's office.

For older land records, the Library of Virginia holds deed books and microfilm for many Virginia counties. Lancaster County land records from earlier periods may be available through LVA's collections or their online catalog. The library's reading room in Richmond is open to researchers by appointment.

What Gets Recorded in Lancaster County

Any instrument creating, transferring, or releasing an interest in real property in Lancaster County must be filed with the Circuit Court Clerk. Common filings include warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, deeds of trust used as collateral for loans, and mortgage instruments. When a loan is paid off, a certificate of satisfaction or deed of release is recorded to clear the lien from the title.

Subdivision plats and surveys must also be recorded with the clerk before lots in a subdivision can be conveyed. Easement deeds, access agreements, and utility easements are part of the land record. Powers of attorney used in real estate closings, lis pendens notices, mechanic's liens, and condominium declarations are all filed here as well.

Under Virginia Code § 55.1-407, a deed that is not recorded is void against a buyer who records first. Virginia is a race-notice state, so the first party to record with proper notice holds priority. Do not delay recording after a real estate closing.

How to Record a Deed

Submit the original deed with original signatures and notarization. Photocopies will not be accepted. The document must meet the formatting rules in Virginia Code § 55.1-300. Pages must be numbered, and the grantor's and grantee's surnames must appear in capital letters or underscored in the first clause.

The tax map parcel ID is required on the first page under § 17.1-252. Social security numbers must not appear in documents submitted for recording, per § 17.1-227. A cover sheet is required under § 17.1-227.1. A self-addressed stamped envelope must be included so originals can be returned.

Some Virginia courts accept documents through eRecording services. Contact the Lancaster County clerk's office to confirm whether eRecording is available. Title companies and settlement agents use this method most often.

Fees and Taxes

Lancaster County follows the state recording fee schedule under Virginia Code § 17.1-275. The fee is $18 for 10 pages or fewer, $32 for 11 to 30 pages, and $52 for documents over 30 pages. A portion of each fee goes toward records preservation at the Library of Virginia.

Most deeds are subject to the state recordation tax under Virginia Code § 58.1-801. The rate is 25 cents per $100 of the consideration or fair market value. Some transfers may be exempt under § 58.1-811. Copies cost $0.50 per page, with an added fee for certified copies.

Getting Copies of Recorded Instruments

You can get copies of recorded deeds at the clerk's office in person. Bring the deed book and page number if you have it. Copies cost $0.50 per page. If you need a certified copy for a legal or financial matter, ask the clerk for a certification. The fee is higher for certified copies.

Mail requests are accepted. Write the grantor or grantee name, approximate recording date, and a brief description of the property. Enclose payment and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Allow extra time for mail processing.

The image below shows the Lancaster County Circuit Court's online presence through the Virginia court system.

Visit the Lancaster County Circuit Court page for current clerk contact information and links to land record search tools.

The clerk's office page is the best starting point for any land record search in Lancaster County.

Nearby Counties

Neighboring counties on the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula each maintain their own deed records at their respective Circuit Court Clerk offices.