Access Northampton County Deed Records

Northampton County deed records are kept at the Circuit Court Clerk's office in Eastville and document all real property transactions in the county going back to the colonial era, making them among the oldest continuously maintained land records in Virginia. The clerk holds warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, deeds of trust, plat surveys, easements, and other instruments for every parcel on the southern end of Virginia's Eastern Shore. You can search Northampton County deed records through Virginia's online SRA index or in person at the Eastville courthouse, with very early records also accessible through the Library of Virginia.

Northampton County Circuit Court Clerk

The Circuit Court Clerk in Northampton County maintains all land records for the county and is the official custodian of every real property instrument recorded there. When a deed or other instrument is submitted at the Eastville courthouse, clerk staff verify compliance with Virginia's legal requirements, collect recording fees and taxes, assign a deed book and page number, and return the stamped original to the submitter. Under Virginia Code § 17.1-223, the clerk has a duty to record all eligible writings presented for recording.

The Northampton County Circuit Court is located in Eastville and is part of Virginia's 1st Judicial Circuit. Northampton County is on the southern tip of Virginia's Eastern Shore, separated from mainland Virginia by the Chesapeake Bay. Access to the courthouse requires travel via the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel or around the bay, which is a practical consideration for anyone planning to visit in person. Contact the clerk's office for current hours and any local requirements before making the trip or mailing documents.

Because Northampton County is a rural county on the Eastern Shore, the clerk's office is smaller than those in urban areas. Calling ahead to confirm staffing and office hours before a visit is strongly recommended.

Searching Northampton County Deed Records Online

Virginia's SRA (Secure Remote Access) system provides free online access to the grantor and grantee indexes for Northampton County. A name search returns instrument type, recording date, and deed book and page reference. Full document images require a paid SRA subscription, which is arranged through the Northampton County Circuit Court Clerk. For many searches, the free index is enough to confirm whether a deed has been recorded and to identify the book and page you need.

In-person searching at the Eastville courthouse gives access to the computerized index and the physical deed books. Northampton County's deed records date back to the 1600s, making them among the oldest surviving land records in North America. The county was originally called Accawmacke and is documented as having formal land records beginning in 1632. The Library of Virginia holds microfilm copies of many early Northampton County deed books. These are invaluable for researchers tracing colonial-era land grants, genealogical research, or long chains of title extending back centuries.

What Gets Recorded in Northampton County

Northampton County's land records include the full range of real property instruments recorded under Virginia law. Warranty deeds are the most common transfer instrument and must comply with Virginia Code § 55.1-300 for form and execution requirements. Quitclaim deeds, deeds of trust, and certificates of satisfaction are all regularly filed. Subdivision plats, easement deeds, and conservation easements are also a significant part of the county's land records given the Eastern Shore's agricultural and coastal character.

Virginia's race-notice recording rule under § 55.1-407 governs priority in Northampton County, just as it does throughout the Commonwealth. A buyer who records first without notice of a prior unrecorded claim wins priority. Prompt recording is essential. Judgment liens, mechanic's liens, notices of lis pendens, and powers of attorney for real estate are also filed at the clerk's office and become part of the official land record for Northampton County.

Because Northampton County borders tidal waters and has significant agricultural and environmental significance on the Eastern Shore, easement records, particularly conservation easements, appear frequently in the land record collection.

How to Record a Deed in Northampton County

To record a deed in Northampton County, bring or mail the original signed and notarized document to the Circuit Court Clerk in Eastville. The deed must comply with the form requirements under § 55.1-300. A cover sheet is required under § 17.1-227, and no Social Security numbers may appear in the recorded document. The tax map parcel identification number must appear on the first page per § 17.1-252. All pages must be numbered.

Given the geographic isolation of Northampton County from mainland Virginia, electronic recording (eRecording) through approved Virginia vendors is especially practical here. eRecording allows submitters to file deeds electronically without traveling to Eastville. Confirm with the clerk's office whether your instrument type is eligible for eRecording. For mailed submissions, include payment for fees and taxes payable to the clerk and a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return of your originals.

Recording Fees and Taxes in Northampton County

Recording fees in Northampton County follow the statewide schedule under Virginia Code § 17.1-275. The fee is $18 for documents of 10 pages or fewer, $32 for 11 to 30 pages, and $52 for more than 30 pages. These fees apply to deeds, deeds of trust, plats, releases, and most other instruments submitted for recording in Northampton County.

The state recordation tax under § 58.1-801 is 25 cents per $100 of consideration or assessed value. A grantor tax is also collected on most deed transfers. Certain transactions may qualify for exemptions under § 58.1-811, such as transfers to or from government entities or conservation organizations. Consult a real estate attorney if you believe an exemption may apply. Certified copies of recorded instruments cost $0.50 per page.

Northampton County Historical Land Records

Northampton County holds one of the most remarkable collections of continuous land records in the United States. The county's deed books date to 1632, predating most American counties by more than a century. These early records document land grants, farm transfers, and property disputes in a colonial coastal community that played a significant role in the early history of Virginia and the nation. For genealogists, historians, and title researchers, the depth of Northampton County's land record archive is exceptional.

The Library of Virginia holds microfilm and digital copies of Northampton County deed books from the colonial and early national periods. These materials can often be accessed without a trip to Eastville. The general indexes under § 17.1-249 are the standard finding tools for the land records. For recent recordings, the SRA online index is the practical first step.

Getting Copies of Northampton County Deed Records

Copies of recorded deeds and other land instruments can be obtained from the Northampton County Circuit Court Clerk in Eastville. Bring the deed book and page number if you have it, or provide the grantor or grantee name and an approximate recording date. Certified copies cost $0.50 per page and carry the clerk's seal, making them suitable for legal proceedings. Mail requests are accepted; send your deed reference, contact information, and payment to the clerk's office.

For very old Northampton County deed records, the Library of Virginia may be the more practical source. The Library holds microfilm and digital copies of many early deed books and can provide copies from those collections. Its online catalog identifies which Northampton County volumes are available and in what format.

The image below is from the Northampton County Circuit Court website, which lists current clerk contact information and recording procedures.

Check the court's website before visiting or mailing deed submissions to Northampton County to confirm current office hours and requirements.

Nearby Counties

Northampton County occupies the southern end of Virginia's Eastern Shore. Accomack County is its only Virginia neighbor on the peninsula.