Find Deed Records in Page County

Page County deed records are maintained at the Circuit Court Clerk's office in Luray and document all real property transactions within the county going back to its formation in 1831 from Rockingham and Shenandoah counties. The clerk holds warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, deeds of trust, subdivision plats, easements, and other land instruments for every parcel in Page County. You can search Page County deed records online through Virginia's SRA system, visit the Luray courthouse in person, or use the Library of Virginia for historical deed research going back to the county's early years.

Page County Circuit Court Clerk

The Circuit Court Clerk in Page County is the official custodian of all land records for the county and maintains the deed books, plat books, and associated indexes. When a deed or other real property instrument is submitted at the Luray courthouse, clerk staff verify that it meets Virginia's requirements, collect recording fees and taxes, assign a deed book and page number, and return the stamped original to the submitter. The duty to record eligible writings is set by Virginia Code § 17.1-223.

The Page County Circuit Court is in Luray, the county seat, and is part of Virginia's 26th Judicial Circuit. Page County lies in the Shenandoah Valley between the Blue Ridge and Massanutten mountains. Contact the clerk's office for current hours and address before visiting or mailing documents. Mailed recordings should include a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return of originals after recording.

Page County is a scenic rural county, and the clerk's office serves a relatively small and close-knit community. Calling ahead before any in-person visit is a good practice to confirm staffing and any local procedures that may apply to your submission.

Searching Page County Deed Records Online

Virginia's SRA (Secure Remote Access) system offers free access to the grantor and grantee indexes for Page County. A party name search returns instrument type, recording date, and deed book and page reference. Full document images require a paid SRA subscription arranged through the Page County Circuit Court Clerk. The free index is often enough to confirm a recording and identify the book and page needed for further research or a copy request.

In-person searching at the Luray courthouse gives access to the computerized index and the physical deed books. Page County's records date from 1831. For records before the SRA digitized period or for the oldest deed books, the Library of Virginia holds microfilm of early Page County land records. These materials are useful for genealogical research and for tracing title on mountain and valley properties that have been in families across many generations in the Shenandoah Valley area.

What Gets Recorded in Page County

Page County's land records include the full range of instruments that convey or encumber real property. Warranty deeds and quitclaim deeds transfer title to parcels within the county and must comply with Virginia Code § 55.1-300. Deeds of trust secure mortgage loans against real property. Certificates of satisfaction are filed when those loans are paid and the liens released. Subdivision plats for new developments must be recorded before any lots can be conveyed. Agricultural and conservation easements are also regularly recorded in Page County given its rural landscape and farmland.

Virginia's race-notice recording statute under § 55.1-407 determines priority among competing claims in Page County. A person who records first without notice of a prior unrecorded transfer wins priority. For any buyer or lender in Page County, recording promptly after closing is critical. Judgment lien certificates, mechanic's liens, and notices of lis pendens are also part of the land record collection at the Page County clerk's office.

How to Record a Deed in Page County

To record a deed in Page County, present the original signed and notarized document to the Circuit Court Clerk in Luray. The deed must comply with the format requirements of § 55.1-300 for margins, font, and page size. A cover sheet is required under § 17.1-227. The document must not contain any Social Security numbers. The tax map parcel number must appear on the first page per § 17.1-252. All pages must be numbered.

eRecording through approved Virginia vendors is an option and may be particularly useful for out-of-county attorneys and title companies. Confirm with the clerk's office whether your instrument type qualifies. Mail-in recordings are accepted as well; send the original with payment for fees and taxes and a return envelope. eRecording reduces the risk of delay for time-sensitive closings and eliminates the need to travel to Luray.

Recording Fees and Taxes in Page County

Page County recording fees are set by Virginia Code § 17.1-275 and apply statewide. The fee is $18 for documents of 10 pages or fewer, $32 for 11 to 30 pages, and $52 for documents exceeding 30 pages. These fees apply to deeds, deeds of trust, plats, releases, and most other instruments filed for recording in Page County.

The state recordation tax is 25 cents per $100 of consideration under § 58.1-801. A grantor tax is also collected on most conveyances. Certain transfers may qualify for exemptions under § 58.1-811. A real estate attorney can help determine whether an exemption applies before you calculate the total amount due. Certified copies of recorded deeds cost $0.50 per page.

Page County Land Records History

Page County was formed in 1831 from Rockingham and Shenandoah counties. Its deed records date from that year and reflect nearly two centuries of land ownership and transfer in the Shenandoah Valley. The county's land history includes early Valley farms, mountain tracts, and the development of the town of Luray as a regional center. For title researchers and genealogists, the deed books from the 1830s through the early 20th century document the county's agricultural and family land ownership patterns in detail.

The Library of Virginia holds microfilm collections for Page County deed records from the early period. The general indexes under § 17.1-249 are the primary finding tools for all land records in Page County. For recent recordings, the SRA online index is the starting point; for older materials, the courthouse deed books and Library of Virginia microfilm are the key resources.

Getting Copies of Page County Deed Records

Copies of recorded deeds can be obtained from the Page County Circuit Court Clerk in Luray. Bring the deed book and page number if you have it, or provide party names and a recording date. Certified copies cost $0.50 per page. Mail-in requests are accepted; send your deed reference, contact information, and a check for copy fees. For older Page County deed books, the Library of Virginia may hold the volume on microfilm and can provide copies from its collections.

The image below links to the Page County Circuit Court website, which provides current clerk contact details and recording procedures.

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

Nearby Counties

Properties near Page County's borders in the Shenandoah Valley may be recorded in a neighboring jurisdiction. Confirm the correct county before filing any land instrument.