General Information

The Circuit Court Clerk's Office records deeds, deeds of trust (mortgages), and other official instruments/documents associated with land transactions in the city of Richmond. In order for a document to be recorded, it must be one that is authorized by law to be recorded in the Deed Book and it must meet certain statutory provisions. Recordation fees and taxes vary according to the type of document being recorded. Normal recording hours are from 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.  Documents presented after normal recording hours will be recorded the next business day.

All documents presented for recordation must be originals that have been signed and notarized.

Clerk's Office personnel are available to assist patrons in utilizing all resources in the Record Room.  Please note however, that Clerk's Office personnel are prohibited by law from giving legal advice and are unable to perfom title searches.  Should you require a title search or legal advice, your are encouraged to contact an attorney or title insurance company, or both.

Recording Fees

The Supreme Court of Virginia provides a Deed Calculation Tool  to assist users with determining recording costs for documents to be recorded in the Deed Book. To determine applicable fees using this tool, select Richmond City Circuit Court and enter the requested information for the document(s) to be recorded.

Payment may be made by cash, credit card, check or money order (payable to the Edward F. Jewett, Clerk). Debit cards are not accepted for the payment of such fees.


Tax ID Requirement

Pursuant to § 17.1-252 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, effective July 1, 2000, this office requires that any deed or other instrument conveying or relating to an interest in real property bear, on the first page of the deed or other instrument, the tax map reference number or numbers, or the parcel identification number (PIN) or numbers, of the affected parcel or parcels. Richmond's standard Tax ID Number is 11 digits. Please place the Tax ID Number in the upper left corner of the first page after allowing a margin pursuant to Library of Virginia standards. To obtain this number, please call the Real Estate Assessor at (804) 646-5700.


Social Security Numbers on Documents Presented for Recording

Pursuant to Code of Virginia § 17.1-227, effective July 1, 2003, this Clerk's Office will not knowingly accept any instrument submitted for recordation in the Deed Book that includes the social security number of a grantor, grantee, or trustee.