Arlington County Property Records

Arlington County property records are managed by the Circuit Court Clerk's Land Records Division, which is the official keeper of all deeds, deeds of trust, plats, liens, and other land instruments filed in the county. Real estate assessment data is handled separately by the Department of Real Estate Assessments. You can search property records online through several tools, including the county's property search portal, the ROAM land records system, and the ACMaps GIS platform. In-person access is available at the clerk's office, and mail requests for certified copies are accepted. This page covers all the main ways to look up and get Arlington County property records.

Arlington County Property Records Overview

Arlington County has no independent incorporated cities or towns within its boundaries under Virginia law -- it is one of Virginia's independent jurisdictions that also serves as a county. The average home value in Arlington is $796,200.00, and the median household income is $139,094.50. The median property tax rate is 0.88% of assessed fair market value, and the median rental price is $2,320.00 per month.

Arlington County property records include: ownership information (current and previous owners, acquisition date, ownership type), property identification (parcel number, legal description, address, subdivision), physical characteristics (land area, building size, construction type, year built), financial data (purchase price, assessed value, tax information, liens), and legal documents (deeds, mortgages, easements, plats, judgments). A complete property record in Arlington is one of the most detailed in Virginia.

Arlington County Property Search Portal

The Arlington County Property Search portal is the official online database for property assessment and tax information. Data updates nightly but may lag due to document processing delays. The county's Department of Real Estate Assessments recommends contacting them directly at 703-228-3920 if you find discrepancies. The Arlington Property Search portal displays assessment and tax information with nightly updates and a disclaimer about processing delays.

The portal is free to use and requires no registration. You can search by address, owner name, or parcel number. Results show tax status going back about ten years, current assessment values, building characteristics, zoning, and sales history. Clicking "View" then "Archives Property Card" on a property brings up a digitized historic land record associated with the property, showing previous owners, transaction dates, and prices paid. This is a particularly useful feature for anyone researching ownership history in Arlington County.

The Department of Real Estate Assessments is at 2100 Clarendon Boulevard, Suite 611, Arlington, VA 22201. Phone: 703-228-3920. The department's valuation process considers typical sale prices for similar properties, replacement cost estimates, operating costs, and potential rental income. If you believe your assessment is wrong, you have the right to appeal.

ROAM Land Records System

The Arlington County Circuit Court Clerk Land Records ROAM system (Official Records Search) provides online access to recorded land records. Basic index searching is available to registered users at no cost after agreeing to the terms of use. To view and download document images remotely, you need a paid subscription to the Secure Remote Access (ROAM) service, which costs $50 per month. The Arlington County Land Records ROAM system shows registration requirements, subscription terms, and access levels for remote land records research.

Land records in Arlington go back to 1869 in the ROAM system. If you need older records or prefer not to pay the subscription fee, all land records can be viewed for free at public kiosks in the Land Records Office. The office is at Suite 6200, 1425 N. Courthouse Road, Arlington, VA 22201. It is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Copies of documents from kiosks cost $0.50 per page. If you need help finding a specific document, request copy assistance at the Deeds or Judgments counters -- staff will point you in the right direction.

Assessment Appeals and GIS Tools

Property owners in Arlington County who believe their assessment is wrong can appeal. The process has three stages: first, file an appeal with the Department of Real Estate Assessments during the designated appeals period (forms are only available online during that time); second, appeal to the Board of Equalization if the first step doesn't resolve it; third, take the case to the Circuit Court if needed. Under Virginia law, the burden is on the property owner to show by sufficient evidence that the assessor's valuation is incorrect.

For GIS mapping and parcel information, the ACMaps system allows parcel searches by number and provides access to property boundaries, zoning classifications, and lot dimensions. The GIS Mapping Center offers a broader set of geospatial data and mapping tools for the county. Arlington's GIS data is some of the most detailed and up-to-date among Virginia counties, reflecting the county's resources and urban density.

Free on-site computer access to county property databases is available at Arlington County Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy Street, Arlington, VA 22201. Phone: 703-228-5990. Library public computer terminals provide access to county databases during regular library hours. This is a good option if you want to research property records without setting up an online account.

Recorded Deeds and Virginia Property Law

All deeds, deeds of trust, mortgages, and other instruments affecting Arlington County real property must be recorded with the Circuit Court Clerk. The clerk's office is at 1425 N. Courthouse Road, Suite 6700, Arlington, VA 22201. Phone: 703-228-7010. Under § 55.1-600 of the Code of Virginia, circuit court clerks are the official recorders for their jurisdiction.

The recordation process under Title 55.1 requires that instruments be properly acknowledged before a notary or other authorized officer. Documents must meet format standards under § 55.1-606. Recorded documents cost $0.50 per page for standard copies and $5.00 for certified copies in Arlington County (note: the certified copy fee in Arlington is $5.00, not $2.00 as in some other Virginia jurisdictions).

For historical research on Arlington County properties, the Arlington Historical Society's property history research guide explains how to navigate the ROAM system and the county's historic property card archive. The historic archive ties older land records to specific addresses and shows ownership chains going back many decades, which can be valuable for understanding a property's full history.

The Library of Virginia's Chancery Records Index is another historical research tool. Arlington County (historically part of Alexandria County) has chancery records that may include early land disputes and title questions from the 19th century. These digitized records are searchable online through the LVA's CRI database.