Highland County Land Records

Highland County property records are kept by the Circuit Court Clerk in Monterey, Virginia, who is the official recorder of deeds, deeds of trust, plats, liens, and other land instruments in the county. Because Highland is one of Virginia's smallest counties by population, the clerk's office is the primary place to find deed books and title records. You can search parcel and tax data through county tools or look up records in person at the courthouse. Mail requests for copies are accepted. The Commissioner of Revenue handles assessments, and the Treasurer manages tax collections. This page covers the main sources for Highland County property records.

Highland County Commissioner of Revenue and Assessments

The Commissioner of Revenue is a state constitutional officer and the chief assessing officer for Highland County. The current Commissioner is Yvonne Wimer. You can reach the Commissioner of Revenue office at 49 Spruce St., Monterey, VA 24465, by phone at (540) 468-2142, or by email at ywimer@highlandcova.org. The Chief Deputy Commissioner is Gail Simmons, who can be reached at the same phone number at gsimmons@highlandcova.org.

The Commissioner's office is responsible for assessing all real estate and personal property in Highland County. Virginia real and personal property tax records are managed by the County Assessor Office, and Highland County follows this structure through the Commissioner of Revenue. Assessment records are available by contacting the office in person, by phone, or in writing.

Where online records are not available for a specific query, requests can be made to the Commissioner in person or by phone. Many assessor offices across Virginia provide online searchable databases where searches can be performed by address, owner name, or map number. Check with the Commissioner's office for current online access options for Highland County.

Highland County maintains the Annual Real Estate Land Book, which lists all parcels and their assessed values for the year. The Commissioner updates the land book as ownership changes occur through recorded deeds and wills. Property owners who believe their assessed value is incorrect may appeal to the Board of Equalization during the appeal window each year.

Highland County Circuit Court and Land Records

The Circuit Court Clerk is the official custodian of all land records in Highland County. Judy W. Hupman serves as the Clerk of the Circuit Court. You can reach the Circuit Court at (540) 468-2447. The courthouse is in the county seat of Monterey.

The Clerk's office records deeds, wills, civil suits, deeds of trust, financing statements, and other documents relating to real estate. All instruments that affect title to property in Highland County must be recorded here to be valid against third parties. Under Title 55.1 of the Virginia Code, recording a deed is how ownership is made public and protected.

Land records in Highland County go back many years. Deeds and plats are indexed by grantor and grantee name. Title researchers and the general public can access these records in person at the courthouse. Some circuit court clerk offices in Virginia participate in the Secure Remote Access (SRA) system, which allows subscribers to search indexes and view document images online.

Contact the Circuit Court Clerk at (540) 468-2447 to ask about current office hours, recording fees, and any remote access options available for Highland County land records. Original signed and notarized documents are required for recording. No faxed copies are accepted.

All property in Highland County must be recorded under § 55.1-600 to be effective against third parties. The parcel or map number should appear on the first page of any deed submitted for recording.

Highland County Treasurer and Property Tax Payments

The Treasurer's Office in Highland County is responsible for collecting taxes and local fees. Christy Harper serves as the Treasurer. You can contact the Treasurer at charper@highlandcova.org or by phone at (540) 468-2265. The Treasurer's Office is located in the county courthouse in Monterey.

Real estate taxes and personal property taxes are assessed by the Commissioner of Revenue and collected by the Treasurer. The tax rate is set annually by the Board of Supervisors. Property owners pay their real estate taxes to the Treasurer based on the assessed value set by the Commissioner.

Tax due dates and payment procedures are available through the Treasurer's Office. Virginia law does not allow localities to waive late payment penalties and interest except under specific circumstances set out in state code. Property owners should contact the Treasurer well before the due date if they have any questions about their bill or need to set up a payment arrangement.

Highland County also offers tax relief programs for elderly, disabled, and veteran residents as required by state law and local ordinance. Contact the Commissioner of Revenue for information on eligibility requirements and application procedures for any tax relief program.

Highland County GIS Property Map and Parcel Search

Highland County maintains a GIS Searchable, Interactive Real Estate Map as a resource for property and land information. This tool is referenced on the county maps page and provides a visual representation of real property and parcel boundaries throughout the county.

The screenshot below shows the Highland County directions and maps page, which references the GIS Searchable, Interactive Real Estate Map as a public resource.

For those who need parcel boundaries and property data in a visual format, Regrid also provides a parcel coverage map for Highland County at app.regrid.com/us/va/highland. The platform covers all Virginia counties and shows property boundaries, ownership information, and assessment data where available.

The screenshot below shows the Regrid parcel map for Highland County, where you can browse property boundaries and data.

Use the parcel number from any GIS or mapping tool to search the Commissioner of Revenue's records for official assessment data, or bring the number to the Circuit Court Clerk's office to pull recorded deed history for a specific parcel.

How to Search Highland County Property Records

Highland County is a small, rural county in the Allegheny Mountains. Most property records research requires a visit to the county offices in Monterey or a phone call to the relevant constitutional officer.

For deed and land record research, contact the Circuit Court Clerk at (540) 468-2447. The clerk's office holds all recorded deeds, plats, and related instruments. Ask about current office hours and any online access options before making the trip.

For assessment records, contact the Commissioner of Revenue at 49 Spruce St., Monterey, VA 24465, phone (540) 468-2142. The Commissioner's office maintains ownership records, assessed values, and the annual land book. Property searches by address, owner name, or map number may be available depending on the county's current systems.

For tax payment information, contact the Treasurer at (540) 468-2265. The Treasurer handles collection of all real estate and personal property taxes in the county.

For visual parcel data, use the Highland County GIS interactive map or the Regrid third-party parcel viewer at app.regrid.com/us/va/highland. These tools can help identify parcels and get map numbers before contacting county offices.

All property transfers and encumbrances in Highland County are governed by Title 55.1 of the Virginia Code. Contact the Highland County government offices directly for the most current information on procedures, fees, and office hours: www.highlandcova.org, phone (540) 468-2347.