Find Property Records in Mathews County

Mathews County property records are recorded at the Circuit Court Clerk's office in Mathews, Virginia, where deeds, deeds of trust, plats, liens, and other land instruments are filed and kept for public access. The clerk is the official record keeper for all real estate documents in the county. Searching is straightforward. You can use the SRA online system at vacourts.gov to look up recorded documents, visit the courthouse in person, or make a request by mail. Assessment data and ownership details are available through the Commissioner of Revenue. This page explains where each type of record lives and how to get copies of what you need.

Mathews County Real Estate Assessments

Real estate in Mathews County is taxed at 100 percent of fair market value, as required by the Virginia state constitution. The county determines fair market value by conducting a thorough sales study immediately before each general reassessment of real property. Reassessments are conducted every six years. Between general reassessments, the Commissioner of Revenue values any new construction and other changes to real property.

Real estate taxes in Mathews County are billed bi-annually. Due dates are June 5 and December 5. If you have not received your tax bill by those dates, contact the Treasurer's Office. The Commissioner of Revenue's office is at 10644 Buckley Hall Road, Mathews, VA 23109. Phone: (804) 725-7168. Fax: (804) 725-7603. The Tax Assessor listed in the statewide directory is Raymond Hunley at P.O. Box 896, Mathews, VA 23109.

The Commissioner of Revenue handles real estate assessment questions and maintains records for each parcel in the county. If you think your assessment is too high, contact the Commissioner first to request a review. If you disagree with that result, you may appeal to the Board of Equalization. Act within the appeal period listed in your assessment notice.

The screenshot below shows the Mathews County real estate page, which covers assessment cycles, tax due dates, tax relief programs, and links to interactive mapping.

The page is maintained by the Mathews County Commissioner of Revenue and provides links to property card viewing and interactive mapping.

Mathews County Tax Relief Programs

Mathews County provides real estate tax relief for several groups of property owners. Qualifying groups include Senior Citizens, Permanently and Totally Disabled Persons, 100% service-connection qualifying disabled veterans or their surviving spouses, and surviving spouses of service members killed in the line of duty.

Applications for each program are available through the Commissioner of Revenue's office. Ordinance 22-05 covers Tax Relief for the Elderly and Disabled. A Veterans Tax Relief Application and an Elderly Tax Relief Application are available from the commissioner at (804) 725-7168. Each program has its own income and net worth thresholds, documentation requirements, and application deadlines. Contact the office to get the current forms and find out if you qualify.

For agricultural and forestal properties, Mathews County may offer a land use assessment program. This taxes qualifying working land at its use value rather than full market value. If you remove property from the land use program, rollback taxes may apply. Ask the Commissioner of Revenue about the requirements and how to apply. The program can reduce the tax burden substantially for properties used for farming, forestry, or horticulture.

Mathews County Cadastral Maps and GIS

Mathews County provides access to cadastral maps, which show property boundaries, parcel numbers, and ownership data based on official county records. These maps can be searched by map number through the statewide Virginia property records directory. A free Maps search is available to view Mathews County cadastral maps including the map index.

A free Property Tax Search is also available to look up Mathews County property tax records by name, account number, or parcel number. The Commissioner of Revenue maintains the parcel records that underlie these search tools. The statewide Virginia Assessor and Property Tax Records Search Directory links to Mathews County's search tools and provides the Commissioner's contact information.

Interactive mapping and property card viewing are available through a link on the Mathews County real estate page. This link lets you access interactive GIS data and view detailed property cards for individual parcels in the county. Property cards show the characteristics used in the assessment, including lot size, building type, year built, and condition. These are public records and can be accessed without charge through the county's online tools.

For a licensed survey of property boundaries, you must hire an independently licensed land surveyor. GIS and cadastral maps are for reference only and are not a substitute for a legal survey. If you need to locate property corners or determine exact boundary lines, a surveyor is the right resource.

Mathews County Tax Payment Options

The Mathews County Treasurer's Office accepts multiple forms of payment for real estate taxes and other fees. You can pay in person at the Treasurer's Office, by mail, online, or by phone. Credit card payments are accepted in person, online, and by phone through a third-party vendor, MSB/Municipal Service Bureau.

Cards accepted include American Express, Discover, Visa, and Mastercard. A convenience fee is added per debit or credit card or e-check transaction. The fee amount is based on the transaction amount or type. To pay by phone, call the Mathews Treasurer's Office at (804) 725-2341 during normal business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Online payments go through the MSB portal.

Taxes and fees that can be paid through the Treasurer include Personal Property Taxes, Real Estate Taxes, Business License fees, Building Permit Fees, Zoning Permit Fees, and Wetlands Permit Fees. If your account shows a hold, contact the Treasurer's Office for the total amount due before making a payment. Accounts with holds may not allow partial online payments.

The screenshot below shows the Mathews County Treasurer's tax payment options page, covering credit card payment procedures, accepted card types, and available fees and taxes that can be paid online or by phone.

The page explains how to pay Mathews County real estate taxes by credit card, e-check, and other methods.

Mathews County Circuit Court: Deeds and Title Research

The Clerk of the Circuit Court in Mathews maintains the permanent land records archive for the county. All deeds, deeds of trust, liens, plats, and other instruments affecting real property must be recorded here. Under Title 55.1 of the Virginia Code, a deed is not valid against third parties until it is recorded with the Circuit Court Clerk. Recording the deed creates public notice of the ownership change.

Deeds are indexed by grantor and grantee name. Title searches trace ownership through this index, going back through the chain of title to identify any gaps, liens, or encumbrances. In-person researchers can access the records room at the Mathews courthouse. The clerk's staff can help you find the right index entries but cannot perform the title search. For a complete title search, particularly for complex transactions, working with a licensed Virginia attorney or title company is advisable.

The Mathews County Circuit Court Clerk participates in the Virginia COVERS system for electronic land records. Remote access through the Virginia SRA portal may be available for index searches and possibly full image viewing for subscribers. Contact the clerk's office to ask about current remote access options and fees. Check the Available Courts tab at vacourts.gov/online/sra/home to see if Mathews County offers free index-only access.

All Mathews County property matters are governed by Title 55.1 of the Virginia Code. Deed recording requirements fall under § 55.1-600 and related sections. Mathews County is a peninsula county in the Middle Peninsula region of Virginia, with significant waterfront property. Land records here often involve shoreline parcels, riparian rights, and waterfront easements that require careful title research.