Nelson County Property Records Search

Nelson County property records are kept by the Clerk of Circuit Court in Lovingston, Virginia, the official custodian for all land instruments recorded in the county. Deeds, deeds of trust, plats, liens, and other real estate documents are indexed and filed at the courthouse, where they are open for public review. You can search the SRA system at vacourts.gov to find recorded documents online, visit the clerk's office in person, or put in a mail-in request for copies. GIS parcel data and tax records are available through separate county offices. This page covers each access option and what to expect when searching Nelson County property records.

Circuit Court Clerk - Land Records

The Office of the Clerk of Circuit Court is where all documents involving property transactions in Nelson County are recorded. This includes deeds, deeds of trust, plats, assignments, satisfactions, liens, and UCC filings that affect real estate in the county. Once recorded, instruments are indexed by party name, instrument type, book and page number, document number, and legal description.

The Nelson Circuit Court is part of the 24th Judicial Circuit of Virginia. The Clerk of Court is Hon. Lisa Dugan Bryant. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Cash registers close at 4:15 p.m. Land record recordings are accepted from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The office is located at 84 Courthouse Square, 1st Floor, Lovingston, VA 22949. Mail goes to P.O. Box 10, Lovingston, VA 22949-0010. Phone: (434) 263-7020. Fax: (434) 263-7027. Recording fees may be paid by cash, check, or money order.

The Nelson County Circuit Court clerk page confirms office hours, deed recording times, and contact details. Under Title 55.1 of the Code of Virginia, property conveyances must be recorded to provide public notice of ownership.

The Nelson County Circuit Court Clerk's page lists hours and contact information for land record recordings.

Land record recordings are accepted until 4:00 p.m. each business day at 84 Courthouse Square in Lovingston.

Online Access to Land Records

Records are scanned and made available digitally. The Secure Remote Access (SRA) platform lets you search and view land records online, though account registration is required and minimal costs may apply. This system is provided through the Virginia Judicial System statewide infrastructure.

To get a subscription, contact the Clerk of Circuit Court's office. You will need to sign a subscriber agreement and pay applicable fees before you can view images. Free index-only access may be available without a subscription for some courts.

You can also visit the public records room at 84 Courthouse Square, 1st Floor, Lovingston during business hours. Staff can help you search, but they do not act as title searchers. Written requests for copies may be sent by mail to P.O. Box 10, Lovingston, VA 22949-0010, or by fax at (434) 263-7027. Include the identifier of the document you want and proof of advance payment.

For fee schedule information, accepted payment methods, and SRA platform questions, call the Clerk of Circuit Court at (434) 263-7020.

The Nelson County courts page details land records access, deed recording procedures, and the VA Deed Alert system.

The Nelson County courts page also notes that the VA Deed Alert System is available to help protect property owners from deed fraud.

GIS Parcel Search and Tax Maps

The Nelson County Geographic Information System provides public access to tax parcel and mapping data. You can search, view, and print maps and data for several layers of information. This is a good starting point when you want to look up a parcel number or see property boundaries before searching court records.

Nelson County GIS is located at 84 Court House Square, P.O. Box 336, Lovingston, VA 22949. The GIS office can be reached at 434-263-7120. Glen Yi serves as Information Systems Specialist for GIS. Susan Rorrer serves as Director. Andrew Crane serves as Information Systems Specialist.

Visit the Nelson County GIS portal to search parcels and view tax map layers.

The Nelson County GIS portal provides an interactive parcel search interface for tax maps and ownership data.

The GIS parcel viewer lets you look up parcels by owner name, parcel number, or address and view associated tax map data.

Commissioner of Revenue - Tax Assessments

The Commissioner of Revenue maintains taxable owner records for real estate parcels and prepares the Land Book in accordance with the Code of Virginia. The office also processes state income tax returns, administers the land use program, and runs the real estate tax relief program for elderly and disabled residents.

Kim Goff serves as Commissioner of Revenue. Deputy Commissioners include Linda Grubb, Haley Campbell, and Danielle Saunders. The office is at 84 Courthouse Square, P.O. Box 246, Lovingston, VA 22949. Phone: 434-263-7070. Fax: 434-263-7074.

Real estate tax information in Nelson County can also be reviewed through third-party resources. The median home value in Nelson County is approximately $258,950, with a median rent of $931. The county collects 0.57% in median property taxes based on assessed property valuations.

The Commissioner ensures all tangible business and individual personal property is assessed in line with the Code of Virginia and issues the Nelson County Business License to all businesses operating in the county. Real Estate, Personal Property, and Machinery & Tools checks should be made payable to NELSON COUNTY TREASURER and mailed to Treasurer's Office, P.O. Box 100, Lovingston, VA 22949.

What Nelson County Property Records Contain

Property records in Nelson County catalog attributes of land holdings. Details include acreage, classification, tax status, and improvements. These records provide transparency around ownership for conveyances, development, and taxation purposes.

In Nelson County, the Clerk of Circuit Court is responsible for recording and indexing: assignments, satisfactions, deeds, deeds of trust, plats, liens, and UCC filings that impact real estate. The indexing process allows for efficient retrieval and organization of records. Records are scanned and available digitally.

For zoning verification, contact the Nelson County Planning and Zoning Department. This office manages land use regulations, offers geographic mapping services, and oversees official street names and addresses in unincorporated areas. Zoning can affect what you find in property records and how land is classified for tax purposes.

Governing statutes include Title 55.1 of the Code of Virginia, which covers property conveyance and recording requirements. Section § 55.1-600 addresses the general rules for deeds and how they must be recorded to be valid against third parties.

Treasurer and Tax Collection

The Treasurer is an elected official responsible for collecting revenue from local, state, and federal sources. Neely T. Hull serves as Treasurer, located at 84 Court House Square, P.O. Box 100, Lovingston, VA 22949. Phone: 434-263-7060. Fax: 434-263-7064.

The Treasurer safeguards county bank accounts, invests county funds to generate additional revenue, and accounts for and disburses funds. Real estate tax payments, personal property taxes, and other local revenue all flow through this office.

The Commissioner of the Revenue maintains taxable owner records for real estate parcels and prepares the Land Book, issues business licenses, provides full service Virginia State Income Tax processing, and administers the Real Estate Tax Relief Program for elderly and disabled residents.

If you are researching a property for tax liens or delinquent taxes, start with the Treasurer's office. For the underlying assessment value used to calculate the tax, contact the Commissioner of Revenue at 434-263-7070.