Madison County, VA Property Records: Search Deeds, Owners, Tax Records, and Maps

In Madison County, the Commissioner of the Revenue, the Clerk of the Circuit Court, and the Treasurer work together to maintain property records. The county has over 6,000 housing units, most of which are single-family detached homes.

Properties in Madison County spend a median of 31 to 49 days on the market before going under contract. However, single-family detached homes located within commuting distance of major regional corridors move the fastest.

Recent records reveal the underlying factors influencing the local real estate market, with a median home value of $311,350 and median rent of $982, alongside a median household income of $71,950.5 and a median real estate tax rate of 0.6 as a percentage of the property's assessed value.

How to Look Up Madison County Property Records

The Secure Remote Access (SRA) system provides online access to indexes and images of documents recorded in the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office. Although the public can access this system, it does require a subscription. To look up land documents, individuals must submit the SRA Application, Agreement, and an annual subscription fee of $600.

The Madison County WebGIS portal and Concise Systems provide related property information. The WebGIS portal allows users to locate parcels visually and review related tax assessment records.

Who Keeps Madison County Property Records?

Under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, citizens and Virginia media have the right to inspect and copy public records in government offices. This statute allows public access to most property records and exempts personal identifiers like Social Security numbers and confidential tax documents. The county offices below handle property records in Madison County:

• The Clerk of the Circuit Court records changes to real property such as deeds, plats, and boundary surveys. It ensures that the public can access the land records management system through the SRA or in person at the courthouse.

• The Commissioner of the Revenue sets fair market values for all land and buildings in the county. It updates the official land book with current owner names and deeds as received from the Clerk of the Circuit Court.

• The Treasurer receives and processes all tax payments, fees, and county revenues. It also enforces tax collection for delinquent properties.

How to Search Madison County Property Records Online

Before searching for Madison County property records online, gather relevant details to make your search easier. Such details include the parcel record number (PRN), map number, owner name, or address.

• Start at the county WebGIS portal and enter your search parameter in the pop-up window. This displays the search results window, which includes basic property details and a link to the property card.

• Click on “Concise Property Card” to view the details recorded by the Commissioner of the Revenue’s Office. This shows the parcel information, map number, assessed value, sales history, photo and sketch, and structural details.

• You can copy the instrument number and grantor’s name under the sales history. To view the deed or other recorded documents, visit the SRA system.

• Although the Treasurer’s Office provides an online system for paying real estate taxes, it does not have an online inquiry system. For questions about tax payments, you can visit the office in person or email paymentquestions@madisonco.virginia.gov.

Clerk of the Circuit Court: Deeds, Deeds of Trust, and Plats

In Madison County, the Clerk of the Circuit Court preserves historical and current land ownership records for public title searches. This office collects state and local recordation taxes when documents are filed. Its Record Room accepts the following documents for recording:

• Powers of attorney to convey real estate

• Deeds

• Deeds of trust

• Certificates of satisfaction

• Certificates of partial satisfaction

• Notices of lis pendens

• Plats and maps

Commissioner of the Revenue: Ownership, Values, and Parcel Data

The Commissioner of the Revenue serves as the chief assessing officer and evaluates all real property within the county. Under Virginia law, real estate subject to local taxation must be assessed at 100% of its fair market value. Madison County holds a general reassessment of its real property every six years.

Treasurer: Tax Bills and Payments

The Treasurer’s primary function in Madison County is to collect and account for all revenue due to the county, including real estate taxes. This office bills real estate taxes semi-annually in two equal installments. The first half is due on June 5, and the second half is due on December 5.

Property Tax in Madison County: Rates, Exemptions, and Appeals

To calculate a real property tax bill in Madison County, the property’s assessed value is divided by 100 and multiplied by the local tax rate. Then subtract any applicable tax exemptions to produce the final tax bill.

Exemptions and relief

Appealing your assessment

The deadline for appealing an assessment is typically printed on the reassessment notice. If you believe that the value assigned to your property is inaccurate, you can submit an appeal to the Assessor. Your appeal must contain your name, phone number or email, and a reason for the appeal.

If you are dissatisfied with the Assessor’s decision, submit a formal appeal to the Board of Equalization. You or your authorized representative can present the evidence and oral testimony during the hearing. After the hearing, the board will communicate its decision by mail. You can appeal to the Madison County Circuit Court if you disagree with the board’s decision.

GIS Maps and Parcel Viewer

The Madison County WebGIS portal is the official interactive mapping platform for local geographic data. It allows users to view parcel boundaries and tax assessment records. This portal contains layers useful for zoning, soils, roads, voting districts, and other geographic features. For data that cross county lines, interested parties can use the Virginia GIS Clearinghouse.

Foreclosure and Tax Sales

In Madison County, trustee foreclosure and judicial tax sales are two different ways real property can be sold due to unpaid obligations.

Trustee foreclosure

Trustee foreclosure in Madison County is governed by Title 55.1 of the Code of Virginia. The trustee conducts this procedure without court supervision. Before holding a public auction, the trustee must issue a formal written notice to the property owner at least 60 days in advance.

Upon completing the auction, the trustee executes a trustee’s deed to the highest bidder and distributes the sale proceeds to cover lien balances, taxes, and expenses. The property owner or borrower can redeem the property up until the moment of sale by paying the debt and accrued interest.

Judicial tax sale

Judicial tax sales operate under Section 58.1-3965 of the Code of Virginia. Unlike a trustee foreclosure, a tax sale requires a formal lawsuit filed in the Madison County Circuit Court.

If real estate taxes remain unpaid on December 31 following the second anniversary of their original due date, the county can file a bill in equity in the Circuit Court. Before selling the property, the Treasurer sends the owner formal written notice. After the county files a complaint, the court appoints a Special Commissioner to conduct the sale.

The property owner, heirs, or lienholders may redeem the property at any time before the auction date. To do so, all accumulated taxes, penalties, and advertising costs must be paid to the Treasurer. If no payment is made, the Special Commissioner sells the property at a public auction and files a motion to confirm the sale.

Costs to Access Property Records

Va. Code 58.1-801 imposes the state recordation tax when a deed is presented to the Clerk of the Circuit Court for recording. Va. Code 58.1-802 imposes the grantor’s tax if the document transfers real estate.

How to Record a Document

When recording a property document in Madison County, the document must meet the Virginia State Library Standards. Note that Madison County does not require a cover sheet.

1. Ensure that the document is signed and properly acknowledged. You must submit documents that use electronic notary or remote online notary electronically.
2. If the document is a deed, include the grantee's mailing address. The trustee provided in your deed of trust must be a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
3. The first page of the document must contain the parcel ID or tax map number, consideration amount, and most recent total tax assessment. It must also include the applicable code section that exempts the document from recordation taxes, if any.
4. You can determine the recording fee and taxes by using the Virginia Circuit Court Deed Calculator. If you are submitting in person or by mail, prepare a check or money order made payable to the Clerk of the Circuit Court.
5. The Clerk’s Record Room accepts documents for recording on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. till 4:15 p.m. This office will also reject and return documents that include Social Security numbers. For electronic submission, you can contact either CSC or Simplifile.

FAQs

Quick Reference: Your Madison County Property Records Checklist

Key Contacts and Official Portals