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

Prince Edward County has a relatively affordable property market in Southside Virginia. Property listings typically receive offers somewhere between 11 and 40 days, which is roughly in line with the statewide average.

Single-family detached homes are the most common housing type in Prince Edward County, with traditional and conventional styles making up most of the housing inventory. For property records, interested parties may contact the Commissioner of the Revenue, the Clerk of the Circuit Court, and the Treasurer.

Recent records reveal the underlying factors influencing the local real estate market, with a median home value of $193,900 and median rent of $728, alongside a median household income of $61,761 and a median real estate tax rate of 0.47 as a percentage of the property's assessed value.

How to Look Up Prince Edward County Property Records

Prince Edward County makes property records available to the public through the Secure Remote Access (SRA) system, e-Commissioner Options, e-Treasurer Options, and Interactive GIS Map. Most of these portals are available to the public free of charge. Users should gather key identifiers, such as the parcel’s tax map number, owner name, and address, before searching these portals.

Who Keeps Prince Edward County Property Records?

The Virginia Freedom of Information Act provides public access to government records, including property records. Unless a specific law exempts a record from disclosure, anyone may request it from the appropriate custodian. The constitutional offices below handle property records in Prince Edward County:

1. The Commissioner of the Revenue is the county’s chief assessing officer who determines the fair market value of properties. It also maintains real estate records for properties within the county.
2. The Treasurer collects real estate taxes owed to the county. It is the right office to find information about real estate tax records, including payment history.
3. The Clerk of the Circuit Court records and indexes all land records. The office also ensures that the public can search and purchase these records online and in person during office hours.

How to Search Prince Edward County Property Records Online

To conduct a detailed property records search online, you need at least three property databases:

1. Visit the Prince Edward e-Commissioner Options to view the parcel’s record card. Click “View Property Cards” and enter the map number, street address, account number, or owner name to find the parcel. Once you enter any known field, it will display detailed information about the parcel, including features, improvements, and land valuation.
2. Copy the instrument number and deed book/page number for use when searching the SRA system. These criteria can help you trace the chain of title, verify ownership, and view any encumbrances tied to the property.
3. For the property’s tax information, navigate to the e-Treasurer Options. Scroll down to select and enter the “Real Estate Public Inquiry” page. You can search the page with the account number or owner name to view both current and past tax payment histories.

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

The Clerk of the Circuit Court in Prince Edward County is the custodian of documents that affect real estate property. It is also responsible for collecting recordation taxes and fees on real estate transfers. Some of the documents recorded in the Clerk’s Office include:

• Deeds of trust

• Deeds

• Assignments of deeds of trust

• Certificate of satisfaction

• Mechanic’s liens

• Notice of lis pendens

• Easements and rights-of-way

• Plats and subdivision surveys

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

In Prince Edward County, the Commissioner of the Revenue determines the taxable value of land and improvements. It updates property values when ownership, subdivision, or construction changes occur.

Prince Edward County reassesses real estate every four years through the Commissioner of the Revenue. Each property receives an assessed value equal to 100% of its fair market value.

Treasurer: Tax Bills and Payments

The Treasurer’s Office in Prince Edward County processes payments for real estate taxes. It collects real estate taxes and issues tax bills once a year, with payments due by December 5. This differs from many larger Virginia jurisdictions that issue real estate tax bills twice a year.

Property Tax in Prince Edward County: Rates, Exemptions, and Appeals

A Prince Edward County tax bill is calculated by dividing a property’s assessed value by 100 and then multiplying by the county’s real estate tax rate. The county then subtracts any applicable exemptions or tax relief to produce the final tax bill.

Exemptions and relief

Appealing your assessment

In Prince Edward County, reassessment appeals are usually handled by Wampler Eanes Appraisal Group. Property owners who want to appeal their assessed values can file an appeal with the Appraisal Group by email or mail. Alternatively, you can schedule an in-person hearing by phone at (434) 569-3007. Individuals who prefer to submit their appeal by mail may complete and return the tear-off portion at the bottom of the reassessment notice.

GIS Maps and Parcel Viewer

The Prince Edward County Interactive GIS Map has several toolbars that simplify property research. Users may find parcels, view boundaries, identify property features, measure distances, and print maps. The map also allows users to turn layers on or off, including aerial imagery, parcels, roads, and flood zones. For data that crosses county boundaries, researchers may consult the Virginia GIS Clearinghouse.

Foreclosure and Tax Sales

A trustee foreclosure and a judicial tax sale are two different processes for selling property when a property owner defaults on payments in Virginia.

Trustee foreclosure

Title 55.1 of the Code of Virginia governs non-judicial foreclosure sales and permits a trustee to exercise the power of sale when a grantor defaults on a deed of trust. The trustee must provide written notice of the scheduled sale to the property owner and any secondary lienholder at least 60 days before the sale. It is also the trustee’s duty to publish an advertisement of the sale in a newspaper of general circulation in Prince Edward County.

At the public auction, the trustee sells the property to the highest bidder and executes a trustee’s deed to convey title to the purchaser. Under Virginia law, the property owner has no statutory right to redeem the property after a foreclosure sale.

Judicial tax sale

Prince Edward County uses a judicial tax sale to collect unpaid real estate taxes under Va. Code 58.1-3965. The county initiates this action when property taxes are delinquent on December 31, following the second anniversary of the due date. Before filing the lawsuit, the county sends a written notice to the property owner’s last known address and publishes a preliminary list of eligible properties in a local newspaper.

Upon filing the lawsuit, the Circuit Court appoints a Special Commissioner to handle the sale process, sell the property, and collect bids. The Special Commissioner reports the highest bid to the court and files a motion to confirm the sale. Virginia law does not permit a post-sale redemption once the sale is complete and confirmed by the court.

Costs to Access Property Records

In Prince Edward County, real property transfers are subject to the state recordation tax and the grantor’s tax when a deed is recorded. The recordation tax is authorized by Va. Code 58.1-801, while the grantor’s tax is imposed under Va. Code 58.1-802.

How to Record a Document

You may consider the following steps when recording a property document in Prince Edward County:

• Ensure that the first page of the document contains the grantor and grantee names, a full legal description of the property, and the tax map number. Write all surnames in capital letters or underline them to avoid rejection by the Clerk.

• The recording fees depend on page count plus applicable state recordation and grantor taxes. Use the Circuit Court Deed Calculator to determine the exact fee before submitting the document.

• Deliver the original document and the exact fee to the Prince Edward Circuit Court Clerk in person or by mail. If you prefer the mail-in option, submit to P.O. Box 304, Farmville, VA 23901.

FAQs

Quick Reference: Your Prince Edward County Property Records Checklist

Key Contacts and Official Portals