Hanover County Property Records
What Is Hanover County Property Records
Property records in Hanover County are official documents that establish and track the legal ownership, transfers, and encumbrances of real property within county boundaries. These records serve as the authoritative documentation of who owns what land and buildings throughout Hanover County, Virginia. The primary purpose of maintaining these records is to establish clear legal ownership through a documented chain of title, provide public notice of property interests, protect property rights, and facilitate real estate transactions.
Pursuant to Virginia Code § 55.1-600, all deeds, deeds of trust, mortgages, and other instruments affecting title to real property must be recorded in the clerk's office of the circuit court for the county where the property is located. This statutory requirement ensures that property ownership and interests are properly documented and accessible to the public.
The Hanover County property records system encompasses various documents including:
- Deeds and conveyances
- Mortgages and deeds of trust
- Liens and judgments
- Easements and rights-of-way
- Plats and surveys
- Tax assessment records
- Building permits and certificates of occupancy
These records are maintained by several county offices, primarily the Clerk of the Circuit Court, the County Assessor's Office, and the Commissioner of Revenue.
Are Property Records Public Information In Hanover County?
Property records in Hanover County are indeed public information, accessible to any member of the public without the need to demonstrate a specific interest or reason for access. This public access is mandated by both state and local laws governing transparency in government records.
The Virginia Freedom of Information Act establishes the presumption that all government records are open to public inspection unless specifically exempted by law. Additionally, Virginia Code § 55.1-600 specifically requires that property records be maintained in a manner accessible to the public.
The legal basis for this public access rests on several important principles:
- Property ownership is fundamentally a matter of public record
- Recording statutes require public access to provide constructive notice of property interests
- Transparency in land ownership serves the public interest by facilitating commerce and preventing fraud
- Public access to property records supports proper taxation and community planning
Any person may access Hanover County property records during normal business hours at the appropriate county office or through online systems where available. No special credentials or justification is required to view these public documents.
How To Search Property Records in Hanover County in 2026
Members of the public seeking to search property records in Hanover County may utilize several methods to locate the information they need. The county currently maintains multiple access points for property record searches.
To conduct a comprehensive property records search:
- Identify the specific property by address, owner name, or parcel identification number
- Determine which county office maintains the records you need
- Access the appropriate search system (online or in-person)
- Enter the search criteria and review the results
- Request copies of specific documents if needed
The primary offices for property record searches are:
Hanover County Circuit Court Clerk's Office
7530 County Complex Road
Hanover, VA 23069
(804) 365-6150
Hanover County Circuit Court Clerk
Hanover County Assessor's Office
7516 County Complex Road
Hanover, VA 23069
(804) 365-6016
Hanover County Assessor
For online searches, the county provides the Hanover County Parcel Search and Mapping Application which allows users to search by address, owner name, or parcel ID. This system provides basic property information and links to more detailed records.
For official document requests, users may complete the Land Records Request Form and submit it to the Circuit Court Clerk's office either in person, by mail, or electronically where available.
How To Find Property Records in Hanover County Online?
Hanover County offers several online resources for accessing property records digitally. These systems provide convenient access to property information without requiring an in-person visit to county offices.
To find property records online:
- Visit the Hanover County My Property portal
- Select the appropriate search tool based on the information you need:
- For property ownership, assessment, and tax information, use the Real Estate Assessment database
- For property maps and GIS data, use the Parcel Search and Mapping Application
- For deed and plat information, use the Land Records Search
- Enter search criteria such as property address, owner name, or parcel ID
- Review the search results and select the property of interest
- Access available documents and information
For building permits and development records, the county provides the eTRAKiT portal where users can search for permits, inspections, and code enforcement cases by address or permit number.
Users should note that while basic property information is freely available online, some detailed documents may require payment of statutory fees for certified copies or extensive searches.
How To Look Up Hanover County Property Records for Free?
Hanover County provides several no-cost options for accessing basic property records information. These free resources allow residents and interested parties to obtain essential property data without incurring fees.
Free property record search options include:
-
Online Public Access Systems
- The Hanover County Parcel Search provides free access to basic property information including owner name, assessment value, and property characteristics
- The Real Estate Assessment database offers free lookup of property tax assessment information
- The Tax Payment portal allows free verification of property tax status
-
In-Person Public Terminal Access
- Public computer terminals are available at the Circuit Court Clerk's Office for free searches of land records
- The Assessor's Office provides public terminals for searching assessment records
- The Commissioner of Revenue's Office offers terminals for tax record searches
-
Self-Service Research
- The Land Title Research resources provide guidance for conducting free property research
- Public reading rooms are available for reviewing property records during normal business hours
While basic searches are free, users should be aware that fees may apply for:
- Certified copies of documents
- Extensive research assistance from staff
- Large-volume document requests
- Recording of new documents
Per Virginia Code § 17.1-275, the Circuit Court Clerk may charge statutory fees for certain document copies and recording services.
What's Included in a Hanover County Property Record?
Hanover County property records contain comprehensive information about real property within the county. These records distinguish between real property (land and permanently attached structures) and personal property (movable assets), with different county offices maintaining specific types of records.
A complete property record typically includes:
-
Ownership Information
- Current owner name and contact information
- Previous owners (chain of title)
- Date of acquisition
- Purchase price or consideration
-
Property Identification
- Parcel identification number
- Legal description
- Street address
- Tax map reference
-
Physical Characteristics
- Lot size and dimensions
- Building size and specifications
- Number of rooms/units
- Construction details and year built
- Improvements and additions
-
Financial Information
- Assessed value (land and improvements)
- Purchase price history
- Mortgage information
- Tax assessment and payment history
-
Legal Encumbrances
- Mortgages and deeds of trust
- Liens (tax, mechanic's, judgment)
- Easements and rights-of-way
- Restrictive covenants
- Homeowners association information
-
Development Information
- Zoning classification
- Building permits
- Certificates of occupancy
- Code enforcement actions
As mandated by Virginia Code § 58.1-3331, the Assessor's Office maintains detailed records of property characteristics used for assessment purposes, while the Circuit Court Clerk maintains the official land records documenting ownership and encumbrances.
How Long Does Hanover County Keep Property Records?
Hanover County maintains property records according to retention schedules established by the Library of Virginia Records Management Program. These schedules specify how long different types of records must be preserved based on their legal, fiscal, administrative, and historical value.
Key retention periods for property records include:
- Deeds and Conveyances: Permanent retention
- Mortgages and Deeds of Trust: Permanent retention
- Plats and Surveys: Permanent retention
- Tax Assessment Records: 25 years after superseded
- Building Permits: 3 years after completion of project
- Certificates of Occupancy: Permanent retention
- Property Tax Payment Records: 5 years after payment
- Zoning Decisions: Permanent retention
The permanent retention of land records is mandated by Virginia Code § 17.1-242, which requires the Circuit Court Clerk to "carefully preserve all the books, records, papers, and documents" filed in the office. This ensures that the chain of title for properties can be traced back to the original land grants in many cases.
Historical property records dating back to the county's formation in 1720 are preserved in the Circuit Court Clerk's archives, with many older records also available through the Library of Virginia's archives for historical research purposes.
How To Find Liens on Property In Hanover County?
Locating liens and other encumbrances on property in Hanover County requires searching several specific record types. Liens represent legal claims against property that must be satisfied when the property is sold.
To conduct a comprehensive lien search:
-
Search Circuit Court Records
- Visit the Circuit Court Clerk's Office in person or use available online systems
- Search by property owner name and property address
- Review judgment lien records, which are indexed by debtor name
- Check for mechanics' liens filed against the property
-
Search Tax Records
- Use the Tax Payment portal to check for delinquent property taxes
- Verify if any tax liens have been filed for unpaid county taxes
- Contact the Treasurer's Office for detailed tax lien information
-
Search for State and Federal Liens
- Check for state tax liens at the Circuit Court Clerk's Office
- Search for federal tax liens, which are also recorded with the Circuit Court Clerk
- Verify UCC (Uniform Commercial Code) filings that may affect the property
-
Check for Special Assessments
- Contact the Department of Public Works for special assessment liens
- Verify if any community development or infrastructure improvement liens exist
Professional title companies often perform these searches as part of real estate transactions, but individuals may conduct their own research using county resources. Under Virginia Code § 8.01-251, judgment liens generally remain valid for 20 years from the date of judgment unless renewed.
What Is Property Owner Rule In Hanover County?
The property owner rules in Hanover County establish the legal framework for property ownership, use, and transfer within the county. These regulations derive from Virginia state law and local ordinances that govern real property rights.
Key property ownership regulations include:
-
Recording Requirements
- All property transfers must be recorded with the Circuit Court Clerk
- Deeds must meet specific formatting requirements per Virginia Code § 55.1-606
- Documents must include proper legal descriptions and parcel identification
- All transfers require payment of recordation taxes and fees
-
Property Rights and Restrictions
- Property use is subject to Hanover County Zoning Ordinances
- Owners must comply with building codes and permit requirements
- Property is subject to taxation based on assessed value
- Owners must maintain property in accordance with county codes
-
Transfer and Inheritance Rules
- Property may be transferred by deed, will, or operation of law
- Virginia is a "race-notice" jurisdiction under Virginia Code § 55.1-600
- Survivorship rights apply to certain joint ownership arrangements
- Transfer on death deeds are recognized under Virginia law
-
Taxation Requirements
- Property owners must report property transfers to the Commissioner of Revenue
- New owners must ensure tax bills are properly directed to them
- Tax exemptions must be applied for by the property owner
- Property tax appeals follow specific procedures and timelines
Property owners should be aware that failure to comply with these regulations may result in penalties, difficulty transferring clear title, or challenges in defending property rights. The county recommends consulting with legal professionals for complex property matters.
Lookup Property Records in Hanover County
My Property Information Portal
Real Estate Assessment Database