Hampshire County Public Records /Hampshire County Property Records

Hampshire County Property Records

How To Search Property Records in Hampshire County in 2026

HampshireRecords.org provides access to publicly available information related to property records in Hampshire County, West Virginia. Members of the public may find data pertaining to ownership history, assessed values, recorded deeds, tax information, liens, and parcel identification. Record categories available through official channels include:

Deed and transfer records
Property tax assessments and payment history
Mortgage and lien filings
Plat maps and legal descriptions
Building characteristics and permit records

Records may be searched through several official resources, including the WV Real Estate Assessment portal, the Hampshire County Assessor's office, the West Virginia State Auditor's land collections system, and the Hampshire County Clerk of Court. Each resource serves a distinct function and provides different categories of property data.

1. Property Appraiser Website

The WV Property Assessment portal is the primary online resource for property ownership and valuation information across all 55 West Virginia counties, including Hampshire County. Access is free and requires no registration.

Search Options:

By owner name
By property address or street name
By full parcel ID or map number
By property class or tax class
By district within the county

Information Available:

Current owner name and mailing address
Legal description and parcel number
Assessed land and improvement values
Property class and tax class designation
Sales history and transfer records
GIS map location via the WV Property Viewer

How to Search:

Navigate to the Hampshire County property search on MapWV.gov
Select "Hampshire" from the county dropdown menu
Choose a search type: owner name, parcel ID, or street name
Enter the relevant search criteria
Review the results list and select the appropriate parcel
View the full property card, including assessed values, ownership data, and map location
Print or save the information as needed

Hampshire County Assessor's Office
Hampshire County Courthouse
66 N. High Street
Romney, WV 26757
Phone: (304) 822-5220
County Assessors – West Virginia Tax Division

The Hampshire County Assessor, Ms. Lacee Haines, maintains surface property tax maps and assessment records for all parcels within the county. Under West Virginia Code § 11-3-1, the county assessor is responsible for assessing all real and personal property annually.

2. County Clerk / Recorder Official Records Search

The Hampshire County Clerk of Court maintains recorded instruments affecting real property, including deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements. Members of the public may inspect these records during regular business hours.

Documents Available:

Warranty deeds and quitclaim deeds
Mortgages and deeds of trust
Satisfactions and releases of mortgage
Judgment liens and mechanic's liens
Easements and restrictive covenants
Plats and subdivision surveys
Lis pendens filings
Powers of attorney affecting property

Hampshire County Clerk of Court
66 N. High Street
Romney, WV 26757
Phone: (304) 822-5112
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

How to Search In-Person:

Visit the Hampshire County Courthouse during business hours
Request access to the grantor/grantee index
Search by seller (grantor) or buyer (grantee) name, document type, or recording date range
Note the book and page number or instrument number for any relevant document
Request a copy from the clerk's staff; fees apply per page

3. West Virginia State Auditor – Land Collections

The West Virginia State Auditor's Land/County Collections system provides information on delinquent land taxes and properties subject to tax sale proceedings. This resource is particularly useful for identifying properties with outstanding tax obligations.

Information Available:

Delinquent tax listings by county
Properties subject to tax lien sale
Redemption status
Land forfeiture records

4. GIS / Mapping System

The WV Property Viewer provides an interactive mapping interface for all West Virginia counties. In West Virginia, the county assessor is responsible for maintaining surface property tax maps, and Hampshire County's parcel data is accessible through this statewide GIS platform.

How to Use:

Navigate the interactive map to the Hampshire County area
Click on any parcel to view ownership and assessment data
Toggle map layers to view property boundaries, aerial photography, and zoning overlays
Access linked assessment records directly from the map interface

By Mail Requests:

Members of the public may submit written requests for property records to the Hampshire County Clerk of Court or the Assessor's office. Requests should specify the property address, parcel number, or legal description, along with the document type and approximate recording date range. Payment for applicable copy fees must accompany the request. Certified copies are available upon request.

Through Professionals:

Title companies conduct comprehensive title searches and produce abstracts of title identifying all recorded interests in a property. Real estate attorneys provide legal title opinions and assist with complex ownership disputes. These services involve professional fees that vary by scope and provider.

What Is Hampshire County Property Records

Property records in Hampshire County are official documents related to real property — land and any structures affixed to it — maintained by county government offices as permanent public records. These instruments establish legal ownership, document encumbrances, and provide the chain of title necessary for real estate transactions and title insurance.

Types of Property Records:

Ownership Records:

Warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, and special warranty deeds
Life estate deeds and trust documents affecting property
Transfer records and ownership history

Encumbrance Records:

Mortgages and deeds of trust
Tax liens, judgment liens, and mechanic's liens
Easements, restrictions, and covenants
Lis pendens filings

Tax and Assessment Records:

Annual property tax assessments
Tax bills and payment history
Exemption records (homestead, senior, veteran, disability)
Delinquent tax records maintained through the West Virginia State Auditor's office

Legal Descriptions and Maps:

Plat maps and subdivision plats
Surveys and metes-and-bounds descriptions
Lot and block information

Building and Permit Records:

Building permits and certificates of occupancy
Zoning classifications and land use designations
Code violation records

Who Maintains Property Records:

The Hampshire County Assessor maintains property valuations, assessment records, property characteristics, and ownership information. The Hampshire County Clerk of Court records and indexes deeds, mortgages, liens, and all other instruments affecting title. The West Virginia State Auditor's office maintains delinquent land tax records at the state level.

Legal Framework:

Under West Virginia Code § 40-1-8, no deed, deed of trust, mortgage, or other instrument conveying real property is valid as to creditors and subsequent purchasers without notice until it has been duly recorded in the office of the county clerk. This recording requirement establishes the principle of constructive notice — once a document is recorded, all subsequent parties are deemed to have notice of its contents.

Are Property Records Public Information in Hampshire County?

Property records in Hampshire County are public information, accessible to any member of the public without a stated purpose, residency requirement, or special authorization. West Virginia's public records framework, codified under West Virginia Code § 29B-1-1 et seq. (the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act), affirms the public's right to inspect and copy government records, including property instruments maintained by county offices.

Why Property Records Are Public:

Transparency in property ownership prevents fraudulent transfers and secret conveyances
The recording system provides constructive notice to all subsequent purchasers and creditors
Public access enables the real estate marketplace, including title searches, appraisals, and mortgage lending
Tax assessment transparency supports accountability in local government finance
Historical and genealogical research depends on permanent, accessible land records

What Property Information Is Freely Accessible:

Current and historical ownership
Legal descriptions and parcel identification
Sale prices and transfer dates
Recorded mortgage amounts and lender names
Liens and encumbrances
Tax assessments and payment status
Property characteristics (size, year built, building type)
Plat maps and surveys

Privacy Considerations:

Social Security numbers and bank account numbers are redacted from recorded documents under state and federal privacy requirements. Certain individuals — including law enforcement officers, judges, and domestic violence victims — may qualify for address confidentiality protections under applicable state law. Homestead exemption applications may contain financial information not fully subject to public disclosure; the Hampshire County Assessor's office can advise on applicable policies.

Who Can Access Property Records:

Any person may access Hampshire County property records, including prospective buyers, real estate professionals, title companies, lenders, attorneys, investors, researchers, journalists, and members of the general public. No ownership interest in the subject property is required.

As the West Virginia State Auditor's office notes regarding land records: "The Official Website of the West Virginia State Auditor's Office" maintains county collections data as part of its public accountability mission, making delinquent tax and land forfeiture information available statewide.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Property Records in Hampshire County?

Members of the public may inspect property records at no charge during regular business hours at the Hampshire County Courthouse. Fees apply when copies or certified copies are requested.

Standard Copy Fees – Hampshire County Clerk of Court:

Service	Current Fee
Standard copy (per page)	$0.50 per page
Certified copy of recorded instrument	$1.00 per page + $1.00 certification fee
Recording a new deed or instrument	$15.00 for first page + $3.00 each additional page
Transfer tax (excise tax on conveyances)	$1.10 per $500 of consideration

Note: Fee schedules are subject to revision by the West Virginia Legislature. Members of the public should confirm current fees directly with the Hampshire County Clerk of Court prior to submitting requests.

Online Access:

The WV Real Estate Assessment portal provides free online access to assessment and ownership data with no registration or fee required
The WV Property Viewer GIS system is freely accessible online
The West Virginia State Auditor's land collections database is available at no charge

Accepted Payment Methods:

The Hampshire County Clerk of Court accepts cash, check, and money order for copy and certification fees. Members of the public submitting mail requests should include a check or money order payable to the Hampshire County Clerk.

Fee Waivers:

West Virginia law does not provide a general fee waiver for property record copies. Indigent parties involved in active litigation may petition the court for fee relief in specific circumstances.

What's Included in a Hampshire County Property Record?

A Hampshire County property record is a compilation of data drawn from multiple county offices and may include the following categories of information:

Ownership Information:

Legal owner name(s) and ownership type (individual, joint tenants, tenants in common, LLC, trust, life estate)
Acquisition date and deed book/page or instrument number
Mailing address for tax billing purposes
Chain of title with previous owners and transfer dates

Property Identification:

Site address and mailing address
Parcel ID and tax account number
Legal description (lot and block, subdivision name, plat book and page, or metes-and-bounds)
District designation within Hampshire County

Physical Characteristics:

Lot size in acres or square feet, frontage, and depth
Total living area, year built, number of stories, and building type
Construction type, exterior wall material, roof type, and foundation
Number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and total rooms
Additional features: garage, pool, porch, fireplace, HVAC, water source, and sewer system

Valuation Information:

Assessed land value and assessed improvement value
Total assessed value and estimated market value
Historical assessed values for prior years
Agricultural classification data where applicable

Tax Information:

Current tax amount, taxable value, and applicable millage rates
Breakdown by taxing authority (county, school district, special districts)
Payment status, due dates, and payment history
Exemptions applied (homestead, senior, veteran, disability)
Delinquency history, if any

Sales History:

Sale dates, sale prices, and deed document numbers
Grantor (seller) and grantee (buyer) names
Sale type (warranty deed, quitclaim, foreclosure, tax deed, inheritance)
Documentary stamp amounts

Encumbrances and Liens:

Recorded mortgages, original amounts, lender names, and recording dates
Tax liens, judgment liens, mechanic's liens, and HOA liens
Easements, deed restrictions, and covenants
Lis pendens filings

Maps and Images:

Property exterior photograph
Aerial photograph and GIS parcel boundary map via the WV Property Viewer
Plat map and property sketch

What Is NOT Typically Included:

Current outstanding mortgage balances (only original recorded amounts)
Social Security numbers (redacted)
Interior photographs
Private purchase contract terms beyond recorded sale price
Unrecorded agreements

How Long Does Hampshire County Keep Property Records?

Property records in Hampshire County are maintained permanently. Recorded instruments affecting real property title — including deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and easements — are never destroyed. This permanent retention is both a legal requirement and a practical necessity for maintaining an unbroken chain of title.

Legal Basis for Permanent Retention:

Under West Virginia recording statutes, the county clerk is required to maintain a permanent index of all recorded instruments. The West Virginia Division of Culture and History establishes records retention schedules for county government offices; recorded land instruments are classified as permanent records with no authorized destruction date.

Records Kept Permanently:

All recorded deeds (warranty, quitclaim, trustee's, and all conveyance types)
All recorded mortgages, deeds of trust, satisfactions, and releases
All recorded liens and lien releases
Plats, subdivision plats, re-plats, and condominium declarations
Easements, restrictions, covenants, and declarations
Court documents affecting title
Powers of attorney affecting real property

Format and Storage:

Historical Hampshire County records dating to the county's formation in 1753 exist in handwritten ledger books maintained at the courthouse. Mid-twentieth-century records are available on microfilm. Records from recent decades are available as digital scans through the clerk's office. The WV Real Estate Assessment portal provides online access to assessment records, with the depth of historical data varying by digitization progress.

Online Availability by Time Period:

Time Period	Availability
Recent (last 20 years)	Online via MapWV.gov and county systems
Moderate age (20–50 years)	Microfilm or digital at courthouse
Historical (50+ years)	Original books or microfilm at courthouse
Very old (100+ years)	Archive storage; advance notice may be required

Hampshire County Clerk of Court – Historical Records
66 N. High Street
Romney, WV 26757
Phone: (304) 822-5112
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Staff at the Hampshire County Clerk's office can assist with retrieval of historical records. Requestors should specify the property address or legal description, the approximate time period, and the document type. Retrieval time for very old records may range from same-day to several business days depending on storage format.

Property Appraiser / Assessor Records:

Assessment rolls and property cards are maintained permanently by the Hampshire County Assessor. Exemption applications are retained according to the state records retention schedule, which at present provides for retention of several years for administrative exemption files. Historical assessment data is available at the assessor's office for years not accessible through the online portal.

Tax Records:

Tax payment records are retained for a minimum of seven to ten years by the Tax Collector. Tax deed records are permanent. Delinquent land records are maintained through the West Virginia State Auditor's land collections system, which provides a statewide repository for county delinquency data.

How To Find Liens on Property in Hampshire County?

Liens on property in Hampshire County are recorded instruments and are therefore searchable through the same official channels used for deeds and mortgages. A lien search requires reviewing the grantor/grantee index maintained by the Hampshire County Clerk of Court, as well as federal and state tax lien indexes.

Types of Liens Recorded in Hampshire County:

Judgment liens (from circuit court judgments)
State and federal tax liens (IRS and WV State Tax Department)
Mechanic's liens (contractors and materialmen)
HOA assessment liens
Child support liens
Code enforcement liens

Step-by-Step Lien Search Process:

Search the Hampshire County Clerk's grantor/grantee index — Visit the Hampshire County Courthouse and request access to the official records index. Search the property owner's name as grantor to identify any recorded liens. Note all instrument numbers, recording dates, and lien amounts.
Search the WV Real Estate Assessment portal — The Hampshire County property search on MapWV.gov may reflect encumbrances associated with a parcel, including delinquent tax status.
Search the West Virginia State Auditor's system — The Land/County Collections database identifies properties with delinquent state and county taxes, which may be subject to tax lien proceedings.
Search federal tax lien records — IRS tax liens are recorded with the county clerk and appear in the grantor/grantee index under the property owner's name. The IRS also maintains a lien search tool through its online portal.
Search the West Virginia State Tax Department — State tax liens are filed with the county clerk and are searchable through the grantor index.
Request a title search — For comprehensive lien identification, members of the public and real estate professionals may engage a licensed title company or real estate attorney to conduct a full title search, which will identify all recorded encumbrances including liens, easements, and restrictions.

Hampshire County Clerk of Court
66 N. High Street
Romney, WV 26757
Phone: (304) 822-5112
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Lien releases must also be recorded with the county clerk to be effective against subsequent purchasers. A lien that has been satisfied but not formally released of record continues to appear in title searches until a release instrument is recorded.

What Is Property Owner Rule in Hampshire County?

The property owner rule in Hampshire County refers to the body of West Virginia law governing who may own real property, how ownership is established and transferred, and what rights and obligations attach to property ownership. Hampshire County, as a political subdivision of West Virginia, applies state property law uniformly.

Establishment of Ownership:

Legal ownership of real property in Hampshire County is established by a recorded deed. Under West Virginia Code § 40-1-8, a deed must be recorded with the Hampshire County Clerk of Court to be valid against creditors and subsequent purchasers without notice. An unrecorded deed is valid between the parties but does not provide constructive notice to third parties.

Forms of Ownership Recognized in West Virginia:

Sole ownership — A single individual holds title in fee simple absolute
Joint tenancy with right of survivorship — Two or more persons hold equal shares; upon the death of one owner, the surviving owner(s) take the deceased's interest automatically
Tenancy in common — Two or more persons hold undivided interests that may be unequal; each owner's interest passes through their estate upon death
Tenancy by the entirety — Available only to legally married spouses; provides protection from individual creditors of either spouse
Trust ownership — A trustee holds legal title for the benefit of named beneficiaries
Entity ownership — LLCs, corporations, and partnerships may hold title to real property in West Virginia

Eligibility to Own Property:

Any natural person, regardless of residency or citizenship status, may own real property in West Virginia. Legal entities organized under West Virginia law or qualified to do business in the state may also hold title. There are no county-specific restrictions on property ownership in Hampshire County beyond those established by state law.

Property Tax Obligations:

All property owners in Hampshire County are subject to annual property tax assessment and payment obligations. The Hampshire County Assessor, pursuant to West Virginia Code § 11-3-1, assesses all real property annually as of July 1. Tax bills are issued by the Hampshire County Sheriff's Tax Office, and taxes are due in two installments: the first half by September 1 and the second half by March 1 of the following year.

Hampshire County Sheriff's Tax Office
66 N. High Street
Romney, WV 26757
Phone: (304) 822-5916
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Homestead Exemption:

West Virginia provides a homestead exemption reducing the assessed value of a primary residence by $20,000 for qualifying owner-occupants who are 65 years of age or older, or who are permanently and totally disabled. Applications are filed with the Hampshire County Assessor.

Adverse Possession:

West Virginia law recognizes adverse possession as a means of acquiring title to real property through open, notorious, continuous, exclusive, and hostile possession for a statutory period of ten years. Adverse possession claims must be adjudicated through the circuit court and do not arise automatically.

As the West Virginia Tax Division notes regarding county assessors: "The county assessor is responsible for assessing all real and personal property" within the county, forming the foundation of the property tax system that funds local government services in Hampshire County.