Official Civic Directory Profile FIPS Code: 51009

Amherst County Clerk & Recorder

Official government recording office for Amherst County, Virginia. Serving a population of 31.396 with jurisdiction over real estate deeds, marriage licenses, vital records, and fictitious business names.

County Seat: Amherst • Land Area: 473,962 sq mi • State: Virginia (VA)

Call: (804) 753-6979 Get Courthouse Directions Official .Gov Portal ↗

Location & Operations

Courthouse Office Address & Contact

Open Mon-Fri

Physical Courthouse Address

Amherst County Courthouse / Recording Office, Amherst, VA 24521

Seat of government for Amherst County in Amherst, VA.

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Courthouse / Directory Line

(804) 753-6979

Regular Hours: Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Closed on state and federal holidays.

FIPS ID: 51009 • Coordinates: 37.6293° N, -79.1547° W

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Filing Checklist

Before You Visit Amherst County

✓ Valid Government Photo ID (Driver's License or Passport)
✓ Payment: Credit Card, Cashier's Check, or Exact Cash
✓ Original signed documents with valid notary jurat/seal
✓ Mandatory 3-inch top margin for county recorder barcode

Check Records Online Instead →

Land Records & Real Property

Amherst County Deed Recording Fees & Requirements

Governed by Va. Code Ann. § 17.1-275 & § 58.1-801

First Page Base Fee

$21.00

Includes statutory county automation index surcharge

Each Additional Page

$5.00

Per additional standard 8.5" x 11" page

Transfer Tax / Doc Stamps

$0.25 per $100 state recordation tax + $0.0833 per $100 local tax (plus grantor tax $0.50 per $500)

Calculated at recording based on purchase consideration

Statutory Recording Margin Standards in Virginia:

Top Margin (Page 1): Must leave minimum 3 inches blank at top right for official recorder barcode and indexing stamp.

Other Margins: Minimum 1 inch on side, bottom, and subsequent pages to avoid non-conforming document penalties.

Grantee & Return Address: Must state grantee's legal address and a return mailing address clearly on the first page.

Legibility & Font: Black ink on white 8.5 x 11 paper; minimum 10-point font. Notary stamps must be crisp and dark.

Instant Public Records & Title Verification

Need Official Property Deeds or Title Records in Amherst County?

Search land records, deed history, mortgage transfers, tax liens, judgments, and parcel ownership across Amherst County, Virginia. Instantly access official document copies online without visiting the courthouse records vault.

Warranty & Quitclaim Deeds
Mortgage & Lien Records
Assessor Parcel History

Search Amherst County Records Online Encrypted search • Public records database

Marriage Bureau

Marriage License in Amherst County

License Fee $30.00

Waiting Period 0 Hours

✓ Validity Window: Must solemnize within 60 days of issuance.
✓ Personal Appearance: Both applicants must appear together in person at the Amherst County courthouse.
✓ Identification: Valid state photo driver's license, passport, or military ID. No blood test required.

State Policy: Issued by Circuit Court Clerk. No waiting period.

Vital Statistics

Certified Vital Records

Birth Cert $12.00

Death Cert $12.00

Marriage Cert $12.00

• Authorized Requestors: Direct family relation (registrant, child, parent, spouse) or legal guardian only.
• Filing Agency: Processed through Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records and the local Amherst County clerk counter.

Certified copies bear an official raised, embossed seal and are suitable for passports, probate, real estate, and legal identification.

Commercial & Business

DBA & Assumed Name Registration in Amherst County

Filing Fee: $10.00

1. Filing Authority

In Amherst County, sole proprietorships and general partnerships register assumed names through the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC).

2. Statutory Requirement

Required prior to opening a commercial checking account, issuing invoices under a brand name, or executing contracts in Virginia.

3. State Rules & Notice

Fictitious name certificates filed statewide with the Clerk of the State Corporation Commission.

Official Business & DBA Filing Assistance

Starting a Business or Filing a DBA in Amherst County?

Save time and avoid multiple trips to the Amherst County Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC). Form your official LLC, register your Trade / Assumed Name (DBA), get your federal Tax ID (EIN), and receive your registered agent documents fully online in Virginia.

Name Search Included

Articles of Organization

Virginia Compliant

State-Specific Statutory Legal Templates

Download Official Virginia Real Estate Deeds & Legal Forms

Ensure your property transfer is compliant with Virginia county recording statutes. Get attorney-drafted Quitclaim Deeds, Special Warranty Deeds, Powers of Attorney, and Promissory Notes formatted with correct margins and statutory acknowledgments.

✓ 3-inch top recording margin ready ✓ State notary jurat included ✓ Instant PDF & Word download

Get Virginia Legal Forms → Updated for 2026 legal compliance

Regional Civic Network

Nearby County Clerks in Virginia

Need to file or search public records in an adjacent jurisdiction? Explore neighboring Virginia recording offices:

Buena Vista city Seat: N

~13.1 mi →

Lynchburg city Seat: N

~16.1 mi →

Nelson County Seat: Lovingston

~18.5 mi →

Lexington city Seat: N

~19 mi →

Rockbridge County Seat: Lexington

~20.5 mi →

Frequently Asked Questions: Amherst County Clerk & Recorder

Where is the Amherst County Clerk & Recorder office located?

The official Amherst County office is located at Amherst County Courthouse / Recording Office, Amherst, VA 24521. Operating hours are typically Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM. You can reach the office staff by telephone at (804) 753-6979.

How much does it cost to record a deed in Amherst County?

Under Virginia statute (Va. Code Ann. § 17.1-275 & § 58.1-801), recording a real property deed or mortgage in Amherst County costs $21.00 for the first page, plus $5.00 for each additional page. Transfer tax details: $0.25 per $100 state recordation tax + $0.0833 per $100 local tax (plus grantor tax $0.50 per $500).

How do I obtain a marriage license in Amherst County, VA?

Both applicants must appear in person before the Amherst County Clerk with government-issued photo identification (such as a valid driver's license, passport, or state ID). The fee is approximately $30.00. Virginia requires a waiting period of 0 hours, and the license is valid for 60 days from the date of issuance.

How do I file a DBA (Doing Business As) or Assumed Name in Amherst County?

In Amherst County, registering a DBA or Assumed Business Name is handled through the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) with a standard statutory filing fee of $10.00. Fictitious name certificates filed statewide with the Clerk of the State Corporation Commission.

How can I request a certified copy of a birth or death certificate in Amherst County?

Certified vital records (birth certificates starting at $12.00 and death certificates starting at $12.00) can be requested through the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records or directly at the Amherst County courthouse vital statistics counter by qualified immediate family members.