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Tax Lien Search in Virginia: How to Find and Verify Liens

Key Takeaways

• Tax liens in Virginia are recorded with circuit court clerks across 120 jurisdictions, making searches location-specific.
• You can search online through some Virginia circuit court websites, but comprehensive results often require a title company or professional search.
• Finding a lien is the first step: verification with the IRS or Virginia Department of Taxation confirms the balance and identifies resolution options.

Whether you are buying property, checking your own records, or conducting due diligence on a business transaction, knowing how to search for tax liens in Virginia is essential. Tax liens are public records, but Virginia's system of 120 independent circuit courts means there is no single statewide database to check.

Where Tax Liens Are Filed in Virginia

Federal Tax Liens

The IRS files Notices of Federal Tax Lien (NFTLs) with the circuit court clerk in the city or county where the taxpayer resides. For business taxpayers, the NFTL is filed where the business is located or has its principal office.

For real property, the lien attaches to property in every jurisdiction where it is recorded. If you own property in Fairfax County and Arlington County, the IRS may file in both jurisdictions to ensure the lien covers both properties.

Virginia State Tax Liens

The Virginia Department of Taxation files memorandums of lien with the circuit court clerk in the jurisdiction where the taxpayer resides or owns property. Like federal liens, state liens must be recorded in each jurisdiction where they need to attach to real property.

Virginia's 120 Circuit Courts

Virginia has 120 circuit courts: one for each county and independent city. This is important for searches because a lien filed in Fairfax County will not appear in a search of Arlington County records. If someone owns property in multiple jurisdictions, you need to search each one.

Major Virginia circuit courts for tax lien searches include:

• Fairfax County Circuit Court (high volume, Northern Virginia area)
• Arlington County Circuit Court
• Loudoun County Circuit Court
• Richmond City Circuit Court (Richmond area)
• Virginia Beach Circuit Court (Virginia Beach area)
• Norfolk Circuit Court (Norfolk area)
• City of Alexandria Circuit Court

How to Search for Tax Liens

Online Circuit Court Searches

Many Virginia circuit courts offer online access to land records and judgment liens through:

• Individual court websites: Some courts (like Fairfax County) maintain their own online records systems
• Virginia Judiciary Online Case Information: The state judiciary website provides case search functionality for many courts
• Virginia Secure Remote Access: A subscription service providing electronic access to circuit court land records across participating jurisdictions

Coverage varies significantly. Some courts have digitized records going back decades. Others have limited online availability. For liens filed before digitization, in-person searches may be required.

Title Company Searches

The most comprehensive approach is hiring a Virginia title company or title search service. They search:

• Circuit court land records for recorded liens
• Judgment dockets for judgment liens
• Federal and state tax lien indices
• UCC filings for personal property liens

Title searches are standard in any Virginia property transaction. If you are buying property, your settlement agent will order a title search automatically. If you are checking your own records, you can request a search independently.

IRS Records (Your Own Liens)

If you want to check whether the IRS has filed a lien against you:

• Request a transcript: File IRS Form 4506-T to get your account transcript, which shows any assessed tax, penalties, and lien filings
• Call the IRS: The Centralized Lien Unit at 1-800-913-6050 can provide information about liens filed against you
• Check IRS.gov: Your online account at IRS.gov may show balance information and notices issued

Virginia Department of Taxation Records

For Virginia state liens:

• Contact the Department of Taxation: Call the Collections Unit at (804) 367-8045
• Check your account online: Virginia's Individual Online Account service at tax.virginia.gov may show outstanding balances
• Written request: Submit a written request to the Department of Taxation for a copy of any memorandum of lien filed against you

What a Tax Lien Search Reveals

A thorough Virginia tax lien search shows:

• Filing date: When the lien was recorded (determines priority)
• Amount: The assessed tax, penalties, and interest at the time of filing
• Type: Federal (NFTL) or state (memorandum of lien)
• Taxpayer information: Name, SSN or EIN (partially redacted in public records), and address
• Release or withdrawal: Whether the lien has been released, withdrawn, or discharged

Important: the amount shown on the lien filing may not reflect the current balance. Interest and penalties continue to accrue after filing. Always verify the current balance directly with the IRS or Virginia Department of Taxation.

Common Reasons to Search for Tax Liens

Buying Property

Before purchasing any Virginia real estate, confirm no tax liens encumber the property. Your settlement agent handles this as part of the standard title search. If a lien is found, it must be resolved before closing.

Selling Property

Search your own records before listing. Discovering a lien after you have a buyer under contract creates delays and can kill the deal. Proactive discovery gives you time to plan a resolution strategy.

Due Diligence on Business Transactions

Buying a business, entering a partnership, or making a significant investment in Virginia? Search for liens against the entity and its principals. A business tax lien can affect the value and viability of any transaction.

Checking Your Own Records

If you had past tax issues, verify whether liens were properly released after payment. Sometimes releases are delayed or lost in the system. Confirming clean records prevents surprises later.

Refinancing

Mortgage lenders run title searches when you apply to refinance. If a forgotten lien appears, it can derail your refinancing. Check first and plan subordination or withdrawal if needed.

What to Do If You Find a Tax Lien

Step 1: Verify the Information

Confirm the lien is accurate. Request transcripts from the IRS or Virginia Department of Taxation. Check that the taxpayer name, amount, and tax periods match your records. Errors happen: wrong SSN, wrong taxpayer, incorrect amounts.

Step 2: Determine the Current Balance

The filed lien shows the balance at the time of recording. Current balance includes additional interest and penalties. Get an updated payoff figure from the taxing authority.

Step 3: Check the Statute of Limitations

Federal liens expire after 10 years (CSED). Virginia state liens expire after 7 years for post-July 2016 assessments (extendable to 10 via court action) or up to 20 years for older ones. If the lien is approaching expiration, your resolution strategy may change.

Step 4: Consult a Tax Professional

A local Virginia tax professional can evaluate your options: full payment, installment agreement, Offer in Compromise, lien withdrawal, discharge, or subordination. The right strategy depends on your specific financial situation and goals.

Why Choose a Local Virginia Tax Expert

Navigating Virginia's circuit court system and tax lien procedures requires local knowledge:

• Jurisdiction familiarity: Virginia tax lien removal expert at Back Tax Expert Inc. knows which Virginia circuit courts have online access and which require in-person searches.
• Lien verification: An enrolled agent can pull your IRS and Virginia transcripts, verify balances, and identify errors or expired liens.
• Resolution planning: Once a lien is found, a local expert determines the fastest, most cost-effective path to resolution based on your goals.
• Proactive monitoring: For clients with ongoing tax issues, regular lien searches prevent surprises.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are tax liens recorded in Virginia?

Both federal and state tax liens are recorded with the circuit court clerk in the city or county where the taxpayer resides or owns property. Virginia has 120 circuit courts, so you must search the specific jurisdiction where the lien would have been filed.

Can I search for Virginia tax liens online?

Many Virginia circuit courts offer online access to land records and lien filings. The Virginia Judiciary website and individual court sites provide search tools. Coverage varies by court, and some older records may require in-person searches. For comprehensive results, a title company search is most reliable.

What should I do if I find a tax lien in my name?

Verify the lien is accurate by requesting transcripts from the IRS (Form 4506-T) or Virginia Department of Taxation. Confirm the current balance, check the statute of limitations, and consult a local Virginia tax professional. Resolution options include payment, installment agreements, lien withdrawal, and other relief strategies.

Last updated: March 2026. Verified against IRS.gov and Virginia Department of Taxation.