How to Find Owners of Properties
in West Virginia

In West Virginia, property ownership is primarily governed by Chapter 37 of the state code. The chapter is comprised of 15 articles that outline nearly every facet of buying and owning real estate. Chapter 39 of the West Virginia code regulates property records and requires the name of the recorder to be placed at the end of every document. These records must be made available to the public.

Many types of property ownership are legally allowed in West Virginia, which include everything from sole ownership to an LLC or trust. When you want to uncover the name of an owner in West Virginia, you should be able to find this information through a variety of sources, such as county databases or the assessor's office. However, property ownership information isn't always easy to find. Identifying the owner of a corporation or LLC might require numerous steps.

When you're trying to find property owners in West Virginia, there are numerous steps you can take, ranging from using a third-party commercial service that provides detailed ownership records, to directly requesting a title search through a title company or county office. You can also access public records at the local assessor's office or registry of deeds, or even explore online databases that allow you to search for property details by address or parcel ID.

Registry of Deeds

A registry of deeds is a place in your county where all property ownership information is stored. When the IRS places a lien on a property, it will be recorded in the registry of deeds. There's a single registry of deeds in every West Virginia county, which should be available at the recorder's office.

To search for a specific property, you can use the parcel ID or the property address. Most counties in West Virginia provide the public with online access to these documents. The property search databases for the most populous West Virginia counties are linked below.

• Kanawha County
• Berkeley County
• Monongalia County
• Cabell County
• Wood County

Land Records Website

When a property in West Virginia is sold, A land record is generated. These documents are updated every time an easement is made or a lender provides a borrower with a mortgage to the property. To gain access to the land records in your county, you'll need to provide the same information as before, such as the property address or owner's name.

City or Town Assessors Office

When you stop by your local assessor's office, you can request many different ownership documents, which include West Virginia property records. These records should list the names of anyone who owns the property you're interested in. Every county in West Virginia has an assessor's office that you can visit. They should provide you with the records you're looking for without delay. Below are links to the assessor websites in the most populous West Virginia counties:

• Kanawha County
• Berkeley County
• Monongalia County
• Cabell County
• Wood County
• Raleigh County
• Harrison County
• Jefferson County
• Mercer County
• Putnam County

Tax Records

Property tax records are some of the documents that you can obtain when you visit your local assessor's office or use their online database. These records typically contain the latest property values as well as tax payment info and ownership names. While you can request these documents in person, an online search can be completed in just a couple of minutes.

Title Company/Agency

A title company is a type of firm that offers comprehensive title search services. Most lenders require a title search before providing a buyer with a loan. These companies use large databases of ownership records to determine if another person or entity has a claim to the property. This claim can come in the form of a lien, encumbrance, or easement. You can pay up to $200 to purchase these services in West Virginia. However, you should be able to identify the owner of a piece of real estate with a West Virginia title search.

Keep in mind that there are other ways that you can attempt to find ownership information. For example, you can speak with the neighbors to see if they will give you the owner's name. You can also use a real estate website to find the necessary records. Consider hiring a real estate lawyer or agent if the search isn't yielding any results.

Property ownership in West Virginia can take many different forms. While the most common option involves a single owner having sole ownership of the property, it's also possible for multiple people or companies to buy and hold real estate. By gaining a better understanding of the many types of property ownership, you can make a more informed decision about which one is ideal for your situation.

When you choose the right ownership structure for your investment portfolio and property, you'll be able to directly influence everything from your risk to your taxes. There are many ownership structures in West Virginia, each of which comes with its own advantages and legal implications. The most common ownership types in West Virginia include sole ownership, joint tenancy, and tenancy in common. The following details the many types of ownership available to you and their implications.

Along with an individual owning West Virginia real estate, properties can also be bought by a trust, a partnership, an S or C corporation, or a limited liability company. If you're interested in gaining access to this information, you may need to request the services of a title company or hire a real estate attorney.

It can be challenging to find these records on your own. You may be required to search local business directories or access business databases like Westlaw or LexisNexis. You could also cross-reference public records to find this info.

Finding the Owner of a Trust in West Virginia

Finding the owner of a trust in West Virginia is challenging. These records aren't made available to the public in the same manner as they are with other entities. You may need to use a third-party website to obtain ownership information for a trust.

Finding the Owner of an LLC in West Virginia

If you're searching for the owner of an LLC in West Virginia, this information is available on the state website. They offer a business entity search that allows you to enter the name of any LLC that has a presence in the state. Once you access these records, the name of the owner should be readily available.

Finding the Owner of a Corporation in West Virginia

Use the same link mentioned above to complete a business entity search and find the owner of a specific company. Even if you only have a partial name of the company, you should be able to find the right information.

A property deed is a document that effectively governs the sale or transfer of a property. It includes the names of the buyer and seller as well as information about the property in question. The rights to the property will also be detailed in this document. This document must be signed by both parties before finalizing the sale or transfer. While there are many different property deeds that you can use when selling property in West Virginia, the most common ones are detailed below.

Before you invest in a rental property or buy a home, You need to learn more about the many administrative and legal processes that need to take place to properly conclude the transaction. This process begins with identifying the type of property transfer you intend to use, which can involve everything from gifting the home to selling it on the market.

Once you determine which transfer type you'll be using, you must obtain a title search. This search will tell you if any liens or title issues still need to be resolved before you sell or transfer the property. In West Virginia, a title search can cost anywhere from $70-$200. You'll also need to buy title insurance, which can cost up to 1% of the sale price.

At this stage of the process, the deed should be drafted. It will include the names of every party as well as details of the transfer. Before this document can be finalized, you'll need to sign it in front of a licensed notary public.

You must also pay transfer taxes before the deed can be recorded. These taxes are typically split by the seller and buyer. In West Virginia, the taxes amount to $1.10 per $1,000 of the sale price. After the deed is recorded, make sure you update the assessor in your county. Without making this update, you'll continue to receive the annual property tax bill.