Fairfax County VA Real Property Records: Search Assessments, Tax Map, Deeds, Taxes, Sales & Land Records
Fairfax County real property records are split between the Department of Tax Administration, the iCare real estate assessment system, the Fairfax Circuit Court Land Records Division, and county GIS/map tools. Start with iCare when you need assessed value, physical characteristics, owner/sale data or a tax map reference number. Use Land Records when you need recorded deeds, deeds of trust, easements, releases, judgment-related research or certified document copies.
This guide gives a scan-first official workflow for Fairfax, McLean, Reston, Herndon, Vienna, Annandale, Springfield, Falls Church-area addresses, Centreville, Chantilly, Mount Vernon, Great Falls and other Fairfax County properties. It also explains the City of Fairfax / Falls Church / Alexandria recording split so you do not search the wrong court.
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Fastest Way to Find Fairfax County Virginia Real Property Records
Fairfax County Real Property Records Are Split by Task
Fairfax has strong online records, but each system answers a different question. Use the right source before paying taxes, filing an appeal, ordering a copy or recording a deed.
| Your Question | Correct Source | What It Shows | Important Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| What is the assessed value? | iCare Real Estate Assessment | Assessed value, physical characteristics, owner/sales data, residential neighborhood sales and tax map reference. | Values are as of January 1 for the year shown. |
| How much tax is due? | Department of Tax Administration | Real estate tax bills, payment options, due dates, MyFairfax access, late penalty and tax relief. | DTA tax billing is not the same as deed/title recording. |
| Need deed or land record? | Fairfax Circuit Court Land Records | Recorded deeds, deeds of trust, releases, easements, land-record copies and recording. | You usually need instrument number or deed book/page to order copies. |
| Need map or parcel grid? | iCare Map Search / GIS tax map grid | Map search and tax map grid used in the parcel numbering system. | GIS/tax map is not a legal boundary survey. |
| Property in City of Fairfax, Falls Church or Alexandria? | Different court rules | Fairfax Land Records handles Fairfax County and City of Fairfax; City of Falls Church records with Arlington Circuit Court; City of Alexandria with Alexandria Circuit Court. | Do not assume a Fairfax mailing address means Fairfax County Land Records. |
How to Search Fairfax County Real Estate Assessment Records
Fairfax County iCare provides assessed values and physical characteristics for residential and commercial properties. It supports search by property address, tax map reference number and map search.
Start simple
Use house number, unit number if needed, street name and suffix. Remove extra punctuation if the address search fails.
Best official key
Tax map reference number connects iCare, assessment notices, MyFairfax setup and map/grid research.
Use when address is unclear
Helpful for townhouse clusters, condos, redevelopment sites, commercial parcels and properties with confusing street names.
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Open Fairfax County iCare assessment searchUse this first for property value, physical characteristics and tax map reference.
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Step 1: Open iCare. Step 2: choose address, tax map number or map search. Step 3: open the matching parcel. Step 4: save the tax map reference number, owner name, property location, assessment year, value, sales history and physical characteristics. Official action link: Fairfax County Real Estate Assessment iCare.
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Use property location search for normal address lookupBest for most houses, condos and commercial addresses.
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Enter number, unit number if needed, street name and suffix. Official action link: Fairfax County Property Location Search.
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Use tax map reference when exact address failsThis is especially useful for condos, subdivisions and commercial parcels.
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If you have an assessment notice, tax bill or prior record, use the tax map reference number search. iCare also says property characteristics and ownership data, including sale dates and prices, are updated twice weekly and assessed values are as of January 1 for the years shown.
Fairfax County Real Estate Tax Bills, Payment Dates and Late Penalties
Fairfax County real estate taxes are due in two installments. Bills are mailed approximately 30 days before the due date. If the due date falls on a weekend or county holiday, the due date moves to the next business day.
End of February
Annual Notice of Real Estate Assessment Change notices are mailed.
July 28
First installment real estate tax payment due.
Dec. 7, 2026
December 5 falls on Saturday in 2026, so the due date is Monday, December 7, 2026.
10% penalty
Penalty for late payment of real estate taxes is 10% of the amount due, plus interest.
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Pay through Fairfax County’s official tax pageUse the official county payment route, not sponsored payment lookups.
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Step 1: Open Fairfax County Pay Taxes & Fees. Step 2: choose Pay Real Estate Tax. Step 3: confirm tax map reference, owner, property address, tax year and installment. Step 4: save your confirmation. Official action link: Fairfax County Pay Taxes & Fees.
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Use MyFairfax for direct account accessHelpful for viewing real estate tax information and bills.
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Fairfax County says MyFairfax gives residents direct access to real estate tax information. To add real property to MyFairfax, you need the Tax Map Reference Number and Web Control Number from the current year Notice of Assessment Change. Official action link: MyFairfax Portal.
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If you did not receive a bill, confirm before the due dateFailure to receive a bill does not cancel penalty.
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If you do not receive a tax bill at least two weeks before the due date, Fairfax County says to confirm the amount due by email at dtarcd@fairfaxcounty.gov or call DTA at 703-222-8234 TTY 711. Failure to receive a bill does not relieve penalty for late payment.
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Know the late-payment costLate real estate installments are penalized separately.
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Fairfax County says the penalty for late payment of real estate taxes is 10% of the amount due and is applied automatically after the due date. Real estate is paid in two installments, so a penalty applies for each late installment. Interest on unpaid real estate taxes applies at 1% per year.
Fairfax County Real Estate Assessment Appeals: 2026 DTA and BOE Deadlines
If you believe your property is incorrectly assessed, Fairfax County recommends first connecting with DTA staff appraisers. An administrative appeal is not required before filing with the Board of Equalization, but filing early can help you receive DTA results before the BOE deadline.
| Appeal Route | 2026 Deadline / Contact | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| DTA administrative appeal | April 1, 2026 by 4:30 PM EDT; email DTAREDappeals@fairfaxcounty.gov or call 703-222-8234. | Use iCare data, comparable sales, physical-characteristic corrections and supporting evidence. |
| Board of Equalization | June 1, 2026 by 4:30 PM EDT for emailed/uploaded/dropped filings; postmarked by midnight if mailed. | Use BOE if you want independent review or if DTA decision is not enough. |
| Commercial property | Commercial appeals require paper form; income and expense survey status matters. | Confirm income information was filed before arguing income-producing value. |
| Damaged or decaying property | Contact DTA by email, phone or mail/visit at 12000 Government Center Pkwy, Suite 357. | Include contact info, property address or tax map number, damage description, repair estimate, insurance estimates and photos. |
| Tax payment while appealing | Taxes must still be paid on time. | Do not skip July or December tax payment because an appeal is pending. |
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Review the official assessment appeal pageUse official instructions before sending evidence.
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Step 1: Open the Fairfax County Real Estate Assessment Appeals page. Step 2: review DTA and BOE deadlines. Step 3: collect comparable sales, property-condition evidence and characteristic corrections. Step 4: file before the exact deadline. Official action link: Fairfax County Real Estate Assessment Appeals.
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Use iCare neighborhood sales before arguing valueEvidence matters more than “my tax bill is high.”
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Fairfax iCare lets users view residential sales within a property’s assessment neighborhood. Use similar property type, size, age, condition, neighborhood, lot and sale timing when preparing an appeal.
Fairfax County Real Estate Tax Relief, Exemptions and Filing Deadlines
Fairfax County offers real estate tax relief and certain exemptions, including programs for seniors, people with disabilities, qualifying disabled veterans, some surviving spouses, and other qualifying categories.
65+ or permanently disabled
Tax relief may apply if income and asset rules are met.
Disabled veteran relief
The Tax Relief Office assists qualifying disabled veterans and surviving spouses with state exemptions.
May 1 / Dec. 31
Returning applicants: May 1. First-time or hardship applicants: December 31 for current and one prior year.
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Open the official Tax Relief pageUse eligibility tools before assuming a property qualifies.
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Step 1: Review Fairfax County Tax Relief & Exemptions. Step 2: check age/disability/veteran/surviving spouse requirements. Step 3: gather income, asset and proof documents. Step 4: file before the applicable deadline. Official action link: Fairfax County Tax Relief & Exemptions.
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Use official forms for relief, veterans and land-use assessmentDo not use outdated third-party PDFs.
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Fairfax County Tax Forms include tax relief applications, disabled veteran/surviving spouse applications, solar energy equipment exemption and land-use assessment applications. Official action link: Fairfax County Tax Forms.
How to Search and Record Fairfax County Deeds, Deeds of Trust, Easements and Land Records
Fairfax Circuit Court Land Records accepts documents from property transactions in Fairfax County and the City of Fairfax. Documents for City of Falls Church go to Arlington County Circuit Court, and City of Alexandria property records go to Alexandria Circuit Court.
Suite 317
Fairfax County Courthouse, 4110 Chain Bridge Road, Suite 317, Fairfax, VA 22030.
703-691-7320
For Land Records, press 3 then 3. TTY 711.
8 AM-3 PM
Over-the-counter recording line closes promptly at 3 PM.
Signed + notarized
All documents presented for recordation must be original, signed and notarized.
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Confirm the correct recording court firstThis prevents City of Falls Church / Alexandria mistakes.
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Fairfax Land Records handles property transactions in Fairfax County and the City of Fairfax. City of Falls Church documents are recorded with Arlington County Circuit Court. City of Alexandria documents are recorded with Alexandria Circuit Court. Official page: Fairfax Circuit Court Land Records General Information.
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Use the mandatory Fairfax Land Records cover sheetFairfax does not accept the Virginia Land Record Cover Sheet for this purpose.
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Fairfax Circuit Court says all recorded land documents must include the Fairfax Land Records cover sheet. The cover sheet application creates a fee estimate for information only and is not a receipt. Official action link: Fairfax Land Records Cover Sheet and Fee Pre-Calculation Application.
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Record over the counter, by mail or electronically when allowedHighway plats and multi-jurisdiction documents are exceptions to normal EFS eligibility.
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Fairfax Land Records accepts all document types over the counter and by mail. It also says all land record documents, except multi-jurisdiction documents or those with highway plats, can be submitted electronically through the Court’s Electronic Filing System. Over-the-counter documents must be presented in batches of no more than 20 sets, and customers must remain present during recording.
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Check the land-record fee schedule before recordingDeeds, trusts, releases and easements have different tax/fee components.
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Fairfax Circuit Court’s fee PDF explains that many deed-related documents include multiple components such as clerk’s fee, state/county tax, transfer fee, technology trust fund, open space preservation fee, regional WMATA capital fee and regional congestion relief fee. Official action link: Fairfax Circuit Court Land Records Taxes and Fees PDF.
How to Get Fairfax County Land Record Copies, Certified Copies and Historic Records
To order land-record copies, you normally need the instrument number or deed book and page number. You can find that information through the Land Records Research Room or CPAN subscription.
| Copy / Research Need | Official Detail | Practical Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Certified copy | $2.00 per document plus $0.50 per page. | Certified copies are commonly needed for legal, closing or agency use. |
| In-person copies | Go to Land Records Division, 3rd floor, Suite 317. | Court accepts cash, Circuit Court debit/credit card, business/law firm/attorney check, cashier’s check or money order. |
| Mail copies | Send copy request or written request with instrument number and/or deed book/page, payment and self-addressed stamped envelope. | No personal checks; no cash or credit-card payments by mail. |
| Research Room | Land Records Research Room is open 8 AM-4:30 PM, Monday-Friday. | Use it to find current land records and deed book/page references. |
| Historic deed books | Original historic deed books from 1742 through 1942 are in the Historic Records Center. | Historic Fairfax County real estate tax books from 1851-1980 are also held there. |
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Use the official copies page before orderingYou need instrument number or deed book/page.
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Official action link: Fairfax Land Records Copies.
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Use the research page for current and historic land-record routesHelpful when you only know a name, address or old deed clue.
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The Historic Records Center page explains where to research current Land Records and where to access historic deed books and older real estate tax books. Official action link: Fairfax Land Records and Deeds Research.
Fairfax County Tax Map Reference Numbers and GIS Map Search
Fairfax County’s tax map grid divides the county into approximately 444 tiles and is the basis for the parcel numbering system. Use map tools to confirm location and tax map reference, but not as a survey.
Parcel lookup
Use iCare Map Search when address or tax map number is unknown.
Parcel numbering basis
The tax map grid is the basis for Fairfax County parcel numbering.
Not a survey
Use recorded plats, survey, title review and professionals for boundary or easement questions.
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Use iCare Map Search after broad address searchBest for map-based parcel discovery.
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Official action link: Fairfax County iCare Map Search.
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Use tax map grid for parcel-number contextUseful when comparing old deed, tax map and assessment references.
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Official action link: Fairfax County Tax Map Grid.
If Your Fairfax County Real Property Search Fails
| Problem | Likely Reason | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| No address result in iCare | Unit/suffix issue, condo format, street abbreviation, new address, redevelopment, or City vs. County jurisdiction mismatch. | Remove unit/suffix, try map search, use tax map reference, or verify jurisdiction. |
| Owner/sale info looks old | Recent deed has not synced to assessment system yet. | Verify the recorded document with Land Records and check iCare again later. |
| Cannot order deed copy | You do not have instrument number or deed book/page. | Use Land Records Research Room or CPAN subscription to locate the reference first. |
| Wrong court found | Property is in City of Falls Church or City of Alexandria, not Fairfax County/City of Fairfax Land Records. | Falls Church records with Arlington Circuit Court; Alexandria records with Alexandria Circuit Court. |
| Tax bill missing | Escrow company, mailing address issue, or bill not received. | Use MyFairfax or call/email DTA before due date; missing bill does not remove penalty. |
| Assessment seems high | January 1 value, property characteristics, sales comp, building data or commercial income data issue. | Use iCare neighborhood sales, contact DTA appraiser, and file appeal by deadline if needed. |
Fairfax County Real Property Records Tips That Save Time
These are practical record-search tips for Fairfax, McLean, Reston, Herndon, Vienna, Annandale, Springfield, Centreville, Chantilly, Tysons, Great Falls, Mount Vernon and Burke-area searches.
Use tax map reference as the anchor
The tax map reference links assessment, MyFairfax setup, map search and many research conversations with county staff.
Check jurisdiction before recording
City of Fairfax is handled by Fairfax Land Records, but City of Falls Church and City of Alexandria are not.
Appeal early, not in June
Fairfax recommends contacting DTA staff appraisers first and filing early enough to get results before the BOE deadline.
Taxes still due during appeal
Fairfax says taxes must be paid on time even if you choose to file an appeal.
Certified copies are inexpensive
Official certified copies are $2.00 per document plus $0.50 per page, so verify before paying a private deed-copy mailer.
Land Records recording closes early
Over-the-counter recording line closes promptly at 3 PM, even though documents already received are processed until 4 PM.
Fairfax County Real Property Records Office Map
The Fairfax County Courthouse Land Records Division is at 4110 Chain Bridge Road. The Department of Tax Administration and BOE-related county offices are at the Government Center on Government Center Parkway.
Land Records Division
Fairfax County Courthouse, 4110 Chain Bridge Road, Suite 317, Fairfax, VA 22030. Phone: 703-691-7320, press 3 then 3. Office open 8 AM-4 PM, Monday-Friday.
Department of Tax Administration
12000 Government Center Pkwy, Suite 357, Fairfax, VA 22035. Phone: 703-222-8234, TTY 711. Use for assessments, tax bills, payment and appeals.
Board of Equalization
12000 Government Center Pkwy, Suite 331, Fairfax, VA 22035. Phone: 703-324-4891, TTY 711. Use for BOE assessment appeals.
Fairfax County Virginia Real Property Records FAQs
QHow do I search Fairfax County real property records?▾
Use Fairfax County iCare Real Estate Assessment to search by address, tax map reference number or map search. Use Circuit Court Land Records when you need recorded deeds, deeds of trust, releases, easements or certified copies.
QCan I search Fairfax County property records by address?▾
Yes. Fairfax iCare has Property Location Search using number, unit number, street name and suffix. If an address does not appear, try fewer address parts or use map search.
QWhat is the Fairfax County tax map reference number?▾
The tax map reference number is a key Fairfax property identifier used in assessment search, notices, MyFairfax setup and parcel/map research.
QWhen are Fairfax County real estate taxes due?▾
Fairfax County real estate taxes are due in two installments: July 28 and December 5. If the due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday or county holiday, it moves to the next business day. For 2026, the December 5 installment is due Monday, December 7, 2026.
QWhat happens if I miss a Fairfax County real estate tax due date?▾
Fairfax County says the penalty for late payment of real estate taxes is 10% of the amount due, applied automatically after the due date. Interest at 1% per year also applies.
QWhere do I find Fairfax County deeds?▾
Use Fairfax Circuit Court Land Records Division. The office is located at the Fairfax County Courthouse, 4110 Chain Bridge Road, Suite 317, Fairfax, VA 22030.
QHow much is a certified Fairfax County land record copy?▾
Fairfax Circuit Court lists certified land-record copies at $2.00 per document plus $0.50 per page.
QDo I need an instrument number or deed book/page for copies?▾
Yes. To order copies of deeds and other land records, Fairfax says you must know the instrument number or deed book and page number. You can get that information through the Land Records Research Room or CPAN subscription.
QWhat is the Fairfax County 2026 assessment appeal deadline?▾
The 2026 DTA administrative appeal deadline was April 1, 2026 at 4:30 PM EDT. The 2026 Board of Equalization appeal deadline was June 1, 2026 at 4:30 PM EDT for emailed, uploaded or dropped filings.
QCan I skip taxes while appealing my assessment?▾
No. Fairfax County says taxes must be paid on time even if you file an appeal, or penalties and interest will be charged for late payment.
QWhere are City of Fairfax, Falls Church and Alexandria documents recorded?▾
Fairfax Land Records handles Fairfax County and City of Fairfax property transactions. City of Falls Church documents are recorded with Arlington County Circuit Court, and City of Alexandria documents are recorded with Alexandria Circuit Court.
QIs Fairfax iCare the same as a title report?▾
No. iCare is an assessment and property information system. It is not a title report, deed opinion, survey or substitute for Land Records and professional title review.
QIs Property-Recordss.org the official Fairfax County website?▾
No. Property-Recordss.org is an independent informational guide. Always verify assessments, tax bills, payments, appeals, land records, copies, recording fees and ownership status directly with official Fairfax County, Fairfax Circuit Court or Virginia sources.