US County Clerks Directory
Official Civic Directory Profile FIPS Code: 54037

Jefferson County Clerk & Recorder

Official government recording office for Jefferson County, West Virginia. Serving a population of 59.787 with jurisdiction over real estate deeds, marriage licenses, vital records, and fictitious business names.

County Seat: Charles Town • Land Area: 209,296 sq mi • State: West Virginia (WV)
Call: (304) 429-2947 Get Courthouse Directions Official .Gov Portal ↗
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Location & Operations

Courthouse Office Address & Contact

Open Mon-Fri
Physical Courthouse Address

Jefferson County Courthouse / Recording Office, Charles Town, WV 25414

Seat of government for Jefferson County in Charles Town, WV.

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Courthouse / Directory Line

(304) 429-2947

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

Closed on state and federal holidays.

FIPS ID: 54037 • Coordinates: 39.3074° N, -77.8632° W
Visit Official .Gov Portal ↗
Filing Checklist

Before You Visit Jefferson 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
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Land Records & Real Property

Jefferson County Deed Recording Fees & Requirements

Governed by W. Va. Code § 59-1-10 & § 11-22-2
First Page Base Fee
$27.00
Includes statutory county automation index surcharge
Each Additional Page
$1.00
Per additional standard 8.5" x 11" page
Transfer Tax / Doc Stamps
$1.65 per $500 ($1.10 state / $0.55 county) Excise Tax on property transfers
Calculated at recording based on purchase consideration

Statutory Recording Margin Standards in West 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.
Marriage Bureau

Marriage License in Jefferson County

License Fee $56.00 ($36.00 with verified premarital counseling)
Waiting Period 0 Hours
  • ✓ Validity Window: Must solemnize within 60 days of issuance.
  • ✓ Personal Appearance: Both applicants must appear together in person at the Jefferson County courthouse.
  • ✓ Identification: Valid state photo driver's license, passport, or military ID. No blood test required.
State Policy: Issued by County 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 West Virginia Department of Health Vital Registration Office and the local Jefferson 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 Jefferson County

Filing Fee: $25.00
1. Filing Authority

In Jefferson County, sole proprietorships and general partnerships register assumed names through the County Clerk & West Virginia Secretary of State.

2. Statutory Requirement

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

3. State Rules & Notice

Trade name filed with the County Clerk and registered with Secretary of State.

Official Business & DBA Filing Assistance

Starting a Business or Filing a DBA in Jefferson County?

Save time and avoid multiple trips to the Jefferson County County Clerk & West Virginia Secretary of State. 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 West Virginia.

Name Search Included
Articles of Organization
West Virginia Compliant
Register LLC / DBA Online Official partner filing service • Expedited processing
State-Specific Statutory Legal Templates

Download Official West Virginia Real Estate Deeds & Legal Forms

Ensure your property transfer is compliant with West 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 West Virginia Legal Forms → Updated for 2026 legal compliance
Regional Civic Network

Nearby County Clerks in West Virginia

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

Berkeley County Seat: Martinsburg
~13.5 mi →
Morgan County Seat: Berkeley Springs
~27.2 mi →
Hampshire County Seat: Romney
~40 mi →
Hardy County Seat: Moorefield
~56.3 mi →
Mineral County Seat: Keyser
~58.8 mi →

Frequently Asked Questions: Jefferson County Clerk & Recorder

Where is the Jefferson County Clerk & Recorder office located?
The official Jefferson County office is located at Jefferson County Courthouse / Recording Office, Charles Town, WV 25414. Operating hours are typically Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM. You can reach the office staff by telephone at (304) 429-2947.
How much does it cost to record a deed in Jefferson County?
Under West Virginia statute (W. Va. Code § 59-1-10 & § 11-22-2), recording a real property deed or mortgage in Jefferson County costs $27.00 for the first page, plus $1.00 for each additional page. Transfer tax details: $1.65 per $500 ($1.10 state / $0.55 county) Excise Tax on property transfers.
How do I obtain a marriage license in Jefferson County, WV?
Both applicants must appear in person before the Jefferson County Clerk with government-issued photo identification (such as a valid driver's license, passport, or state ID). The fee is approximately $56.00 ($36.00 with verified premarital counseling). West 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 Jefferson County?
In Jefferson County, registering a DBA or Assumed Business Name is handled through the County Clerk & West Virginia Secretary of State with a standard statutory filing fee of $25.00. Trade name filed with the County Clerk and registered with Secretary of State.
How can I request a certified copy of a birth or death certificate in Jefferson County?
Certified vital records (birth certificates starting at $12.00 and death certificates starting at $12.00) can be requested through the West Virginia Department of Health Vital Registration Office or directly at the Jefferson County courthouse vital statistics counter by qualified immediate family members.