Putnam County Property Records
How To Search Property Records in Putnam County in 2026
PutnamWVRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to property records in Putnam County, West Virginia. Members of the public may find data pertaining to the following record categories:
- Property ownership and transfer history
- Assessed values and tax information
- Recorded deeds, mortgages, and liens
- Parcel identification and legal descriptions
- Building characteristics and permit records
Records can be searched through several official resources, including the Putnam County Assessor's Office, the Putnam County Clerk's Office, and statewide platforms maintained by the West Virginia State Tax Division.
Official Resources for Searching Putnam County Property Records:
| Resource | Purpose | Access |
|---|---|---|
| WV Real Estate Assessment Portal | Property appraisal and ownership data | Free, online |
| WV Property Viewer (MapWV) | GIS parcel mapping | Free, online |
| Putnam County Clerk's Office | Recorded deeds, mortgages, liens | In-person and online |
| Putnam County Assessor's Office | Assessment and tax records | In-person and online |
1. Property Appraiser Website
The West Virginia State Tax Division maintains the WV Real Estate Assessment portal, which serves as the primary online resource for property appraisal and ownership information in Putnam County. Members of the public may access this system at no cost and without registration.
Search Options:
- By property address
- By owner name
- By parcel ID / account number
- By county (select Putnam from the dropdown)
- By map/GIS location
Information Available:
- Current owner name and mailing address
- Property address and legal description
- Parcel/account number
- Land use and zoning classification
- Property characteristics (square footage, year built, lot size, building type)
- Assessed value (land and improvements)
- Taxable value and exemptions applied
- Sales history
- GIS map location
How to Search:
- Navigate to the WV Real Estate Assessment portal
- Select "Putnam" from the County dropdown menu
- Choose a search type (address, owner name, or parcel number)
- Enter the relevant search criteria
- Review the results list returned
- Select a specific property to view the full property card
- Review ownership details, assessed values, and sales history
- Print or save the information as needed
2. County Clerk / Recorder Official Records Search
The Putnam County Clerk's Office maintains the official record of all instruments affecting real property, including deeds, mortgages, and liens. Members of the public may search these records in person at the courthouse or through the Clerk's online portal.
Searchable By:
- Grantor name (seller)
- Grantee name (buyer)
- Book and page number
- Document type
- Recording date range
- Instrument number
Documents Available:
- Warranty deeds and quitclaim deeds
- Mortgages and deeds of trust
- Satisfactions and releases of mortgage
- Judgment liens, mechanic's liens, and tax liens
- Easements and restrictions
- Plats and surveys
- Powers of attorney affecting property
- Lis pendens notices
How to Search:
- Visit the Putnam County Clerk's Office in person or access the online records portal
- Select the appropriate search type (grantor/grantee, document type, or date range)
- Enter the search criteria
- Review the results and note the instrument number or book and page reference
- Request document images or certified copies as needed
- Pay applicable fees for copies or certifications
3. Tax Collector / Sheriff's Tax Office
In West Virginia, the County Sheriff serves as the tax collector. The Putnam County Sheriff's Tax Office maintains records of current and delinquent property taxes.
Search By:
- Property address
- Owner name
- Parcel/account number
Information Available:
- Current tax bill and payment status
- Outstanding balances and delinquency information
- Exemptions applied
- Millage rates by taxing district
- Payment history
4. GIS / Mapping System
The WV Property Viewer provides an interactive mapping interface for Putnam County parcels. Members of the public may use this tool to visually locate properties, view parcel boundaries, and access linked assessment data.
How to Use:
- Navigate the interactive map to the desired location
- Select Putnam County (County 40) from the county list
- Click on a parcel to view property information
- Access linked records and parcel details
- View aerial photography and property boundaries
- Measure distances and view multiple map layers
In-Person Searches:
Putnam County Assessor's Office
12093 Winfield Road
Winfield, WV 25213
Phone: (304) 586-0204
Putnam County Assessor
Putnam County Clerk's Office
12093 Winfield Road
Winfield, WV 25213
Phone: (304) 586-0202
Putnam County Clerk
Putnam County Sheriff's Tax Office
12093 Winfield Road
Winfield, WV 25213
Phone: (304) 586-0206
Putnam County Sheriff
By Mail Requests:
Requests for copies of recorded documents may be submitted by mail to the Putnam County Clerk's Office at 12093 Winfield Road, Winfield, WV 25213. Requestors should specify the document by instrument number, book and page, or property address and approximate recording date range. Payment for applicable copy fees must accompany the request. Certified copies are available upon request with the appropriate fee.
Through Professionals:
Title companies, real estate attorneys, and licensed abstractors provide comprehensive title searches and abstracts of title for Putnam County properties. These professionals access the same public records available through the Clerk's Office and Assessor's Office, and their services are particularly useful for complex ownership histories or transactions requiring title insurance.
Search Tips:
- When searching by owner name, attempt both last-name-first and full-name formats
- Try spelling variations for common surnames
- When searching by address, attempt searches with and without directional prefixes (N, S, E, W)
- Verify results by cross-referencing the parcel number across multiple databases
- For historical records not available online, contact the Clerk's Office directly for assistance with microfilm or archived record books
What Is Putnam County Property Records
Putnam County property records are official documents related to real property — land and buildings — maintained by county government offices pursuant to West Virginia law. These records constitute the legal foundation for establishing property ownership, recording encumbrances, and facilitating real estate transactions throughout the county.
Types of Property Records:
Ownership Records:
- Warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, and special warranty deeds
- Chain of title documents
- Life estate deeds and trust documents affecting property
- Transfer records and ownership history
Encumbrance Records:
- Mortgages and deeds of trust
- Tax liens, judgment liens, and mechanic's liens
- Easements and restrictive covenants
- Homeowner association (HOA) documents
- Lis pendens notices
Tax and Assessment Records:
- Property tax assessments and tax bills
- Payment history and delinquency records
- Exemptions (homestead, senior, veteran, disability)
- Special assessments and millage rates
Legal Descriptions:
- Plat maps and subdivision plats
- Surveys and metes-and-bounds descriptions
- Lot and block information
- Condominium declarations
Building and Permit Records:
- Building permits and certificates of occupancy
- Code violations and zoning information
- Land use designations
Who Maintains Property Records:
The Putnam County Clerk's Office is responsible for recording and indexing all instruments affecting real property, including deeds, mortgages, and liens, pursuant to West Virginia Code § 40-1-9, which governs the recording of conveyances. The Putnam County Assessor's Office maintains property valuation records, assessment rolls, and ownership information. The Putnam County Sheriff's Tax Office maintains tax billing and payment records.
Legal Framework:
West Virginia's property recording statutes establish the framework for public access to property records. Under W. Va. Code § 39-1-2, the County Clerk is designated as the official recorder of deeds and other instruments affecting real property. The recording system provides constructive notice to all subsequent purchasers and encumbrancers, a principle fundamental to the integrity of real property titles in West Virginia.
Are Property Records Public Information in Putnam County?
Property records in Putnam County are public information. Under the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act (W. Va. Code § 29B-1-1 et seq.), all public records maintained by government agencies are presumptively open to inspection by any member of the public. No special permission, stated purpose, or residency requirement is necessary to access property records.
Legal Basis for Public Access:
The public nature of property records in West Virginia derives from multiple legal sources:
- The West Virginia Freedom of Information Act
- State recording statutes requiring public indexing of all recorded instruments
- The common law tradition of public land records, which predates statehood
- The principle of constructive notice, which requires that recorded documents be accessible to all
Why Property Records Are Public:
Property records serve essential public functions that justify their open-access status:
- Transparency: Public access to ownership information prevents fraudulent transfers and secret conveyances
- Commercial Necessity: Real estate transactions, title insurance, mortgage lending, and property appraisals all depend on access to recorded instruments
- Legal Protections: The recording system establishes priority of interests and protects against competing claims
- Public Interest: Tax assessment transparency, community planning, historical research, and journalistic investigation all rely on open property records
What Property Information Is Freely Accessible:
- Current and historical property ownership
- Legal descriptions and parcel identification
- Sale prices and transfer amounts
- Recorded mortgage amounts
- Liens and encumbrances
- Tax assessments and payment status
- Property characteristics (size, age, building type)
- Deeds and all recorded instruments
- Plat maps and surveys
Privacy Considerations:
While property records are public, certain personal information is protected. Social Security numbers and bank account numbers are redacted from recorded documents under state and federal law. Certain individuals — including law enforcement officers, judges, and domestic violence victims — may be eligible for address confidentiality protections under applicable state programs. Homestead exemption applications may contain financial information that is subject to separate access policies administered by the Assessor's Office.
Who Can Access Property Records:
Any person may access Putnam County property records regardless of residency, ownership status, or stated purpose. Common users include prospective buyers, real estate agents and brokers, title companies, lenders, attorneys, property investors, genealogists, historians, and members of the media.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Property Records in Putnam County?
Members of the public may inspect property records at the Putnam County Clerk's Office at no charge. Fees apply when copies or certified copies are requested. The following fee schedule reflects current charges under West Virginia law.
Standard Copy and Recording Fees:
| Service | Current Fee |
|---|---|
| Copy of recorded document (per page) | $1.00 per page |
| Certified copy of recorded document | $5.00 per document + $1.00 per page |
| Recording a deed or other instrument | $15.00 for first page + $3.00 each additional page |
| Online document viewing | Free (via county portal) |
| Property assessment information | Free (via WV Assessment portal) |
| GIS/parcel map access | Free (via WV Property Viewer) |
Recording fees in West Virginia are governed by W. Va. Code § 59-1-10, which establishes the schedule of fees applicable to the Clerk of the County Commission. Fees may vary slightly depending on the document type and number of pages.
What Is Available at No Cost:
- Online inspection of property assessment records through the WV Real Estate Assessment portal
- Online parcel mapping through the WV Property Viewer
- In-person inspection of recorded documents at the Clerk's Office
- Basic property ownership and tax information through the Assessor's Office
Accepted Payment Methods:
The Putnam County Clerk's Office accepts cash, check, and money order for copy and certification fees. Mail requests must include a check or money order payable to the Putnam County Clerk. Members of the public should contact the Clerk's Office directly to confirm current accepted payment methods before submitting mail requests.
Fee Waivers:
West Virginia law does not provide a general fee waiver for property record copies. Indigent requestors or nonprofit organizations seeking fee waivers should inquire directly with the Clerk's Office regarding any applicable discretionary provisions.
What's Included in a Putnam County Property Record
A complete Putnam County property record encompasses information maintained across multiple county offices, including the Assessor, the Clerk, and the Sheriff's Tax Office.
Ownership Information:
- Current owner name(s) and ownership type (individual, joint tenants, LLC, trust, etc.)
- Acquisition date and deed book/page or instrument number
- Mailing address for tax billing purposes
- Chain of title with previous owners, transfer dates, and historical deed references
Property Identification:
- Site address and mailing address
- Legal description (lot and block, subdivision name, plat book and page, metes and bounds)
- Parcel ID / account number
- Tax account number
Physical Characteristics:
- Lot size (square feet or acres), dimensions, and frontage
- Total living area (square feet), year built, and number of stories
- Building type, construction type, exterior wall material, roof type, and foundation
- Number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and total rooms
- Additional features: garage, pool, porch, fireplace, HVAC, water source, sewer system
Valuation Information:
- Land value and building value (assessed)
- Total assessed value and market/just value
- Historical assessed values for prior years
- Agricultural classification (if applicable)
Tax Information:
- Total tax amount due and taxable value after exemptions
- Millage rate breakdown by taxing authority (county, school district, municipality, special districts)
- Payment status, due dates, and payment history
- Delinquency history (if any)
- Exemptions applied (homestead, senior, disability, veteran, agricultural)
Sales History:
- Sale dates, sale prices, and deed document numbers
- Grantor (seller) and grantee (buyer) names
- Sale type (warranty deed, quitclaim, foreclosure, tax deed, etc.)
- Documentary stamp amounts
Encumbrances and Liens:
- Recorded mortgages (lender name, recording date, original amount)
- Tax liens, judgment liens, mechanic's liens, and HOA liens
- Easements, restrictions, covenants, and lis pendens notices
Legal and Regulatory Information:
- Zoning classification and permitted uses
- Land use code and future land use designation
- Special taxing districts (school, fire, water, CDD)
- Flood zone designation (FEMA)
- Deed restrictions and subdivision covenants
Maps and Images:
- Property photo and aerial photograph
- GIS map with parcel boundaries
- Plat map and property sketch
What Is NOT Typically in Public Property Records:
- Current outstanding mortgage balances (only original recorded amounts)
- Personal financial information beyond recorded documents
- Social Security numbers (redacted by law)
- Private agreements not submitted for recording
- Actual purchase contract terms beyond the recorded sale price
How Long Does Putnam County Keep Property Records?
Property records in Putnam County are maintained permanently. The legal requirement to preserve recorded instruments affecting real property title is absolute — these records are never destroyed. As the West Virginia Secretary of State's office has noted in its records management guidance, "records that document the acquisition, transfer, or disposition of real property are permanent records."
Legal Basis for Permanent Retention:
The permanent retention of property records is required under the West Virginia Records Management and Preservation Act and the state's records retention schedules administered by the West Virginia Division of Culture and History. Recorded instruments affecting title — including deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and easements — must be preserved indefinitely to maintain the integrity of the chain of title.
Records Kept Permanently:
- All recorded deeds (warranty, quitclaim, trustee's, and all conveyance types)
- All recorded mortgages, deeds of trust, satisfactions, and releases
- All recorded liens (tax, judgment, mechanic's, and other statutory liens)
- All plats, subdivision plats, re-plats, and condominium declarations
- All easements, restrictions, covenants, and declarations
- All court documents and lis pendens notices affecting property
Format and Storage:
Historical records in Putnam County exist in multiple formats depending on the era of recording:
- Pre-20th century: Handwritten ledger books
- Early-to-mid 20th century: Typed entries in bound record books
- Mid-20th century onward: Microfilm
- Recent decades: Digital scans and electronic document management systems
The Putnam County Clerk's Office maintains original record books in climate-controlled storage, with digital backups for more recently recorded instruments. Members of the public seeking very old records may need to schedule an in-person visit, as some historical materials require staff retrieval.
Online Availability by Time Period:
| Time Period | Availability |
|---|---|
| Recent (last 20+ years) | Fully online in most cases |
| Moderate age (20–50 years) | Microfilm or digital at courthouse |
| Historical (50+ years) | In-person access; staff retrieval |
| Very old (100+ years) | Archive storage; advance notice helpful |
Property Appraiser / Assessor Records:
Assessment records, property cards, and assessment rolls are maintained permanently by the Putnam County Assessor's Office. Exemption applications are retained for a minimum of five to seven years in accordance with state retention schedules. Online access to historical assessment data is available through the WV Real Estate Assessment portal for recent years; older assessment history is available in person at the Assessor's Office.
Tax Records:
The Putnam County Sheriff's Tax Office retains tax payment records for a minimum of seven to ten years. Tax deed records are permanent and maintained by the Clerk's Office. Delinquency records are retained for several years following resolution.
Accessing Historical Records:
Putnam County Clerk's Office
12093 Winfield Road
Winfield, WV 25213
Phone: (304) 586-0202
Putnam County Clerk
Putnam County Assessor's Office
12093 Winfield Road
Winfield, WV 25213
Phone: (304) 586-0204
Putnam County Assessor
How To Find Liens on Property in Putnam County?
Liens on property in Putnam County are recorded instruments and are therefore part of the public record maintained by the Putnam County Clerk's Office. Members of the public may search for liens through several official channels.
Types of Liens Recorded Against Putnam County Properties:
- Federal and state tax liens (IRS and WV State Tax Department)
- Judgment liens arising from civil court proceedings
- Mechanic's liens filed by contractors or materialmen
- HOA assessment liens
- Code enforcement liens
- Child support liens
Step-by-Step Search Process:
-
Search the Putnam County Clerk's Official Records Index: Visit the Clerk's Office in person at 12093 Winfield Road, Winfield, WV 25213, or access the online records portal. Search by the property owner's name (as grantor or grantee) or by parcel number to identify all recorded instruments, including liens.
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Search Federal Tax Liens: The IRS files notices of federal tax liens with the county clerk in the county where the taxpayer resides or owns property. These are indexed under the taxpayer's name and are searchable through the Clerk's records index. Members of the public may also search the IRS Centralized Lien Processing database for additional information.
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Search State Tax Liens: The West Virginia State Tax Department files state tax liens with the county clerk. These are searchable through the same grantor/grantee index maintained by the Putnam County Clerk's Office.
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Search Judgment Liens: Judgment liens arise when a court judgment is recorded in the county where the debtor owns property. Members of the public may search the Putnam County Circuit Court records through the West Virginia Judiciary's online case search to identify judgments that may have been converted to liens.
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Search Mechanic's Liens: Mechanic's liens are filed with the Putnam County Clerk and are indexed under the property owner's name. These liens are governed by W. Va. Code § 38-2-1 et seq., which establishes the rights of contractors, subcontractors, and materialmen to assert liens against real property for unpaid labor or materials.
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Review the Full Title Chain: A comprehensive lien search requires reviewing the full chain of title, not merely recent recordings. Title companies and licensed abstractors perform this service professionally and are the recommended resource for transactions requiring title insurance.
Putnam County Clerk's Office
12093 Winfield Road
Winfield, WV 25213
Phone: (304) 586-0202
Putnam County Clerk
What Is Property Owner Rule in Putnam County?
The property owner rule in Putnam County refers to the body of West Virginia law governing the rights, responsibilities, and legal standing of property owners with respect to their real property. West Virginia follows the common law tradition of property ownership, under which a property owner holds a bundle of rights including the right to use, exclude others from, transfer, and encumber the property.
Ownership Rights Under West Virginia Law:
Property owners in Putnam County hold title subject to the recording statutes of West Virginia. Under W. Va. Code § 40-1-9, any deed or other instrument conveying an interest in real property must be recorded with the County Clerk to be effective against subsequent purchasers or encumbrancers for value without notice. An unrecorded deed is valid between the parties but does not provide constructive notice to third parties.
Key Principles Governing Property Ownership:
- Recording Requirement: All instruments affecting title must be recorded with the Putnam County Clerk to establish priority and provide constructive notice to the public.
- Chain of Title: A property owner's title is only as strong as the unbroken chain of recorded conveyances extending back to the original grant. Gaps or defects in the chain of title may cloud ownership and affect marketability.
- Adverse Possession: West Virginia law recognizes adverse possession as a means of acquiring title to property through open, notorious, continuous, hostile, and exclusive possession for the statutory period. Members of the public should consult legal counsel regarding adverse possession claims.
- Eminent Domain: Property owners in Putnam County are subject to the state's eminent domain authority, which permits government acquisition of private property for public use upon payment of just compensation, as guaranteed by the West Virginia Constitution.
- Property Tax Obligation: All property owners in Putnam County are subject to annual property tax assessment and payment obligations administered by the Putnam County Assessor and Sheriff's Tax Office. Failure to pay property taxes may result in a tax lien and, ultimately, a tax deed sale.
- Zoning and Land Use Regulations: Property owners must comply with applicable zoning ordinances and land use regulations administered by Putnam County and any incorporated municipalities within the county.
Homestead and Exemption Rights:
West Virginia law provides certain protections for property owners, including a homestead exemption for owner-occupied primary residences. Eligible property owners may apply for this exemption through the Putnam County Assessor's Office, which reduces the assessed value subject to taxation. Additional exemptions are available for senior citizens, disabled persons, and veterans under applicable state statutes.
Putnam County Assessor's Office
12093 Winfield Road
Winfield, WV 25213
Phone: (304) 586-0204
Putnam County Assessor
Putnam County Commission
12093 Winfield Road
Winfield, WV 25213
Phone: (304) 586-0201
Putnam County Commission