Berkeley County Recorder

The County Clerk in Berkeley is responsible for recording and maintaining real property documents.

According to West Virginia Code 59-1-10, the fee to record a deed of conveyance (with or without a plat), deed of trust or a Memorandum of Deed of Trust is $32 for the first five pages and $1 for each additional page.

A preservation $1.00 fee is added to every recorded instrument over 19 pages, each additional 10 pages add another $1.00

Recording Fee Examples: Deed without consideration,
Deed of Trust & Fixture Filing

# of Pages / Pages 1-5 / Pages > 5 / Preservation Fee / Total Fees
1.........................$32.00...............$0.00....................$0.00.................$32.00
2.........................$32.00...............$0.00....................$0.00.................$32.00
3.........................$32.00...............$0.00....................$0.00.................$32.00
4.........................$32.00...............$0.00....................$0.00.................$32.00
5.........................$32.00...............$0.00....................$0.00.................$32.00
6.........................$32.00...............$1.00....................$0.00.................$33.00
7.........................$32.00...............$1.00....................$0.00.................$33.00
8.........................$32.00...............$1.00....................$0.00.................$33.00
9.........................$32.00...............$1.00....................$0.00.................$33.00
10.......................$32.00...............$1.00....................$0.00.................$33.00
11.......................$32.00...............$1.00....................$0.00.................$33.00
12.......................$32.00...............$1.00....................$0.00.................$33.00
13.......................$32.00...............$1.00....................$0.00.................$33.00 etc.

If consideration is paid, a housing fee of $20 is due with every deed recorded.

All documents not listed are $12
extra $1.00 per page after 5 pages.
A preservation $1.00 fee is added to every recorded instrument over 19 pages, each additional 10 pages add another $1.00
Plus - Archives Fee depending on number of pages.

Recording Fee Examples: Assignment, Assumed Name, Certificate of Inc, Change of Name, Execution, Financing Statement, Plat or Map, Judgment, Land Contract, Leases, Limited Partnership, Lis Pendens, Living Trust, Mechanics Lien, Miscellaneous, Power of Attorney, Release, Right of Way, Settlement, Statutory Lien, Subordination Agreement, Substitute Trustee

# of Pages / Pages 1-5 / Pages > 5 / Preservation Fee / Total Fees
1.........................$12.00.............$0.00.................$0.00....................$12.00
2.........................$12.00.............$0.00.................$0.00....................$12.00
3.........................$12.00.............$0.00.................$0.00....................$12.00
4.........................$12.00.............$0.00.................$0.00....................$12.00
5.........................$12.00.............$0.00.................$0.00....................$12.00
6.........................$12.00.............$1.00.................$0.00....................$13.00
7.........................$12.00.............$1.00.................$0.00....................$13.00 etc.

Pages with printing on both sides will count as two pages.

Copies are $1.50 for the first two pages and $1 for each additional page. To certify a copied document costs an additional $1 (per document).

The rate of the combined state and county excise tax for Berkeley is $7.70 for each $1,000 of value and is payable upon recording. The payment of the tax is evidenced by the affixing of documentary stamps on the document. Please check with the county clerk's office.

* The grantor must sign the document and have his signature acknowledged or proved by two witnesses.

* The name of the person or governmental agency who prepared the document must be given at the conclusion of the form. The name should be printed, typewritten, or stamped in a legible manner.

* Use white paper measuring 8.5x11 inches and a legible font. Originals or certified copies may be recorded. Printing should be single-sided only. Pages with double-sided printing will be charged as two pages.

* Provide a legal description of the property being conveyed.

* The consideration exchanged for the property should be listed on the document, as this is how the state excise tax is calculated.


DOCUMENTARY STAMPS AND DECLARATION OF VALUE

A Declaration of Value should be added to the face of or at the end of the deed for any deed that has taxes due. This Declaration is to be signed by the grantor. The specific language used in the Declaration of Value is prescribed by state statute and can be found in the West Virginia Code of Laws, 11-22-6.

The Declaration of Value requires the following information:
1) If the last deed in the chain of title represents the last transfer of the property, the names of the grantor and grantee and the deed book and page number, or
2) if the last transfer was not made by deed, the source of the grantor's title, if known, or
3) if the source of the grantor's title is unknown, a description of the property and the name of the person to whom real property taxes are assessed. In all cases, the form requires the tax map and parcel ID of the property, the district or municipality in which the property (or greater portion of it) lies, the address of the property, the consideration or value in money upon which the buyer and seller agree to consummate the sale, and any other financing agreements affecting sale.

County Transfer Tax Rate: $7.70 per $1,000 of consideration.