Find Property Tax Records in New Kent County
New Kent County property tax records are maintained by the Commissioner of the Revenue and the Treasurer, both located in the county seat of New Kent in eastern Virginia east of Richmond. These offices keep assessment data, ownership information, and tax payment history for all taxable real estate in the county, and residents can access those records in person or through resources available on the county's official website. Each parcel record includes the owner name, parcel identification number, assessed land and improvement values, and a full payment history. Buyers, property owners, and title researchers can search New Kent County property tax records at the Commissioner's office in person, with no requirement to explain their purpose or show a legal interest in the parcel.
New Kent County Overview
Commissioner of the Revenue
The New Kent County Commissioner of the Revenue assesses all real and personal property in the county. The office sets property values at 100% of fair market value as required by Virginia Code Chapter 32. The Commissioner is an elected official and serves as the primary authority for property valuation and tax relief program administration in New Kent County.
For each parcel in the county, the Commissioner's office keeps a detailed record that includes the owner's name, parcel identification number, lot dimensions, building characteristics, and assessed value history. When a property changes hands and the deed is recorded with the Circuit Court, the Commissioner reviews and updates the assessment file for that parcel. Major improvements, demolitions, and subdivision of land also trigger updates in the county's records.
The Commissioner's office is in the county government complex in New Kent and is open during regular business hours on weekdays. If you have questions about how your property was assessed, what data the office used, or whether your appraisal card contains an error, contact the Commissioner's office directly. Correcting a data error often resolves a disputed value without needing a formal appeal. Staff are generally available to walk property owners through their records and explain how values were set.
New Kent County has seen growth in recent years as development has pushed east from the Richmond metro area. The Commissioner's office tracks new construction, commercial development, and residential subdivisions as they are built, updating assessment rolls regularly to reflect new taxable property.
Under § 58.1-3330, property owners must be notified when their assessed value increases by more than a threshold set in state law. If you receive such a notice, the Commissioner's office can tell you what prompted the change and what information was used.
New Kent County Treasurer
The New Kent County Treasurer collects real estate and personal property taxes. The Treasurer's office sends out tax bills, accepts payments, and manages any accounts that fall delinquent. Tax amounts are calculated from the assessed values set by the Commissioner of the Revenue, and the Treasurer has no authority to change those values independently.
Real estate taxes in New Kent County are typically billed in two installments each year. The Treasurer's records show the payment status for every parcel in the county. If you are purchasing property and need to confirm whether taxes are current, the Treasurer's office can provide that information. Unpaid real estate taxes are a lien that runs with the land, not with the individual owner, so any outstanding balance is the buyer's concern regardless of when it accrued.
Payment options at the Treasurer's office typically include in-person payments by cash, check, or card, mail-in checks, and online payments if the county's system supports it. Contact the Treasurer's office or check the county website to confirm current payment options and due dates. If you have already paid a bill and need a receipt for your records, the Treasurer can provide documentation confirming the payment.
Property owners who receive a bill that appears too high should first confirm the assessed value with the Commissioner's office before contacting the Treasurer. The Treasurer works from the values given to them by the Commissioner, so any disagreement about the tax amount starts with an assessment question, not a billing question.
How to Search New Kent County Property Tax Records
Start your search at the county's official website, newkentcountyva.gov. Look for links on the Commissioner of the Revenue or Treasurer pages pointing to any online property search tool. Some Virginia counties use third-party platforms that let you search by owner name, parcel number, or address to view current assessment data and tax status from a web browser.
If an online tool is not available or you need records not shown online, go in person to the Commissioner's office. Under § 58.1-3331, assessment records are public and must be open for inspection during business hours. No appointment is required and you do not need to provide a reason for your request. Staff will pull records at the counter and can make copies for a small fee.
For bulk data or records in a specific format, submit a written FOIA request to the county administrator's office. Virginia's FOIA law requires a response within five business days. The county may request an extension for unusually large or complex requests but must notify you promptly if they do. In most cases, routine requests for assessment records are handled quickly.
The Circuit Court clerk's office in New Kent holds deeds, plats, and other land records that complement assessment data. Pairing deed records with assessment information from the Commissioner gives you a full ownership and valuation history for any parcel. Both offices can often help by phone if you have a quick question before making a trip to the courthouse.
Assessment Process
All real property in Virginia must be assessed at 100% of fair market value. This requirement is in Title 58.1, Chapter 32 of the Virginia Code, and New Kent County must follow it. The Commissioner uses mass appraisal methods to value all parcels consistently rather than conducting individual appraisals of every property each year.
The data used to assess each parcel includes lot size, building square footage, year of construction, building type, number of rooms, and improvements such as garages, sheds, or additions. New Kent County has a mix of rural land, newer residential subdivisions, and commercial properties that have developed along major corridors. Different property types require different approaches to valuation, and the Commissioner's office has staff trained in each of these areas.
Under § 58.1-3332, you have the right to see your appraisal card. This document shows what data the Commissioner's office has on file for your property. If any of the data is wrong, such as incorrect square footage or a building feature that no longer exists, correcting the record may result in a lower assessed value. Ask to see your card before pursuing a formal appeal; it often saves time.
Property owners who want to appeal after reviewing their card can go to the Board of Equalization. Under § 58.1-3378, every Virginia county must maintain a Board of Equalization to hear assessment appeals. The board is independent and can change, confirm, or raise an assessment based on evidence. Hearing rules follow § 58.1-3379. Bring comparable sales data or a qualified appraisal to support your argument.
The following screenshot shows the Virginia Department of Taxation website, which provides statewide guidance on property tax assessment standards in Virginia.
The Virginia Department of Taxation sets uniform standards that all local commissioners must follow when assessing real property across the state.
Tax Relief Programs
New Kent County offers real estate tax relief for elderly and disabled residents under Virginia Code § 58.1-3210. Eligibility requires meeting age or disability standards, owning and living in the property as your primary home, and staying within county-set income and net worth limits. The county board reviews and adjusts these limits from time to time, so confirm the current figures with the Commissioner's office before applying.
Veterans who have total and permanent service-connected disabilities can get a full real estate tax exemption on their primary residence under § 58.1-3219.5. You need a certification letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to apply. Surviving spouses of veterans who died in the line of duty or from a service-connected disability may also be eligible. Ask the Commissioner's office about the specific documents you will need to file.
Virginia also allows localities to offer land use programs that reduce the taxable value of agricultural, horticultural, forest, and open-space land under § 58.1-3301. Property owners in New Kent County with qualifying rural or open land may want to ask the Commissioner whether a land use enrollment could lower their tax bill. There are acreage requirements and land use rules that apply, and you must apply through the Commissioner's office.
The image below shows the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development website, which coordinates housing assistance and certain tax relief resources for Virginia residents.
DHCD programs can supplement local relief options for New Kent County property owners who meet eligibility requirements.
Land Books and Records Access
Virginia counties are required under Virginia Code § 58.1-3301 to maintain land books listing every taxable parcel in the county. These books record the owner's name, the assessed value, and the tax owed for each piece of property. Land books are public records and can be reviewed at the Commissioner's office during business hours. They serve as a useful reference for confirming ownership and values at a specific point in time.
Historical land books for New Kent County may be held at the Library of Virginia in Richmond. The Library maintains land books and related tax records for Virginia counties going back many years. If you are doing historical research or tracing property ownership over a long period, the Library of Virginia is a valuable resource in addition to the current records kept at the county level.
Assessment records are open for public inspection under § 58.1-3331 without any requirement to show cause or provide identification. This applies to any member of the public, not just property owners in New Kent County. Staff at the Commissioner's office can help you find the parcel or record you need and can make copies for a reasonable fee. Call ahead if you are planning to review a large number of records so the office can have them ready when you arrive.
The Circuit Court clerk's office in New Kent holds deeds, surveys, and subdivision plats that pair well with tax records when researching a specific parcel. Combining those records with data from the Commissioner's office gives you both the legal description from the deed and the current assessed value and tax status from the tax records. Both offices are open to the public and reachable by phone during business hours.
Cities in New Kent County
New Kent County does not contain any independent cities. The county seat is the unincorporated community of New Kent, which is not a separate independent city under Virginia law.
Nearby Counties
New Kent County sits east of the Richmond metro area and borders several counties in central and eastern Virginia.