                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

LOST RECORDS AND PAPERS IN CHAINS OF TITLE; BILL IN EQUITY TO ESTABLISH
OWNERSHIP (§ 41.1-9)

If any record or paper constituting a link in the chain of title to any tract or
parcel of land in this Commonwealth, has been or shall be lost or destroyed, and
no authenticated copy thereof can be found, it shall be lawful for the person or
persons, claiming the ownership of such tract or parcel of land, to file in the
circuit court of the county, or circuit court of the city, in which such land,
or the greater part thereof, is situated, a bill in equity, setting forth the
circumstances of such loss or destruction, and giving a history of the title and
possession of such tract or parcel of land, and a full description thereof, with
the names of the persons in possession of the conterminous parcels. All persons
appearing to have an interest in such lands, or to be in possession thereof, or
of any adjoining parcel, shall be either plaintiffs or defendants, and the
proceedings to mature the cause shall be the same as in other suits in equity,
except that in every case there shall be an order of publication, setting forth
briefly the purpose of the proceeding and notifying all persons interested to
appear and look after their interests.

HISTORY: Code 1950, § 41-68; 1970, c. 291.