West Virginia § 38-12-4 - 38-12-4. Form of release; recordation of assignment with release by assignee.

Full text of West Virginia West Virginia Code § 38-12-4 — 38-12-4. Form of release; recordation of assignment with release by assignee., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 38-12-4. 38-12-4. Form of release; recordation of assignment with release by assignee.

Releases and their acknowledgments may be substantially in form or effect as follows:

(a) In case of a mortgage or trust deed: I, A............... B..............., hereby release a mortgage (or trust deed) made by C............... D............... to me (or to E............... F..............., my trustee, or to ..............., and assigned to me) dated the ....... day of ........, recorded in the office of the clerk of the county court of ........ county, West Virginia, in trust deed book ........, page ........ (Or, in case the release is by the trustee, I, A............... B..............., hereby release a trust deed made by C............... D............... to me as trustee, for the benefit of E............... F..............., dated the ....... day of ........, recorded, etc., as in preceding form.) To be signed A............... B...............

Acknowledged before the subscriber, by A............... B..............., this ....... day of ........ (or, in case the release be by a corporation, acknowledged before the subscriber, by ..............., who signed the name of ..............., a corporation, thereto, this ....... day of ........, ........)

(To be signed) G............... H..............., a justice (or clerk of the county court, notary public, etc., as the case may be) of .......... county, West Virginia.

(b) In case of a lien for purchase money, reserved by conveyance:

I, A............... B..............., hereby release the right reserved to me in a conveyance executed by me (or myself and wife) to C............... D..............., dated the ....... day of ........ (Or, in case of an assignment, I, A............... B............... hereby release the right reserved by C............... D............... in a conveyance to E............... F..............., dated the ....... day of ........, ........, which right was assigned by the said C............... D............... to me, the ....... day of ........, ........) To be signed and acknowledged as above.

(c) In case of a judgment or decree: I, A............... B..............., hereby release a judgment (or decree) in my favor (or in favor of I............... K..............., which has been assigned to me; or in favor of I............... K............... for my use) against C............... D..............., for (stating the amount) with interest and costs, rendered by (stating the court by which, or the justice by whom, it was rendered, and the term or date at which it was rendered, to be signed and acknowledged as above.)

When such lien is released by the assignee thereof, the assignment thereof, whether of the lien or of the debt secured thereby, must be acknowledged in the same manner as the release, and recorded with such release: Provided, That if any such lien, or the debt secured thereby, shall have been assigned, the same may always be released by the assignee who receives satisfaction thereof, upon the assignor joining therein, without the recordation of the assignment as aforesaid.

Source: official West Virginia text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About West Virginia § 38-12-4

What does West Virginia Code § 38-12-4 cover?

Section 38-12-4 ("38-12-4. Form of release; recordation of assignment with release by assignee.") is part of the West Virginia Code, the codified statutory law of West Virginia. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite West Virginia § 38-12-4?

A common citation format is "West Virginia Code § 38-12-4" (West Virginia). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of West Virginia law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the West Virginia official source linked on this page or consult a licensed West Virginia attorney.

How does West Virginia § 38-12-4 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in West Virginia can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in West Virginia.