The judgment of the court shall be recorded in the current deed book of the court. The judgment shall forever settle, determine, and designate the true boundary line or lines in question, between the parties, their heirs, devisees, and assigns. The judgment may be enforced in the same manner as a judgment in an action of ejectment.
§ 8.01-183.Recordation and effect of judgment.
Chapter 3. Actions · Article 16. Establishing Boundaries to Land · Last amended 1977 · Last verified July 16, 2026
In one sentenceA judgment establishing a boundary line must be recorded in the court’s current deed book, permanently settles the line as to the parties and their heirs, devisees, and assigns, and may be enforced the same way an ejectment judgment is enforced.
Full Text of § 8.01-183
Plain-English Summary
Section 8.01-183 gives a boundary-line judgment lasting effect. Once the court decides the case, the judgment must be recorded in the current deed book, placing it in the same public land-records system that tracks deeds, so future owners and title searchers can find it.
Substantively, that judgment does more than resolve the immediate lawsuit — it forever settles, determines, and designates the true boundary line or lines in question, and it binds not just the parties who litigated the case but their heirs, devisees, and assigns as well. A boundary fixed under this article is meant to be the last word on where the line runs, not a determination that later owners can reopen.
Finally, the section gives the judgment teeth. It may be enforced in the same manner as a judgment in an action of ejectment, meaning a party who ignores the established line can face the same enforcement machinery used to put a rightful possessor back on land wrongfully held.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where must a boundary judgment be recorded?
In the current deed book of the court.
Who is bound by a judgment establishing a boundary line?
The parties and their heirs, devisees, and assigns.
Is a boundary judgment meant to be revisited by later owners?
No, Section 8.01-183 says it forever settles, determines, and designates the true line.
How is a boundary judgment enforced if someone ignores it?
In the same manner as a judgment in an action of ejectment.
Why record the judgment in the deed book rather than just the court file?
To place it in the land-records system so it is discoverable by future owners and title searchers.
Amendment History
Code 1950, § 8-840; 1977, c. 617.
Source & verification. Section text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Code of Virginia, published by the
Code of Virginia, Virginia Division of Legislative Automated Systems. Last verified July 16, 2026.
· Official source
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