A clip-based vascular closure devices is configured to be pre-applied to a blood vessel prior to insertion of a vascular access device (such as a procedural sheath) through an incision, puncture, penetration or other passage through the blood vessel. In an embodiment, the disclosed closure device is applied in a carotid artery via a transcervical access such as by forming an incision in the patient's neck to in order to access the blood vessel or other body lumen.