How do I access court records?

Clerk of Circuit Court (county/city level - 95 counties + 38 independent cities) / Clerk of General District Court (county/city level) / Virginia Supreme Court / Virginia Court of Appeals (state level)

Step by Step

How to do it

Identify what type of record you need: Circuit Court (felonies, major civil over $25,000, domestic relations/divorce, equity, probate), General District Court (civil up to $25,000, misdemeanors, traffic), Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court (juvenile, domestic), or Virginia Supreme Court/Court of Appeals
Search online:
VIRGINIA COURTS CASE INFORMATION SYSTEM (CIS): va-courts.org - Virginia's statewide online case search; covers Circuit Court and General District Court case information across all jurisdictions; public access; search by name, case number, or attorney; free basic access
CIRCUIT COURT LAND RECORDS: Many Circuit Court Clerks maintain online land records (deeds, mortgages) separate from case records; search "[Jurisdiction] Virginia Circuit Court land records online"
VIRGINIA COURTS ONLINE: vaccourts.org - additional online resources; e-filing portal
For full case documents or certified copies: contact the Circuit Court Clerk or General District Court Clerk in the jurisdiction where the case was filed
In-person access: visit the courthouse; bring photo ID and case details

Details

What you need to know

Required Docs

Valid photo ID (for in-person requests)
Case number or full legal name of parties

Fee

CIS online case search: free for basic information; certified copies: Circuit Court typically $0.50-$2 per page; contact specific Clerk for current schedule; General District Court: similar

Processing Time

Online: immediate for case information; same day or by mail for certified copies

Online Option

Yes - va-courts.org (Virginia Courts CIS statewide case search); vaccourts.org

Where to Go

Circuit Court Clerk (major civil/criminal/domestic); General District Court Clerk (minor civil/criminal/traffic); applicable jurisdiction

Virginia Notes

Important state-specific details

Virginia Courts CIS (va-courts.org): solid statewide case information system for Circuit and General District Courts.
Marriage records: Circuit Court Clerk where license was issued ($2.50/copy); also through VDH ($15 effective July 1, 2026) or DMV ($17).
Divorce records: Circuit Court Clerk where divorce was filed; VDH also issues divorce certificates ($15).
Criminal history background checks: Virginia State Police - vsp.virginia.gov/criminal-history-records | (804) 674-4000; fee-based.
Virginia Sex Offender Registry - vsp.virginia.gov/sex-offender-and-crimes-against-minors-registry - searchable online.
Juvenile records: sealed; special access rules.
Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA): public records presumed open; agencies must respond within 5 working days.

Official Source

State office contact

State Office

Supreme Court of Virginia and Office of the Executive Secretary - courts.virginia.gov | (804) 786-6455; Virginia Courts CIS: va-courts.org; Virginia State Police (criminal records) - vsp.virginia.gov | (804) 674-4000