Virginia Public Records /Virginia Court Records Online

Virginia Court Records Online

Are Court Records in Virginia Open to the Public?

Yes. Virginia court records are public records accessible to anyone without the need to provide a statement of purpose. According to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), public records include any writing or recording, regardless of format, prepared, owned, or in possession of a public body or its representatives in the transaction of public business. However, incarcerated felons are restricted from requesting records. Confidential records, such as most juvenile court records, may be sealed from public access.

Requesters must provide specific details to receive the records, such as:

Case number
Names of the parties involved
Type of court document
County where the case was filed

What Information Appears in a Virginia Court Records Search?

Virginia court records typically include:

Records of pleadings
Docket details
Motions
Decisions
Court orders
Evidence
Transcripts of proceedings

How To Find Court Records in Virginia

To obtain court records in Virginia, the first step is to identify the court where the case was held. Visit the courthouse and request the records from the Clerk of Court, who is the record custodian. Court records are available in both paper and electronic formats.

Ways to obtain court records include:

Visiting local courthouses for paper copies
Using public access terminals at courthouses for electronic copies
Accessing courthouse websites or the Virginia Court System website for online records

There may be nominal fees for obtaining paper copies or using certain online services.

Public Access to Virginia Court Records

Virginia provides multiple avenues for public access to court records. These include physical visits to courthouses, online portals maintained by the Virginia Judiciary System, and public access terminals located in Clerk of Court offices. Confidential records are exempt from public access.

Searching Virginia Court Records by Name

To search for court records by name, visit the courthouse where the case was filed and submit a request to the county clerk's office. Provide the names of the parties involved to facilitate the search.

Alternatively, use the Online Case Information System (OCIS) to conduct a name-based search. This system allows you to specify additional search parameters such as case type, court level, case category, and court location. OCIS is free to use, and users can sign up for text or email alerts about most cases.

How To Access Court Records Online for Free in Virginia

The Supreme Court's Online Case Information System portal offers free online access to court documents. Users can search by name, case number, or hearing date. This platform is widely used by the state's circuit courts.

Another option is to use third-party repositories, which often provide easier search capabilities without geographical or technological limitations. These sites may require the name of the person listed in the record and their last known location, such as city, county, or state.

Exemptions for Virginia Court Case Lookup

Certain records are exempt from public access in Virginia:

Juvenile case files
Child custody records
Divorce records
Confidential marriage records

Additional exemptions include:

Documents with actual signatures
Social security numbers
Dates of birth
Financial account numbers

Only involved parties, their attorneys, court personnel, and court-designated third parties have access to these records.

Finding a Court Docket in Virginia

A Virginia Court Docket is a formal record of each court case, including details about parties, counsel, witnesses, hearings, motions, orders, and dispositions. This information is useful for tracking court case dates and deadlines, especially for self-represented litigants.

Court clerks maintain dockets, which are accessible at the courthouse or on the official court website. For example, Fairfax County offers online access to circuit court dockets using party or attorney name searches.

What Information Is Found in Virginia Judgment Records?

Virginia judgment records provide the court's decision on contested issues after examining case facts. These records include:

Names of the parties involved
Case background description
Judge's decision or order
Judge's name
Judgment date

Requesters need case-identifying details such as case number, litigants' names, and judgment year to obtain these records. Certified copies are available for official purposes.

Are Bankruptcy Records in Virginia Publicly Accessible?

Yes. Virginia bankruptcy records are public and contain information on debtors who have filed for bankruptcy. These records include financial details such as income, assets, creditor lists, and amounts owed. Requesters must provide relevant information to facilitate the search.

Bankruptcy records are available from the court clerk's office in the district where the case was filed. The records can be accessed in person, by mail, or online.

How To Search Bankruptcy Records in Virginia

Bankruptcy records can be found at the court clerk's office where the case was filed. These records are accessible at the federal court level, as bankruptcy is a federal matter. Virginia has two bankruptcy districts: Eastern and Western, each with multiple divisions.

To obtain records:

Use the PACER search engine, which charges $0.10 per page
Visit the courthouse in person or send a mail request, providing the case number or party's name
There is a $35.00 search fee and $0.50 per page for reprints

Different Types of Courts in Virginia

Virginia's judicial system comprises four levels:

District Courts: Handle cases involving local law violations and matters involving minors.
Circuit Courts: Have general jurisdiction over criminal and civil cases and hear appeals from district courts.
Court of Appeals: Reviews circuit court judgments in civil, criminal, and administrative cases.
Supreme Court: Has original and appellate jurisdiction, hearing important cases first and reviewing lower court judgments.

Understanding the Differences Between Civil and Small Claims Courts in Virginia

Civil claims in Virginia are filed in General District Courts for disputes involving amounts up to $25,000. These cases are brought by summons, warrants, or motions for judgment, requiring the defendant to appear in court to answer the complaint.

Small claims courts, a division of the General District Court, handle cases where the plaintiff seeks a money judgment up to $5,000 or recovery of personal property valued up to the same amount. Procedures are relaxed, making it ideal for straightforward disputes. Small claims courts do not allow attorney representation, and plaintiffs must represent themselves. Cases involving unlawful detainer or eviction actions must be filed as civil actions.

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