Virginia Civil Court Records

District Courts, Circuit Courts, Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Court comprise the Virginia court system's four tiers.

The state's District Courts include the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court, which protects children and their family's privacy and confidentiality, and the General District Court, which handles state offenses and local laws and statutes.

Circuit Courts are general authority Trial Courts. These are the only courts of authority that handle jury cases in civil issues such as property disputes, divorces, and wills and estates.

The Court of Appeal is the middle level of the appeals court in this state. This court can issue prohibition, mandamus, habeas corpus, and actual innocence writs in cases with appellate jurisdiction.

Lastly, the Virginia Supreme Court hears matters regarding companies, the conduct of judges and lawyers, and the performance of other public authorities. This court consists of six Justices and a Chief Justice.

Are Virginia Civil Court Records available for public inspection? Per the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), these documents are public records accessible to anyone without a justification.

The bankruptcy records of Virginia provide information about debtors who have filed for bankruptcy.

In Virginia, bankruptcy filings have a set of laws and procedures that help people who can't pay their bills get a fresh start and pay back as much of their debt as possible. Following federal statutes and state exclusions, only the Federal District Bankruptcy Courts can process bankruptcy petitions in this state.

There are different ways to file for bankruptcy, but in Virginia, the most common types of bankruptcy chapters are:

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

This form of bankruptcy dismisses most unsecured obligations and provides debtors with a clean slate.

In a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, the court assigns a trustee to supervise the sale of the debtor's non-exempt assets. The bankruptcy trustee then distributes the funds in order of creditor precedence.

The debtor must complete the means test to qualify for this bankruptcy.

Chapter 7 bankruptcy filings stay in the public record for ten years after the filing date.

Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

When people file for this kind of bankruptcy, they get to keep their assets and are free to restructure their debts and make payments over a long time.

Under this sort of bankruptcy, the court appoints the debtors as trustees and allows them to determine the optimal method for debt repayment. Thus, debtors might liquidate their property to pay creditors or stay in business and repay the loans over time.

Before filing this bankruptcy petition in Virginia, debtors must take a credit counseling program within 180 days.

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

By filing for this kind of bankruptcy in Virginia, homeowners can keep their homes from going into foreclosure.

Under Chapter 13 bankruptcy, the debtor submits a plan for debt repayment to the court and creditors. Debtors must pay the proposed amount from their monthly income when the courts accept the repayment plan.

Virginia Chapter 13 bankruptcy stays on credit reports for seven years.

Along with Chapter 7, 11, and 13, you can also find Chapter 12 bankruptcy in Virginia Bankruptcy Records.

How To Find Virginia Bankruptcy Records?

In Virginia, you can find bankruptcy records online, via mail, or in person.

You can visit the Public Access To Court Electronic Records (PACER) website to find these records online and make an account. To set up a PACER account on this system, you must give correct information about yourself and your billing information. You can search by case number or debtor name after signing up.

For mail-in requests, you must look up the Bankruptcy Court of interest mailing address in the court directory. Then, include the written request and payment in a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Virginia has two bankruptcy court districts: the Western Bankruptcy District and the Eastern Bankruptcy District. These two courts are in charge of running and deciding cases in certain counties.

You can check the Eastern District directory or Western District directory to locate the county of filing and receive the court's contact information.

In addition to retaining digital copies of the documents submitted during a bankruptcy petition, the working courts also store physical copies of these records. Therefore, you can acquire these documents from the Clerk's Office of the courthouse that presided over your case.

On Virginia Bankruptcy Records, you will usually discover the following information:

• The debtor's details
• Bankruptcy type
• Filing status
• Owned businesses or partnerships
• List of creditors
• Filing date
• Hearing and release date
• The presiding judge's name

Virginia Civil Court Records include property liens, which creditors utilize to guarantee loan repayment and recoup funds if the debtor defaults payment.

This lien applies only to property, which is often the only asset of a debtor upon which a creditor can lay a claim in the event of default in repayment.

In Virginia, there are different kinds of property liens, but the most common ones are the following:

Tax Lien

Tax liens in Virginia are legal claims against a taxpayer's assets. This type of lien guarantees loans or tax payments. The creditors could confiscate assets if the debtor did not meet the obligation.

Judgment Lien

A Virginia judgment lien is a lien connected to the result of a preceding lawsuit that finds a debtor liable for violating a contract's conditions. After the verdict, the creditor can use the borrower's property as collateral.

In this state, this lien affects the following types of property:

• Personal belongings
• Lands
• Buildings
• Car

To put this kind of property lien in place, the creditor will file the verdict with the county recorder in the area where the debtor owns or will own property in the future, along with the debtor's full name, address, and any other necessary information.

In Virginia, a judgment lien can stay on a property for up to ten years.

Mechanic's Lien

Contractors and subcontractors may use a mechanic's lien to collect unpaid labor, material, or construction services.

Virginia rule mandates contractors to file this lien with the county's land records office within 90 days after the final supply of labor or materials for the completed project or within 90 days of the ongoing project's last day of the month.

Mortgage Lien

This sort of property lien is the security measure provided by institutions to other parties for the purchase or refinancing of a residence.

This lien usually pertains to the residence being bought or refinanced. If the debtor defaults on the mortgage, the creditor will reclaim and sell the property to recoup the debt.

UCC Lien

Immediately following a loan, a creditor applies for this property lien to prevent loss.

A Virginia UCC lien permits creditors to notify the general public and relevant parties that a debtor's asset is being seized owing to certain contract violations.

How To Check Virginia Property Lien Records?

You can check Virginia Property Lien Records by going to the county recorder or office in the state or wherever the property is. On request, you must give relevant data like the property title, address, or serial number to make it easier to find the records.

Alternatively, you can utilize an online lien search tool to retrieve these records. In Virginia, government entities responsible for these documents offer free lien searches to the general public.

Thus, you can conduct a search at the appropriate agency's physical location or on its website if one is available.

For Virginia UCC liens, you can visit the Clerk's Office of the State Corporation Commission (SCC) or send your mail-in request to the UCC Division.

The Virginia Civil Driving Violation Records are offenses committed by drivers who intentionally or accidentally contravene regulations governing road usage and safety.

Virginia courts and the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) impose varied punishments for these violations based on their gravity.

In this state, the most common type of civil driving violation records are the following:

• Driving without headlights
• Speeding
• Driving too close to another car
• Ignoring a red light
• Refusal to yield
• Improper turn
• Ignoring road signs
• Improper passing

Unlike other violations, these do not appear on Virginia Criminal Records and do not lead to jail time. Still, the person guilty of these infractions will have to pay a fine, and their demerit points will go on their driving record.

How To Look Up Virginia Civil Driving Violation Records?

In Virginia, you can check for Virginia Civil Driving Violation Records by requesting a copy of a driving record online, by going to the DMV service center, or by mail.

You can use the DMV's portal to look up these records. Using the Online Case Information System-Statewide Search (OCIS 2.0), it is possible to do online searches for civil driving violations or citations in this state.

You can also visit a DMV Customer Service Center to obtain these records. Upon request, you must present the proper identification, such as a valid driver's license, along with the required cost.

Lastly, you can request these records via mail. When making a request, you must send a written request to the DMV, including your full name, mailing address, social security number, method of payment, and sometimes the reason for the request.

The Virginia Legal Judgment Records detail the court's statement concerning the competing claims in a case following a trial, review of case facts, or jury verdict.

In Virginia, a court of jurisdiction gives judgments in the form of a decree or written order following a lawsuit. The court bases its ruling on the evidence presented, and the presiding judge always renders the verdict.

Title 8.01, Chapter 17 of the Virginia Code establishes the judgment laws and the parties' rights in a legal proceeding. This law also works to settle disputes in a final and binding way before a court.

How To Look Up Virginia Legal Judgment Records?

There are two ways to look up Virginia Legal Judgment Records.

The first option is to visit the local state court and utilize public computers or devices to retrieve these data. To obtain these records, you must submit a request form.

You can use this directory to identify the relevant court's addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses.

Alternatively, you can look online at the Court of Appeal or Supreme Court database for legal judgment records.

However, there are certain instances in which the online record is incomplete. Consequently, if you want an accurate description, you must physically go to the courthouse.

When you obtain these files, you will likely find the following details:

• Litigants' names
• Court location
• Case number
• The judge's name
• Pleadings
• Affidavits

Small Claims Records are papers and information about small claims cases heard by the General District Courts' Small Claims Divisions.

In Virginia, Small Claims Courts are a particular branch of the General District Court that hears civil disputes involving a $5,000 money judgment or personal property.

You must be 18 years or older or a legally emancipated juvenile to bring a case in this court.

Additionally, filing the necessary paperwork at the correct court location is essential. Most of the time, you can file a small claims case in any of these courts:

• The location of the property at issue in the lawsuit
• The area of the defendant's home, workplace, or business district
• The place where injury or transaction occurred

After filing, each party's case papers, warrants, and subpoenas will be part of the Small Claims Records of the Virginia Civil Court Records.

How To Look Up Virginia Small Claims Records?

In Virginia, you can request the clerk of the General District Court for records about small claims.

Upon request, you must supply the clerk with details such as the identity of the parties, the case number, and the date of filing to assist the court personnel in locating the correct documents.

Alternatively, you can search for these documents online using the General District Court Online Case Information System of the Virginia Judiciary. For a fee, you can use a case number, party name, or filing date to search for localized records on this system.

Virginia divorce, also known as marriage dissolution, begins when one spouse serves the other with divorce papers or when both spouses file divorce papers.

In this state, the clerk of the Circuit Court collects divorces. After 25 years, the Division of Vital Records (DVR) of the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) gets these documents.

Check out this pamphlet to learn more about the divorce process in Virginia. It answers some of the most common questions about divorce and separation in this state. This link also explains annulment grounds, divorce grounds, and Virginia residence requirements.

When a divorce occurs, the state courts record it on three separate documents, which are as follows:

Divorce Certificate

This divorce court record contains only the parties' names, the divorce date, and the location. However, it is the most commonly asked of the three types.

It also proves that a divorce has occurred, allowing either party to get a new marriage license or change their name.

In Virginia, a divorce certificate is usually only given to the people who got divorced and the lawyers who handled the case.

Divorce Decree

When two parties participating in the divorce seek to modify the mentioned agreements, they request this type of divorce court record.

A Virginia divorce decree has the same information as the divorce certificate. But this document includes divorce agreements and final judgments. Most of the time, these agreements include the following:

• Alimony
• Allocation of property
• Child custody
• Child support

In this state, individuals usually have easier access to this divorce court record.

Divorce Record

A divorce record is essentially the case file for a divorce. In addition to the information in divorce certificates and decrees, it contains every file, document, and transcript generated during the divorce process.

Like divorce decrees, anyone can access these documents in the correct form and payments, which vary from county to county.

How To Look Up Virginia Divorce Court Records?

Apart from visiting the Clerk's Office of the Circuit Court that finalized the divorce, you can look up divorce court records on the Circuit Court Case Information System.

Upon request, you must use the dropdown menu to identify the county court where the issue occurred. Then, you must supply the name of one of the divorce parties, the case number, and the trial date to acquire these data.

However, if you want to obtain records of divorce cases filed more than 25 years ago, you must contact or visityour local health district.

Virginia Probate Court Records are records that detail the administration of a deceased person's estate and include a death date or death certificate.

Probate in Virginia involves registering a will with the Circuit Court Clerk's Office where the deceased resided.

The following are examples of probate matters filed on the Virginia Probate Court Records:

• Guardianships
• Wills
• Estates
• Bonds
• Petitions
• Inventories

Virginia probate proceedings start by submitting a will in the appropriate court. After filing, it will become a part of the public record and is available to anyone.

How can you find Virginia Probate Court Records? In this state, there is no separate Probate Court. Instead, the county Circuit Court handles everything. To get a copy of these records, you need to contact the Circuit Court that dealt with the matter directly.

You can visit the Virginia Judicial System website, which provides an online directory of Circuit Court contact information for all Virginia counties.

The Clerks of Court in this state are responsible for maintaining the Virginia Civil Court Records. These documents exist in either paper or digital formats. Therefore, you can locate these records through a variety of means.

Apart from visiting the local courthouses that handled your case, you can access these documents through the Supreme Court's Appellate Case Management System (ACMS-SCV).

By entering SCV record numbers or combinations of name, the lower court, case type, and court case number, you can locate civil court records through this system.

But the most efficient way to locate a Virginia Civil Court Record is through Virginia's Judicial System. Most of the case information systems on this web page, like the General District Court Online Case Information System and the Circuit Court Case Information System, let you search by name, location, hearing date, and case number.