Chesterfield County Court Records
Part Eleven of the Rules of the Supreme Court of Virginia defines court records as any information or document generated in connection with a court proceeding. This includes information and records on the judicial system’s online case management tool.
Court records are important references for the general public, legal professionals, and journalists. They can be used to keep track of the status of a case and serve as research materials for academic and journalistic purposes. The Clerk of the Circuit Court is responsible for recording and maintaining court records in Chesterfield County.
Are Court Records Public in Chesterfield County?
Yes. According to the Virginia Public Records Act, court records in Chesterfield County are public records and are available for inspection by the general public. However, some record information may be deemed confidential by the law or by court rule. These records, such as adoption and juvenile records are exempted from public disclosure. They can only be accessed by the case parties and those granted permission by the court.
Where to Conduct a Chesterfield County Case Lookup
Court records are generated when documents are filed with the court clerk at the start of a case. As the case progresses, the court clerk updates the record with essential information that pertains to the proceeding. Inquirers can conduct a court case lookup in Chesterfield County in the following court locations:
- Chesterfield County General District Court
- Chesterfield Circuit Court
- Court of Appeals of Virginia
- Supreme Court of Virginia
- Chesterfield Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court
How to Conduct a Chesterfield County Case Records Search
There are in-person, phone, mail, and online options for obtaining court records in Chesterfield County. To request court records in person, inquirers must visit the courthouse where the case was filed and follow the record request procedure. This process typically involves filling out a requestor’s form with personal information and details of the record of interest. The clerk’s office then uses this information to facilitate the search.
Individuals who wish to retrieve court records online can use the Virginia Judicial System’s Case Status and Information Portal. On the portal, users can access the databases of Chesterfield County’s General District Court and Circuit Court.
Alternatively, inquirers can obtain copies of court records from the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office by phone at (804) 748-1241 or by mail addressed to the clerk’s office at:
Circuit Court Clerk’s Office
P.O. Box 125
Chesterfield, VA 23832-0909
Note that regular copies of court records cost $.50 per page, while certified copies cost an additional $2 per document. Inquirers who wish to send a mail request must call the clerk’s office beforehand to obtain a copy fee quote. The associated copy fees must be sent with the mail for the request to be processed.
Chesterfield County Civil Court Case Records
Civil court records are legal documents that detail actions taken in a civil court proceeding. Examples of civil cases include landlord and tenant disputes, contract disputes, and personal injury claims. The Civil and Small Claims Court of the General District Court handles civil matters (including property recovery) where the amount in dispute is up to $25,000.
Civil matters where the disputed amount exceeds $25,000, including personal injury and wrongful death cases, are heard by the Civil Division of the Circuit Court. The court also shares authority with the General District Court to hear cases involving claims up to $25,000.
To access civil case records filed at the Chesterfield County General District Court, individuals can use the General District Court Online Case Information System hosted on Virginia’s Judicial System website. If the civil case was handled by the Circuit Court, inquirers should visit the Circuit Court Case Information System. Additionally, the court clerk's offices are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM for in-person requests.
Chesterfield County Criminal Court Case Records
Criminal court records are case files and legal documents that pertain to criminal proceedings. Examples of proceedings that are classified as criminal cases include assault, possession of marijuana, obstruction of justice, disorderly conduct, burglary, robbery, rape, and murder.
The Criminal Division of Chesterfield County Circuit Court hears felony and misdemeanor cases originating by Grand Jury action. Criminal cases such as felony preliminary hearings and misdemeanor trials are handled by the Criminal Division of the General District Court.
Individuals can access criminal court records through the Online Case Information System 2.0 (OCIS 2.0). This case search portal allows users to conduct a statewide search of adult criminal cases heard by the general district courts and Circuit Courts in Virginia.
To obtain criminal court records in person, individuals can visit the courthouse where the case was heard and fill out a record request form. Note that obtaining copies of court records require a nominal fee. This fee can be paid with cash or a debit/credit card.
How to Get Court Records Online for Free
The following case management systems are available to individuals who wish to view Chesterfield County court records online for free.
- Circuit Court Case Information System: This portal gives users access to civil and criminal court records filed in Chesterfield Circuit Court. Users can conduct a search by name, case number, or hearing date on the portal.
- General District Court Case Information System: This is the case management system for civil, criminal and traffic cases heard by the Chesterfield General District Court. Users can search the database by name, case number, or hearing date. It also supports online payments.
To use the case search tools, visit the Virginia Judicial System website. Click “Case Status and Information” at the left corner of the homepage. Choose from the case management systems provided. Enter the necessary case identifying information and click on “Search”. Then, select the record of interest from the search result displayed.
Courts in Chesterfield County
Here's the contact information and addresses of all the courts in Chesterfield County:
Chesterfield County General District Court
9500 Courthouse Road
Chesterfield, VA 23832
Phone: (804) 748-1231
Fax: (804) 748-1757
Chesterfield County Circuit Court
9500 Courthouse Road
Chesterfield, VA 23832
Phone: (804) 748-1241
1917 Courthouse
10011 Iron Bridge Road
Chesterfield, VA 23832
Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court
7000 Lucy Corr Boulevard
Building Number 7
Chesterfield, VA 23832
Phone: (804) 748-1379
Fax: (804) 717-6043
