Virginia Court Access
Virginia Public Court Records
Begin with the statewide judiciary online case search; follow up with the local clerk for copies or details.
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Statewide Search
Trial Dockets
Appellate Dockets
Clerk Copies
Find a Virginia case docket or case status quickly.
Statewide judiciary online case search.
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Best first step
Use the Virginia judiciary online case search.
Often online
Docket summaries, party names, case numbers, hearing dates.
Usually clerk/courthouse
Certified copies, full case files, older or archived records.
Virginia court-record access paths
| Official Path | Best For | How to Access | What You May Find |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia judiciary online case search (statewide) | Quick docket lookups by name or case number across many trial courts. | Open the judiciary’s case search and run a statewide or court-specific query. | Case numbers, parties, charges or claims, hearings, basic docket entries. |
| Virginia appellate courts online docket | Appeals case status and filings. | Search the appellate docket by case number, party, or term. | Docket entries, filings, schedules, opinions and orders when available. |
| Local circuit or general district court clerk | Copies, certifications, and files not posted online. | Contact the clerk that holds the case file or visit the records counter. | Case files, certified copies, indexes; access depends on record status. |
| Courthouse public access terminal / records counter | In-person searches when online results are limited. | Go to the courthouse and use the public terminal or request assistance. | Dockets, calendars, select documents available for public viewing. |
Virginia access notes
If a case does not appear online, what should I do?
Check spelling and court filters, then contact the local clerk or use a courthouse terminal.
How do I get a certified copy of a Virginia court record?
Request it from the clerk of the court that maintains the file and provide the case number.
Are all Virginia trial courts included in the online search?
Coverage varies by court and case type; confirm with the clerk if you do not see a record.
Can I access sealed or confidential records?
No. Only authorized parties may view restricted materials; ask the clerk about public portions.