Albemarle County Court Records

Albemarle County court records are official documents detailing the proceedings and decisions in court cases. These records are essential in the legal system because they precisely account for all legal matters handled within the jurisdiction. Such issues include civil, criminal, juvenile, and domestic relations cases. The courts maintain them and are generally open and accessible to the public, ensuring transparency and accountability in judicial proceedings.

Are Court Records Public in Albemarle County?

The Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) grants every Virginian the legal right to access a wide range of public records. The Act defines public records as any writings or recordings prepared, owned, or possessed by a public body or its employees. However, the law exempts some types of records from public disclosure. Some examples include:

• Public safety records.
• Records regarding administrative investigations.
• Educational records, including those from specific academic institutions.
• Health and social services records.
• Trade secrets and proprietary records.
• Certain information in criminal records, such as a victim's identity.

Non-disclosure will only apply to these records, and no record can be withheld or closed to the public unless specifically made exempt by the FOIA or other Virginian Law.

Albemarle County Court Records Search

The Albemarle County Circuit Court has general jurisdiction over various civil and criminal issues. The Albemarle County General District Court is a limited jurisdiction trial court that hears civil matters up to $25,000 in value and holds trials for traffic and minor offenses. The Albemarle Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court also has limited jurisdiction and handles cases involving children and families. Since Albemarle County court records are open and public, interested persons can search for them. They can obtain them from the clerk's office. The addresses are provided below.

Albemarle Circuit Court
501 East Jefferson Street
Charlottesville, VA 22902-5110
Criminal Division: (434) 972-4085
Civil Division: (434) 972-4086
Fax: (434) 293-0298

Albemarle General District Court
501 E. Jefferson Street, Suite 138
Charlottesville, VA 22902-5110
Civil:(434) 972-4007
Fax: (434) 972-4092

Albemarle Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court
411 E. High Street
Charlottesville, VA 22902-5119
Phone: (434) 979-7165
Fax: (434) 293-0211

Albemarle County Court Records Search by Name

Requesting parties can obtain Virginia court records by name search using either the online Circuit Court Case Information database, which handles both civil and criminal cases, or the online general District Court Case Information System, which handles only civil and minor traffic offenses. Requesting parties must first narrow their search by selecting the appropriate Albemarle court. Requesters can conduct searches using names, dates, court division, case numbers, hearing dates, charge details, etc. Requesting parties can also search using the Virginia Public Records Center website, which provides a free search for Albemarle County court records.

Albemarle County Courts

The court system in Albemarle County, Virginia, consists of three main types of courts, each serving distinct functions. The Albemarle County Circuit Court is a broad-jurisdiction trial court that handles various civil and criminal cases, including major felonies, significant civil disputes, and family law matters.

The Albemarle County General District Court is a limited jurisdiction court that addresses civil cases with claims up to $25,000, traffic cases, and minor criminal offenses, often called misdemeanors. Additionally, the Albemarle Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court focuses on cases involving juveniles and family matters, such as custody disputes, child support, and instances of domestic violence. Interested parties can find Albemarle County courts at the following addresses:

Albemarle Circuit Court
Albemarle County Courthouse
Court Square
501 East Jefferson Street
Charlottesville, VA 22902-5110
Phone: (434) 972-4083
Fax: (434) 293-0298

Albemarle General District Court
501 E. Jefferson Street, Suite 138
Charlottesville, VA 22902-5110
Phone: (434) 972-4004
Fax: (434) 972-4092

Albemarle Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court
411 E. High Street
Charlottesville, VA 22902-5119
Phone: (434) 979-7165
Fax: (434) 293-0211

Albemarle County District Court Records

The Albemarle County General District Court is a limited jurisdiction trial court that hears civil matters up to $25,000 in value and holds trials for traffic and minor offenses. Interested parties can get Albemarle County District Court records at the county District Court’s Clerk's Office or via the online General District Court Case Information System.

Albemarle General District Court Clerk’s Office
501 E. Jefferson Street, Suite 138
Charlottesville, VA 22902-5110
Phone: (434) 972-4004
Fax: (434) 972-4092

Albemarle County Criminal Records

According to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), criminal records are public. Such records may encompass Albermarle County arrest records, including adult arrestee photographs, information on the identity of individuals arrested and charged, and records of completed unattended death investigations provided to certain family members.

However, other records, such as criminal investigative files, reports submitted in confidence, and records containing sensitive information like victim identities and juvenile record information, are generally exempt from mandatory disclosure and can be withheld at the custodian's discretion. Nonetheless, the Virginia statute § 19.2-389.1 outlines the circumstances under which a record custodian can share juvenile record information maintained in the Central Criminal Records Exchange.

For the records that are accessible and not exempt, interested parties can apply through the Civil and Applicant Records Exchange (CARE), which is the primary repository for criminal records in Virginia. Requesting parties may use the SP-167 form, the standard form for requesting a criminal record background check in the state. Here’s an outline of the process and associated costs:

• Complete the SP-167 form providing the necessary personal information and details about the search.
• Submit the form and payment: The costs vary based on the type of record search requested:
  1. Criminal Background Check: $15.00 per search
  2. Criminal History/Sex Offender Registry Combination: Approximately $20.00 per search
  3. Sex Offender Records Search: $15.00 per search
  4. Non-Profit Organizations: For nonprofits seeking volunteers, the combination criminal history/sex offender registry search costs $16.00 per search. The organization must provide documentation proving its non-profit status, including its name, address, and tax-exempt identification number.
• Receive the records: Once processed, the requested documents will be provided to the requester. The time frame for receiving these records can vary based on the agency's request volume and specific processing times.

Mailing address:

Civil & Applicant Records Exchange (CARE)
Virginia State Police
P.O. Box 85076
Richmond, VA 23285

Albemarle County Criminal Court Case Lookup

The Albemarle County Circuit Court is the broad jurisdiction trial court that hears various civil and criminal issues. Anyone interested in Albemarle County criminal court records can obtain them from the court clerk's office or by name search using the online Circuit Court Case Information Database. On the online database, requesters can search using names, dates, court divisions, case numbers, hearing dates, charge details, etc.

Albemarle Circuit Court Clerk’s Office
Albemarle County Courthouse
Court Square
501 East Jefferson Street
Charlottesville, VA 22902-5110
Criminal Division: (434) 972-4085
Fax: (434) 293-0298

Get Albemarle County Civil Court Records

The Albemarle County Circuit Court hears various civil and criminal cases. As a result, the County Circuit court clerk is the custodian of the civil and criminal court records for cases heard in the circuit court. The Albemarle General District Court also has limited jurisdiction and can listen to civil matters up to $25,000 in value. As a result, the County general district court clerk is the custodian of the civil court records for cases heard in the general district court. Anyone interested in Albemarle County civil court records can obtain them from the court clerk's office or by name search using the Online Circuit Court Case Information Database for the circuit court cases and the Online General District Court Case Information System for the general district court cases.

Albemarle Circuit Court Clerk’s Office
501 East Jefferson Street
Charlottesville, VA 22902-5110
Civil Division: (434) 972-4086
Fax: (434) 293-0298

Albemarle General District Court Clerk’s Office
501 E. Jefferson Street, Suite 138
Charlottesville, VA 22902-5110
Civil:(434) 972-4007
Fax: (434) 972-4092

Albemarle County Family Court Records

The Albemarle Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court is a limited-jurisdiction trial court that handles cases involving children and families. The court hears a variety of cases, including custody/ visitation, abuse and neglect, and foster care cases. Anyone interested in family court records can obtain them from the clerk's office. Requesters can locate the Family Court at.

Albemarle Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court
411 E. High Street
Charlottesville, VA 22902-5119
Phone: (434) 979-7165
Fax: (434) 293-0211

Albemarle County Marriage and Divorce Records

Albemarle County vital records, including birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, divorce decrees, wills, etc, are all accessible at the Virginia Department of Health. Albemarle County marriage records serve as legal proof of marriage and are considered public records accessible to anyone. Albemarle County divorce records provide evidence that a marriage has been legally dissolved.

Access to divorce records in Virginia is restricted to only legal representatives or immediate family members of the divorced individuals. Albemarle County marriage and divorce records requests can be made online through the Virginia Department of Health or by submitting a completed application form to a local branch. Both records cost $12 per copy. Applicants must register on the portal and complete the request form by providing the necessary information for online requests.

Applications must include:

• The requestor's signature.
• A legible photocopy of the requester’s ID.
• A fee of $12 for each requested copy, payable by check, money order, payment card, mobile pay, or cash. Checks and money orders should be made payable to the State Health Department and must be completed and signed.

Charlottesville/Albemarle Health Department

(District Headquarters Office):
1138 Rose Hill Drive
Charlottesville, VA 22903

Albemarle Birth and Death Records

Albemarle County birth records can be obtained from the Virginia Department of Health. Access is generally restricted to immediate family members, including the individual's spouse, parents, siblings, and grandparents. Birth records in Virginia only become publicly accessible after 100 years. Applicants must provide valid identification to access these records. The fee for a birth certificate search is $12.00, non-refundable if the record is not found. Changing an existing record will require an additional fee of $10.00.

Albemarle County death records, including death certificates and verification documents, can be requested through the Virginia Department of Health's website or by visiting a local branch. Proper identification is required, and these records can be issued to the decedent's immediate family members, such as parents, current spouse, children, siblings, or a legal representative. These records are crucial for genealogical research, helping individuals trace family history and heritage. Death records are necessary for legal processes such as settling estates, claiming life insurance, and handling other posthumous matters.

Charlottesville/Albemarle Health Department

(District Headquarters Office):
1138 Rose Hill Drive
Charlottesville, VA 22903

Albemarle County Probate Court Records

Probate cases fall within the jurisdiction of the Albemarle County Circuit Court, so the County Circuit court clerk maintains Albemarle County probate court records. Anyone interested in Albemarle County probate court records can obtain them from the court clerk's office or by name search using the online circuit court case information database.

Albemarle County Property Records

The Albemarle County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office records and indexes deeds and other property-related documents. To access property records in Albemarle County, individuals can visit the Clerk’s Office, where these records are maintained and made available to the public.

Albemarle County Court Records Online

Requesting parties can obtain Virginia court records by name search using either the online Circuit Court Case Information database, which handles both civil and criminal cases, or the online general District Court Case Information System. Third-party websites, such as VirginiaCourtRecords.us, may also offer convenient access to public court records in Albemarle County. Such platforms may allow users to search for specific cases by entering details like case numbers, party names, or dates. However, it is essential to note that these platforms operate independently of government agencies, and therefore, the information provided may sometimes need to be more accurate or updated.