Bedford County Court Records

Bedford County court records are official documentation of civil and criminal legal proceedings and decisions. They contain case information and generally include pleadings, exhibits, summonses, docket entries, orders, and indictments. Furthermore, they may exist in paper or electronic formats. Courts maintain these records and make them public for various purposes.

The court provides members of the public with a means to better understand judicial processes and stay abreast of court decisions and cases of interest. Maintaining these records also enables the public to hold the courts accountable, promoting fairness and transparency in the judiciary.

Are Court Records Public in Bedford County?

Court records are classified as Bedford County public records under the Virginia Public Records Act. By this law, Bedford County residents are allowed to view and make copies of records containing information about court proceedings. Also, court clerks are legally obligated to document information about cases filed in their respective courts and provide for the public availability of such documents at a reasonable time upon request.

Note that court records that contain certain confidential information are exempt from the implications of this Act. For instance, records whose disclosure may constitute an unreasonable violation of the right to privacy or security of any person named on the record are subject to regulations or privacy restrictions. They include:

• Records and documents that could compromise an ongoing investigation or prosecution
• Information that may reveal the identity of confidential informants, witnesses, or other parties involved in a pending investigation
• Court documents sealed by court order or state statute
• Expunged or sealed records
• Paperwork or recording containing confidential communication between an attorney and their client
• Identifying information about juvenile case parties
• Sensitive personal information like social security numbers
• Most probate court records, e.g., estates and wills, mental health commitments, guardianship, and conservatorship

Bedford County Court Records Search

Interested parties can view Bedford court records through various official and unofficial resources. Some court clerks, such as the Bedford County Circuit Court Clerk, allow visitors to inspect case records maintained by their office. In addition, researchers may inspect records online using court lookup websites or third-party aggregate websites.

Bedford County Courts

The court system of all counties in Virginia comprises three different courts—circuit courts, general district courts, and juvenile and domestic relations courts. The Bedford County Circuit Court has both civil and criminal jurisdiction and is the highest court in the county, presiding on cases beyond the jurisdiction of the other courts. The district court in Bedford County also has criminal and civil jurisdiction but only adjudicates select cases. Juvenile and domestic relations courts are generally reserved for family law and cases involving minors. Find the address and contact information of these courts below:

Bedford County Circuit Court, 24th Judicial Circuit
Bedford County Courthouse
123 East Main Street
Suite 201
Bedford, VA 24523
Phone: (540) 586-7632
Fax: (540) 586-6197

Bedford County General District Court - 24th Judicial District
Bedford County Courthouse
123 East Main Street
Suite 202
Bedford, VA 24523
Phone: (540) 586-7637
Fax: (540) 586-7684

Bedford County Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court
Bedford County Courthouse
123 East Main Street
Suite 101
Bedford, VA 24523
Phone: (540) 586-7641
Fax: (540) 587-9395

Bedford County Criminal Records

Bedford County criminal records provide comprehensive histories of people’s criminal activities. They contain details about the resulting arrests, court dispositions, and corrections. This kind of record usually includes limited information about the associated court proceedings. The Virginia State Police (VSP) is the sole agency responsible for maintaining criminal records for the various counties in the state.

Bedford County Sheriff and the County Police Department maintain Bedford County arrest records for suspects apprehended and detained within the county and may facilitate a search. Record seekers are required to complete a FOIA request. Inquiries at the VSP may be name-based or fingerprint-based. Name-based searches involve completing a request form. A drop-down option on this page allows users to specify the type of form they need, as each form has distinct applications:

• Form SP-167 is for record subjects, out-of-state agencies, private companies, and public members.
• Form SP-230 is for employment purposes.

The completed form must be downloaded and notarized before submission, with $15.00. Requests for records that include information about sex offenders cost $20.00. Fees are payable through money order or check. The fee and completed application form must be submitted by mail to

Virginia State Police
Civil & Applicant Records Exchange (CARE)
7700 Midlothian Turnpike
North Chesterfield, VA 23235.

Fingerprint-based inquiries are done in person at the VSP headquarters using a fingerprint card, which costs $10.00. Inquirers must go with a photo ID or any other valid means of identification to the office at

State Police Headquarters
7700 Midlothian Turnpike
North Chesterfield, VA 23235
Phone: (804) 674-2000

Get Bedford County Civil Court Records

Civil court cases are legal disputes between individuals or organizations seeking resolution, enforcement of rights, or compensation, e.g., family law, probate, property disputes, personal injury, and contract disputes. However, All Bedford County courts handle civil cases with distinct jurisdictions. The county’s circuit court handles civil cases with the most severity and involves large financial amounts of upward of $4,500.

The clerks of the various courts maintain records for their respective courthouses and are responsible for satisfying FOIA requests. Note that applicable fees vary for different courts. For instance, the circuit court clerk charges $0.50 per page or image and $10.00 per CD of obtained record. Health records, tax records, vendor proprietary information, and other exempt information or documents that may constitute civil court records are non-public. Requests for Bedford County court records should be directed to the originating court:

Judy E. Reynolds, Clerk of Court
Bedford Circuit Court Clerk’s Office
123 East Main Street
Suite 201
Bedford, VA 24523
Phone: (540) 586-7632
Email: jreynolds@vacourts.gov.

Bedford Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court
123 East Main Street
Suite 101
Bedford, VA 24523-2011
Phone: (540) 586-7641
Fax: (540) 587-9395

Bedford General District Court
123 East Main Street
Suite 202
Bedford, VA 24523-2034
Phone: (540) 586-7637
Fax: (540) 586-7684
Email: aschley@vacourts.gov.

Bedford County Marriage Records

Marriage records from 1754 are maintained on file at the county clerk’s office. The Virginia Department of Health also maintains a repository of Bedford County marriage records. Certified copies of marriage certificates are available only to marriage participants, their designees, or other legally authorized parties. Third parties only receive written notification that a marriage occurred in the county.

Interested parties should contact the originating courthouse or the Department of Health for marriage records. To facilitate the search, a researcher is required to possess the full name of the marriage parties. Supplying the date when a marriage occurred can further aid the retrieval of the sought record.

Bedford County Divorce Records

Divorces in Bedford County are adjudicated in the county’s circuit court, and the court clerk’s office maintains all related records. Divorce records are classified as the county’s vital records and are confidential. They are only available to litigants in a case and parties with legitimate interests. Eligible parties should query the county clerk’s office for records. The Vital Records Division of the Virginia Department of Health also maintains a repository of divorce records and may be contacted for a statewide search.

Bedford County Birth and Death Records

Birth and death records are generally classified as Bedford County Vital Records. A Bedford County birth certificate is confidential and is only available to record subjects or their immediate family members – father, mother, child, spouse, sibling, or grandparent. This does not include aunties, uncles, cousins, or in-laws. A person’s birth records may be released to their legal guardian with proof of custody.

A requester must present a valid ID to obtain any of these records. Eligible parties may obtain copies of these records at the county clerk’s office. Residents of Virginia may obtain birth and death records from the Virginia Department of Health, Division of Vital Records.

2001 Maywill Street
Suite 101
Richmond, VA 23230
Phone: (804) 662-6200

Researchers are required to pay a $12.00 fee for each search, obtained record copy, or certificate obtained. They must also possess the full name of the individual named on the record. Birth and death records are valuable resources that provide information about families, societies, and individuals. They also serve as important tools for historical studies and genealogical research. Death certificates are necessary documentation for probate proceedings.

Bedford County Probate Court Records

The Bedford County Circuit Court handles all judicial matters related to probate, such as estate administration, will contests and administration, asset collection and distribution, and debt settlements. The Clerk of the Circuit Court maintains all associated court records and is responsible for making them available to eligible requesters.

Note that access to these records is typically subject to court regulations and privacy laws, as they contain sensitive information pertaining to estates, guardianships, and other matters. Researchers are advised to contact the circuit court clerk for information about record availability, potential restrictions, and applicable fee schedules.

Bedford County Property Records

The Clerk of Circuit Court maintains a repository of land records for properties in Bedford County, such as deeds, trusts, mortgages, and other instruments associated with real estate transactions. Property records in Bedford County are public and available to visitors at the clerk’s office during business hours (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).

The fee is $0.50 per copy of plain documents and $2.00 per copy of certified documents. Interested persons can contact the custodial office at (540) 586-7632 or jreynolds@vacourts.gov. Records created from 1754 to date are available for in-person inspection at the land research area on the second floor of

Circuit Court Clerk’s Office
123 East Main Street
Bedford VA 24523-2034.

The clerk also offers secure remote access to land records for a yearly fee of $600 per user, payable in advance. Interested parties should email an application to jreynolds@vacourts.gov.

Bedford County Court Records Online

Other than online search tools provided by court clerks, many third-party online repositories, such as Virginiacourtrecords.us, offer a convenient alternative for remotely accessing Bedford County court records. These third-party platforms provide benefits like effortless access for inquirers unable to visit the courthouse and additional search functionalities, enabling users to easily and quickly locate specific case information or individuals. However, third-party websites operate separately from government entities. As such, users should screen information obtained for precision, accuracy, and comprehensiveness.