Fairfax County Court Records

All case files, documents, dockets, photos, audio and video recordings, judgments, and any other relevant data created and kept by the courts on any legal subject are collectively referred to as Fairfax County Court Records.

In Fairfax County, Virginia, court records are generated to guarantee accountability, openness, and proper legal recording of court proceedings. They include case information such as the parties' names, case numbers, hearing dates, decisions, and court records, including judgments, motions, and complaints. These official documents also act as a historical archive, supporting legal study, guaranteeing due process, and defending the rights of individuals.

Are Court Records Public in Fairfax County?

Yes, court documents are considered public records under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act and the Public Records Act. As such, the judiciary is required to make these files available to the public upon request.

The Commonwealth of Virginia designates the Library of Virginia as the official trustee and custodian of all public records, regardless of format or physical attributes, transferred to it from any agency. Nonetheless, under the state judiciary's designation, court records are primarily maintained by the clerk's office of the courthouse where the case was filed. Certain aspects of records, however, are exempt from disclosure. These may include the following:

• Social Security numbers and other personally identifiable information
• Any information that would make it more challenging to conduct an investigation
• Information pertaining to health, education, or juvenile records.
• Documents pertaining to victims of domestic abuse.
• Trade secrets and business information that is confidential.

Fairfax County Court Records Search

Inquirers may conduct a Fairfax County court records search via:

• Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse
• Fairfax County General District Courthouse
• Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court
• Third-party records repositories

Fairfax County Court Records Search by Name

Inquirers will be re required to supply the first and last names of the record subject to do a name-based court records search in Fairfax County. Requesters may submit these required to the Circuit Court Clerk by mail, phone, fax, or in-person at the courthouse.

For instance, a name-based search for civil and criminal cases can be carried out online via the General District Court Case Information System. The search criteria include the name of the plaintiff or defendant (as it appears on the summons or warrants), with the last name being a required field. Other search criteria include the first and middle names, suffixes, and data status (current, archived, all).

To access civil or criminal court records, interested parties can apply using the file review request form available on the Circuit Court's official website. Once the application has been processed, the applicant will receive a notification via phone or email that includes the address of the courthouse or other location where records can be inspected. Keep in mind that costs vary depending on the type of case and the quantity of copies ordered. For example, the processing fee for civil file copies is $0.50 for plain copies, $2.00 for copies stamped and signed by a deputy clerk with a seal attached, and $2.50 for copies signed and sealed by a judge and the clerk of court.

Furthermore, interested parties can perform a statewide name-based records search using the name, court levels, case type/category, and specific court name as search parameters on the Virginia judiciary's online Case Information System 2.0 tool.

Fairfax County Courts

The Circuit Courts, the General District Courts, and the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts make up the judiciary in Fairfax County. The following is a list of every courthouse located inside the county boundaries:

CIRCUIT COURTS IN FAIRFAX COUNTY
Fairfax County Circuit Court - 19th Judicial Circuit
Fairfax County Courthouse
4110 Chain Bridge Rd, Fairfax, VA 22030
Phone: (703) 691-7320 ext. 3
Fax: (703) 591-2349

GENERAL DISTRICT COURTS IN FAIRFAX COUNTY
Fairfax County General District Court - 19th Judicial District
Fairfax County Courthouse
4110 Chain Bridge Rd, P.O. Box 10157, Fairfax, VA 22038
Phone: (703) 246-3012 (Civil)
Fax: (703) 591-2349 (Civil)
Phone: (703) 246-3305 (Criminal)
Fax: (703) 591-2349 (Criminal)
Phone: (703) 246-2815 (Traffic)
Fax: (703) 352-7851 (Traffic)

Fairfax County General District Court - 19th Judicial District (Herndon)
765 Lynn St, Herndon, VA 22070
Phone: (703) 246-3305 (Criminal)
Fax: (703) 591-2349 (Criminal)
Phone: (703) 246-2815 (Traffic)
Fax: (703) 352-7581 (Traffic)

Fairfax County General District Court - 19th Judicial District (Vienna)
127 S Center St S, Vienna, VA 22180
Phone: (703) 246-3305 (Criminal)
Fax: (703) 591-2349 (Criminal)
Phone: (703) 246-2815 (Traffic)
Fax: (703) 352-7581 (Traffic)

JUVENILE AND DOMESTIC RELATIONS DISTRICT COURTS IN FAIRFAX COUNTY
Fairfax County Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court
Fairfax County Courthouse
4110 Chain Bridge Rd, Fairfax, VA 22030
Phone: (703) 246-3367

OTHER COURTS WITHIN THE 19TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT FAIRFAX COUNTY
Civil/Small Claims Court
4110 Chain Bridge Road/288
Fairfax, VA 22030
Phone: (703) 246-3012
Hours: M-F 8:00am to 4:00pm

Magistrates
10520 Judicial Drive
Fairfax, VA 22030
Alexandria-Fairfax County
Phone: (703) 246-2178
Fax: (703) 780-8580

Fairfax County Superior Court Case Search

In Fairfax County, Virginia, the Circuit Court is frequently referred to as the highest court. The Circuit Court is the primary trial court for the county and has general authority over criminal, civil, and domestic relations cases. The Fairfax County Courthouse, the Offsite Records Center, and the Historic Records Center each hold court records generated by the county's courts. Inquirers may obtain these records by querying their custodians via mail, in person, or online.

The judiciary's online case information system 2.0 allows users to access statewide court records by performing a Name, case number, or court hearing date. The information provided through these searches includes the names of the plaintiff and defendant, the case history (filings, motions, and decisions), the case status (closed, pending, or disposed of), and more.

Interested parties may also query the relevant office in person for access to these records. However, the records' location may vary with the data type and the entry date. Requests may be addressed to:

For Current Criminal Case records, visit:
Fairfax County Courthouse
Criminal Division on the fourth floor in Suite 409
4110 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, VA 22030.
Mondays – Fridays (9am – 4pm)

For most Current Civil Court Records visit:
Fairfax Circuit Court
4110 Chain Bridge Road
3rd Floor/Suite 320 - Civil Records/File Room
Fairfax, VA 22030
Mondays – Fridays (8am – 4pm)

Interested parties should contact the probate department at (703) 246-4153 for the most recent probate files; for earlier copies, get in touch with the Historic Records Center. Similarly, inquirers may contact the Offsite Records Center for access to earlier criminal and civil records. Before visiting, applicants should download and complete the file review request form.

Certified copies of divorce decrees and other orders can be requested by mail at the following address:

Fairfax Circuit Court
Attention: File Room Copy Center
4110 Chain Bridge Road, Suite 320
Fairfax VA, 22030
(703) 246-4153

Keep in mind that there are additional requirements for mail or in-person requests, and there are fees involved for obtaining plain or certified copies of any record type an applicant is requesting, including civil, criminal, or probate records. Visit the Circuit Court's official website for additional information.

Fairfax County District Court Records

The General District Court and the Juvenile and Domestic Relations (JDR) District Court are the two district courts in Fairfax County. The General District Court resolves traffic infractions, misdemeanors, low-level criminal offenses, and civil issues such as personal damage, contract disputes, and landlord-tenant conflicts. The Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court (JDRDC) is housed on the third floor of the Fairfax Courthouse and handles cases pertaining to juveniles, crimes against juveniles, and family affairs (apart from divorce).

With name, case number, hearing date, and service/process search parameters, inquirers may search the General District Court online case information system, which gives the general public access to its court records under the criminal/traffic and civil search categories. With this tool, interested parties can easily conduct a quick search. The district court can also be contacted by phone, mail, or in-person visits.

However, juvenile and domestic relations (JDR) courts are distinct from other courts in that they are obligated to safeguard the privacy and secrecy of minors and their families involved in court proceedings. All JDR court hearings are closed to the public unless the judge grants permission for someone to attend. The public is not permitted to view the private records of juvenile proceedings, including delinquent (where a child is accused of a crime) and civil (custody, visitation, upkeep, and dependence). A court order is necessary to obtain access to these records.

Fairfax County Criminal Records

Per § 2.2-3706 of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, members of the public can obtain Fairfax County arrest records including criminal history information which encompass basic adult criminal history data, such as the subject's name, age, photograph, physical description, arrest charge, and other booking details, from the records custodian or other public channels. Access to criminal history records is restricted to the subjects of the records.

In-person requests may be made to the Police Department Central Records Section at:

12099 Government Center Parkway
Fairfax, VA 22035.

The applicant may print and complete PD form 23 prior to visiting the records office or submitting mail requests. Refer to the Instruction page for guidance on mail requests. There is a $10 fee for each record payable to the County of Fairfax.

Fairfax County Criminal Court Case Lookup

Members of the public may look up a criminal court case in Fairfax County by going to the circuit or general district court offices and asking to see the record. Alternatively, they may perform the search using the District Court's online case information system or the Virginia judiciary's online Case Information System 2.0 tool.

How to Get Fairfax County Civil Court Records

The Fairfax County Circuit Court and the General District Court have concurrent jurisdiction in civil proceedings involving claims totaling between $4,501 and $50,000. After that, it has sole original jurisdiction over any claims for amounts over $50,000.

In addition, the Circuit Court is empowered to hear cases pertaining to attachments, adoptions, divorces, disagreements over estates, wills, trusts, and property disputes. Therefore, anyone who is interested in gaining access to these data may contact one of the courthouses, either in person or online. Visit the official judiciary website for further information on retrieving civil court records in Fairfax county.

Fairfax County Family Court Records

Since family matters are handled by the Fairfax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations (JDR) District Court, all family-related court documents are created and kept by them. Documents about child support, family abuse/domestic violence, child support, custody and visitation, child abuse and neglect, spousal support, and other items are included in these records.

However, family records in Fairfax County are confidential and can only be seen by authorized individuals who contact the district courthouse clerk's office and present proper documentation along with a court order.

Fairfax Dissolution of Marriage Records

All of the records related to divorce or marriage annulment that have been processed by the county circuit court are included in the Fairfax dissolution of marriage records. To receive a copy, interested parties can query the circuit courthouse where the divorce was filed. Records of divorces inside the county are also kept by the county office of vital records.

Fairfax County Marriage and Divorce Records

In Fairfax County, marriages and divorces are filed and maintained by the circuit courts. Certified copies of marriage licenses dating back to 1932 and divorce decrees dating back to 1918 are also maintained by the Department of Vital Records.

To obtain a certified copy of the marriage license, contact the circuit courthouse where the license was obtained. Although certified copies of marriage certificates are only sent to the subjects of the records, the public can view them through the court repository. A $2.50 money order or check made payable to the court clerk is required in order to get a marriage certificate through the circuit court. The requester must also complete a copy of the marriage license request form. An interested person can send the application via mail or turn it in personally.

The library of Virginia also maintains an online repository where members of the public can conduct marriage records card index searches. This platform is mostly useful for research purpose and not to obtain certified records.

By completing the request form and paying the $3.00 fee with certified checks or money orders made payable to the clerk, individuals can also get certified divorce records or decrees via the circuit court.

Marriage and divorce certificates are also available to interested parties in person from the Fairfax County vital records office, but a $12.00 fee must be paid. A mailing option is available only through the office's third-party partner or the Virginia Department of Health.

Fairfax County Birth and Death Records

The Department of Health's Division of Vital Records Office maintains birth and death records in Fairfax County. The vital records office provides certified copies of birth and death records from 1912 to the present, as well as informational copies for interested parties. The only way to obtain vital records from them is through walk-in service, and each copy costs $12.00. Alternatively, interested parties can access the third party partner of the custodian's office or Virginia Department of Health web portals to submit mail requests. Terms and conditions apply.

Fairfax County Probate Court Records

Legal records connected to the administration of estates in Fairfax County, Virginia, are known as Fairfax Probate Records. These consist of inventories, wills, and other records submitted to the county court following death and describe how assets are divided and debts are settled per the wishes of the departed or the law.

The Probate Division can be contacted at (703) 246-4153 or visited at the Fairfax County Courthouse, 4110 Chain Bridge Road, Suite 401 in the City of Fairfax. For historical records spanning from 1742 to the early 1900s, please get in touch with the Historic Records Center.

Fairfax County Property Records

To obtain Fairfax County property records, get in touch with the Fairfax County Circuit Court's Division of Land Records by completing the request for land records form and mailing it to:

Fairfax Circuit Court
Attn: Land Records Copies
4110 Chain Bridge Rd.
Ste. 317 Fairfax, Virginia 22030

These requests cost $2.00 for each certified document and $0.50 per page.

A public online property search tool is kept up to date by the Fairfax County Department of Tax Administration. Using the address, map number, and map search parameters as search criteria, interested parties can look up property records. The search results will include the current owner, property parcel information, sales history, tax information, structure size, and other facts. Those interested can also contact by phone at (703) 222-8234 or in person at:

Fairfax County Department of Tax Administration
12000 Government Center Pkwy.
Ste. 223 Fairfax, Virginia 22035

Fairfax County Court Records Online

Third-party online resources like Virginiacourtrecords.us offer an alternative means of accessing court records online. Users can save time and effort by remotely accessing schedules, decisions, and case information. Reliance on external platforms, however, can mean paying subscription fees or having restricted access to particular data. In addition, consumers should exercise caution when using these services due to potential issues with data accuracy.