Fauquier County Court Records

Fauquier County court records are the official documentation of cases handled by local courthouses in the county. Court records document the entire lifespan of a court case, from the initial filings (e.g., a complaint or petition) to the final judgment and everything in between.

Generally, court records contain pertinent information about the adjudication of cases. Hence, they can be reviewed to determine what led to a judgment and arguments provided by opposing sides in a court proceeding. This allows for transparency and accountability of the judicial system.

Court records consist of various documents and information generated by local courts and filed by litigants regarding a court case. These include, but are not limited to, dockets, pleadings, motions, decisions, court orders, evidence, and hearing transcripts, among other items found in a case file.

Are Court Records Public in Fauquier County?

Yes. The Virginia Public Records Act grants everyone the legal right to access records of transactions or activities maintained by a public officer or agency and its employees. Although there are certain exceptions, court records are subject to the provisions of the Act. As a result, anyone can submit queries to inspect or request copies of court records to the custodians of these records in Fauquier County.

Nonetheless, certain court records are exempt from the provisions of the Virginia Public Records Act and are unavailable to the general public. Only select persons and entities can access non-public court records, such as the subject of the record and criminal justice agencies. Listed below are some examples of non-public court records in Fauquier County:

• Juvenile records
• Adoption records
• Administrative investigation records
• Attorney-client communication records
• Sealed court records per court order, state, or federal statute

Fauquier County Court Records Search

Interested persons can conduct a Court Records Search in Fauquier County through the following places:

• Clerk's Office of the local court that handled the case
• Case status and information online resources provided by Virginia’s Judicial System.
• Third-party websites that provide court records search services.

Fauquier County Courts

Fauquier County has three (3) types of courts: Fauquier Circuit Court, Fauquier General District Court, and Fauquier Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court.

Fauquier Circuit Court has general jurisdiction over all types of civil and criminal cases. Meanwhile, the Fauquier General District Court is a court of limited jurisdiction that can conduct trials for traffic infractions and misdemeanor offenses and hear civil cases with claims of up to $25,000. On the other hand, the Fauquier Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court has limited jurisdiction over cases involving children and families.

The addresses of courthouses in Fauquier County and their respective Clerk’s Offices contact information are provided below:

Fauquier County Circuit Court
40 Culpeper St.
Warrenton, VA 20186
Phone: (540) 422-8100
Fax: (540) 422-8112

Fauquier County General District Court
6 Court St,
Warrenton, VA 20186
Phone: (540) 422-8035
Fax: (540) 422-8033

Fauquier County Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court
14 Main St,
Warrenton, VA 20186
Phone: (540) 422-8040
Fax: (540) 422-8041

Fauquier County Criminal Records

Fauquier County criminal records are official documents that contain details about an individual's criminal history. Local criminal justice agencies generate these records to document noteworthy run-ins with the law individuals have had in Fauquier County. In Virginia, including Fauquier County, the dissemination of criminal records is governed by the Code of Virginia § 19.2-389.

Individuals searching Fauquier County criminal records can begin their search at the Fauquier County Sheriff's Office. The Sheriff's Office provides a Background Check Request form interested persons can complete and submit to request an individual's criminal records. Note that the Sheriff's Office can only release criminal records that it maintains, such as Fauquier County arrest records. Requesters should appropriately complete the Background Check request form and submit it in person or by mail to the Fauquier County Sheriff's Office at:

Office of the Sheriff, Fauquier County
78 West Lee Street
Warrenton, VA 20186
Phone: (540) 422-8600

Criminal history record checks can also be conducted at the state level through the Virginia State Police (VSP) Central Criminal Records Exchange (CCRE). The VSP is the state repository of criminal records. As a result, criminal justice agencies across Virginia, including Fauquier County, report most criminal records they generate to the VSP.

There are primarily two ways to conduct criminal history record checks through VSP. Requesters can use either the SP-167 or SP-230 form. The general public can use the SP-167 form, while only non-criminal justice entities outlined in VA Code § 19.2-389 can use the SP-230 form. Prospective requesters can find forms SP-167 and SP-230 online through the VSP’s Criminal History Background Search portal. A third form (SP-266) for Sex Offender Search is also provided on the portal. These forms can be completed online and downloaded. Detailed instructions on filing out these request forms are provided on the VSP instructions form. Note that requests are subject to certain fees depending on the type of record being requested. These fees are detailed on the VSP instructions form, and they include and are not limited to the following:

• $15 per search for a criminal history search (SP-167 and SP-230)
• $20.00 per search for a combination of criminal history and sex offender search (SP-167 and SP-230)
• $15.00 per search for Sex Offender Search (SP-266)

It is worth noting that the SP-167 form runs a search for Virginia convictions only. Requesters seeking Virginia charges, dismissals, and pending charges must attach the subject’s completed fingerprint card to the SP-167 form. Additionally, the SP-167 form requires notarization. After completing the appropriate request form online, download it and submit it along with other required items, including payment of the required fee, by drop off or mail to the VSP at:

For Mail
Virginia State Police
Civil & Applicants Records Exchange
P.O. Box 85076
Richmond, VA 23285

For Drop Off
Virginia Department of State Police Headquarters
7700 Midlothian Turnpike,
North Chesterfield, VA 23235

The VSP can take up to 15 business days to process a request.

Get Fauquier County Civil Court Records

In Fauquier County, civil cases are handled by either the County Circuit or General District Court. As previously explained, the Fauquier County Circuit Court has general jurisdiction over all civil cases that arise in the county. Meanwhile, the Fauquier County General District Court has limited jurisdiction over civil cases involving claims of up to $25,000. Hence, interested persons can query the Clerk Offices of these courts to get Fauquier County civil court records.

Interested persons can contact or visit the record room of the Fauquier County Circuit Clerk's Office to make search requests for civil case records. Note the Record Room is open on weekdays between 8:30 am to 4:00 pm, and the Circuit Clerk's Office address and contact information are provided below:

29 Ashby Street
Warrenton, VA 20186-3202
Phone: (540) 422-8100
Fax: (540) 422-8112
Email: recordsroom@fauquiercounty.gov (Records Room)
Email: CVDRcircuit@fauquiercounty.gov (Civil Cases)

Interested persons can query the District Clerk's Office for court records of civil cases handled by the Fauquier County General District Court. Queries can be made in person at the District Clerk’s Office on weekdays between 8:00 am - 4:00 pm at:

6 Court Street
Warrenton, VA 20186-3299
Phone: (540) 422-8035
Fax: (540) 422-8033

Virginia’s judicial system also provides online resources for the general public to access Fauquier County Civil Court Records. Record seekers can use the Circuit Court Case Information portal to search for civil cases handled by the County Circuit Court and the General District Court Case Information portal for those handled by the County General District Court. Both portals are accessible for free and searchable by party name, case number, or hearing date.

Fauquier County Marriage Records

In Fauquier County, the Circuit Clerk is responsible for issuing marriage licenses and maintaining marriage records. Therefore, record seekers can query the Circuit Court Clerk to access Fauquier County marriage records.

Per VA Code § 32.1-271, marriage records are confidential for 25 years after their recordation. Only certain eligible persons can obtain marriage records during their confidentiality period. These include individuals named on the record and their immediate family members (i.e., mother, father, spouse, child, brother, sister, and grandparents).

The Fauquier County Circuit Clerk provides copies of marriage licenses issued in the county for a fee. Marriage licenses from 75 years old to the present cost $3.00 per copy. Meanwhile, marriage licenses over 75 years cost 50 cents per page (certification costs an additional $2.00). Interested parties can request marriage records by mail or in person at the Circuit Clerk's Office. Mail-in requests should include the following:

• Marriage license number
• Full name of both parties
• Self-addressed, stamped envelope
• Payment (Cash, checks, and money orders only).
• An additional $5.00 search fee (If the marriage license number is not provided)

It is worth noting that Interested persons can also order Fauquier County marriage certificates through the Virginia Department of Health for a $12 fee.

Fauquier County Divorce Records

Like marriage records, Fauquier County divorce records become public 25 years after their recording date. Prior to being public, divorce records are only made available to the record subject(s) of the record and their immediate family members.

Fauquier County divorce records are accessible through the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) Office of Vital Records. Requesters are generally charged $12.00 per record and must provide an acceptable ID when they request divorce records from the VDH. The VDH offers online and offline avenues for requesting divorce records.

Record seekers can visit the Office of Vital Records customer service lobby for walk-in requests. The Office of Vital Records accepts walk-in requests on Monday to Friday from 7:00 am to 4:30 pm at:

2001 Maywill Street,
Suite 101
P.O. Box 1000
Richmond, Virginia 23230

Record seekers can also drop off a divorce record request application at the Office of Vital Records front desk. The application should include the requester’s signature and sufficient information about the desired record, such as the divorcees' names and date of divorce. The application should be submitted along with:

• A legible photocopy of the requester’s ID.
• Payments for the required $12 per record fee via check, money order, payment card, mobile pay, or cash. Checks and Money Orders should be made payable to the State Health Department.

Alternatively, interested persons can use the VDH Online Application for a Vital Record to make online requests. The aforementioned fees apply to walk-in and online requests. Note that online requests are processed within two (2) weeks. Meanwhile, the processing time for mail-in requests is four (weeks).

Fauquier County Birth and Death Records

Virginia Department of Health’s (VDH) Office of Vital Records is the primary custodian of recent Fauquier County vital records, including birth, death, and marriage records. The VDH preserves birth and death records from 1912 to the present. Hence, Fauquier County Birth Records and Death Records are accessible through the VDH.

Note that birth records and death records that are less than 100 and 25 years old, respectively, are confidential. These records are only available to the registrant and their immediate family members, such as their mother, father, spouse, child, brother, sister, and grandparents. Additionally, requesters must provide proper identification when making requests, and the VDH charges requesters a $12 per search fee for either a birth or death record request.

Walk-in requests for birth and death records are accepted at the VDH Office of Vital Records Customer Service Lobby from Monday to Friday, 7:00 am to 4:30 pm. Alternatively, record seekers can submit a request application at the front desk. The application should contain the requester’s signature and information that can be used to identify the desired records, such as the subject name and date of birth or death. Furthermore, the application should be submitted with the following items:

• A photocopy of the requester’s ID
• Payment for required fees (via check, money order, payment card, mobile pay, or cash)

Interested persons can also request Fauquier County birth certificates and death certificates online through the VDH’s Online Application for a Vital Record.

Fauquier County Probate Court Records

In Fauquier County, probate cases fall under the jurisdiction of the Circuit Court. As a result, the Circuit Clerk’s Office maintains Fauquier County probate court records. To name a few, will administration, estate distribution, guardianship, and conservatorship are all examples of probate cases.

Record seekers can visit the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office to request probate court records in person (Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm). Requesters must supply the clerk's office staff with sufficient information about the desired record to aid in identifying the record, such as the party name or case number. Record seekers may also be able to search the Circuit Court Case Information portal for probate court records.

Fauquier County Property Records

Fauquier County property records are maintained by the County Circuit Clerk’s Office and the Office of the Commissioner of Revenue. The Circuit Clerk’s Office maintains property ownership, transfer, and encumbrance records. This includes and is not limited to deeds, financing statements, and judgments. Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Revenue preserves real estate assessment records.

Interested persons can request property records from the Fauquier County Circuit Clerk’s Office in person at the Clerk’s Record Room. Alternatively, a mail-in request for the desired property record can be sent to the Circuit Clerk’s Office. The request should contain details about the document type, name, book, and page reference. The Circuit Clerk also offers online access to land records through the Office’s Land Records (SRA) portal. Note that the SRA portal has an annual subscription fee ($400 for up to two users).

Meanwhile, interested parties can view property assessment records through the Fauquier County Commissioner of Revenue Office's Real Estate Assessment Website. Record seekers can reach the Commissioner of Revenue Office for further questions and inquiries about these records at:

10 Hotel Street
Warrenton, VA 20188
Phone: (540) 422-8149

Fauquier County Court Records Online

One of the most convenient ways of conducting Fauquier County court records searches online is through third-party websites like virginiacourtrecords.us. This website offers a user-friendly interface that record seekers can use to search for court records by party name or cases.

One primary advantage of third websites over traditional government resources is that they have no geographic or judicial limitations. This implies that record seekers can use this website to search for court records of court cases handled by various courts across Virginia simultaneously, streamlining the search process. However, third-party websites typically do not have affiliation with government agencies. Hence, the records they provide may contain incomplete or inaccurate information.