Lynchburg City Court Records

Court documents, files, motions, and other information generated within the City of Lynchburg are part of the general Virginia court records. These records are created when individuals, organizations, and prosecutors initiate civil and criminal actions in the city’s Juvenile and domestic relations district, Circuit, and General district courts.

Lynchburg City Court records help residents understand their city's judicial landscape, track personal cases, and understand outcomes of legal causes that affect public policy. Attorneys rely on historical case files to prosecute, defend, and litigate civil and criminal matters, and judges use these case histories as references when drafting orders and decisions.

Interested parties can use methods provided by Virginia’s 24th judicial Circuit and district, which covers the City of Lynchburg and 4 other counties, to find and obtain court records.

Are Court Records Public in Lynchburg City?

Yes. Part 11 of the Rules of the Supreme Court of Virginia establishes public access to Lynchburg court records. The Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which allows access to files and data created by government agencies, does not cover the judiciary of the Commonwealth. Still, the Supreme Court rule affords sufficient access to case documents and information.

However, certain records are restricted from public access. These records include sensitive personal and financial information, details contained in Lynchburg City arrest records that may be tied to ongoing police investigations, certain juvenile and child-related civil and criminal proceedings, sealed and expunged court records, and trade secrets, among others.

In most cases where records are blocked from public access, only individuals with statutory or court permissions can have access.

Lynchburg City Court Records Search

The Lynchburg City Court system comprises 3 courts:

• Circuit Court: Exclusively handles felonies and civil cases exceeding $25,000. Shares jurisdiction with the general district court for cases where the money in dispute is equal to or lower than $25,000 but not less than $4,500.
• General District Court: Hears misdemeanors, traffic violations, and preliminary proceedings for felonies. Exclusively handles cases worth less than $4,500 but has shared authority with the Lynchburg City Circuit Court on cases worth above $4,500 and not exceeding $25,000.
• Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court: Handles criminal matters involving children younger than 18. It also hears family-related matters such as parenthood, crimes against family members, and child neglect, abuse, custody, support, and visitation.

People can find information related to such court cases by using their designated online resources or contacting court administration. The following are their online resources:

• Circuit Court Case Information: This online database contains details of felonies and civil cases heard in the circuit court. It allows individuals to search by hearing date, name, and case number in the civil and criminal tabs. For criminal cases, users can view the defendant's charges, case number, charge type and class, arrest and offense dates, and personal data. Other available details include hearing events, final disposition, and sentencing and incarceration details (if applicable).

Civil search results display plaintiff and defendant names, case status and details, hearing events and outcomes, type of hearing, final disposition, and pleadings and orders.

• General District Court Online Case Information System: This system holds data generated by general district courts and allows intending users to provide case numbers, hearing dates, defendant names, and process/service details to start their searches. Like the Circuit Court’s online system, search results for criminal cases show the defendant's details, charge information, hearing events, and case disposition. For civil search results, individuals can review case number, plaintiff and defendant details, case hearings, judgment, and appeal details.
• Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court Online Payment System: This is also an online system but dedicated to the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court system. Name and case number searches are available, and individuals can view the defendant's name, trial, and payment due date, and charge details. They can also see payment summaries and pay off outstanding fees using the portal.

Lynchburg City Courts

As stated earlier, Lynchburg City belongs to the 24th Judicial Circuit and District of Virginia. A circuit court, general district court, and the juvenile and domestic relations district court serve the city. Individuals can locate and contact these courts using the following details to learn how to obtain copies of court records:

Circuit Court
900 Court Street
Lynchburg, VA 24504
Phone: (434) 455-2620

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 4
Lynchburg, VA 24504
General District Court
905 Court Street
Lynchburg, VA 24504-1603
Phone: (434) 455-2630 (criminal/traffic), (434) 455-2640 (Civil)
Fax: (434) 847-1779

Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court
909 Court Street,
1st Level
Lynchburg, VA 24504-1603
Phone: (434) 455-2670
Fax: (434) 847-1442

Lynchburg City Criminal Records

Lynchburg City criminal records are not solely court records. Certain arrest records can be obtained by visiting the city’s police department or Sheriff's Office.

The LPD (Lynchburg Police Department) is responsible for most arrests in the city and disseminates publicly available Lynchburg arrest records to requesting members of the public. Individuals can submit FOIA requests to the department to obtain such records. The LAPD’s Police Reports and Criminal Records Check Requests web page also provides information about obtaining department records.

For comprehensive Lynchburg criminal records covering arrests, court trials, and convictions, one can approach the Virginia State Police to obtain copies of an individual's criminal history. This process is called a background check or criminal history record check. It involves filling out Form SP-167 or SP-230, depending on the party requesting the check. Form SP-167 is reserved for certain eligible parties outlined in V.A. Code. § 19.2-389 and requires the submission of a notarized signature. Form SP-230 does not require notarized signatures and is specifically used by assisted living facilities, daycare centers, foster care agencies, child care centers, adult homes, and other healthcare agencies to run checks on potential employees. Individuals can visit the website of the VSP’s Central Criminal Records Exchange unit for more information on how to run criminal background checks.

To obtain criminal court records, it helps to know the court where each case was prosecuted. The Lynchburg City Circuit Court handles felonies while the general district court conducts preliminary hearings for felonies and handles traffic violations and misdemeanors. Interested parties can use the resources outlined earlier to find Lynchburg criminal records available in court documents.

Get Lynchburg City Civil Court Records

Civil court cases are legal hearings involving disputing organizations or individuals. These actions are generally initiated when a plaintiff believes they are owed restitutions or reparations from named defendants. While criminal justice institutions and law enforcement can be named in civil cases, they do not participate in prosecuting a person for crimes. These proceedings are handled in the district and circuit courts depending on how much money is involved.

One can use the online resources dedicated to each court to find case information or approach court clerks to obtain case documents.

Lynchburg City Marriage Records

Lynchburg City marriage records include divorce and marriage certificates and fall under vital records. These records are used in various situations, such as change of name, proof of marriage, tax filings, green card applications, new marriage license applications after divorces, and insurance and inheritance claims.

Marriage records are only available to people named on the documents and their relatives (parents, grandparents, siblings, and children). One can apply to obtain these records by mail, in person, or over the phone through the Virginia Department of Health’s Division of Vital Records using the following addresses and phone numbers:

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

Mailing Address
VDH, Office of Vital Records
P.O. Box 1000
Richmond, Virginia 23218-1000

The division allows any eligible party to apply online or use its express delivery option (through a third party) to obtain a Lynchburg City marriage certificate or divorce document. These records cost the following:

• $12 per certified copy or search
• Express delivery (third-party vendor):
  • $20.80 per certificate
  • $11.95 non-refundable service fee

Individuals should note that delivery costs are attached to the express delivery service, except if the United States Post Office Regular Mail option is selected.

Lynchburg City Divorce Records

While Lynchburg City divorce records can be obtained through the Virginia Department of Health, eligible parties can also approach the city’s Circuit Court to obtain documents produced during such proceedings. These documents provide more details about the divorce, including agreements reached by spouses and judgment decrees.

Lynchburg County Birth and Death Records

Lynchburg City birth and death records are official paperwork used to document people's birth information (such as place and date of birth and parent names) or death details within the City. A Lynchburg City birth certificate can be used for the following:

• Proof of parenthood for insurance benefits, inheritance claims, and pensions procedures
• Proof of age
• Proof of citizenship
• Passport, driver's license, and social security applications
• School enrollment

Death records can be used for the following:

• Proof of death
• Probate proceedings
• Insurance, retirement, and pension benefits claims
• Investigations

Like other Lynchburg City vital records, these documents are only accessible to the records subject and members of their families. However, the department of health can provide Lynchburg City birth records to the legal guardians of birth certificate owners.

People looking to obtain these records can follow the same processes outlined for marriage records.

Lynchburg City Probate Court Records

According to V.A. Code § 64.2-443, circuit courts have jurisdiction over probate of wills. These cases are set up to administer the estates of deceased Lynchburg City residents who may or may not have left wills behind. The court also handles disputes that may arise from such cases. Individuals interested in obtaining records created from these proceedings can approach the clerk of the city's circuit court for inquiries.

Lynchburg City Property Records

Property records in Lynchburg City are maintained by the office of the Clerk of Circuit Courts and city assessor. These records are used to create official documentation of land transactions within the City. People need these property details for tax purposes, real estate due diligence, and appraisals.

Members of the public can visit the clerk's public records section to view or obtain land records at 50 cents per page. Individuals can also use the city's GIS platform to find real estate properties on a map and view their details.

Members of the public can also subscribe to the state's Circuit Court Secure Remote Access to Land Records portal to view property documents maintained by the city's circuit clerk. Interested parties are required to pay $50 per month, $270 per six months, and $480 per year to access the service. Those who want to set up their accounts can complete the Secure Remote Access Application form and submit it to:

Lynchburg Circuit Court
P.O. Box 4
Lynchburg VA 24505

Lynchburg City Court Records Online

Lynchburg City public records can also be obtained through third-party resources like Virginiacourtrecords.us. These vendors are private entities that provide information centrally to make the search process convenient and may charge fees for specific records. Individuals who intend to use third parties should note that these services cannot guarantee the records' accuracy.