Newport News County Court Records

Newport News County court records include all papers and documents, information, exhibits, and actions in a civil or criminal judicial proceeding. The documents that makeup court records include motions, orders, injunctions, court transcripts, electronic recordings, logs, warrants, affidavits, etc.

Access to Virginia court records ensures that the judiciary is accountable and transparent in upholding the principles of an open, fair, and just government. It also ensures that the parties' rights in a case are protected and fully realized. The Newport News circuit court clerk is the custodian of court records within the county.

Are Court Records Public in Newport News County?

Yes. Per the provisions of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, all records prepared, owned, or maintained by a public body or its officers in the transaction of public business shall be open to all persons (§ 2.2-3700 - 2.2-3714). The record custodians shall determine access to court records in accordance with the Virginia FOIA.

Generally, record custodians must provide reasonable means of access to their records promptly but not exceeding five working days without reason. However, court records may be withheld from disclosure as a whole or on some part to the extent that the provisions of the FOIA apply, or in compliance with other federal or state law, or upon a court order for expungement. The following information contained in court records may be exempt from mandatory disclosure:

• Confidential information like the identity of the victims and persons in protection programs
• Mental health records
• Juvenile Records
• Medical and financial information
• Court documents relating to involuntary commitment
• Criminal investigative files
• Information given in confidence to state or local law enforcement agencies.

Newport News County Court Records Search

Researchers can perform a Newport News County court record search at any of the following sources:

• The courthouse where the case was adjudicated
• The office of the court clerk
• Virginia Judiciary Online Case Information System 2.0
• Virginia Circuit Court Case Information System
• Third-party search sites.

Newport News County Court Records Search by Name

To perform a name-based search for court records in Newport News County, it is important that the searcher knows the case name or the first and last name of a party in the case (or the name of the business where it concerns organizations). Other information necessary to find a court record by name is the filing date, the name of the court with jurisdiction over the case, case type (civil, criminal, traffic), and case number.

Searchers who know the aforementioned details may visit the office of the Newport County Circuit Court clerk to lookup court records. Visitors may be required to fill out application forms or record request forms before they may be attended to. The record custodian may also require such applicants to provide their names, home addresses, and a valid means of identification in order to process their requests.

The court clerk staff will provide as much assistance as necessary to help researchers find the records they need. However, the searcher must provide accurate and specific information that can sufficiently identify an existing record. Additionally, the clerk may charge reasonable fees for searching or producing copies of court records upon an applicant's request.

The Virginia Judicial Branch has online case management systems that provide remote access to court records. The websites contain case information from Newport News County Circuit Court, district courts, and the Juvenile and domestic violence courts.

• Virginia Judiciary Online Case Information System: This case information system provides access to records of all Virginia courts. To find Newport News County court records, select the court level from the drop-down menu, then select the Newport County Court division and click on search.
• Virginia Circuit Court Case Information: This is a case management system for circuit courts in Virginia. To find court records, choose Newport News Circuit Court from the dropdown menu and select Begin. Next, choose a court division (civil or criminal), then search by name, case number, or hearing date.

Newport News County Courts

The Newport County Court System comprises a circuit court, general district courts, and a juvenile and domestic relations district court. Below is a directory of court addresses and contact information for courts in the City of Newport News.

City of Newport News Circuit Court - 7th Judicial Circuit
2500 Washington Avenue
Newport News, VA 23607
Phone: (757) 926-8561

City of Newport News General District Court - 7th Judicial District (Civil)
2500 Washington Avenue
Newport News, VA 23607
Phone: (757) 926-3520
Fax: (757) 926-7024

City of Newport News General District Court - 7th Judicial District (Criminal)
2500 Washington Avenue
Newport News, VA 23607
Phone: (757) 926-8811
Fax: (757) 926-7026

City of Newport News General District Court - 7th Judicial District (Traffic)
2500 Washington Avenue
Newport News, VA 23607
Phone: (757) 926-8876
Fax: (757) 926-7025

City of Newport News Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court
2501 Huntington Avenue
Newport News, VA 23607
Phone: (757) 926-3603
Fax: (757) 926-3598

Newport News County Circuit Court Case Search

The Newport News Circuit Court is a trial court of general jurisdiction in Virginia, and it has the authority to adjudicate civil and criminal cases. The Newport News Circuit Court has shared jurisdiction with the general district court over civil cases with claims of amounts between $4500 and $25,000.

The court also hears personal injury suits, divorce, probates, administration of estate, trusts, property disputes, unlawful termination, and wrongful death where the amount of the claim does not exceed $50,000. For criminal cases, the court has jurisdiction over felonies, juvenile felonies transferred from a judge in the juvenile and domestic relations court, and misdemeanors on appeal from the district court. Furthermore, the circuit court is an appellate court and can receive appeals from the district and juvenile and domestic relations courts.

Newport News Circuit court records can be obtained by mail, in person at the office of the circuit court clerk, or online at the Virginia Circuit Court Case Information site.

Newport News County District Court Records

The Newport News General District Court has jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases like general district traffic violation offenses, misdemeanors, landlord and tenant disputes, contract disputes, and personal injury actions. The district court only holds preliminary hearings for felony cases to determine whether there is probable cause to believe a defendant committed an offense and should be tried in the circuit court. The court hears cases involving traffic offenses punishable by a fine. Newport News county district court records may be obtained online at the Virginia Judiciary Online Case Management System or from the clerk office.

Newport News County Criminal Records

The Newport News Sheriff’s Office maintains an online arrest report, which is updated daily to reflect the most recent arrests in the county. Newport News County arrest records contain information like the arrestee's name, date and time of arrest, location of arrest, charge, arrest and incident number, race, age, sex, height and weight of the arrestee, and the name of the precinct and arresting officer. Interested persons may also find information on active warrants in Newport News County.

One may also perform a Criminal History Record Check through the Virginia Department of State Police. The Virginia State Police does not disclose juvenile records. To purchase a state criminal record, read the instructions for completing the request form. Then, complete and mail the form to the Virginia State Police. A standard criminal history check costs $15. The processing time is six business days from when the State Police receives the application.

Mailing address:
Virginia State Police
Civil & Applicant Records Exchange (CARE)
7700 Midlothian Turnpike
N. Chesterfield, Virginia 23235.

Newport News County Criminal Court Case Lookup

Criminal court case records are official records of trials and legal proceedings concerning felonies, misdemeanors, and traffic offenses. Members of the public can access Newport News County criminal court records at the office of the circuit court clerk. They may also be accessed remotely at the Virginia Circuit Court Case Search site or the general online case information search portal.

Get Newport News County Civil Court Records

In Newport News County, civil court records are on the subject matter of private or property disputes between individuals, businesses, or organizations. They usually include infringement of intellectual property rights, torts, claims for damages, specific performance, insurance claim suits, domestic relations, family law, divorce, annulment, contract disputes, property disputes, landlord and tenant disputes, unlawful detainer, occupier’s liability, gross negligence, et cetera.

Newport News Civil court records are typically in the custody of the circuit court clerk. Members of the public can obtain copies of civil court records online, by mail, or in person at the county courthouse.

Newport News County Family Court Records

The Newport News Juveline and Domestic Relations (JDR) court handles all matters related to family law, and parties can appeal the decisions of the JDR judge at the circuit court. The family law cases typically handled by the JDR court include children in need of services or supervision (CHINS program), child abuse, child custody, visitation rights, child support, termination of parental rights, paternity, foster care, legal emancipation, domestic abuse, spousal support, court-ordered blood testing of minors, etc.

Due to confidentiality laws and to protect the interest and security of the subject of these records, access to Newport News County family court records is restricted to people involved in the case to the extent permitted by law.

Newport News Dissolution of Marriage Records

Newport News County's dissolution of marriage records is filed with the circuit court clerk if the defendant or plaintiff resides in the county or last cohabited as husband and wife in the county. These records may be obtained by mail or in person at the Newport News County Circuit Court Clerk's Office. Alternatively, one may find dissolution of marriage records at the Virginia Courts case information websites. However, availability differs for each county.

Newport News County Marriage and Divorce Records

Applications to purchase copies of Newport News Marriage and divorce certificates should be directed to the Virginia Department of Health, Division of Vital Records. Provided that the marriage or divorce occurred in Virginia, copies of such records may be obtained from the Blue Ridge district health departments. However, these marriage and divorce certificates can only be obtained by immediate family members (parents, spouses, siblings, and grandparents with a valid state-issued identity card).

Newport News County vital records ( divorce and marriage records) cost $12 per copy. Individuals may contact or visit the Virginia Department of Health or, for convenience, the Peninsula Health Department in Newport News. Records are issued during regular business hours, Monday to Friday.

Virginia Department of Health, Division of Vital Records
2001 May Will Street
Suite 101
Richmond, VA 23230
Phone: (804) 662-6200

Peninsula Health Department
416 J. Clyde Morris Boulevard
Newport News, VA 23601
Phone: (757) 594-7314
Email: yasmin.bowden@vdh.virginia.gov.

Copies of Newport News marriage licenses and divorce decrees can only be obtained from the circuit court clerk. The Department of Health issues copies of marriage and divorce certificates.

Newport News Birth and Death Records

News birth and death certificates can be obtained from the county Health Department. Death certificates filed less than 30 days from the date of the request must be obtained from the county or city where they were originally filed; otherwise, Newport County Death records may be purchased at any local department.

Virginia vital records such as birth and death records are only issued to immediate family members with a valid ID. This includes the legal guardians with proof of custody, mother, father, spouses, children, siblings, and grandparents. A grandchild can only obtain the death certificate of their grandparents. Immediate family members do not include aunts, uncles, cousins, and in-laws. These records cost $12 and can be retrieved from the Virginia Department of Health, Division of Vital Records, or the County Health Department.

Newport News County Probate Court Records

The process of probate is officially recording and proving a will as the valid and recognized will of the deceased. Probates in Virginia are typically handled by the circuit court in the city or county where the testator resided at the time of death. Newport News County probate records will be available for inspection at the office of the Circuit Court clerk. Pursuant to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, probates are public records. Individuals may also contact the Probate Division by phone at (757) 926-8345 or email (probate@nnva.gov).

Newport News County Property Records

Property records in Newport News County may be obtained from the county Real Estate Assessor. Real property records in the custody of the county assessor include assessment history and value, tax information, property address, ownership information, legal description, parcel ID, and parcel type. Also, the Newport News Circuit Court Clerk provides online access to land records concerning all registered real property in the county. However, this service is only available to approved subscribed users. Interested parties can call the clerk’s office at (757) 926-8355 or landrecords@nnva.gov to inquire about land records. One may also submit requests for land records in person at the Circuit court clerk’s office from 8 AM to 4 PM, Monday through Friday.

Newport News County Court Records Online

Though Newport News County, Virginia, does not have an official case management system for accessing court records online, several third-party alternatives can help researchers find important case information. These public records search sites, like Virginiacourtrecords.us, are privately owned and aren't operated or managed by government agencies.

Third-party public records search tools are convenient. They allow users to search statewide court records and eliminate the need to visit courthouses in person. Online searches are faster and less time-consuming. On the flip side, case information from third-party websites is not as comprehensive as that from official sources. Individuals also have to be wary of sharing personal information on these sites due to data privacy breach concerns. Third-party sites are more expensive than requesting records from the clerk’s office by mail. Plus, there is no guarantee that the information available is accurate and complete.