Pittsylvania County Court Records

Pittsylvania County court records are documents, information, data, and all other items filed with, generated, or maintained by a local court clerk regarding a specific court case. They include, but are not limited to, exhibits, trial transcripts, dockets, motions, indictments, and pleadings.

Generally, court records are accurate historical documentation containing pertinent information about active and closed cases and all that transpired during their legal proceedings. Court records ultimately contribute to the transparency of the judicial system, which is essential to any democratic society.

Are Court Records Public in Pittsylvania County?

Yes. The Virginia Freedom of Information Act and other applicable statutes, such as the Code of Virginia §17.1-208 and §16.1-69.54:1, permit public access to court records that are not otherwise exempt by law. As a result, most court records are available to the general public in Pittsylvania County. As eluded, however, certain types of court records are considered confidential and not part of Pittsylvania County public records. Some examples of these records include:

• Adoption records
• Juvenile records
• Medical records
• Records sealed by court order
• Records exempt by a state or federal statute

Pittsylvania County Court Records Search

Individuals who wish to search Pittsylvania County court records can do so through any of the following places:

• the Virginia Judicial System's online resources.
• Local courthouses
• Clerk's Office of Local Courts
• Third-party aggregate websites.

Pittsylvania County Courts

Pittsylvania County has three types of courts: the Pittsylvania County Circuit Court, the General District Court, and the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court. These courts' addresses and contact information are listed below:

Pittsylvania County Circuit Court
One North Main St,
P.O. Box 31,
Chatham, VA 24531
Phone: (434) 432-7887
Fax: (434) 432-7913

Pittsylvania County General District Court - 22nd Judicial District
11 Bank St, Suite 201,
P.O. Box 695,
Chatham, VA 24531
Phone: (434) 432-7879
Fax: (434) 432-7915

Pittsylvania County Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court
E.R. Shields Courthouse Addition
5 Bank St, 3rd floor,
P.O. Box 270,
Chatham, VA 24531
Phone: (434) 432-7861
Fax: (434) 432-7908

Pittsylvania County Criminal Records

Pittsylvania County criminal records contain information about an individual's run-in with the criminal justice system within Pittsylvania County. Common types of criminal records include arrest and conviction records. Criminal justice agencies, including local law enforcement agencies and local courts, generate and maintain these and other criminal records in Pittsylvania County. Hence, interested persons can query these agencies to get Pittsylvania County criminal records.

For instance, the Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Office processes requests for local criminal records. Record seekers make requests by contacting the Sheriff's Office criminal records staff at (434) 432-7997. Alternatively, interested person requests criminal records in person during administrative hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) by visiting the Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Office at:

21 N Main Street
Chatham, VA 24531
Phone: (434) 432-7800

It is worth noting that criminal records checks can also be conducted at the state level through the Virginia State Police (VSP). The VSP is Virginia's state custodian of criminal records. As a result, criminal justice agencies in Pittsylvania County and other Virginia counties report most criminal records they maintain to the VSP.

The VSP accepts requests for Criminal History Record Checks submitted in person or by mail. The agency provides different request forms that interested persons and entities can complete and submit to request criminal records. These include the SP-167, SP-230, and SP-266 forms. SP-266 can be completed to conduct a personal criminal history record check. The general public, private companies, and out-of-state agencies can also use SP-167 to make third-party requests for a subject's criminal record.

Meanwhile, non-criminal justice entities outlined in V.A. Code § 19.2-389 can use the SP-230 form to request criminal record searches. The SP-266 form, on the other hand, is used to make a sex offender and crimes against minors registry search. These forms are available online through the VSP's Criminal History Background Search. Furthermore, detailed instructions on completing these forms can be found on VSP's instructions PDF.

The VSP's fees for criminal record checks vary depending on the form used and the type of request made. A breakdown of the cost structure is provided below:

• $15.00 per search for Criminal History Record requests (using SP-167 or SP-230)
• $15.00 per search for a combined Criminal History Record and Sex Offender Registry checks (using SP-167 or SP-230)
• $15.00 per search for Sex Offender Search (using SP-266)
• $16.00 per search for a combined criminal history record and sex offender registry checks. Non-Profit Organization only
• $8.00 per search of a complete sex offender. Non-Profit Organization only.

After completing the appropriate request form, requesters should submit it along with other required items to the VSP via mail or drop off at:

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

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

The VSP takes approximately 15 to 20 business days to process a request.

Get Pittsylvania County Civil Court Records

In Pittsylvania County, civil cases fall under the jurisdiction of the County Circuit Court and General District Court. The Pittsylvania County Circuit Court has jurisdiction over civil cases involving claims of over $4,500 and private disputes between two or more parties. Meanwhile, the Pittsylvania County General District Court oversees civil cases involving less than $25,000, including landlord-tenant disputes and small claims of $5,000 or less. Civil court records generated by these courts are maintained by and can be obtained through their respective Clerk's Offices.

Interested persons can get Pittsylvania County civil court records by submitting a request for the desired record to the County Circuit Court Clerk or General District Court Clerk's Office. Submission can be made in person during regular office hours (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) or by contacting either clerk's Office. Records seekers can also use online services provided by Virginia's Judicial System to access Pittsylvania County civil court records online. For instance, record seekers can use the Circuit Court Case Information portal and the General District Court Case Information portal to search for civil court records. These portals are searchable by party name, case number, or hearing date.

Pittsylvania County Marriage Records

Pittsylvania County marriage records are preserved by the Pittsylvania County Clerk of Circuit Court and the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) Office of Vital Records. According to V.A. Code § 32.1-271, marriage records by default are confidential for 25 years after being recorded. During their confidentiality period, marriage records are only issuable to the parties named on the record and their immediate family members, such as their father, mother, spouse, child, brother, sister, and grandparents. After 25 years, marriage records become public and accessible to anyone.

Interested persons can request certified copies of marriage licenses issued in Pittsylvania County from the County Clerk of Circuit Court for $2.50. Requests can be made in person or by contacting the Circuit Court Clerk's Office during regular office hours (Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) at:

1 North Main Street
Chatham, VA 24531
Phone: (434) 432-7887
Fax: (434) 432-7913

On the other hand, record seekers can order Pittsylvania County marriage certificates from the VDH Office of Vital Records at a $12.00 per request fee. Note that requesters must provide a valid I.D. when requesting marriage records. The VDH Office of Vital Records offers online and offline avenues for making requests. Interested persons can use the VDH's Online Application for a Vital Record portal to make requests online. Alternatively, requesters can drop off a completed vital record application at VDH's Office of Vital Records customer service lobby front desk. The application should contain information about the desired marriage record, such as the couple's names, date of marriage, and the requester's signature. The application must also be submitted with the following

• A legible photocopy of the requester's valid I.D.
• Payment of the required fees.

The Office is open for walk-in customers from Monday - Friday (7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) and is located at:

2001 Maywill Street,
Suite # 101
Richmond, Virginia 23230

It is worth noting that the VDH's processing time for online requests and paper applications is two (2) weeks and four (4) weeks, respectively.

Pittsylvania County Divorce Records

Pittsylvania County divorce records are maintained by the County Clerk of Circuit Court and the VDH Office of Vital Records. Case filings of divorce proceedings can be obtained through the Clerk of Circuit Court office, while divorce certificates can be ordered from the VDH Office of Vital Records. Like marriage records, divorce records become public 25 years after the event is registered per the V.A. Code § 32.1-271.

Interested persons can inspect case filings of local divorce proceedings in person at the Circuit Court Clerk's Office. Copies of these files can also be requested at $0.50 per page and certified at $2.00 per document.

On the other hand, the VDH Office of Vital Records requires requesters to present a valid I.D. and charges a $12 per certificate search fee. Record seekers can utilize the VDH's Online Application for a Vital Record portal to request divorce certificates online. The VDH also offers drop-off options for making requests. To request drop-off, requesters should draft an application containing their signature and sufficient information that identifies the desired divorce records, like the party names and the date of divorce. The application should be submitted with the required fees and a photocopy of the requester's I.D. to the front desk of the VDH Office of Vital Records customer service lobby. The Office is open Monday - Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Pittsylvania Birth and Death Records

Some of the most common types of Pittsylvania County vital records, such as birth and death records, are registered with and preserved by the VDH Office of Vital Records. Hence, individuals looking for Pittsylvania County birth and death records can get them through the VDH Office of Vital Records. Note that birth and death records become public 100 years and 25 years after being recorded.

The VDH Office of Vital Records charges requesters $12 for each copy of a Pittsylvania County birth certificate or death certificate they request. Additionally, record seekers must provide a valid I.D. when requesting these records. Request can made online through the VDH's Online Application for a Vital Record portal or via drop-off. Record seekers can draft an application for drop-off requests and submit it to the VDH Office of Vital Records customer service lobby front desk. The application must be submitted along with a legible photocopy of the requester's valid I.D. and the required fee. Furthermore, the application should contain the requester's signature and details about the requested record, such as the subject's name and the event date.

Pittsylvania County Probate Court Records

In Pittsylvania County, the Circuit Court Clerk is the custodian of probate court records, which provide information about probate processes handled in the County. Probate processes include administering a decedent's estates, possessions, and belongings and appointing an executor, guardian, or conservator. Interested persons can contact or visit the Pittsylvania County Circuit Court Clerk's Office to inspect or request copies of probate court records.

Pittsylvania County Property Records

Pittsylvania County's Circuit Clerk and the Commissioner of the Revenue offices maintain property records. The Circuit Clerk's Office preserves deeds, plats, maps, and real estate transaction records. Meanwhile, property assessment records are held by the Commissioner of the Revenue Office. Depending on the type of property record, record seekers can query either of these offices to obtain property records. Interested persons can visit or contact the Commissioner of the Revenue office to request property assessment records at:

11 N Main Street
Chatham, VA 24531
Phone: (434) 432-7940
Fax: (434) 432-7957

Conversely, record seekers can search for deeds and other land records maintained by the Circuit Clerk's Office online through Pittsylvania County's GIS website. Record seekers can also visit or contact the Circuit Clerk's Office to request land records.

Pittsylvania County Court Records Online

In addition to online resources provided by the Virginia Judicial System, third-party websites like virginiacourtrecords.us offer online access to Pittsylvania County court records. They feature an extensive database of public court records of different court cases from other jurisdictions across Virginia, including Pittsylvania County. Hence, interested persons can conduct a widespread search for court records through these websites. However, users are advised to compare results obtained from these websites to those from official government channels to ensure accuracy.