Prince William County Court Records

As a subset of Virginia court records, court records in Prince William County provide information on judicial actions and proceedings in the county. These records include documents produced, collected, or maintained by county courts concerning civil, criminal, or other cases filed in the courts or actions taken by them.

Prince William County court records may contain the following information:

• Names of parties involved in a case (defendant, plaintiff, judge, or attorney)
• Case number
• Filing or hearing dates
• Case status and summary
• Court location
• Final judgment or disposition

Persons may obtain county court records to appeal cases, review proceedings, or prove judgments.

Are Court Records Public in Prince William County?

Yes, court records in Prince William County are generally considered public unless specifically deemed confidential or private by the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), the Public Records Act, court rules, or other statutes. Hence, custodians can restrict the disclosure of the following documents or information:

• Attorney-client communication
• Confidential information on a victim’s identity
• Confidential financial data and proprietary records
• Court documents and reports relating to involuntary admissions
• Certain information on active administrative or law enforcement investigations
• Juvenile records
• Mental health assessments and other personal health information
• Protected personnel information
• Other records that may be hazardous to public safety and welfare

Persons may gain access to partially exempted Prince William County public records after the custodian removes or redacts the portions containing the sensitive information. Access to the exempted portion may also be possible if the requester is specifically granted the right to access or a court orders the release of the records to the requester or the public.

Prince William County Court Records Search

Finding or accessing court records in Prince William County may require persons to conduct online searches, send written requests to the court where the case was filed and/or disposed of, or visit the court to inspect records in person. Usually, the court clerk maintains all documents filed concerning different cases. This official may provide search tools that persons can use to find court records or provide channels through which record seekers can request copies of documents.

For online access, persons may view dockets on the Circuit Court website or search for Prince William court records with the Virginia Online Case Information System. To request copies, submit or send letters identifying the needed document and containing specific case details like file date, case number, party names, or judge’s name (for court orders) to the appropriate court or clerk’s office.

When required, persons should also pay the appropriate search, duplication, or certification fees to complete the request process. Requesters for certain exempted records like juvenile records and court orders must also provide valid identification (or photocopy for mailed requests) to prove their right to obtain a copy.

Additionally, interested persons may also inspect records for free at the court as long as the record is available and public.

Prince William County Court Records Search by Name

Online searches for civil and criminal cases filed in Prince William County Courts are possible with the Virginia Online Case Information System. Persons can conduct free name-based searches for cases filed in the Circuit Court or General District Court by providing the name of a plaintiff or defendant. Clicking on a search result will provide public information on the party, proceedings, case status, and disposition. However, juvenile and domestic relations district court records may be unavailable online due to the state’s Public Records Law and the nature of the information contained in these records.

To request record inspection or duplication, requesters will have to provide more specific details like case number and file dates along with party names to expedite the record search and retrieval process. Requesters should direct requests to the court where the case was filed or disposed of and provide valid identification or fees when required.

Prince William County Courts

The court system in Prince William County consists of three courts of different jurisdictions located at the Judicial Center. The courts serving the county are:

31st Judicial Circuit Court - Prince William County
Prince William County Judicial Center
9311 Lee Avenue,
Manassas, VA 20110
Phone: (703) 792-6015
Fax: (703) 342-0342

31st Judicial District - Prince William County General District Court
Prince William County Judicial Center
9311 Lee Avenue,
Manassas, VA 20110
Phone: (703) 792-6141 (Criminal/Traffic)
Fax: (703) 792-6121 (Criminal/Traffic)
Phone: (703) 792-6149 (Civil)
Fax: (703) 792-6646 (Civil)

Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court (JDRC) - Prince William County
Prince William County Judicial Center
9311 Lee Avenue,
Manassas, VA 20110
Phone: (703) 792-6160
Fax: (703) 792-7863

Prince William County District Court Records

The General District Court serving Prince William County handles civil cases with claims not exceeding $25,000 and criminal cases like misdemeanors, adult traffic infractions, and felony preliminary hearings. The Clerk of the District Court maintains records of these cases. Interested persons may conduct online searches with the Virginia General District Court Case Information System or request to inspect or obtain copies through the clerk.

To make requests, submit or send written letters containing the case number, case type, party names, and other information to:

Clerk of General District Court: Keshara Luster
Prince William County Judicial Center
9311 Lee Avenue,
Second Floor
Manassas, VA 20110-5586
Phone: (703) 792-6141

While onsite inspections are free, the clerk charges $1.00 each for the first and second page and $.50 for each subsequent page. Certifying copies will also attract a fee. Access to sealed or exempted records will be restricted to eligible parties who provide proof of identity or claims.

Prince William County Criminal Records

Law enforcement agencies in Prince William County maintain records of criminal activities and history within their specific jurisdictions. However, Prince William County criminal records are not public in line with state laws, and only accessible to the record subject, individuals authorized by the record subject, and eligible private/public agencies for employment, adoption, license, visa, or other valid purposes.

The Virginia State Police is the statewide custodian of criminal history record information. However, local background checks are possible through the Prince William County Police Department and other local law enforcement agencies like the Manassas Park Police Department and the Manassas City Police Department (MCPD).

For Prince William criminal records through the county Police Department, eligible residents should take two valid forms of identification and $6 fees in cash, credit/debit cards, or money order to the Records Section. Requesters may also write a letter containing your name, current address, and a statement authorizing the Police Department to conduct a background check, notarize the letter, and send along with fees in money order, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and photocopy of valid IDs to:

Prince William County Police Department
Records Section
8400 Kao Circle,
Manassas, VA 20110

Prince William County arrest records are also available with the Prince William County Police Department and other local law enforcement agencies. However, these do not usually contain prosecution or court disposition details. The release of Prince William arrest records is also subject to state laws.

Note: Public access to Prince William County arrest records may vary depending on local laws.

Prince William County Criminal Court Case Lookup

The Circuit Court and General District Court hear most criminal cases in Prince William County, excluding delinquency or juvenile traffic infractions handled by the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court. Therefore, persons seeking copies of criminal case records should determine where the case was filed or disposed of (if the case was appealed to the Circuit Court) before making requests.

Interested persons may request copies by submitting or sending request forms (Circuit) or letters containing party names, case numbers, and other information to the clerk of the appropriate court. Requesters may include fees with the request (if required) or make payments after receiving the clerk’s response, including the fee breakdown. Exempted or confidential records may also require proof of identification to determine the requester’s right to obtain copies.

For free access to Prince William criminal court case information, inspect records in person or conduct online searches with the Virginia Online Case Information System.

Get Prince William County Civil Court Records

All Prince William County Courts handle different types of civil matters in the county. For instance, the Circuit Court handles claims above 45,000, the General District Court handles claims less than this amount, and the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court handles civil cases involving family law.

Interested persons may access information on civil suits filed in the Circuit Court or General District Court online by conducting searches by name, case number, or hearing date. However, records of the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court may be unavailable online due to the state’s FOIA and the nature of details contained in these records.

For inspection or copies of Prince William County civil court records, submit or send request letters or forms (Circuit) containing case numbers, party names, and other information to the clerk of the appropriate court. The clerk may charge fees for record search, duplication, or certification, which requesters may include in the initial request or pay after receiving the clerk’s response. Sealed, confidential, or exempted records may also require proof of identification to determine the requester’s right to obtain copies.

Prince William County Family Court Records

The Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court hears paternity, child support, custody, and most family law cases in the county, excluding adoptions and divorces, which are handled by the Circuit Court. Therefore, interested persons should direct requests for inspection or record copies to the court that handled the specific case or clerk at:

Prince William J&DR Court
Records Request
9311 Lee Avenue,
First Floor
Manassas, Virginia 20110
Phone: (703) 792-6160
Fax: (703) 792-7863

OR

Prince William County Judicial Center
Clerk of Circuit Court
Room 314,
9311 Lee Avenue,
Manassas VA 20110
Email: circuitcourt@pwcgov.org

However, the release of records concerning these cases is done in line with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, which restricts access to documents or information that may invade an individual’s privacy or prove harmful to personal safety. Hence, family court records that fall under the FOIA exemptions like adoption, sealed cases, juvenile, or personal health/financial records will be strictly available to parties and others authorized by law or court order.

For record requests, provide specific case details, fees, and any ID requirements to the clerk via mail, in person, or through other available channels.

Prince William County Marriage and Divorce Records

Prince William County marriage records and divorce decrees are available at the Circuit Court that licensed the marriage or granted the divorce. However, these records are confidential until 25 years after the event and are strictly available to the record subjects, immediate family members, and legal representatives.

The Circuit Court Clerk’s Office maintains records of these events and issues paper or certified copies to eligible persons following in-person or mailed requests to:

Divorce:
Prince William County Circuit Court Clerk's Office,
9311 Lee Avenue,
Room 314
Manassas, VA 20110

Marriage:
Judicial Center
Clerk of the Circuit Court
9311 Lee Avenue,
Room 305
Manassas VA 20110
Email: circuitcourt@pwcgov.org

Certified copies of marriage licenses cost $2.50 each, while divorce records cost $0.50 per paper copy, and an additional $2 is required to certify a copy. To obtain Prince William County marriage or divorce records, provide event details like specific names, dates, or license/case numbers in the marriage license copy request form or divorce record copy request and submit or mail to the appropriate address.

Additionally, Prince William County marriage certificates and divorce records are available with the Virginia Department of Health, Office of Vital Records. Eligible persons should provide application forms, ID requirements, and $12 fees in person or via mail to:

Mail:
Office of Vital Records
P.O. 1000
Richmond, VA 23218-1000

In-person:
Office of Vital Records
2001 Maywill Street,
Suite 101
Richmond, VA 23230
(Monday to Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)
Phone: (804) 662-6200

Prince William Birth and Death Records

The Virginia Department of Health, Office of Vital Records maintains records of births and deaths in Prince William County and throughout the state. However, Prince Williams County birth certificates are confidential for 100 years, and death records for 25 years. Only the following persons are eligible to obtain these Prince William County vital records while they are confidential:

Prince William County death certificates:

• The decedent’s immediate family members like adult children, grandchildren, parents, grandparents, adult siblings, or current spouse
• The decedent’s or survivor’s legal representative or other authorized person or agency
• The decedent’s Insurance Company
• Court-appointed estate administrator or guardian

Prince William County birth records:

• The record subject
• The subject’s immediate family members like children, parents, siblings, or spouse
• The subject’s legal guardian with acceptable proof
• The subject’s legal representative or other authorized person, physician, or agency

Eligible persons should provide application forms, ID requirements, and $12 fees in person or via mail to:

In-person:
Office of Vital Records
2001 Maywill Street,
Suite 101
Richmond, VA 23230
(Monday to Friday: 7:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)

Mail:
Office of Vital Records
P.O. 1000
Richmond, VA 23218-1000
Phone: (804) 662-6200

Prince William County Probate Court Records

The Prince William Circuit Court serves as the probate of will and handles matters involving a decedent’s trusts, estate distribution/administration, and appointing a conservator/guardian for incapacitated adults. However, in line with Virginia FOIA, sealed cases, personal health/financial records, and other probate information that may invade an individual’s privacy or prove harmful to personal safety are not available to the public.

Persons seeking probate court records copy should submit or send completed request forms to the Circuit Court Clerk online, via mail, or email to:

Prince William County Judicial Center
Clerk of Circuit Court
Room 314,
9311 Lee Avenue,
Manassas VA 20110
Email: circuitcourt@pwcgov.org

Ensure to provide specific case details, fees, and any ID requirements to the clerk.

Prince William County Property Records

Property records in Prince William County provide information on real estate within the county. The information included in these records may include property location, owner’s name, descriptions, sales, or value.

The Circuit Court Clerk in Prince Williams County serves as the recorder of deeds, plats, and related land records. Interested persons may access these records online for a fee, view records for free in person using public access terminals, or submit/mail a completed land record copy request form to:

Prince William County Judicial Center
Document Services
9311 Lee Avenue,
Room 305
Manassas VA 20110.

For assessment information on real properties in the county, contact the Real Estate Assessment Office at:

Real Estate Assessments
4379 Ridgewood Center Drive,
Suite 203
Prince William, VA 22192-5308
Phone: (703) 792-6780
Phone: (703) 792-6293 (TTY)
Email: realestate@pwcgov.org

Prince William County Court Records Online

Third-party sites like Virginiacourtrecords.us may serve as an additional resource for accessing Prince William County court records online. Interested persons may use these platforms to search for court records by name, date, case number, or court location to conveniently find, view, and download court documents without having to visit the court or send requests. These platforms, however, are run independently of any government organization. As a result, the volume, quality, and dependability of the data on these platforms cannot be guaranteed.