Richmond County Court Records

Richmond Court records, whether stored in a case management system, an online case information system, or in hard copy, include any record maintained by the clerk in a traffic, civil, or criminal proceeding in a court and any appeal from a district court. Generally, it falls within the responsibility of the court clerks not only to maintain these records but also to make them available to the public upon request.

These records include a variety of documents, including dockets, memoranda, motions, pleadings, briefs, reports, depositions, data compilations, and exhibits, in any format, or combination thereof. Case in point, it comprises a collection of documents, data, and other items.

The significance of Virginia court records, of which Richmond County court records are a part, extends across judicial, educational, and personal applications. For example, court records provide a framework for courthouses and law enforcement, serving as references for the application of the law to ensure justice based on past cases and their application to new ones. Additionally, as a member of the public, access to court records provides insight into the workings of the justice system in the county, thereby promoting transparency, reliability, and trust.

Are Court Records Public in Richmond County?

Yes, section 17.1-208 of the Code of Virginia stipulates that the court records maintained by clerks of the circuit court must be open for inspection by any individual. As per this law, the clerk is also required to provide copies to the requester upon payment of a reasonable fee.

However, despite this legal provision, certain categories of records, considered confidential court records, are not accessible or available to the general public.

One such category is sealed records, which are typically unavailable due to a court order requested by the subject of the record, making part or all of the record confidential. Examples of sealed records include those related to adoptions or segments containing the social security numbers or driver's license numbers of individuals.

Another category is records of minors, which comprise court records involving children or individuals under 18 years of age, such as juvenile cases or adoption proceedings.

These types of records are legally inaccessible primarily due to their content, as they may contain private information that, if disclosed, would infringe upon the individual's right to privacy. These records often contain sensitive data.

Richmond County Court Records Search

Individuals looking to obtain a court record in Richmond have various methods available to access them:

Online,

• Through case management systems offered by the judiciary system in the county,
• Through a digital database provided by the courthouse that managed the case,
• Using third-party websites

By mail,

• Submitting a completed request form with all required details of the case file along with the appropriate fee,

Onsite,

• By visiting the courthouse where the case was filed to make an inquiry.

Richmond County Court Records Search by Name

A search for court records in Richmond, Virginia can be initiated by providing the name of a party involved in the case. This search is accessible through online platforms, by mail, or in person.

The Virginia judicial system offers an online tool for court case information, enabling individuals to look up court records by county. Users can navigate to the specific court, such as the Richmond County Circuit Court, by selecting it on the homepage and clicking ‘begin’. This tool facilitates searches for civil and criminal cases using criteria like the names of the plaintiff or defendant, case numbers, or hearing dates.

For those preferring to send a request via mail to the circuit court, they can direct it to:

Richmond Circuit Court
P.O. Box 1000
101 Court Circle
Warsaw, VA 22572

Moreover, residents of Richmond have the alternative of examining records at the clerk's office by providing details (names in this case) of a relevant case subject. Requests for access can be made verbally or in writing, following the guidelines set by the clerk.

Usually, there is no charge for record inspection within the designated free timeframe. However, if copies are required, the clerk will communicate the applicable fee for the service.

Richmond County Courts

The judicial system in Richmond County consists of circuit courts that oversee civil and criminal cases, the General District Court, which has authority over specific civil and minor criminal cases, and the District Court, which deals with juvenile and domestic cases. Below are the addresses of these courts.

Circuit Courts in Richmond County

Richmond County Circuit Court - 15th Judicial Circuit
101 Court Circle
P.O. Box 1000
Warsaw, VA 22572
Phone: (804) 333-3781
Fax: (804) 333-5396

General District Courts in Richmond County

Richmond County General District Court - 15th Judicial District
201 Court Circle
P.O. Box 1000
Warsaw, VA 22572
Phone: (804) 333-4616
Fax: (804) 333-3741

Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts in Richmond County

Richmond County Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court
201 Court Circle
P.O. Box 1000
Warsaw, VA 22572
Phone: (804) 333-4616
Fax: (804) 333-3741

Richmond County Superior Court Case Search

Richmond County does not have a Superior Court, but its Circuit Court holds the highest jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases, functioning as the court with the highest authority.

Individuals interested in accessing records from this court can directly inquire at the circuit court or utilize the online case management system accessible via the Internet. Cases handled by the Circuit Court include felony and misdemeanor cases stemming from grand jury action, misdemeanor appeals from the General District and Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts, and family matters, including divorce.

Richmond County District Court Records

Richmond County has two district courts: the General District Court and the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court. The General District Court handles traffic violation cases, minor criminal offenses (misdemeanors), and civil disputes like landlord-tenant issues, contract disagreements, and personal injury cases. On the other hand, the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court deals with juvenile and family matters, covering child custody, support, visitation, parentage disputes, cases involving minors under 18 accused of criminal offenses, and cases concerning children in need of services or supervision due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment.

While most cases in the General District Court are public records, this is not always the case for the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court. However, nonconfidential cases can be accessed through various methods as outlined below:

• Utilizing the case management system provided by the Office of the Executive Secretary (OES) of the Supreme Court of Virginia. By conducting searches based on name, case number, hearing date, or service/process, individuals can access non-confidential cases from the Richmond County General District Court. This database does not contain records from the Juvenile and Family Case District Court.
• Accessing court records from both district courts in Richmond County through the online case information system offered by the Supreme Court's Office of the Executive Secretary. This system requires inputting names of involved parties, case numbers, or filing dates to retrieve information
• Sending mail requests to the specific District Court where the case was heard.
• A personal visit to the District Courthouse is another option residents can consider, especially those seeking access to records or documents related to court cases that are public records but not available online.

Richmond County Criminal Records

Criminal records consist of a combination of Richmond County arrest records and court judgments, and they are maintained by the government's judicial and law enforcement branches. Members of the public seeking access to criminal records managed by law enforcement have several available options:

Federal Level:

Federal records, offering the broadest coverage, are accessible through the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Individuals can request a name search or a fingerprint search for a fee of $18. These records are only accessible to the record holder and members of the justice system.

State Level:

The Virginia Department of State Police provides remote access to criminal records to both individuals and organizations through the Non-Criminal Justice Interface (NCJI). Different categories of searches can be conducted, each requiring a specific request form. For instance, members of the public, individuals, private companies, and out-of-state agencies are required to complete an SP-167 request form, while other agencies and entities in need of a criminal record use the SP-230 request form. Once the appropriate form is completed, the applicant can mail it to the Virginia State Police at the provided address, along with the required fee and a self-addressed envelope. Notarization by the subject of the record is typically required for the SP-167 form; however, the SP-230 form does not require notarization, as the entities using it are statutorily entitled to conduct a criminal record search.

Virginia State Police
Civil & Applicant Records Exchange (CARE)
7700 Midlothian Turnpike
North Chesterfield, Virginia 23235

Access to this database is restricted and only available to entities located within Virginia that have signed an agreement with the Department of State Police and have internet access. Interested entities must also establish a billing account with the Department and agree to participate in eBilling. The fee for submitting an SP-230 request form is $27, including fees of $13.75 for a VSP CARE search and $13.25 for a search of the Federal Bureau of Investigation file.

County Level:

At the county level, individuals can conduct local background checks at the Richmond Police Department. Inquirers must visit the police information desk at Headquarters located at:

Richmond Department of Police Hq
200 West Grace Street
Richmond, VA 23220

Inquirers are required to provide two forms of identification, one of which must include a photo. The fee for the search is $5.

Richmond County Criminal Court Case Lookup

In addition to criminal case files provided by law enforcement agencies, individuals can look up Richmond County criminal case files that are accessible through the court. These cases may involve felony, misdemeanor, juvenile, and traffic offenses.

Digital copies of criminal court records can be viewed online via case management systems, allowing individuals to access them from their homes or by using a computer at a public terminal within the courthouse where the case file is stored.

On the other hand, hard copies of case files can be reviewed and obtained from the court clerk upon request. If a case file is not confidential as dictated by law, statute, or court order, members of the public can provide details such as a name, case number, and other relevant information to facilitate easy retrieval. There is also the option of sending a mail to request sorted records.

Get Richmond County Civil Court Records

Accessing Richmond County civil court records is uncomplicated, as they are maintained and administered by the county and state judicial systems. Various options are available for accessing these records:

• Online: Residents of Richmond County can utilize two databases provided by the Executive Secretary of Virginia to access civil court records without leaving their homes. The required search parameters, typically the name of the plaintiff or defendant, a case number, or a filing date, need to be provided.

• Onsite: This may involve sending a request via mail or visiting the courthouse to speak with a staff member or the clerk to inquire about a case. This is generally only necessary if the case document is not found online and further investigation is required.

Searches would yield details such as the names of all parties involved in a case, the case number (if not known), docket, complaint, charges, status of the case, and the court’s decision.

Civil cases handled in the courts in Richmond encompass disputes between tenants and landlords, divorce, annulment, contract breach, adoption, custody, child support, partition of real estate, will and estate matters, name changes, appointments of church trustees, and encumbrance or conveyance of church property.

Richmond County Family Court Records

Richmond does not have a dedicated family court; instead, family court matters are typically handled by the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts in the county. As with most court records, documents from family court hearings are maintained by the court.

Individuals seeking case files related to minors, child and spousal support, protective orders, custody and visitation, foster care, and criminal matters involving family or household members can request access to open family court records. These records can be obtained in person at the District courthouse where the case was heard, through mail requests to the court, or by utilizing the online case management system.

While case files that are not available online can be accessed at the courthouse, one should note that inspecting court records in Richmond is free within the designated search timeframe, however, obtaining copies of records is not free.

It is also essential to consider that the confidentiality or accessibility of a record depends on the type of case and the individual seeking the record. For instance, records involving minors may be available to the parties directly involved in the case but not to the general public, considering the sensitive nature of the content.

Richmond Dissolution of Marriage Records

A Richmond dissolution of marriage record, also known as an annulment, is a legal document indicating the termination of a marriage by law. Typically, these records are kept by the county Circuit Court where the case was processed. As part of Richmond County vital records, dissolution of marriage records are only accessible to individuals directly associated with the case within the initial 25 years following the judgment.

Those from the public seeking to review now-available dissolution of marriage records, can inquire with the clerk of the circuit court or contact the vital records office.

Richmond County Marriage and Divorce Records

Following Code of Virginia § 32.1-249, Richmond County vital records cover reports or certificates of births, deaths, fetal deaths, adoptions, marriages, divorces, annulments, and any related amendment data. The Office of Vital Records functions as the official custodian and repository for all birth, death, marriage, and divorce records filed in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Under § 32.1-271, Richmond marriage and divorce records are regarded as confidential and can only be accessed 25 years after the event. Typically, vital records, such as a Richmond County marriage and divorce record, are only accessible to the individual named in the record or immediate family members, including the mother, father, current spouse, child, sibling, or grandparents.

Individuals seeking a Richmond County marriage or divorce record can inquire with the Office of Vital Records or the Circuit Court where the event occurred. Eligible individuals can submit an online application, send a mail to the provided address, or pick up the record in person from the relevant courthouse or vital records office.

VDH Office of Vital Records
P.O. Box 1000
Richmond, Virginia 23218-1000
Phone: (804) 662-6200

For mail or in-person requests, individuals are required to complete and submit either or both of the application forms available online, specifically the fillable PDF application for a marriage or divorce certificate form or the non-fillable PDF application for a marriage or divorce certificate form.

The marriage records available date back to 1853, while divorce records are accessible from 1918 to the present. A fee of $12, as well as an identification document, is required for authorized individuals to obtain a Richmond County marriage certificate or a Richmond County divorce certificate.

Richmond Birth and Death Records

According to the Code of Virginia § 32.1-271, birth records in Virginia are only made accessible to the public 100 years after the date of the event, while death records become public information 25 years after the event. However, certain authorized individuals can access these records.

Access Requirements for Richmond County Birth and Death Certificates:

Generally, Richmond birth or death records can only be accessed by close family members of the individual named on the record, or by the subject of the record who is 18 years or older (for birth certificate). Close relatives of the record's subject are required to provide identification and proof of their relationship.

Available Methods for Obtaining Richmond County Birth or Death Records:

In-Person: Individuals choosing to visit the office can submit a completed application for a vital record at the front desk at the vital records office during working hours and will be notified by phone when the certificate is ready for pick-up.

Online: The Office of Vital Records Virginia has introduced an online system for easily accessing birth and death records, allowing qualified individuals to apply for a Richmond birth or death certificate, make payments, and receive updates.

By Mail: Residents can send mail requests, including necessary forms, identification, proof of relationship with the record subject, and the required fee.

Office of Vital Records
2001 Maywill Street
Suite 101
Richmond, Virginia 23230

The forms required include:

• Application for certification of birth record (non-fillable pdf)
• Application for certification of birth record (non-fillable pdf)
• Application for certification of death record (fillable pdf)
• Application for certification of death record (non-fillable pdf)

Information to be provided includes the names on the certificate, parents' names, date of the event, location, requester's name, relationship to the certificate bearer, contact information, purpose of the request, requester's signature, and a photocopy of the requester's identification card.

A fee of $12 is required for each requested copy, with payments accepted via check, money order, payment card, mobile pay, or cash.

One should note that if a requested record is not found, there will be no refund. Online requests can be paid by credit card or mailed in with a check or money order.

Birth records are available from 1853, and death records are available from 1896, June 1912 to the present.

Although a Richmond County birth certificate and a Richmond County death certificate can only be obtained by the subject of the record (where applicable) and immediate family members, members of the public can obtain a verification of death if they have a direct and tangible interest in the certificate. The Verification of Death includes the decedent's name, date of death, place of death, date of birth, and the last four digits of the Social Security Number.

Generally, the essence of birth and death records is the legal use of the records. For example, birth records can be used as a supporting document as proof of one's age.

Richmond County Probate Court Records

The probate court cases in Richmond are managed by the Circuit Court, which also maintains and provides access to the corresponding records for interested individuals. These cases typically involve matters such as wills, estate distribution, and guardianships related to deceased individuals.

Requesting probate court records in the county follows a process similar to accessing other court records. These records can be accessed online, by mail, or in person. Online, individuals can utilize the case search tools offered by the office of the Executive Secretary, or they can send a request by mail, email an inquiry, or visit the courthouse in person. Individuals need to provide appropriate identifying information to facilitate the location of the documents.

Richmond County Property Records

Richmond County public records, under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), include property records accessible to the public to prevent property fraud. These records contain comprehensive details about properties such as location, description, value, tax records, liens, assessment, transfers, planning information (including economic development and environmental data), services, and images.

To access Richmond property records, individuals can utilize the online property search tool provided by the Department of Real Estate Assessor. This tool allows users to search for information using parcel ID, property address, or other criteria like parcel data, location details, transfer information, or improvement specifics. If users encounter difficulties retrieving data, they can contact (804) 646-7500 for assistance.

For those unable to find the desired records online, they may send an inquiry email or visit the Department's office in person at

Richmond City Hall
900 East Broad Street
Room 802
Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: (804) 646-7500
Fax: (804) 646-5686
Email: asktheassessor@rva.gov.

Richmond County Court Records Online

The most convenient method of obtaining court records in Richmond is through online access. This process is simple and can be easily completed by entering the required parameters into a case management system for data retrieval. In addition to accessing court records through government databases, individuals can also utilize third-party websites, which are generally user-friendly.

These sites provide access to information at any time of day and often offer a wide scope of information, including statewide and sometimes nationwide court cases, ensuring access to comprehensive details on specific subjects. On platforms like Virginiacourtrecords.us, individuals can access court records related to arrests, warrants, felonies, misdemeanors, incarcerations, tax liens, bankruptcies, contract disputes, property liens, small claims, lawsuits, traffic offenses, and judgments by simply using a name or case number for the search.

Despite these advantages, there are downsides to using third-party sites. While data accessibility is convenient, certain court case files or documents may only be available on the county’s official court web page. Additionally, the accuracy of information is not guaranteed, and discrepancies among different sites, as well as the potential for outdated information, may require extra diligence to ensure the accuracy of the retrieved data. Lastly, while the data obtained from these sites may be personally useful, it may not be legally admissible.