Staunton County Court Records

Virginia state laws(§ 17.1-295 Code of Virginia) define Staunton County court records as documents created to keep track of judicial and non-judicial activities or events carried out by court authorities, legal administrators, citizens, and staff within the court system.

Court records also refer to any document, data, information, or other item that court clerks make, gather, receive, or keep in relation to a specific case, including the data and records in an online case information system or case management system.

Are Court Records Public in Staunton County?

Yes, court records in Staunton County are public as per the Virginia Freedom of Information Law and Chapter 11 of the Virginia Legal Code. These laws permit Reasonable access to the local government's judicial branch's records. State statutes also give judicial officers and court staff instructions on how to react to requests for public court records. However, in line with the Virginia legal code or other legal rules, public access to some court records may be limited to safeguard confidentiality, privacy, the administration of justice, and the Commonwealth's best interests. Some examples of records that are exempt from public disclosure include:

• Court documents that, if made public, might impede the administration of justice, the deliberative process, and the judicial officials' right to privacy and safety
• Juvenile court records
• Court records that provide the personal information of a victim of criminal sexual assault
• Medical, social, and psychological or psychiatric records from a treatment court.
• Investigative reports.
• Probation documents.

Staunton County Court Records Search

Interested citizens can perform a Staunton County Court Records Search through the following channels and offices:

• By visiting the county clerk's office
• Using the public access terminals available at every county courthouse
• Using the Virginia court records access information tool (statewide)

Staunton County Courts

The Staunton County court system consists of three court types, each with its distinct functions and judicial powers. The Staunton Circuit Court typically only handles issues that fall outside of the responsibility of other courts, but it has comprehensive jurisdiction over all civil and criminal cases. Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts and Staunton District Courts have limited jurisdiction over specific case types. Below are the locations of all courts in Staunton County:

Circuit Courts in Staunton County
City of Staunton Circuit Court - 25th Judicial Circuit
City of Staunton Courthouse
113 E Beverley St, Staunton, VA 24401
Phone: (540) 332-3874
Fax: (540) 332-3970

General District Courts in Staunton County
City of Staunton General District Court - 25th Judicial District
City of Staunton Courthouse
113 E Beverley St, Staunton, VA 24401
Phone: (540) 332-3878
Fax: (540) 332-3985

Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts in Staunton County
Staunton County Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court
6 E Johnson St, Staunton, VA 24401
Phone: (540) 245-5306
Fax: (540) 245-5349

Staunton County Criminal and Civil Records

Unlike arrest records, Staunton County criminal records are governed by strict laws and regulations to maintain an individual's privacy. Typically, a person can obtain this information only about themselves as per Section 19.2-389 of the Virginia Code. However, employers and background check contractors can also perform background checks on behalf of a citizen.

Staunton County criminal records are maintained at the Records Division of the Staunton County police department and the county sheriff's office. Each department creates and maintains criminal records that are specific to the department.

People might need to submit requests to multiple agencies to receive a complete Staunton criminal history record. For a statewide criminal history search, people can also use the Central Criminal Records Exchange (CCRE), which the Virginia Department of State Police runs.

A criminal record check must be done in person at any law enforcement office in Staunton County. Candidates must physically fill out a Request for Criminal History Information Form when they visit the office's records division to submit a request. For each record check, requesters must pay a $10 fee and present two forms of identification.

Members of the public can visit the Staunton County clerk's office to request civil case records. Records can be searched using the public access computers at the courthouse. Individuals can access civil case records online using the Virginia court case information portal. Citizens can search for civil case records from any of these channels by providing any of the following Keywords:

• Name of a person named in the civil case.
• Civil Case Number.
• Hearing date.

Staunton County Marriage Records

Staunton County marriage records are vital records that can be requested from the Staunton County Health Department or the county circuit clerk's office. Marriage certificates are maintained and found at any health office or department office in Virginia, while marriage indexes and licenses can be requested at the circuit court clerk's office. Marriage certificates are confidential documents that become public 25 years after the event. Only members of the close family—mother, father, spouse, child, brother, sister, and grandparents—can access vital records.

Requesters can request marriage records online or by mail at the custodian's office. Requesters must also provide a valid ID to obtain records. Additionally, the health department charges $12 for each copy requested via cash, check, money order, payment card, or mobile pay.

Staunton County Divorce Records

The county of Staunton keeps Vital records related to divorce at the Virginia Department of Health and the Staunton County Circuit Clerk's office. These offices maintain Divorce certificates and decrees and can verify the status of a divorce. According to Virginia Code § 2.2–3700, it is illegal for Custodians to give a divorce record or any other important document to an unapproved individual. However, 25 years after the divorce was granted, the records will automatically become public.

Requests for divorce records can be made in person or by mail. The request process involves completing a records request form with information such as:

• The date of the divorce filing
• The names of the divorced persons
• The date the divorce decree was issued

Staunton County Birth Records

Birth records in Staunton County are vital records available at the Staunton County branch of the Department of Health. Birth certificates from Staunton County reveal whether a person was adopted at birth and include details about the time, date, and location of the individual's birth. Birth records in Staunton County are confidential records; they are made public 100 years after the event of the birth. The mother, father, spouse, kid, brother, sister, and grandparents are the only immediate family members with access to the birth records.

A legal guardian may also be granted access to birth records with proof of custody. Persons requesting Staunton birth records from the Health Department must also provide a valid ID.

Staunton County Death Records

Staunton County death records are part of the local documents and are classified as vital. Death records in Staunton County are maintained at the Virginia Department of Health Division in Staunton County. The main death records issued by the Department of Health are Staunton death certificates. These records can be requested in person or by mail. The request process involves completing a death records request form and submitting it to the Health Department office in Staunton County.

Staunton County Probate Court Records

In Staunton County, Probate is the court's procedure to distribute the deceased's property to the heirs or creditors.
In the county of Staunton, the circuit court clerk serves as a probate judge upon receiving a final will for legal Probate of an estate. The clerk creates legal documents and instructions about the administration of the estate, conducts a legal hearing with witnesses, appoints an executor or administrator, and verifies the will's authenticity. Probate court records available at the clerk's office include documents relating to wills, guardianships, estate administration, conservatorships, and estate valuation.

Individuals requesting Staunton County probate court records can visit the Staunton County Circuit Court probate department to submit an in-person request. They can also complete the probate court case request form and send it along with the request fee to the probate division of the circuit court. People can call (540) 245-5317 to inquire about the request fees.

Staunton County Property Records

Staunton County property records are created and maintained by the circuit court clerk and the Staunton County City Assessor. The Circuit Clerk Department of Deeds maintains records of property mortgages and land transactions dating back to 1802, while the city assessor maintains property records regarding land valuations, ownership information, and property tax assessments.

Interested individuals can visit any of these property record custodians to request records. Requests can also be made by mail or by telephone. Citizens can also use the Staunton County online estate database to search for property appraisals, assessment cards, and geographic information.

Staunton City Assessor
City Hall, first floor
P.O. Box 58
Staunton, VA 24402
Phone: (540) 332-3827

Staunton County Court Records Online

Third-party online resources like Virginiacourtrecords.us provide an alternative way to access public Staunton County court records. Third-party sites are operated by independent entities that provide access to court records as a service. These platforms often allow users to view and download court documents directly from the comfort of their homes without visiting any physical address. Searches on third-party websites can be done using keywords(names, dates) relating to the document of interest. However, such platforms operate independently of any government agency and, as such, may contain inaccurate or outdated information.