Virginia Beach City Court Records

Virginia Beach City court records are the official documents created during the judicial proceedings of cases filed in the county’s courts. These records provide a comprehensive account of cases, including the parties involved, legal claims, evidence presented, court decisions, and final verdicts.

Virginia Beach court records are invaluable for preserving the history of legal interpretations, rulings, and precedents made in the city’s courts. Additionally, they foster trust in the court system by allowing public scrutiny of legal proceedings.

Are Court Records Public in Virginia Beach City?

Court records are accessible to Virginia Beach City residents pursuant to Section 17.1-208 of the Code of Virginia. The records maintained in individual case files are open to the public and can be accessed at the Office of the Circuit Court Clerk. The Clerk may require advance payment for supplying, duplicating, examining, or redacting confidential information from non-confidential court records.

Equivalent provisions for accessing district court records are outlined in Section 16.1-69.54:1 of the Code of Virginia. Court records maintained by the District Court Clerk are open to public inspection. Furthermore, court clerks are required to provide court records within 30 days of receiving requests. However, there may be delays for requests that interfere with the business of the court or are prohibited by law.

Certain court records, such as juvenile records, are deemed confidential per Section 16.1-300 of the Code of Virginia. The state law does not permit the public scrutiny of the records of children under the age of 18 who have entered the court system or are under the supervision of the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ). The release of a juvenile record is limited to, but not exclusive to, the record owner upon reaching the age of majority, their legal parents or guardians, the prosecuting attorney, court staff, and welfare staff providing services under contract with the DJJ.

Adoption records are sealed under Virginia Code Section 63.2-1245 and are not available to the public. However, access to information from an adoption record is limited to attorneys of record, court officials, record owners, birth parents, and social service officials.

Virginia Beach City Court Records Search

You can perform a search for Virginia Beach City court records both online and offline. To conduct an online search, identify the specific court where the case was filed. Each court maintains its own online case information system for accessing civil and criminal court records. Alternatively, ue thse statewide online case information system (OCIS) to access adult criminal and traffic cases. For in-person assistance, visit the Office of the Clerk at the courthouse where the case was filed.

Virginia Beach City Court Records Search by Name

Virginia Beach City residents can conduct searches for court records by using the names of the involved parties. To begin, visit the Case Status and Information page on the Virginia Judicial System website. This page provides free access to all online case information systems. The Circuit Court case information system allows searches using the first and last names of the involved parties. The District Court online information system allows searches by the involved parties’ last, first, and middle names, or by business name.

Additionally, the relevant Clerk’s Office can assist with conducting name searches for court records. However, fees may apply for searching or copying the records.

Virginia Beach City Courts

The Circuit Court, General District Court, and Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court make up the Virginia Beach court system. These courts operate within the 2nd Judicial Circuit of Virginia. The Circuit Court deals with complex criminal and civil cases, including appeals from lower courts. The General District Court handles less severe criminal and civil cases, as well as traffic violations. The Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court focuses on juvenile matters and family law cases. Collectively, Virginia Beach City courts strive to provide a functional judicial system by ensuring that cases are resolved in a fair and efficient manner.

The list below outlines the locations and the contact information of Virginia Beach City courts:

Virginia Beach Circuit Court

Virginia Beach Judicial Center
2425 Nimmo Parkway
Virginia Beach, VA 23456
Phone: (757) 385-4181

Virginia Beach General District Court

Virginia Beach Judicial Center
2425 Nimmo Parkway
Virginia Beach, VA 23456
Phone: (757) 385-8531
Fax: (757) 385-5672

Virginia Beach Juvenile and Domestic Relations Domestic Court

Virginia Beach Judicial Center
2425 Nimmo Parkway
Virginia Beach, VA 23456
Phone: (757) 385-4391
Fax: (757) 385-5683

Virginia Beach City Circuit Court Case Search

The Virginia Beach Circuit Court is the county’s trial court of general jurisdiction, operating through several divisions. The Criminal Division prosecutes all felonies, conducts jury trials, and handles appeals from traffic and misdemeanor cases initially heard in the District Court. On the other hand, the Civil Division deals with a wide variety of civil disputes, including probate, property disputes, personal injury claims, contract disputes, domestic relations matters, and consumer protection issues.

The Circuit Court Case Information resource provides access to criminal and civil case records for the Virginia Beach Circuit Court. On the opening page, select “Virginia Beach Circuit Court” and click “begin”. Then, select either the “criminal division" or "civil division" and search by party name, case number, or hearing date.

The Circuit Court Clerk’s Office maintains the official records of cases filed in the Circuit Court. Interested parties can access non-digital records by visiting the office during regular business hours.

Virginia Beach City District Court Records

The Virginia Beach General District Court has exclusive and concurrent jurisdiction over certain criminal and civil cases. This court has exclusive jurisdiction for most claims involving amounts under $4,500. It shares jurisdiction with the Circuit Court over claims between $4,500 and $25,000. Additionally, the General District Court handles traffic-related cases, landlord-tenant disputes, misdemeanor cases, bond hearings, and personal injury claims up to $50,000.

The District Court Online Case Information System provides access to district court records by allowing anyone to conduct a name, case number, hearing date, or process search. Also, these records are in the custody of the District Court Clerk. Individuals can visit the office to search for records from Mondays through Fridays between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

Virginia Beach City Criminal Records

The Virginia Beach Police Department allows county residents to conduct criminal records searches in person and by mail. Individuals interested in obtaining copies of Virginia Beach arrest records and criminal history records in person must visit the City of Virginia Beach Police Department’s Records Unit with a valid government-issued photo ID, an additional form of ID, and a $15 fee payable by check, cash, or credit card at:

Virginia Beach Municipal Center
Building 11
2509 Princess Anne Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23456

To receive criminal history records by mail, carefully complete the Criminal Records Request Information (PD-150) form, following the instructions provided on the form. Mail your completed request, a copy of a government-issued photo ID, an additional ID, a $15 fee made payable to the “City of Virginia Beach”, and a self-addressed return envelope to this address:

City of Virginia Beach
Department of Police
Records Unit
2509 Princess Anne Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23456

Virginia Beach City Criminal Court Case Lookup

Looking up a Virginia Beach criminal court case can be done online through the Case Status and Information page by selecting the appropriate court where the case was filed. Criminal cases filed in the Circuit Court and General District Court can be searched using a hearing date, case number, or defendant’s name.

Furthermore, the Criminal Division of the District Court issues certified copies of final dispositions at a cost of $2 per record and 50 cents for additional pages from the case file. Interested parties can also obtain copies of case papers before the final disposition at a cost of $1 per page for the first two pages and 50 cents for additional pages by sending requests to:

Virginia Beach General District Court
Criminal Division
2425 Nimmo Parkway
Virginia Beach, VA 23456-9057

Get Virginia Beach City Civil Court Records

Virginia Beach City civil court records are the official documents generated in the Circuit and General District Courts during the adjudication of disputes between multiple individuals or organizations regarding legal rights and obligations. These records are created from cases involving small claims, probate and estate matters, torts, family law, and property disputes.

Virginia Beach civil court records are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk or District Court Clerk, depending on where the case recorded was filed. Individuals interested in obtaining records may visit the office of the appropriate records’ custodian. Alternatively, individuals can access civil court records remotely through the Case Status and Information resource.

Virginia Beach City Family Court Records

Family court records in Virginia Beach City encompass the official documents generated during the resolution of family law matters. These include cases involving divorce, child custody, termination of parental rights, juvenile cases, and protective orders. Both the Circuit Court and the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court share jurisdiction over family law cases in Virginia Beach City.

Not all family court records are available for inspection by the public due to the sensitive information they contain. To access publicly available family court records, it is recommended to contact the office of the clerk where the case was filed.

Nevertheless, interested parties can view publicly available family court records in Virginia Beach City from January 1st, 2019, on the Virginia Courts Case Information website. Select the statewide OCIS resource, then choose both Circuit Court and Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court from the “all the court levels” drop-down menu. Finally, reselect both courts in the “all courts” drop-down menu and search for available records by party name, hearing date, or case number.

Family court records are essential for evaluating the effectiveness of family laws and policies. They aid in the understanding of patterns in family relationships and can influence the development of more effective family law legal frameworks.

Virginia Beach City Marriage and Divorce Records

Marriage and divorce records are considered vital records in Virginia Beach City and can be obtained from the Division of Vital Records of the Virginia Department of Health. A valid ID is required for immediate family members, including parents, grandparents, siblings, children, and spouses, to obtain these records. Both records become publicly available 25 years after the date of the event.

The Office of Vital Records (OVR) offers multiple ways to obtain marriage and divorce certificates. You may drop off your application, mail the application form, order online, or make a request in person. To drop off your application, complete the Application for Certification of a Marriage and/or Divorce Record and take along a legible photocopy of your government-issued photo ID. A $12 fee is required and payable with cash, payment card, mobile pay, money order, or check. Money orders and checks must be filled out correctly, signed, and made payable to the “State Health Department”. Applications should be submitted to the front desk of the Office of Vital Records, and requests to pick up vital records must be received no later than 2:00 p.m.

Online applications for marriage or divorce records are typically processed within two weeks after submission. To apply, visit the OVR Online System, select the “marriage and divorce” tab, complete the online form, upload the required ID documentation, sign your application electronically, and pay the required fees with a credit card. The OVR will issue a tracking ID and send SMS updates on the status of your application.

Virginia Beach City Birth and Death Records

The Virginia Department of Health Division of Vital Records issues certified copies of birth and death records primarily to the immediate family members of record owners. Legal guardians with custody papers may also obtain a birth record. Birth records become public 100 years after the events they record, while death records become public after 25 years. In the meantime, non-immediate family members who express interest in obtaining a death record cannot be issued a certified copy of the record. Instead, they can be issued a Verification of Death. A Verification of Death shows the decedent's name, date of birth, place and date of death, and the last 4 digits of their Social Security Number.

There are a few ways to obtain birth and death records in Virginia Beach City. Eligible persons may visit the nearest vital records walk-in location, mail an application, drop off their requests in person, or use the OVR Online System. For the walk-in option, visit the customer service lobby of the Office of Vital Records at 2001 Maywill Street, Suite 101, in Richmond, from Mondays through Fridays between 7:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. with the following requirements:

• A complete birth certificate application or death certificate application
• A clear photocopy of a valid ID (check forms to see the acceptable primary and secondary identification list)
• $12 required fee payable by check, cash, or money order

To submit a request by mail, following the instructions on enclosing a money order or check, for the required fee, made payable to the Office of Vital Records. Then, fill out the birth or death certificate application and include a legible photocopy of the identifying documents. Requests for Virginia Beach City birth and death records are mailed to:

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

Lastly, Virginia Beach City residents can also obtain vital records from their nearest Department of Motor Vehicle location or local health districts during normal business hours.

Virginia Beach City Probate Court Records

Virginia Beach City probate court records are official documents detailing the legal processes of administering the estates of deceased persons in the city. These records contain information about the probating of wills and the appointment of estate administrators. Also, probate court records are generated from the appointments of guardianship and conservatorships for people who are alive but are incapable of handling their own affairs.

The Virginia Beach Circuit Court handles probate matters and maintains custody of probate court records. These are not available online, however, individuals seeking information about probate matters may contact the Probate/Wills Division of the Circuit Court for inquiries at (757) 385-8831 or visit the courthouse in person.

Virginia Beach City Property Records

Virginia Beach City property records are public documents containing information about properties located within the city’s limits, including ownership histories, liens, deeds, tax histories, encumbrances, mortgages, and plat maps.

The Circuit Court Clerk records, indexes, and stores all land records for Virginia Beach City. The Clerk’s Office also provides a subscription-based, Secure Remote Access tool for obtaining information about land records for the city. These official records are also accessible to the public at the Clerk’s Office.

Virginia Beach City Court Records Online

Third-party online resources, such as Virginiacourtrecords.us, are invaluable for court records searches. They offer centralized databases for accessing records from multiple jurisdictions, thereby saving users the effort and time of visiting individual court online case systems or courthouses. Most of such platforms provide user-friendly interfaces with effective search tools for navigating records. However, their records databases may be incomplete compared to official sources.