York County Court Records

Under the Code of Virginia § 17.1-292, court records are defined as records of judicial proceedings, such as civil, traffic, or criminal cases, maintained by the clerk of the presiding court. Generally, court records consist of documents and information filed by litigants or generated by the presiding court concerning a specific case. These include and are not limited to court dockets, complaints, exhibits, trial transcripts, motions, and judgments. These documents usually contain identifiers of their parent case, such as the case number.

York County court records are essential because they document legal proceedings and the outcomes of cases handled by the York County Court System. They also serve as historical records that interested persons can review to learn how the county’s judiciary system operates and treats cases. Additionally, court records can be admitted as evidence in future cases, especially in appellate cases.

Are Court Records Public in York County?

Yes. Court records are subject to the provisions of the Rules of the Supreme Court Part Eleven and the Virginia Public Records Act. Specifically, the Supreme Court Rules Part Eleven permit public access to judicial records. As a result, court records are considered part of York County public records and are usually available to anyone upon request. However, court records that fall under certain exemptions may be unavailable to the general public. Examples of these records include, but are not limited to:

• Juvenile records
• Adoption records
• Records sealed by court order
• Records subject to attorney-client privilege
• Medical, psychiatric, and psychological files
• Records exempt by federal or state statutes

York County Court Records Search

York County Court records search can be conducted through any of the following places:

• York County Clerk of the Circuit Court.
• Online resources provided by local court clerks, such as Officer of the Court Remote Access (OCRA)
• The Clerk's Office of a Local Court.
• Reliable third-party websites that offer court records search services.

York County Courts

York County's Court System consists of three (3) types of courts: a Circuit Court, a General District Court, and a Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court. These courts have varying jurisdictions over different legal cases that may arise in the county.

For instance, the Circuit Court can try all civil and criminal cases. Meanwhile, the General District Court has limited jurisdiction over civil cases involving amounts of up to $15,000 and oversees trials for traffic infractions and misdemeanor offenses. On the other hand, the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court handles cases involving families and children. The physical addresses and contact information of York County Courts are provided below:

York County Poquoson Circuit Court
300 Ballard St,
P.O. Box 371,
Yorktown, VA 23690
Phone: (757) 890-3350
Fax: (757) 890-3364

York County General District Court
300 Ballard St,
P.O. Box 316,
Yorktown, VA 23690
Phone: (757) 890-3450
Fax: (757) 890-3459

York County Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court
300 Ballard St,
P.O. Box 357,
Yorktown, VA 23690
Phone: (757) 890-3470
Fax: (757) 890-3479

York County Criminal Records

York County criminal records contain information about instances where an individual has been subject to criminal justice processes, including arrests, convictions, and warrants, in the county. Government agencies that oversee criminal justice processes, such as law enforcement agencies and courts, are generally responsible for generating and maintaining criminal records. Hence, York County criminal records are available through these agencies.

For instance, interested persons can find York County arrest records and active warrants through the county Sheriff’s Office. Fortunately, the Sheriff’s Office offers online resources interested persons can use to access these records. However, these resources only provide information about recent records. For older records, individuals can contact the York County Sheriff's Office in person or by phone at:

159 Goodwin Neck Road
Yorktown, VA 23692
Phone: (757) 890-3630

At the state level, criminal records are available through the Virginia State Police (VSP). As Virginia’s repository for criminal records, criminal justice agencies across the state, including in York County, report most of the criminal records they generate to the VSP. In turn, and with certain exceptions, the VSP makes these records available to interested parties upon request per VA Code §19.2-389.1.

To obtain criminal records from the VSP, interested persons request a Virginia Criminal History Record Check. Depending on who the requester is and the type of request, the VSP provides different forms for making a Virginia Criminal History Record Check request. The general public, private companies, and out-of-state agencies can use the SP-167 form. On the other hand, only qualified non-criminal justice entities listed in VA Code §19.2-389.1 can use the SP-230 form, while the SP-266 form is used strictly for making a sex offender search request. Furthermore, the VSP charges requesters certain fees for criminal history record check requests. These fees vary depending on the type of request and the request form used, and they include:

• $15.00 per search for criminal history record check (using SP-167 or SP-230)
• $20.00 per search for a combined criminal history and sex offender registry check (using SP-167 or SP-230)
• $15 per search for sex offender search (using SP-266)
• $16.00 per search for a combined criminal history and sex offender registry check (for Non-Profit Organizations)
• $8.00 per search for sex offender search (for Non-Profit Organizations)

To make a Virginia Criminal History Record Check through the VPS, requesters must complete the appropriate request form (SP-167, SP-230, or SP-226 form). These forms can be completed and downloaded online through the VSP’s Criminal History Background Search website. Requesters can review the VSP-provided instructions for assistance in completing these forms. After completing the appropriate request form, requesters should drop off or mail their request form along with other required items to the VSP at:

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

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

It is important to note that the VSP turnaround time for processing criminal history record checks is 15 business days after receiving a request.

Get York County Civil Court Records

York County civil court records contain details about noncriminal judicial proceedings. In York County, the Circuit Court has concurrent jurisdiction with the General District Court over civil cases with claims between $4,500 and $15,000. Claims over $15,000 are exclusively under the jurisdiction of the Circuit Court. The Circuit Court also hears other types of civil cases, including controversies involving property, divorce, and equity matters. Hence, York County civil court records are available through the General District Court and the Circuit Court, depending on which court has jurisdiction over the respective case.

York County General District Court: interested persons can obtain civil court records by submitting a written request to the District Court Clerk. The request should contain sufficient information to identify the requested record, such as a case number or party name. Requesters can fax or mail their written request to:

General District Court
P.O. Box 316
Yorktown, VA 23690
Fax: (757) 890-3459

Note that requesters are charged a $1 fee for the first 2 pages and $0.50 for each additional page for copies of documents they request.

York County Circuit Court: civil court records are available at the Clerk of Circuit Court office for inspection Monday through Friday from 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. Record seekers can also request copies of records at $.50 per page with an additional $2.00 per copy for certification.

The Circuit Court also offers online resources, like the Officer of the Court Remote Access (OCRA) and Secure Remote Access (SRA), that individuals can use to access court records online. Court records from 2015 to the present are available through the OCRA. However, users must submit an application and agreement annually to use the OCRA. Meanwhile, older court records dating back to 1633 are available online through SRA. Note that the SRA is subject to a $50.00 per month subscriber fee.

York County Marriage Records

The Clerk of the Circuit Court and the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) preserve York County marriage records. Per VA Code § 32.1-271, marriage records remain confidential for 25 years after being recorded, after which they become public information. Confidential marriage certificates are only available to parties named on the certificate and their immediate family members, including mother, father, spouse, child, brother, sister, and grandparents.

Eligible individuals can order certified copies of York County marriage certificates from the York County-Poquoson Circuit Court Clerk’s Office for a $2.50 fee each. Requesters can visit or contact the Circuit Clerk's office to make requests. The Circuit Clerk's office is local in the York-Poquoson Courthouse and is open Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

On the other hand, York County marriage certificates can be ordered from the VDH in person or online. For in-person requests, visit the VDH Office of Vital Records customer service lobby. The Office of Vital Records offers walk-in services Monday to Friday from 7:00 am to 4:30 pm. VDH Office of Vital Records is located at

2001 Maywill Street, Suite # 101
Richmond, Virginia 23230,

Alternatively, record seekers can use the VDH’s Online Application for a Vital Record portal to request marriage certificates online. Note that VDH charges a $12 per certificate search for both in-person and online searches, and requesters must provide a valid ID when making requests. Furthermore, the processing time for online requests is two (2) weeks, while in-person requests may be subject to same-day processing.

York County Divorce Records

In York County, divorce proceedings are handled by the County Circuit Court. Therefore, like marriage records, divorce records are maintained by the York County-Poquoson Circuit Court Clerk’s Office.

Divorce records are records are also subject to the provisions of VA Code § 32.1-271, which makes them confidential for 25 years after their recordation date. During their confidentiality periods, divorce records are only issuable to eligible persons, such as the parties named on the record and their immediate family members.

Interested persons request divorce records by visiting or contacting the York County-Poquoson Circuit Court Clerk’s Office. The Clerk’s Office is open Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

York County divorce records are also available through the Virginia Department of Health (VDH). Walk-in requests for divorce records at the VDH’s Office of Vital Records customer service lobby from Monday to Friday between 7:00 am and 4:30 pm. Record seekers can also opt to use the VDH’s Online Application for a Vital Record portal to request marriage records online. VDH charges $12 for each death record requested, and the requesters must provide a valid means of identification when making requests, regardless of the method of request used (walk-in or online). However, the expected turnaround time for online requests is two (2) weeks, while early walk-in requests (before 2:00 pm) are subject to same-day processing.

York Birth and Death Records

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) Office of Vital Records maintains all York County vital records, including birth, death, marriage, and divorce records. Hence, requests for York County birth and death records should be directed to the VDH’s Office of Vital Records.

Like other vital records, York County Birth and death records are subjectto VA Code § 32.1-271. Under the statute,birth and death remain confidential for 100 and 25 years, respectively. After that, they become public information. Before being public, birth and death records are only made available to the registrant and their immediate family members, including their mother, father, spouse, child, brother, sister, legal guardian (specifically birth record), and grandparents.

The VDH’s Office of Vital Records offers offline and online options for ordering vital records, including York County birth certificates and death certificates. Note that the VDH charges requesters $12 for each copy of a birth record or death record they request. Requesters can visit the Office of Vital Records customer service lobby for offline requests. Walk-in consumers are accepted from Monday to Friday from 7:00 am to 4:30 pm. Alternatively, Requesters can also mail a complete vital record application to the VDH’s Office of Vital Records. The application should include:

• Identifiable information about the desired record (i.e., the subject name and the date of birth or death)
• The requseter’s signature and a photocopy of the requester’s valid ID.
• Payment of the required fee via checks or money orders made payable to the State Health Department.

On the other hand, interested persons can utilize the VDH’s Online Application for a Vital Record portal for online requests. The turnaround time for mail-in and online requests is four (4) and two (2) weeks, respectively. Meanwhile, walk-in requests made before 2:00 pm are usually subject to same-day processing.

York County Probate Court Records

The County Circuit Court handles probate cases in York County. Examples of probate cases include disputes concerning wills and estates, conservatorships, and name changes. Interested persons can obtain probate court records through the York County-Poquoson Circuit Court Clerk’s Office. Record seekers can visit the clerk's office (Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) to inspect records in person. Record seekers can also access records remotely using the clerk's online resources. For further questions and inquiries about the probate court record, contact the Circuit Clerk’s Wills and Estates helpline at (757) 890-4106.

York County Property Records

In York County, property records are preserved by the York County Poquoson Circuit Court Clerk’s Office and the County’s Real Estate Assessment Office. The Circuit Court Clerk’s Office maintains property ownership records (deeds) and legal instruments recorded against properties, such as liens and mortgages. Interested persons can access property records the County Circuit Clerk’s office holds through the office’s Secure Remote Access System (SRA). Note that the SRA is subject to a $50.00 per month subscriber fee. Record seekers can also visit the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office in person to request property records.

On the other hand, the York County Real Estate Assessment Office appraises and assesses local properties. Interested persons can review the property information the Assessment Office preserves through the office’s Property Information Search portal. The portal is free and searchable by GPIN, account number, owner’s name, and street address. Record seekers can also visit or contact the Assessment Office to request relevant property records at:

120 Alexander Hamilton
Boulevard Yorktown,
VA 23690-0532
Phone: (757) 890-3720
Fax: (757) 890-4078

York County Court Records Online

Interested persons can access York County court records online through third-party websites, like virginiacourtrecords.us. This website boasts search features allowing users to search for and access public court records of different cases handled by the Virginia Judicial System, including York County. Furthermore, this website is relatively easy to use, and users only need to supply a party name or case number to search. However, third-party websites operate separately from government agencies. As a result, records they proved may contain discrepancies or incomplete information compared to documents obtained from official sources.