Virginia Court Records

The Virginia State Courts Portal serves as an informational guide to understanding how the State of Virginia's judicial branch is organized and how cases move through its judicial process. Virginia’s judicial process starts with the Trial Courts, proceeds to intermediate review, and concludes with the State’s highest court, the Supreme Court of Virginia.

The vast majority of all cases begin in either the Virginia General District Court (traffic matters, misdemeanor cases, and small civil disputes) or the Virginia Circuit Court (serious criminal charges, major civil claims, family matters). In comparison, the Virginia Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court addresses cases concerning minors and Family Matters. From there, appeals can proceed to the Court of Appeals of Virginia, and, in limited instances, to the Supreme Court of Virginia.

In Virginia, many of the court records are available to the public. However, some may be restricted or sealed per the Virginia Freedom of Information Act and other privacy rules. This website is designed to provide general information to the public to assist them in learning about Virginia’s Judicial System and locating records. Additionally, it does not offer legal advice, nor does it have an official affiliation with government agencies.