Arlington County Court Records
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Arlington County sits in Northern Virginia, directly across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. All of its courts are centralized in one courthouse complex at 1425 North Courthouse Road. Three principal courts operate there — the Circuit Court, the General District Court, and the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court — handling civil, criminal, traffic, family, and probate matters. Residents of the City of Falls Church also fall under the 17th Judicial Circuit and use the same courts for many proceedings.
You can look up Arlington County court records through the clerks' offices, by visiting the courthouse in person, or through Virginia's statewide electronic case-search tools. VirginiaStateCourts.us is another useful resource for locating publicly available court case information across the Commonwealth. The sections below walk through how to search each category of record, which offices hold them, what fees apply, and the public-access rules you need to know.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Arlington County?
All Arlington County courts share the same building at 1425 North Courthouse Road, Arlington, VA 22201, but each operates on a different floor with its own clerks' office and phone number.
Court directory
| Court | Suite / Floor | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Circuit Court (Clerk's Office) | Suite 6700, 6th Floor | (703) 228-7010 |
| Circuit Court Criminal Division | Suite 6100, 6th Floor | (703) 228-4399 |
| Circuit Court Land Records | Suite 6200, 6th Floor | (703) 228-4369 |
| Circuit Court Probate Office | Suite 6300, 6th Floor | (703) 228-4376 |
| General District Court | Suite 2400, 2nd Floor | (703) 228-7900 |
| Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court | Suite 5100, 5th Floor (courtrooms) / Suite 2500, 2nd Floor (Clerk) | (703) 228-4495 (Clerk) / (703) 228-4499 (Chambers) |
All clerks' offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Cell phones and other electronic devices are not permitted inside the courthouse.
Online case search options
Virginia maintains statewide case-information portals that cover Arlington County. All three are free to use:
- Circuit Court Case Information — search civil and criminal cases by name, case number, or hearing date in the Arlington Circuit Court.
- General District Court Online Case Information System — select Arlington County from the locality list to search criminal, traffic, and civil matters in the General District Court. The system also shows service-of-process details under Case Details and grounds of defense under Reports.
- Online Case Information System 2.0 (OCIS) — a consolidated statewide search tool that lets you filter by court level (circuit, district, or JDR), division, and locality.
None of these portals display records that have been sealed by a judge or that involve restricted categories such as juvenile proceedings, protective orders, or civil commitment hearings.
Requesting copies by email or mail
The Circuit Court Clerk processes document requests primarily by email. Send civil case document requests to civil-docrequest@arlingtonva.us and criminal case document requests to CCT-DocRequest@arlingtonva.us. A downloadable civil copy request form is also available. If you prefer to write, mail your request to Clerk of the Circuit Court, 1425 North Courthouse Road, Suite 6700, Arlington, VA 22201, and include a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return of copies.
Copy fees
- Plain copies: $0.50 per page
- Certified copies: $0.50 per page plus $2.00 certification fee per document
- Digital media (e.g., video evidence): $10.00 flat fee; you must provide a sealed, new 32 GB USB flash drive
- Payment in person: cash, check, money order, or credit/debit card (4% convenience fee on card transactions)
- Payment by mail: check or money order payable to Arlington County Circuit Court
Defendants in criminal cases are exempt from all copy fees. Turnaround for document requests is typically around two business days, depending on volume. Uncertified copies can be delivered by email; certified copies must be picked up or mailed.
Secure Remote Access
Licensed Virginia State Bar attorneys and those admitted pro hac vice in an Arlington case may subscribe to the Circuit Court's Secure Remote Access portal, which provides read-only access to non-confidential civil and criminal documents from 2010 to the present. Subscription terms and fees are set by the Clerk.
Are Court Records Public in Arlington County?
Virginia law establishes a general presumption that court records are open for public inspection. Va. Code 17.1-208 gives the public the right to inspect records maintained by circuit court clerks and obtain copies for a reasonable fee. The Virginia Freedom of Information Act applies to many government bodies, but the judiciary is exempt; instead, access to court records is governed by Title 17.1 of the Code of Virginia for courts of record (circuit courts) and Title 16.1 for courts not of record (general district courts and JDR courts).
Records that are confidential or sealed are not available for public viewing or copying. In Arlington County, restricted categories include:
- Juvenile court records
- Adoption records
- Sealed case files (sealed by court order)
- Records subject to attorney-client privilege
- Medical and mental health records filed with the court
- Civil protection order case files
- Personal identifiers required to be filed on separate privacy addenda (Form CC-1426)
For circuit court records, the Clerk's office has designated a FOIA Officer (Steven Beiles) and may charge for the cost of accessing, duplicating, and supplying records in response to a FOIA-style request, with the option to provide a cost estimate in advance under Va. Code 2.2-3704.
Records held by the General District Court and JDR Court are considered temporary in nature because those courts are not courts of record under Virginia law. The Circuit Court, by contrast, is a court of record — its files are preserved permanently and serve as the definitive repository of case proceedings.
Arlington County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Arlington County are divided between two courts. The General District Court handles misdemeanor charges, traffic offenses, and preliminary hearings to determine probable cause in felony cases. Felonies and appeals from the General District Court are tried in the Circuit Court. The 17th Judicial Circuit, which serves both Arlington County and the City of Falls Church, is presided over by four judges: Chief Judge Judith L. Wheat, Judge Daniel S. Fiore II, Judge Louise M. DiMatteo, and Judge Daniel T. Lopez.
Searching criminal case records
Criminal case information is searchable through any of the three statewide online portals described above. In OCIS 2.0, select Criminal or Traffic under court division and choose Arlington County as the locality. The General District Court's online system is particularly useful for misdemeanor and traffic lookups and includes prepayment options for traffic fines — by phone at (703) 228-4599 or online.
Requesting criminal records from the Circuit Court
Email requests for criminal case documents should go to CCT-DocRequest@arlingtonva.us. The Criminal Division (Suite 6100) can also be reached by phone at (703) 228-4399. The court offers self-represented motion and notice forms for individuals handling their own criminal proceedings.
Criminal record sealing
As of July 1, 2026, new Virginia statutes take effect permitting the automatic and petition-based sealing of numerous criminal offenses. Information about eligibility and the process is available through the Arlington Circuit Court website.
State criminal history checks
Statewide criminal history records are maintained by the Virginia State Police Central Criminal Records Exchange. Members of the public may request records using Form SP-167, which requires notarized signatures of both the requester and the record subject. Form SP-230 is used by organizations such as foster care agencies, adult day care centers, and assisted living facilities and does not require the subject's consent. Fees for a fingerprint-based search are $13.00 for the VSP CARE search and $13.25 for the FBI file. Dissemination of criminal history information is governed by Va. Code 19.2-389, and juvenile criminal records are protected from public disclosure under 19.2-389.1.
Arlington County Civil Court Records
The Circuit Court holds exclusive jurisdiction over civil claims exceeding $25,000, as well as land use, ownership, contract disputes, and equity suits. It shares concurrent jurisdiction with the General District Court over claims between $4,500 and $25,000. The General District Court has exclusive original jurisdiction over claims of $4,500 or less. Small claims cases in Virginia are heard in the General District Court.
Filing civil cases
Civil filings are accepted at the Circuit Court Civil Division (Suite 6700) between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM. Effective January 3, 2022, the Clerk's office charges a $5.00 paper submission fee for all civil matters initiated in paper. E-filing is available to attorneys licensed by the Virginia State Bar through the court's TrueFiling system. The Clerk's office does not accept filings by email or fax.
Filing fees vary by case type and amount in controversy. Use the Virginia Circuit Court Filing Fee Calculator to find the exact amount for your case. All fees are payable by cash, cashier's check, or money order to Clerk of the Circuit Court. Personal checks are not accepted, and credit cards carry a 4% convenience fee. A civil coversheet must accompany every initial filing.
Publication fees for orders of publication
When service by publication is required, the following fees apply (published in The Washington Times):
- Divorce notices: $30 (4-time run)
- Name changes: $30 (4-time run)
- Show cause orders: $55 (2-time run)
- Domestic orders: $55 (4-time run)
- Adoptions: $55 (4-time run)
- Estate notices: $25 (1-time run)
Accessing civil court records
You can request civil case documents by email at civil-docrequest@arlingtonva.us, in person, or by mail. The civil copy request form is available for download. Copies cost $0.50 per page, with an additional $2.00 for certification. Civil case information is also viewable at no cost through Virginia's online case information system. Attorneys can subscribe to the Secure Remote Access portal for direct access to non-confidential civil documents from 2010 to the present. Sample no-fault divorce complaints are available from the Clerk's office, and additional circuit court civil forms are posted on the Virginia Courts website.
Arlington County Family Court Records
Arlington County does not have a separately designated family court. Family-related matters are divided between the Circuit Court and the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court (JDR Court).
Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court
The JDR Court handles juvenile delinquency, child custody and visitation, child support, child abuse and neglect, parentage, termination of parental rights, juvenile traffic infractions, minor emancipation, and court-ordered medical or mental health treatment of minors. The courtrooms are on the 5th floor (Suite 5100), with the Clerk's office on the 2nd floor (Suite 2500). Key contacts include Clerk of Court Teresa Lara at (703) 228-4495 and the Intake Unit at (703) 228-4500.
Because the JDR Court is a court not of record under Virginia law, it does not hold jury trials. If you disagree with a JDR Court ruling, you may appeal to the Circuit Court for a new trial. JDR Court case information is available through the OCIS 2.0 statewide system, but records involving juveniles, protective orders, civil commitments, and emergency custody orders are not displayed.
Divorce
To file for divorce in Arlington County, at least one spouse must have lived in Virginia for six months before filing. Couples without children must be separated for at least six months and have a written property settlement agreement; couples with children must be separated for at least one year. File the complaint at the Circuit Court's Civil Intake Division along with:
- A VS-4 State Statistical Form (obtained from the Civil Intake Division; must be completed in black ink)
- A Domestic Case Coversheet
- A Privacy Addendum (Form CC-1426) filed separately
- A notarized property settlement agreement
- A notarized affidavit meeting the requirements of Va. Code 20-106
The filing fee for a divorce complaint is $91. If the defendant lives in Virginia, service by the Sheriff's Office costs $12. A waiver of service (Form CC-1406) may be submitted when the defendant agrees to accept service. Resuming a maiden name costs $22. The court provides a pro se divorce packet in both English and Spanish.
Once a divorce is finalized, you can request certified copies of the Final Decree of Divorce by emailing civil-docrequest@arlingtonva.us, visiting the Clerk's office in person, or writing to Clerk of the Circuit Court, 1425 North Courthouse Road, Suite 6700, Arlington, VA 22201.
Marriage licenses
The Circuit Court Clerk's office issues marriage licenses by appointment only. Start by completing the online marriage license application; you'll then receive an email from noreply@versiform.com to schedule an in-person appointment. Both parties must appear together with valid photo identification and be at least 18 years old. There is no residency requirement, but the marriage must take place in Virginia. The license fee is $30 (cash or Visa/MasterCard/Discover with a 4% surcharge). Licenses are issued immediately and expire after 60 days. Marriages are not performed at the courthouse.
Certified copies of marriage licenses cost $2.50 each ($3.00 for triple-seal certified copies for apostille purposes). Request copies in person, by phone at (703) 228-3374, or by mail using the marriage license request form. Mail requests require a check or money order payable to Clerk of the Circuit Court and a self-addressed stamped envelope; processing takes 7–10 business days.
Birth and death records
Virginia birth and death certificates are issued by the Office of Vital Records within the Virginia Department of Health, not by the court system. Each certificate search costs $12 (nonrefundable). Birth records become publicly accessible after 100 years; death records after 25 years. Eligible applicants — those with a direct relationship to the record subject — may apply in person at 2001 Maywill Street, Suite 101, Richmond, VA, through the Department of Health online, or via VitalChek for express processing.
Arlington County Probate Court Records
The Probate Office of the Arlington County Circuit Court handles all estate administration within the county, including wills, appointment of personal representatives, guardianships of incapacitated adults, conservatorships, and guardianships of minors' estates. The Arlington Circuit Court has probate jurisdiction over decedents who last resided in Arlington County or the City of Falls Church.
Probate appointments
The Probate Office operates by appointment only, Monday through Thursday. In-person appointments take approximately 30–45 minutes; remote appointments via Microsoft Teams take about 15 minutes. Guardian and conservator qualifications for incapacitated adults are handled on a first-come, first-served basis on Fridays after court. To schedule, call (703) 228-4376 or email probate@arlingtonva.us.
Documents required before qualification
To qualify as executor or administrator, bring or submit:
- The original will (if one exists) — copies are not accepted
- A certified death certificate
- A completed Application for Probate and Qualification of Personal Representative
- A copy of the executor's or administrator's photo ID
- Any required witness depositions (Forms CC-1601, CC-1602, CC-1603) or waivers (Form CC-1608)
- For non-Virginia residents, a notarized Consent of Nonresident Fiduciary (Form CC-1610)
When probate may not be required
Probate is unnecessary if the decedent owned all assets jointly with survivorship rights, held all assets in a living trust, named beneficiaries on all accounts, owned probate assets worth $75,000 or less (qualifying for a Virginia Small Estate Act Affidavit), or owned only a motor vehicle.
Probate fees and taxes
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| State probate tax | $0.10 per $100 of estate value |
| Local probate tax (Arlington) | One-third of the state tax |
| Qualification fee (estate ≤ $5,000) | $0.00 |
| Qualification fee (estate ≤ $50,000) | $20.00 |
| Qualification fee (estate < $100,000) | $25.00 |
| Qualification fee (estate > $100,000) | $30.00 |
| Recordation (1–10 pages) | $18.00 |
| Recordation (11–30 pages) | $32.00 |
| Recordation (31+ pages) | $52.00 |
| Real Estate Affidavit | $25.00 state + $25.00 local |
| Letter of Qualification | $2.00 |
| Copy fee | $0.50 per page |
| Certification fee | $2.00 per document |
| Will deposited for safekeeping | $5.00 (covers 100 years) |
Payment is due at the appointment and may be made by check, cash, or credit/debit card (4% convenience fee on cards). Remote payments are not accepted.
Searching probate records
Computerized probate records from 1997 to the present, with document images beginning in 2000, are available through the court's STARR system. Records from 1800 through 1996 are accessible via computerized indexes on public kiosks in the Land Records Division; the Probate Clerk will pull the printed Will Book for individual document requests. Remote access to the STARR system is available online, and viewing document images requires a Land Records subscription. All probate records are generally public and can be viewed at the courthouse; copies cost $0.50 per page with a $2.00 certification fee per document.