Arlington County Court Records Search

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    Arlington County is an urban county in Northern Virginia, directly across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., with all of its courts centralized in a single courthouse complex at 1425 North Courthouse Road in Arlington. The county’s three principal courts — the Circuit Court, the General District Court, and the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court — generate and maintain records related to civil, criminal, traffic, family, and probate matters. Residents of the City of Falls Church also fall within the 17th Judicial Circuit and use the same courts for many proceedings.

    Individuals searching for court records in Virginia can consult the relevant clerk’s office, visit the courthouse, or use one of the electronic lookup tools maintained by the state judiciary. VirginiaStateCourts.us provides an additional starting point for locating publicly available court case information across the Commonwealth. The sections below explain how to search each category of Arlington County court record, which offices maintain them, applicable fees, and the rules governing public access.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Arlington County?

    All Arlington County courts are housed at the same address — 1425 North Courthouse Road, Arlington, VA 22201 — but on different floors and in different suites, each with its own clerk’s office and phone line.

    Court directory

    CourtSuite / FloorPhone
    Circuit Court (Clerk’s Office)Suite 6700, 6th Floor(703) 228-7010
    Circuit Court — Criminal DivisionSuite 6100, 6th Floor(703) 228-4399
    Circuit Court — Land RecordsSuite 6200, 6th Floor(703) 228-4369
    Circuit Court — Probate OfficeSuite 6300, 6th Floor(703) 228-4376
    General District CourtSuite 2400, 2nd Floor(703) 228-7900
    Juvenile & Domestic Relations CourtSuite 5100, 5th Floor (courtrooms) / Suite 2500, 2nd Floor (Clerk)(703) 228-4495 (Clerk) / (703) 228-4499 (Chambers)

    All clerk’s 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 operates statewide case-information portals that cover Arlington County:

    1. Circuit Court Case Information — search civil and criminal cases by name, case number, or hearing date in the Arlington Circuit Court.
    2. 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”.
    3. Online Case Information System 2.0 (OCIS) — a consolidated statewide search tool that lets users filter by court level (circuit, district, or JDR), division, and locality.

    All three portals are free. None 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:

    • Civil case documents: civil-docrequest@arlingtonva.us
    • Criminal case documents: CCT-DocRequest@arlingtonva.us

    A downloadable civil copy request form is also available. Mail requests should be sent to Clerk of the Circuit Court, 1425 North Courthouse Road, Suite 6700, Arlington, VA 22201, with a self-addressed stamped envelope enclosed for 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; requester 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. Typical turnaround for document requests is approximately 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 dated 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 authorizes the public 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 (i.e., circuit courts) and Title 16.1 for courts not of record (i.e., general district courts and JDR courts).

    Records categorized as 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.

    Court records maintained by the General District Court and JDR Court are considered temporary in nature because those courts are “not of record” under Virginia law. The circuit court, by contrast, is a court of record, meaning 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 can be searched through any of the three statewide online portals described above. On the OCIS 2.0 system, users can 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 case 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 be directed to CCT-DocRequest@arlingtonva.us. The Criminal Division (Suite 6100) can also be reached at (703) 228-4399. The court provides self-represented motion and notice forms for individuals representing themselves in 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 disputes involving land use, ownership, contracts, 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. The Virginia Circuit Court Filing Fee Calculator can be used to determine the exact amount. All fees are payable by cash, cashier’s check, or money order to “Clerk of the Circuit Court”. Personal checks are not accepted. 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

    Civil case documents can be requested 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 exercises original jurisdiction over 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 court is located 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. Parties dissatisfied with a JDR Court ruling 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 been a Virginia resident for six months prior to filing. Couples without children must be separated at least six months and have a written property settlement agreement; couples with children must be separated at least one year. The complaint is filed in 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 property settlement agreement (notarized)
    • A notarized affidavit meeting the requirements of Va. Code §20-106

    Filing fees are $91 for the divorce complaint. Service by the Sheriff’s Office costs $12 if the defendant resides in Virginia. A waiver of service (Form CC-1406) may be submitted when the defendant agrees to accept service. A fee of $22 applies to resume a maiden name. The court provides a pro se divorce packet in English and Spanish.

    After a divorce is finalized, certified copies of the Final Decree of Divorce can be requested by emailing civil-docrequest@arlingtonva.us, visiting the Clerk’s office in person, or writing to the Clerk at 1425 North Courthouse Road, Suite 6700, Arlington, VA 22201.

    Marriage licenses

    The Circuit Court Clerk’s office issues marriage licenses by appointment only. Applicants must first complete the online marriage license application, after which an email from noreply@versiform.com will be sent 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 occur 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). Copies can be requested 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. The cost is $12 per certificate search (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, online through the Department of Health, 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, 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 TypeAmount
    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 public and can be viewed at the courthouse; copies are $0.50 per page with a $2.00 certification fee per document.