Frederick County, Virginia Court Records

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    Frederick County sits at the northern gateway to Virginia's Shenandoah Valley and falls within the 26th Judicial Circuit. All three courts serving the county—the Circuit Court, the General District Court, and the Juvenile and Domestic Relations (JDR) District Court—share space with the City of Winchester courts at the Joint Judicial Center, 5 North Kent Street in Winchester. The Circuit Court handles felonies, civil matters above $25,000, and appeals from lower courts. The General District Court covers misdemeanors, traffic offenses, and smaller civil disputes. The JDR District Court handles cases involving minors and family-related proceedings. Court records across these courts can include exhibits, transcripts, dockets, depositions, affidavits, motions, and judgments across criminal, civil, and traffic matters. Under Va. Code 17.1-292(B), when a district court case is appealed, those records also become part of the circuit court file.

    To search for Frederick County court records, you can work through the clerk's offices directly, use online case information systems, or visit public access terminals at the courthouse. Virginia's court system supports several electronic tools through VirginiaStateCourts.us for finding publicly available case information across circuit, general district, and juvenile courts. The clerks' offices at the Joint Judicial Center are open in person Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Frederick County?

    The right method for searching a Frederick County court case depends on which court handled it. Each of the three courts has its own contact information, as listed below.

    Frederick County Circuit Court 26th Judicial Circuit
    Address: 5 North Kent Street, Winchester, VA 22601
    Phone: (540) 667-5770
    Fax: (540) 545-8711
    Clerk: Sarah J. Kahle (skahle@vacourts.gov)
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

    Frederick/Winchester General District Court 26th Judicial District
    Address: 5 North Kent Street, Winchester, VA 22601
    Phone: (540) 722-7208
    Fax: (540) 722-1063
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

    Frederick/Winchester Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court
    Address: 5 North Kent Street, Winchester, VA 22601 (2nd Floor)
    Phone: (540) 667-5770
    Fax: (540) 723-8886
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

    All three courts operate from the Joint Judicial Center, which is accessible from both North Cameron Street and North Kent Street. Handicap-accessible ramps are available at both entrances, and there is an elevator inside the building. The courthouse closes on federal holidays and on the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival Friday (the first Friday in May). Cell phones and most electronic devices are generally not permitted inside.

    There are several ways to look up case information:

    1. In person – Visit the Circuit Court or General District Court clerk's office on the first floor, or the JDR Court clerk on the second floor, during regular business hours. Staff can pull case files and provide copies.
    2. Circuit Court online search – Use the Circuit Court Case Information system. Select Frederick Circuit Court from the drop-down menu, click Begin, then search by party name, case number, or hearing date.
    3. General District Court online search – Use the General District Court Online Case Information system. Select Frederick General District Court and search by name, case number, or hearing date.
    4. Statewide search – The Virginia Judiciary's Case Status and Information page links to all online case lookup tools in one place.
    5. Written request by mail – Send a letter specifying the case details to the clerk of the relevant court at 5 North Kent Street, Winchester, VA 22601.

    Keep in mind that online results are informational only and should not be treated as certified records. For official or certified copies, you'll need to contact the clerk's office directly or visit in person. The Circuit Court Clerk's website also offers access to court forms, court calendars, local rules of court, and an online payment portal. A schedule of circuit court fees is posted on the Virginia Judicial System's website.

    Are Court Records Public in Frederick County?

    Court records from Frederick County courts are generally public documents. While the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) does not directly govern access to judicial records, the public's right to inspect court documents comes from separate state statutes—specifically VA Code 16.1-69.54:1 for district courts and VA Code 17.1-208 for circuit courts.

    Any person may request access to non-confidential court records. However, certain categories are restricted from public view and may only be accessed by authorized individuals or with the court's permission:

    • Personal identifying information – Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar sensitive data are redacted from publicly available records
    • Juvenile case files – Proceedings involving minors in the JDR Court are confidential by statute
    • Adoption records – Sealed upon finalization; accessible only to parties with court authorization
    • Sealed records – Cases a judge has ordered sealed are not available for public inspection
    • Attorney-client privileged material – Protected communications between counsel and client

    When a court document contains both public and confidential information, the confidential portions are redacted before the record is released. If you believe your FOIA rights have been violated regarding non-court government records, you may file a petition in district or circuit court to compel compliance—though court records themselves fall under the judiciary's own access rules rather than FOIA.

    Frederick County Criminal Court Records

    Criminal court records in Frederick County can include case filings, arrest records, indictments, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and related documentation. Several agencies maintain different types of criminal records, and the right approach depends on what you need and which agency holds it.

    Searching Criminal Case Records Online

    For felony cases tried in the Frederick County Circuit Court, use the Circuit Court Case Information system—select Frederick Circuit Court, click Begin, and choose the Criminal category. You can search by defendant name, case number, or hearing date.

    For misdemeanor and traffic cases handled by the General District Court, use the General District Court Online Case Information system and select Frederick General District Court.

    Frederick County Sheriff's Office

    The Frederick County Sheriff's Office is the primary custodian of arrest records generated within county boundaries. The Sheriff's Office publishes downloadable arrest report PDFs on its website covering recent arrest activity. These reports typically list the case number, arrest date and time, the arrestee's name, address, sex, age, arrest location, and charges.

    To request specific criminal records from the Sheriff's Office, submit a FOIA request through one of these channels:

    • Online (preferred): Use the NextRequest portal
    • Printable form: Download the FOIA Request Form and submit by mail or in person
    • By mail or in person: Captain Aleck Beeman, Frederick County Sheriff's Office, 1080 Coverstone Drive, Winchester, VA 22602
    • By phone: (540) 662-6168
    • By fax: (540) 504-6400

    FOIA requests do not have to be in writing, but submitting one in writing is strongly recommended for your own records. Charges for copies may not exceed the actual cost of duplication under Virginia Code 2.2-3704.1(A)(6).

    Winchester Police Department

    For arrests made within the City of Winchester—which shares the Joint Judicial Center with Frederick County—the Winchester Police Department posts daily arrest logs and call blotters on its website.

    Virginia State Police Background Checks

    The Virginia State Police (VSP) maintains a centralized criminal history record repository that receives reports from local law enforcement agencies statewide, including those in Frederick County. To request your own criminal history record or conduct a name-based background check, complete Form SP-167. Employers and certain agencies use Form SP-230 for fingerprint-based checks. A name-based search costs $15; fingerprint-based searches cost $13.75 for the VSP search and $13.25 for the FBI search.

    Mail requests for state criminal history records to:

    Virginia State Police
    Civil and Applicant Records Exchange (CARE)
    7700 Midlothian Turnpike
    North Chesterfield, VA 23235

    Note that access to criminal history records is limited by VA Code 19.2-389, which restricts the dissemination of certain non-conviction data.

    Frederick County Civil Court Records

    Civil court records in Frederick County cover lawsuits, contract disputes, personal injury claims, landlord-tenant actions, debt collection cases, and other non-criminal matters. The Circuit Court handles civil cases where the claim exceeds $25,000 and also hears appeals from General District Court civil decisions. The General District Court resolves civil cases with claims of $25,000 or less, including small claims matters.

    Online Civil Case Searches

    Two free online systems give you access to Frederick County civil case information:

    SystemCourtHow to Search
    Circuit Court Case InformationFrederick Circuit CourtSelect court, click Begin, choose Civil, search by name, case number, or hearing date
    General District Court Online Case InformationFrederick General District CourtSelect court, choose Civil, search by name, case number, hearing date, or service/process

    The General District Court's online system does not display information for protective orders, civil commitment proceedings, medical emergency custody orders, or temporary detention orders.

    Obtaining Official Copies

    Online search results are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute official court records. To get certified copies or paper records, visit the appropriate clerk's office in person at the Joint Judicial Center during regular business hours (8:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday). Fees for copies and certifications are set by statute and posted on the Virginia courts fee schedule.

    The Circuit Court Clerk's office also posts civil trial procedures on its website, which can be useful if you're navigating the filing or discovery process. Court forms for civil matters are available through the clerk's court forms page and through the Virginia Judicial System's forms library.

    Property and Land Records

    Land records—deeds, deeds of trust, liens, plats, and other instruments affecting real property—are maintained by the Frederick County Circuit Court Clerk's Office. Remote online access is available through the Secure Remote Access (SRA) system, which uses the Commonwealth of Virginia Electronic Records System (COVERS) as authorized by Va. Code 17.1-294. A subscription is required to view document images; the annual fee for Frederick County is $500 for up to three users, with each additional user costing $100. Subscribers must complete a notarized Subscriber Agreement and Application and file the original with the Clerk's Office. Free index-only access (without images) may be available through the SRA system depending on the clerk's settings.

    For property tax assessment information rather than recorded instruments, the Frederick County Commissioner of Revenue provides an online property records search and can be reached at (540) 665-5680.

    Frederick County Family Court Records

    Family-related matters in Frederick County—including divorce, child custody, child support, domestic violence protective orders, and visitation disputes—are handled by the Frederick/Winchester Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court and, in certain cases, by the Circuit Court. The JDR Court Clerk's Office is on the second floor of the Joint Judicial Center and can be reached at (540) 667-5770.

    Divorce Records

    Divorce cases in Frederick County are filed in and decided by the Circuit Court. You can search divorce proceedings online through the Circuit Court Case Information system under the civil case category. Certified copies of divorce decrees are available from the Circuit Court Clerk's Office. Under Virginia law, divorce records become fully open to the public 25 years after the divorce is finalized; before that point, access is limited to the parties, their immediate family members, and their legal representatives.

    Divorce verification documents can also be obtained from the Virginia Department of Health's Division of Vital Records for $12 per copy. Requests may be submitted online, by mail, or in person at:

    Virginia Department of Health
    Division of Vital Records
    2001 Maywill Street, Suite 101
    Richmond, VA 23230

    Marriage Records

    Marriage licenses in Frederick County are issued by the Circuit Court Clerk's Office. Both parties must appear in person; the license fee is $30. Virginia has no blood test requirement or waiting period. The license is valid for 60 days. Certified copies of marriage records cost $3 per copy and can be requested in person or by mail using the certified copy request form provided by the clerk's office. For mail requests, include a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment by cash or money order, addressed to:

    Frederick County Circuit Court
    5 North Kent Street
    Winchester, VA 22601

    The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) also issues certified copies of marriage certificates for $12 per copy. Virginia marriage records become fully public 25 years after the date of marriage; before that period, copies are restricted to the married parties and their immediate family members.

    Child Custody, Support, and Domestic Violence

    Child custody, child support, and domestic violence protective order cases are primarily handled by the JDR Court. Because proceedings involving minors are confidential by nature, many JDR Court records are not accessible through online case search tools. Protective order records, civil commitment proceedings, and temporary detention orders are specifically excluded from the General District Court's online system. If you need information about these case types, contact the JDR Court Clerk's Office directly or visit the second floor of the Joint Judicial Center.

    Adoption Records

    Adoption proceedings in Virginia are handled by the Circuit Court. Once an adoption is finalized, the records are sealed and not accessible to the general public. Access requires a court order or statutory authorization.

    Birth and Death Records

    Birth and death certificates are often needed in connection with family court proceedings, though they are not court records themselves. These are available from the VDH Division of Vital Records or from local health departments, including the Frederick/Winchester Environmental Health Office at 107 North Kent Street, Suite 201, Winchester, VA 22601, Phone: (540) 955-1033 Birth certificates become public 100 years after the date of birth, and death certificates become public 25 years after the date of death, per VA Code 32.1-271.

    Frederick County Probate Court Records

    Virginia does not have a separate probate court. In Frederick County, probate matters—estate administration, qualification of executors and administrators, will probate, guardianships, conservatorships, and mental health committals—are all handled by the Circuit Court. The Frederick County Circuit Court Clerk's Office maintains all probate records and assists individuals working through the estate settlement process. The clerk's office recommends calling (540) 667-5770 to schedule an appointment with a probate clerk before you visit.

    What Probate Records Include

    Probate case files in Frederick County typically contain the last will and testament (if one exists), the qualification order appointing the executor or administrator, inventories and appraisals of estate assets, accountings filed by the personal representative, commissioner of accounts reports, and final distribution orders. Guardianship and conservatorship records document the appointment of a guardian or conservator, periodic reports, and any modifications or terminations of the arrangement.

    How to Search Probate Records

    Probate records can be searched online through the Circuit Court Case Information system by selecting Frederick Circuit Court and searching under the appropriate case category. In-person requests can be made at the Circuit Court Clerk's Office on the first floor of the Joint Judicial Center during regular hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM).

    Important Notes

    The clerk's office can answer procedural questions about filing requirements and deadlines, but it cannot give legal or accounting advice about settling a specific estate. Executors and administrators are encouraged to consult with an attorney. Forms and informational handouts for probate matters are available at the clerk's office and through the court forms page on the clerk's website. Virginia's Judicial System also provides statewide court forms that may apply to probate filings.