Norfolk County Court Records Search
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Norfolk is an independent city in Virginia—legally separate from any county—that functions as its own jurisdiction for court and government purposes. Despite its independent city status, Norfolk’s court system operates within the 4th Judicial Circuit and processes thousands of civil, criminal, family, and probate matters each year. Three courts handle the city’s caseload: the Norfolk Circuit Court, the Norfolk General District Court, and the Norfolk Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court. All three courts are housed at 150 Saint Paul’s Boulevard in downtown Norfolk. The Norfolk Circuit Court Clerk’s Office serves as the principal custodian of court records, land records, marriage and divorce records, wills, and other filings generated through the circuit court.
Those seeking Virginia court case information can search through official clerk offices, courthouse terminals, and several online tools maintained by the state judiciary. The Virginia Judicial System publishes free case lookup portals for circuit, general district, and juvenile and domestic relations courts. VirginiaStateCourts.us may also assist users in locating publicly available court case data across the Commonwealth.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Norfolk County?
Norfolk provides multiple pathways for locating court case information, depending on the court that handled the matter and the type of records sought.
Online Case Search Tools
The Virginia Judicial System maintains free, publicly accessible databases for each court level:
- Circuit Court – The Circuit Court Case Information system allows searches by case number, party name, or hearing date for civil and criminal matters filed in select Virginia circuit courts, including Norfolk.
- General District Court – The General District Court Online Case Information System covers traffic violations, misdemeanor criminal cases, and civil claims in Norfolk General District Court.
- Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court – The JDR Court Case Information system provides family and juvenile case details for Norfolk.
Requesting Copies of Documents
To obtain copies of specific records from the circuit court, individuals may use the online Document Request Form on the Norfolk Circuit Court Clerk’s website, visit the Clerk’s Office in person, or call the Copy Center at (757) 793-3516.
Copy and Service Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copies (paper or digital) | $0.50 per page |
| Certified copies | $2.00 per certification + $0.50 per page |
| Exemplified copies | $7.50 |
| Research and retrieval | $18.45 per hour |
| Mailing fee | $12.35 |
| CD/DVD copies | $30.00 |
A complete list of fees is published on the Clerk’s website. Valid identification and a written request may be required for detailed or sensitive records.
Court Locations and Contact Information
All three Norfolk courts share the same building:
Norfolk Circuit Court Clerk’s Office
Address: 150 St. Paul’s Boulevard, 7th Floor, Norfolk, VA 23510
Phone: (757) 389-8942
Copy Center: (757) 793-3516
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:45 AM – 4:45 PM (closed state holidays)
Norfolk General District Court
Address: 150 St. Paul’s Boulevard, Room 3202, Norfolk, VA 23510
Norfolk Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court
Address: 150 St. Paul’s Boulevard, 5th Floor, Norfolk, VA 23510
The Marriage Commissioner is available during business hours at (757) 664-4175.
Are Court Records Public in Norfolk County?
Most court records in Norfolk are open to public inspection. Virginia law establishes a strong presumption of access under two principal authorities: the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified at Va. Code § 2.2-3700 et seq., and Va. Code § 17.1-208, which states that records maintained by the clerks of circuit courts shall be open to inspection by any person at the clerk’s office.
Remote electronic access to nonconfidential court records is authorized under Va. Code § 17.1-225, which permits circuit court clerks to offer internet-based access to automated case records. Norfolk’s Clerk’s Office provides secure remote access to land records through a subscription-based portal, while the Virginia Judicial System provides free case information portals for circuit, general district, and JDR courts.
Despite this broad right of access, several categories of records are restricted or sealed:
- Juvenile records – Case files involving minors are generally sealed to protect their identities and future prospects.
- Adoption records – Confidential under Virginia law to protect adoptive families and birth parents.
- Sealed criminal cases – Records associated with expunged charges or certain sensitive criminal matters are not publicly accessible.
- Sensitive personal information – Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and other personally identifiable data are typically redacted before records are released.
- Domestic violence and family abuse records – Certain filings may be restricted by court order to protect victims.
Not all records are available through online portals. Some documents require an in-person visit or a written request submitted through the Clerk’s Office. When records contain a mix of public and confidential material, the clerk may redact protected information before releasing copies.
Norfolk County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Norfolk are divided between the Circuit Court, which hears felonies and appeals, and the General District Court, which handles misdemeanors, traffic offenses, and preliminary hearings on felony charges. Criminal court records include indictments, complaints, arraignment documents, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and transcripts.
Searching Criminal Case Records
- Visit the Virginia Circuit Court Case Information system, select Norfolk, and choose “Criminal” as the case type.
- Enter a defendant’s name, case number, or hearing date.
- Review matching results and click on individual entries to view case status, filings, and dispositions.
For General District Court criminal and traffic cases, use the GDC Online Case Information System and select Norfolk from the court list.
Some criminal case details may be restricted or unavailable online, particularly where records have been sealed or expunged. In-person access at the courthouse is an alternative for records not found through the online systems.
Arrest Records
Arrest records are maintained by the law enforcement agency that made the arrest. For Norfolk, the primary source is the Norfolk Police Department’s Central Records Division. To request arrest records, individuals should provide the subject’s name and date of birth. It is advisable to contact the division in advance to confirm documentation requirements and any associated fees.
Expungement
Filing a petition for expungement in the Norfolk Circuit Court costs $103.00. Expunged records are removed from public access, and the Virginia State Police are notified to update their criminal history databases accordingly.
Norfolk County Civil Court Records
The Norfolk Circuit Court exercises jurisdiction over civil cases with claims exceeding $25,000 and shares concurrent jurisdiction with the General District Court for matters between $4,500 and $25,000. Civil case records include complaints, answers, motions, discovery materials, court orders, and judgments.
Filing Fees
Civil filing fees in Virginia circuit courts are calculated based on the amount in controversy. The Virginia Judicial System provides an online Civil Filing Fee Calculator that generates the exact amount due. Specific fees on the Norfolk Clerk’s schedule include:
- Divorce filing: $91.00
- Name change: $46.00
- Garnishment (cases not exceeding $500): $38.00 + $12.00 service fee
- Garnishment (cases exceeding $500): $51.00 + $12.00 service fee
- Abstract of judgment: $10.00
- Judgment recording: $10.00
Accessing Civil Records
Civil case information from the circuit court can be searched through the statewide case information system at no cost by selecting Norfolk and choosing “Civil” as the case type. The search accepts party names, case numbers, or hearing dates. To obtain copies of civil documents, submit a request through the Document Request Form or visit the Clerk’s Office on the 7th floor. Copies cost $0.50 per page, and certified copies are $2.00 per certification plus $0.50 per page.
Land Records
The Circuit Court’s Land Record Division maintains all land records for the City of Norfolk, including deeds, mortgages, deeds of trust, mechanic’s liens, and related instruments. The Deeds section of the Clerk’s website details the types of documents recorded. Secure remote access to land records is available through a subscription portal, and the City’s property search tool provides assessment and ownership data free of charge.
Recording fees for deeds depend on page count and transaction type:
| Document Type | Fee (up to 10 pages) | Fee (11–30 pages) | Fee (31+ pages) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deed of Bargain and Sale | $48.00 | $62.00 | $82.00 |
| Deed of Trust | $48.00 | $62.00 | $82.00 |
| Mechanic’s Lien | $27.00 | — | — |
Transfer taxes and grantor’s tax ($1.00 per $1,000 of consideration) apply in addition to the clerk’s recording fee.
Norfolk County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Norfolk are split between two courts. The Juvenile and Domestic Relations (JDR) District Court handles child custody, child and spousal support, visitation, juvenile delinquency, child abuse and neglect cases, and domestic violence protective orders. The Circuit Court handles divorce, annulment, and equitable distribution proceedings, and also hears appeals from the JDR court.
Searching Family Court Records
JDR court case information is available through the Virginia JDR case search portal. Users can search by party name or case number. For divorce and other family cases filed in the circuit court, the statewide circuit court case information system is the appropriate search tool.
To obtain copies of family court documents from the circuit court, requesters can visit the Clerk’s Office, call the Copy Center at (757) 793-3516, or use the online Document Request Form. Certified copies are $2.50 per document plus $0.50 per page.
Confidentiality Restrictions
Family court records involving minors are generally not open to the public. Juvenile delinquency, child abuse, and child neglect records are sealed. Domestic violence case records may also be restricted by court order. Adoption records are confidential and accessible only to the adoptive parent(s), their attorney, an adult adoptee, or the Department of Social Services under specified conditions.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses are issued by the Norfolk Circuit Court Clerk’s Office for a fee of $30.00. A Marriage Commissioner is available at the courthouse during business hours to perform ceremonies for $50.00 (cash only); call (757) 664-4175 to arrange. Certified copies of marriage records can be obtained from the Clerk’s Office for $2.50 plus $0.50 per page. Alternatively, marriage certificates may be requested from the Virginia Department of Health Vital Records Division for $12.00.
Divorce Records
Divorce filings are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office. The filing fee for a divorce action is $91.00. Copies of divorce records can be obtained through the same channels as other circuit court records—in person, by phone, or through the Document Request Form.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death certificates are managed by the Norfolk Health Department’s Vital Records Division. Requests can be made in person or by mail using the applicable application form for birth or death certificates. The fee is $12.00 per certified copy. Under Virginia Code § 32.1-271, birth records are restricted for 100 years from the date of birth, and death records become public after 25 years. Within those restriction periods, access is limited to the named individual, immediate family, or persons with a demonstrated legal interest.
Norfolk Health Department – Vital Records Division
Address: 830 Southampton Avenue, Norfolk, VA 23510
Phone: (757) 683-2800
Norfolk County Probate Court Records
Virginia does not maintain separate probate courts. In Norfolk, all probate matters—including the proving and recording of wills, appointment of executors and administrators, estate administration, guardianships, conservatorships, and trust disputes—are handled by the Circuit Court. The Clerk of the Circuit Court or a deputy clerk typically manages the probate process, and a circuit court judge becomes involved only when a will is contested or an appeal is filed within six months of the clerk’s order admitting the will to probate.
Starting the Probate Process
The Norfolk Circuit Court Clerk’s Office recommends scheduling a probate appointment with a deputy clerk. The individual offering the will or seeking to qualify on an estate should bring:
- The original will (if one exists)
- A copy of the death certificate
- Information about all assets owned by the decedent and their approximate values
A Probate Process Manual prepared by the Virginia Court Clerk’s Association and edited by the Norfolk Clerk is available for download on the Clerk’s website. A Living Wills Manual is also available.
Probate Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Qualification – small estate under $5,000 | $20.00 |
| Qualification – small estate $5,000–$15,000 | $36.00 |
| Probate only (no real estate) | $32.00 |
| List of heirs (without real estate) | $66.00 |
| List of heirs (with real estate) | $67.00 |
| Estates not exceeding $100,000 | $25.00 |
| Estates exceeding $100,000 | $30.00 |
| Will recording (1–10 pages) | $14.50 |
| Will recording (11–30 pages) | $28.50 |
| Will recording (31+ pages) | $48.50 |
All wills must have a list of heirs recorded simultaneously ($14.50) and are charged a Virginia State Law Fee (VSLF) of $3.00. Probate taxes are assessed at $1.00 per $1,000 of estate value at the state level, with the city tax calculated at one-third of the state tax. Estates valued at $15,000 or less are exempt from the state probate tax.
Small Estates
Qualification of an executor or administrator may not be necessary when an estate is valued at $50,000 or less. In such cases, a small estate affidavit may be used if the financial institution holding the assets accepts it. These forms are available from the Clerk’s Office or may be provided by the relevant financial institution.
Searching Probate Records
Probate records can be searched through the circuit court’s online case information system or requested through the Clerk’s Office. The Probate Division of the Norfolk Circuit Court Clerk’s Office can be reached at (757) 578-1454 for specific questions about estates, wills, or qualification procedures.