Pittsylvania County Court Records Search
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Pittsylvania County is among Virginia’s largest counties by land area, with its county seat in the town of Chatham. The county’s judicial system operates through three trial courts — the Circuit Court, the General District Court, and the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court — all housed within the Pittsylvania County Courthouse complex on Main Street and Bank Street in Chatham. The Clerk of Circuit Court, the Honorable Angie R. Harris, serves as the primary custodian of county records dating back to 1767, encompassing civil and criminal filings, land records, probate matters, and marriage licenses.
Residents and members of the public looking for court records in Virginia can begin their search through official court resources, local clerk offices, and public-access computer terminals available at the courthouse. The Virginia Judicial System’s case information page provides statewide online access to case data from circuit, general district, and juvenile and domestic relations courts. Additional information about navigating the state’s court system may be found through VirginiaStateCourts.us.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Pittsylvania County?
The method for locating a court case in Pittsylvania County depends on the type of case, the court that handled the matter, and whether the record is available electronically. The three trial courts each maintain their own dockets, and records requests are directed to the appropriate clerk’s office.
Pittsylvania County Circuit Court
Address: 1 North Main Street, P.O. Box 31, Chatham, VA 24531
Phone: (434) 432-7887
Fax: (434) 432-7913
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Pittsylvania County General District Court (22nd Judicial District)
Address: 11 Bank Street, Suite 201, P.O. Box 695, Chatham, VA 24531
Phone: (434) 432-7879
Fax: (434) 432-7915
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Pittsylvania County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court
Address: E.R. Shields Courthouse Addition, 5 Bank Street, 3rd Floor, P.O. Box 270, Chatham, VA 24531
Phone: (434) 432-7861
Fax: (434) 432-7908
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
To search for a case, follow these steps:
- Determine the correct court. Felony criminal cases and civil claims exceeding $4,500 are filed in Circuit Court. Misdemeanor criminal and traffic cases and civil claims under $25,000 (including small claims up to $5,000) go through General District Court. Family, juvenile, and domestic violence matters are handled by the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court.
- Search online. The Circuit Court Case Information system (OCIS) allows searches by party name, case number, or hearing date for circuit court cases. The General District Court Online Case Information system covers criminal, traffic, and civil case data for district court matters. Both portals are maintained by the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia.
- Visit in person. Public-access computer terminals at the Clerk of Circuit Court’s office allow free viewing of case documents. Visitors seeking to view records or conduct land-records research should enter the courthouse through the Bank Street entrance.
- Request copies. Copies of court documents cost $0.50 per page. A certified copy (stamped and signed with the clerk’s seal) costs an additional $2.00 per document. Payments can be made by cash, check, money order, or debit/credit card (a convenience fee of $2 applies for card transactions of $50 or less, or 4% for transactions exceeding $50).
- Contact the clerk’s office by phone or mail for records that are not accessible online or when an in-person visit is not practical. Historical records requests can also be submitted by email to bwatlington@vacourts.gov.
Are Court Records Public in Pittsylvania County?
Court records in Pittsylvania County are presumptively open to the public under several provisions of Virginia law. The Virginia Freedom of Information Act establishes a broad right of access to public records held by government bodies. In addition, Code of Virginia § 17.1-208 grants the public the right to inspect and copy records maintained by circuit court clerks, while § 16.1-69.54:1 governs access to records in the district courts.
The Clerk of Circuit Court maintains an extensive collection of public records that can be viewed at the courthouse, including case filings in civil and criminal matters, probate documents (wills, estate inventories, lists of heirs, and accounts), marriage licenses and bonds, land records (deeds, deeds of trust, plats, and maps), bonds, charters, and certificates of fictitious names. Chancery records spanning 1771 to 1869 have been digitized and can be viewed freely on the Library of Virginia website.
Certain categories of records are restricted from public access. These include:
- Adoption records
- Juvenile records
- Medical records submitted in court proceedings
- Records sealed by court order
- Records exempted by a specific state or federal statute
- Appeals from the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court that are sealed in Circuit Court
Vital records maintained by the Virginia Department of Health are also subject to confidentiality periods. Under Code of Virginia § 32.1-271, marriage and divorce records remain confidential for 25 years following the event, death records for 25 years, and birth records for 100 years. During these periods, certified copies are available only to eligible parties such as the registrant, immediate family members, or their legal representatives.
Individuals who cannot afford court filing fees may request a fee waiver by submitting Form CC-1414 for judicial approval.
Pittsylvania County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Pittsylvania County are divided between the Circuit Court and the General District Court based on the severity of the offense. The Circuit Court has jurisdiction over all felonies, misdemeanors originating through grand jury action, and misdemeanor appeals from the lower courts. The General District Court handles Class 1 through Class 4 misdemeanors, traffic infractions, and preliminary hearings for felony cases.
The Criminal Division of the Clerk of Circuit Court’s office prepares judges’ orders and processes felony and misdemeanor appeal case files. General case information — including hearing dates, charges, and filings — can be accessed online through the Virginia Courts case information portal. Visitors to the clerk’s office can view criminal case documents on public-access computers free of charge, with printing available at $0.50 per page.
For arrest records and local criminal history information, interested persons may contact the Pittsylvania County Sheriff’s Office:
Pittsylvania County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 21 North Main Street, P.O. Box 407, Chatham, VA 24531
Phone: (434) 432-7800
Criminal Records Line: (434) 432-7997
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Statewide criminal background checks are conducted through the Virginia State Police (VSP), which serves as the central repository for criminal history records reported by all Virginia criminal justice agencies. The VSP accepts name-based requests submitted by mail or in person using the following forms, available through the VSP Criminal History Background Search portal:
- SP-167 — Used by the general public, private companies, and out-of-state agencies for third-party criminal history name searches. Requires notarization in Section 1. Detailed completion instructions are available in the SP-167 Instructions PDF.
- SP-230 — Used by non-criminal justice entities authorized under Code of Virginia § 19.2-389 to request criminal record searches.
- SP-266 — Used to search the Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry.
VSP Fee Schedule:
| Request Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Criminal History Record (SP-167 or SP-230) | $15.00 per search |
| Combined Criminal History + Sex Offender Registry (SP-167 or SP-230) | $15.00 per search |
| Sex Offender Registry only (SP-266) | $15.00 per search |
| Combined Criminal History + Sex Offender (Non-Profit) | $16.00 per search |
| Sex Offender Registry only (Non-Profit) | $8.00 per search |
Completed forms with payment should be mailed to: Virginia State Police, Civil & Applicants Records Exchange, P.O. Box 85076, Richmond, VA 23285. Drop-off submissions are accepted at the Virginia Department of State Police Headquarters at 7700 Midlothian Turnpike, North Chesterfield, VA 23235. Processing takes approximately 15 to 20 business days.
Pittsylvania County Civil Court Records
Civil matters in Pittsylvania County are divided between two courts based on the amount in controversy. The Circuit Court has original jurisdiction over civil actions involving claims exceeding $4,500, as well as equity cases and appeals from the General District Court. The General District Court handles civil claims under $25,000, including landlord-tenant disputes and small claims of $5,000 or less.
The Civil Division of the Clerk of Circuit Court’s office manages civil case filings, including matters involving monetary damages arising from torts and breach of contract, as well as divorces, name changes, concealed handgun permit applications, and marriage license processing. Civil case records in General District Court can be searched through the General District Court Online Case Information system, while Circuit Court civil cases are accessible via the OCIS 2.0 portal.
Individuals who wish to file a new civil action in Pittsylvania County Circuit Court can estimate the applicable fees using the Virginia Courts Civil Filing Fee Calculator. Under Code of Virginia § 17.1-275, filing fees vary based on the amount claimed — for example, $83 for claims not exceeding $500 and progressively higher amounts for larger claims. The clerk’s office charges $15 for garnishment or attachment proceedings in cases not exceeding $500 and $25 in all other cases. Copy fees remain at $0.50 per page, plus $2.00 for certification.
Land records and property-related civil filings are maintained by the Clerk of Circuit Court’s Land Records Division. The division accepts deeds, deeds of trust, plats, and other recordable instruments in person, by mail, or through electronic recording. To estimate the cost of recording a deed or deed of trust, the Virginia Courts Deed Calculation tool is available online. All documents submitted for recording must meet specific formatting requirements, including placement of the County Parcel ID on the first page, proper notarization with a Virginia registration number and commission expiration date, and use of white single-sided paper. The Parcel ID can be obtained through the Commissioner of the Revenue at 11 North Main Street, Chatham, VA 24531 (Phone: (434) 432-7940), or via the county’s GIS mapping site.
Pittsylvania County Family Court Records
Family-related matters — including divorce, child custody, child support, visitation, domestic violence protective orders, and juvenile proceedings — are handled by the Pittsylvania County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court and, for certain filings such as divorce, by the Circuit Court. The Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court is located on the third floor of the E.R. Shields Courthouse Addition at 5 Bank Street, Chatham (Phone: (434) 432-7861). Divorce cases and adoption proceedings are filed with the Circuit Court Clerk.
Marriage Licenses. The Clerk of Circuit Court issues marriage licenses in Pittsylvania County. Both applicants must appear together at the clerk’s office with valid government-issued identification. Under Virginia Code § 20-48, the minimum age for marriage is 18 unless a minor has been emancipated by court order. The marriage license fee is $30, payable by cash, personal check, or credit card. The license is valid throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia and must be used within 60 days of issuance. There is no waiting period. After the ceremony — which must be performed by a person authorized by a Virginia Circuit Court — all copies of the license must be returned to the issuing clerk’s office. Certified copies of marriage licenses issued in Pittsylvania County are available for $2.50 each.
Marriage and Divorce Certificates from the Virginia Department of Health. Copies can also be ordered through the VDH Office of Vital Records using the Online Application for a Vital Record at a cost of $12.00 per certificate. Requesters must present valid identification meeting VDH requirements. Walk-in requests are accepted at the VDH customer service lobby at 2001 Maywill Street, Suite 101, Richmond, Virginia 23230, Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Online orders are typically processed within two weeks; paper applications take approximately four weeks.
Divorce Records. Case filings from local divorce proceedings can be inspected at the Circuit Court Clerk’s office and copied at $0.50 per page, with certification at $2.00 per document. Both marriage and divorce records are confidential for 25 years after the event under Code of Virginia § 32.1-271. After 25 years, they become open to the public.
Birth and Death Records. The VDH Office of Vital Records maintains birth and death certificates. Birth records become public 100 years after filing, and death records after 25 years. Certified copies cost $12.00 per certificate, and requesters must provide valid identification. Records can be requested online, by mail, or in person at the VDH office in Richmond.
Pittsylvania County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Pittsylvania County are handled by the Circuit Court, with the Clerk of Circuit Court serving as the custodian of all probate records. The Wills and Probate division of the clerk’s office processes estate administration filings, will probates, and appointments of executors, guardians, and conservators. Probate takes place in the jurisdiction where the decedent last resided and applies only to assets held solely in the decedent’s name.
Individuals who need to probate a will, administer an estate, or establish a conservatorship or guardianship should call the clerk’s office at (434) 432-7887 to schedule an appointment. All proceedings occur at the Pittsylvania County Courthouse, 1 North Main Street, Chatham, VA 24531. Visitors with probate appointments should enter through the Bank Street entrance of the courthouse complex.
The clerk’s office maintains probate records including wills, inventories of estates, lists of heirs, and fiduciary accounts. These records can be viewed in person at the clerk’s office during regular hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). Copies cost $0.50 per page, with certified copies available for an additional $2.00 per document.
For historical probate research, the Pittsylvania County Historic Records Division (PCHRD) maintains county court records dating back to 1767. PCHRD is a working archive open to the public, staffed by a deputy clerk who can assist with locating records. Due to the sensitive nature of historical documents, cell phones, laptops, and other recording devices are not permitted, and food and drink are prohibited. Requests for historical records that cannot be fulfilled in person may be emailed to the Historic Records Division at bwatlington@vacourts.gov. The division is actively digitizing its historical holdings, with some years temporarily unavailable due to the condition of physical records.
Circuit Court probate case information can also be searched online through the OCIS case information system, which allows lookups by party name, case number, or hearing date. Those requiring the complete Circuit Court fee schedule for probate filings can review Appendix C published by the Virginia Judicial System, which itemizes fees for estate filings, will probate, guardianship appointments, and related matters under Code of Virginia § 17.1-275.