Suffolk County Court Records Search

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    Suffolk is an independent city in the southeastern corner of Virginia, part of the Hampton Roads metropolitan area, with a judicial system that operates within the 5th Judicial Circuit and District. Although Suffolk functions as an independent city rather than a county, Virginia’s court structure assigns it the same judicial framework, and its courts handle the full range of criminal, civil, family, and probate matters for the city’s residents. All three of Suffolk’s courts—the Circuit Court, the General District Court, and the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court—are housed in the Mills E. Godwin Courts Complex on North Main Street. The Clerk of the Circuit Court, W. Randolph Carter, Jr., serves as the primary custodian of court records for the Circuit Court, while the General District and Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts each maintain their own case files through their respective clerk’s offices.

    Those looking for court records in Virginia have several avenues of access. The Virginia Judicial Branch provides statewide online case search tools, and VirginiaStateCourts.us can help users understand how the state’s court system is organized. Locally, records may be searched in person at the clerk’s offices during business hours, requested by mail or through FOIA submissions, or located through the Virginia Courts Online Case Information System. The state maintains separate online search portals for circuit court cases and general district court cases, both of which include Suffolk records.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Suffolk County?

    Suffolk’s three courts each have distinct jurisdictional authority. Knowing which court handled a matter is essential before beginning a search.

    Suffolk Circuit Court – 5th Judicial Circuit
    Address: 150 North Main Street, P.O. Box 1604, Suffolk, VA 23439-1604
    Phone: (757) 514-7800
    Fax: (757) 514-7103
    Email: CircuitCourt@suffolkva.us
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (no monetary transactions after 4:30 p.m.)

    The Circuit Court is Suffolk’s court of general jurisdiction. It hears felony trials, civil cases involving larger sums, appeals from lower courts, and handles divorces, deed recordings, marriage license issuance, and the probate of wills.

    Suffolk General District Court – 5th Judicial District
    Address: 150 North Main Street, 2nd Floor, Suffolk, VA 23434
    Phone: (757) 514-4822
    Fax: (757) 925-7783

    The General District Court has exclusive original jurisdiction over civil claims where the amount in dispute is less than $4,500 and property claims not greater than $5,000. It also handles misdemeanors, traffic infractions, ordinance violations, and preliminary hearings for felonies.

    Suffolk Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court
    Address: 150 North Main Street, 2nd Floor, Suffolk, VA 23434
    Phone: (757) 514-7790
    Fax: (757) 514-4841
    Contact: Sandra K. Perrin, (757) 514-7768

    This court oversees all cases involving juveniles, as well as custody, child support, visitation, and other domestic relations matters (excluding divorce).

    Clerk of the Circuit Court divisions and direct lines:

    DivisionPhone
    Civil Division(757) 514-7801
    Criminal Division(757) 514-7814
    Land Records(757) 514-7812
    Probate Division(757) 514-7809
    Jury Management(757) 514-7815

    Methods for looking up a case:

    1. Circuit Court online search. Visit the Virginia Circuit Court Case Information page, select “Suffolk Circuit Court” from the dropdown menu, and search by case name, case number, or hearing date. Civil and criminal records from 1992 to the present are searchable.
    2. General District Court online search. Use the General District Court Online Case Information System to search civil, criminal, and traffic cases by selecting Suffolk from the court options.
    3. Statewide search. The Online Case Information System (OCIS) provides statewide access to adult criminal case information across juvenile and domestic relations district courts, as well as criminal and traffic case data in general district and select circuit courts.
    4. In person. Visit the appropriate clerk’s office at the Mills E. Godwin Courts Complex during business hours.
    5. FOIA request. Download a FOIA request form from the Suffolk FOIA Office or submit one through the JustFOIA public portal. The Circuit Court Clerk’s Office accepts FOIA requests by email at cccfoiarequests@suffolkva.us or by mail to P.O. Box 1604, Suffolk, VA 23439-1604.

    Are Court Records Public in Suffolk County?

    The Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified at § 2.2-3700 et seq. of the Code of Virginia, establishes that all public records are presumed to be open for inspection and copying. Court records maintained by Suffolk’s clerks are generally accessible to the public under this statute. FOIA requires that exemptions permitting records to be withheld must be interpreted narrowly, and the law is to be construed liberally in favor of access.

    The City of Suffolk operates a dedicated FOIA Office at Suffolk City Hall, 442 West Washington Street, Suite 1163, Suffolk, VA 23434, which handles public records requests across all city departments and maintains a daily log of all FOIA requests and responses.

    Records that are restricted from public access include:

    • Adoption proceedings
    • Juvenile case records (Virginia State Police is prohibited from disseminating juvenile record information except as provided in VA Code § 19.2-389.1)
    • Family law cases involving child custody and support, domestic relations abuse, or protective orders where confidentiality has been ordered
    • Mental health commitment records
    • Sealed or expunged cases (VA Code § 19.2-392.2 governs expungement)
    • Records that may compromise active law enforcement investigations, procedures, techniques, or officer safety

    Copies of public court records are available through the clerk’s offices upon payment of applicable fees. The Circuit Court Clerk’s office charges standard per-page copy fees and certification fees for official copies.

    Suffolk County Criminal Court Records

    Criminal cases in Suffolk are processed through the Circuit Court (felonies, appeals) and the General District Court (misdemeanors, traffic infractions, preliminary felony hearings). The Criminal Division of the Clerk of the Circuit Court, reachable at (757) 514-7814, files and maintains all felony case records including indictments, motions, plea agreements, sentencing documents, and judgments.

    Online criminal case searches:

    Requesting records through law enforcement:

    The Suffolk Police Department accepts records requests through its FOIA request portal. Criminal records requests through this channel require a minimum of five business days to process; criminal investigative records may take up to sixty business days. Alternatively, requesters can download the Suffolk Police Department Request for Information Form, complete it, and submit by email, fax, or mail to:

    Suffolk Police Department
    Address: 111 Henley Place, Suffolk, VA 23434
    Phone: (757) 514-7915
    Fax: (757) 514-7845
    Email: police@suffolkva.us

    Virginia criminal history background checks are conducted through the Virginia State Police Central Criminal Records Exchange (CARE). Two primary forms are available:

    • SP-167 — for individuals, the general public, private companies, and out-of-state agencies. This form requires notarization and returns a complete Virginia criminal history record. The fee is $15 per name search. The form is generated online at vspapps.vsp.virginia.gov, printed, notarized, and mailed with payment.
    • SP-230 — for Virginia employers and specified agencies. Does not require notarization and returns Virginia conviction data only.

    Processing takes approximately 15 business days. There is no expedited or same-day service. Mail completed forms and payment (money order, certified check, or business check—personal checks are not accepted) to:

    Virginia State Police – CARE
    7700 Midlothian Turnpike
    North Chesterfield, VA 23235

    For national fingerprint-based background checks for employees or volunteers working with children, the elderly, or individuals with disabilities, the SP-325 form is required. The combined fee for state and federal fingerprint searches is $27.00 ($13.75 for the VSP CARE search and $13.25 for the FBI search).

    Suffolk County Civil Court Records

    Civil litigation in Suffolk is divided between the Circuit Court and the General District Court based on the nature and amount of the claim. The Circuit Court handles cases involving larger sums of money, equity matters, and appeals from the lower courts. The General District Court has exclusive original jurisdiction over civil claims under $4,500 and property disputes up to $5,000.

    Searching civil case records online:

    For Circuit Court civil cases, visit the Virginia Circuit Court Case Information page, select Suffolk Circuit Court, choose “Civil”, and enter the case name, case number, or hearing date. Records from 1992 forward are available.

    For General District Court civil cases, use the General District Court Online Case Information System, select the Civil division, and search using available criteria.

    Requesting records in person or by mail:

    Contact the Civil Division of the Clerk of the Circuit Court at (757) 514-7801, or submit a FOIA request by email to cccfoiarequests@suffolkva.us or by mail to P.O. Box 1604, Suffolk, VA 23439-1604.

    Land and property records:

    The Land Records Division of the Clerk’s Office, reachable at (757) 514-7812, records and maintains all real estate transactions for Suffolk, including deeds, plats, liens, and encumbrances. Remote access to land records is available through the Suffolk Clerk of Circuit Court Secure Remote Access site. New subscribers must complete a subscriber agreement, undergo a background check, and pay a non-refundable processing fee of $26.60 payable to Suffolk Circuit Court. Single-day access is available without a notarized agreement; subscriptions of three months or longer require a signed and notarized agreement.

    The site also offers a free property notification service that sends email alerts when a document containing a registered name is filed with the Clerk’s office.

    For property valuation and tax assessment information, the Suffolk City Property Search portal provides online access to parcel data, ownership details, and assessment information. The Real Estate Assessor’s Office is located at 442 West Washington Street, Suffolk, VA 23434, and can be reached at (757) 514-7475.

    Suffolk County Family Court Records

    Family law matters in Suffolk are split between two courts. The Circuit Court has exclusive jurisdiction over divorce, annulment, and related property division. The Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court handles child custody, child support, visitation, domestic violence protective orders, and all matters involving juveniles.

    Divorce records are maintained by the Clerk of the Circuit Court. Details such as the names of the parties and the date of divorce are generally public, but the full divorce file—particularly provisions related to financial matters and child custody—may be restricted. Records can be obtained by contacting the Civil Division at (757) 514-7801 or visiting the Clerk’s office at the Mills E. Godwin Courts Complex.

    Divorce verifications and certified copies may also be requested through the Virginia Department of Health Online Vital Records Application. Select the “Marriage & Divorce” link and choose “Divorce” from the Certificate Form menu. The fee is $12.00 per certificate, payable online by credit card.

    Marriage records are issued and recorded by the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office. Marriage license applications are accepted by appointment only. Certified copies of marriage certificates can be obtained from the Clerk’s office or through the Virginia Department of Health’s online vital records system by selecting “Marriage” from the Marriage & Divorce section. The fee is $12.00 per copy.

    Domestic relations and juvenile records from the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court are generally confidential under Virginia law, particularly those involving minors, custody evaluations, protective orders, and domestic abuse matters. For information about accessing records from this court, contact Sandra K. Perrin at (757) 514-7768.

    Birth and death records are not court records but may be relevant in family proceedings. Suffolk birth certificates are confidential for 100 years after the date of birth, and death records become public 25 years after the date of death. Eligible individuals (the record subject, immediate family, or legal representatives) may request certified copies through the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records online system or by visiting the walk-in office at 8701 Park Central Drive, Suite 100, Richmond, VA 23227 (Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.). The fee is $12.00 per certificate. Local inquiries may also be directed to the Suffolk Health Department at 135 Hall Avenue, Suite A, Suffolk, VA 23434, Phone: (757) 514-4700

    Mail requests can be sent to:

    Virginia Department of Health – Division of Vital Records
    P.O. Box 1000
    Richmond, VA 23218-1000

    Suffolk County Probate Court Records

    Virginia does not have separate probate courts. In Suffolk, the Circuit Court exercises jurisdiction over all probate matters, including the probate of wills, the administration of decedent estates, the appointment of executors and administrators, guardianship proceedings, conservatorships, and trust disputes. The Probate Division of the Clerk of the Circuit Court maintains all probate case files and can be reached at (757) 514-7809.

    How to search probate records:

    1. Online: Visit the Virginia Circuit Court Case Information page, select Suffolk Circuit Court, choose “Civil”, and search by the decedent’s name, case number, or hearing date. Probate matters are indexed within the civil case system.
    2. In person: Visit the Probate Division at 150 North Main Street, Suffolk, VA 23434. Staff can assist with locating wills, estate filings, letters testamentary, inventories, accountings, and other probate documents.
    3. By mail or FOIA request: Submit a written request or FOIA submission to the Clerk of Circuit Court at P.O. Box 1604, Suffolk, VA 23439-1604, or email cccfoiarequests@suffolkva.us.

    Probate records in Virginia are generally public once filed with the court. Wills become public upon probate, and estate inventories, accountings, and distribution orders are part of the public record unless a court has entered a specific protective order. Interested parties—including heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, and the general public—may inspect and obtain copies of probate filings through the Clerk’s office upon payment of applicable copy and certification fees.

    For remote access to land records that may be associated with estate proceedings—such as deeds transferring real property from an estate—the Suffolk Clerk of Circuit Court Secure Remote Access site provides searchable indexes and document images to subscribers.