Washington County Court Records Search

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    Washington County, Virginia, sits in the far southwestern corner of the commonwealth with its county seat in Abingdon. The county’s court system processes thousands of criminal, civil, domestic, and probate matters each year, generating records that range from felony indictments and civil judgments to divorce decrees and estate inventories. Residents, attorneys, researchers, and members of the public regularly need access to these records for legal proceedings, background checks, property transactions, genealogical research, and other purposes.

    Virginia maintains a unified court system overseen by the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia. Statewide court information, including directories, forms, and online case-search tools, is available through VirginiaStateCourts.us. Individual court records in Washington County can be searched through the state’s electronic portals, the clerk’s offices at the courthouse in Abingdon, and public-access terminals located in those offices. The state also provides fee calculators, downloadable forms, and payment systems that allow many routine tasks to be handled remotely.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Washington County?

    Washington County operates three trial-level courts, all housed at or near the courthouse complex on East Main Street in Abingdon. Each court maintains its own clerk’s office and its own set of case records.

    Washington County 28th Judicial Circuit Court
    Address: 189 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210
    Phone: (276) 676-6224 / (276) 676-6226
    Fax: (276) 676-6218
    Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (closed on state holidays)
    Clerk of Court: Hon. Patricia S. Moore

    Washington County General District Court
    Address: 191 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210
    Phone: (276) 676-6279
    Fax: (276) 676-3136

    Washington County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court
    Address: 187 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210
    Phone: (276) 676-6282
    Fax: (276) 676-6217

    There are several ways to search for a case in Washington County.

    Online Search Options

    1. Online Case Information System (OCIS 2.0) — The statewide OCIS search portal provides free access to adult criminal case information from JDR district courts as well as criminal and traffic case data from General District Courts and select Circuit Courts. Users can search by name, case number, or hearing date.
    2. General District Court Case Information — The General District Court online portal allows the public to look up civil, criminal, and traffic cases in the Washington County General District Court. The system also supports online payments for fines and costs.
    3. Circuit Court Case Information — The Circuit Court case search provides access to civil and criminal case information for participating circuit courts. Washington County’s Circuit Court Clerk also maintains a separate record-access portal; users can visit the Virginia Judiciary records system and log in with the credentials provided on the clerk’s website (username: search, password: 28) to browse land records and other indexed documents.
    4. Virginia Judiciary eFiling System (VJEFS) — Attorneys who have registered with the VJEFS e-filing platform can file civil cases electronically in the Circuit Court and track case status online.

    In-Person Search

    Walk-in visitors may review public records at any of the three courts during regular business hours. Staff can retrieve case files; however, sealed or confidential records require judicial authorization. The Circuit Court Clerk’s office notes that almost all circuit court records are public and can be viewed by anyone, but materials must be examined in the presence of clerk personnel.

    By Mail or Email

    The Circuit Court Clerk accepts requests for copies of criminal and civil pleadings, motions, and other records by email. Copies of record copies may also be requested by mail at 189 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210. Virginia Code § 17.1-275(A)(8) sets the copy fee at $0.50 per page or per electronic image.

    Are Court Records Public in Washington County?

    Virginia law establishes a strong presumption in favor of public access to court records. Under Virginia Code § 17.1-208, records maintained by clerks of the circuit courts are open to inspection in the clerk’s office during regular business hours, except where another statute or a court order restricts access. The Virginia Public Records Act further reinforces the public’s right to inspect government records held by executive-branch agencies, though court records are primarily governed by Title 17.1 and the Rules of the Supreme Court of Virginia.

    Part Eleven of the Rules of the Supreme Court of Virginia governs public access to judicial-officer records and administrative records, while case records fall under Titles 16.1 and 17.1 of the Code of Virginia.

    Despite the broad right of access, certain categories of records are restricted or sealed by statute or court order. In Washington County, the following types of records are generally not available to the public:

    • Juvenile records — Most records from the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court are confidential under Virginia Code § 16.1-305 and § 16.1-306, with limited exceptions for law-enforcement and school officials.
    • Adoption records — Adoption files are sealed and may only be opened by court order.
    • Grand jury proceedings — Testimony and evidence presented to a grand jury remain secret unless disclosed by court order.
    • Sealed and expunged records — Records that a court has ordered sealed or that have been sealed under Virginia’s criminal-record-sealing statutes (Virginia Code §§ 19.2-392.12 through 19.2-392.13) are not available for public inspection. The Virginia Courts website offers sample criminal sealing petitions and motions for individuals seeking to seal eligible records.
    • Medical and mental health records — Protected under various state and federal privacy laws.
    • Records containing personally identifiable information — Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data may be redacted from public filings.
    • Trade secrets and proprietary business information — Protected when designated as such by court order.

    Anyone who believes a record has been improperly withheld can contact the clerk’s office. The designated FOIA officer for the Washington County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office is Patricia S. Moore, reachable at (276) 676-6224.

    Washington County Criminal Court Records

    Criminal cases in Washington County are divided between the Circuit Court and the General District Court based on the severity of the charge. Felony cases, as well as misdemeanors initiated by grand jury, are tried in the 28th Judicial Circuit Court. Misdemeanors, traffic infractions, and ordinance violations fall under the General District Court, which also conducts preliminary hearings in felony cases.

    Searching Criminal Court Records

    • Circuit Court criminal records can be searched through the OCIS statewide portal or by visiting the clerk’s office in person.
    • General District Court criminal and traffic records are accessible through the General District Court online case search.
    • Online payments for criminal fines and court costs in the Circuit Court can be made through the Circuit Court payment portal. General District Court payments are accepted through its own online system.

    Washington County Sheriff’s Office

    The Washington County Sheriff’s Office maintains arrest records, incident reports, and jail booking information. The office is located at:

    Washington County Sheriff’s Office
    Public Safety Building
    20281 Rustic Lane
    Abingdon, VA 24210
    Phone: (276) 676-6000

    To request a copy of a police report, call (276) 676-6000 between 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM and ask for the Offense Report File Clerk, who can mail or fax a copy.

    Virginia State Police Criminal History Check

    Anyone seeking a comprehensive Virginia criminal history report may submit a Criminal History Record Request (Form SP-167) to the Virginia State Police. Key details about this process include:

    • The form must be completed and notarized; both the subject of the search and the requesting party (if different) must sign and have their signatures notarized.
    • The fee is $15 per name search of the criminal history database, or $20 for a combined criminal history and sex offender registry search.
    • Payment may be made by money order, certified check, business check, or credit card. Personal checks are not accepted.
    • Mail completed forms with payment to: Virginia State Police, Civil & Applicant Records Exchange (CARE), 7700 Midlothian Turnpike, North Chesterfield, VA 23235.
    • Processing takes approximately 15 business days after receipt. There is no expedited or same-day service.
    • The SP-167 form can be generated online through VSP Apps, printed, notarized, and mailed.

    Criminal history record dissemination is governed by Virginia Code § 19.2-389. The Virginia State Police is prohibited from releasing juvenile record information except as provided in Virginia Code § 19.2-389.1.

    Washington County Civil Court Records

    The Circuit Court handles civil cases with claims exceeding $25,000 and shares jurisdiction with the General District Court over cases involving amounts between $4,500 and $25,000. The General District Court has exclusive original jurisdiction over civil cases with claims under $4,500.

    Types of Civil Cases

    Washington County’s civil dockets include contract disputes, personal injury lawsuits, property disputes, employment discrimination claims, consumer protection matters, professional malpractice cases, landlord-tenant disputes, and other tort actions.

    Filing Fees

    Virginia does not use a single uniform fee schedule for all courts. Fees vary by case type, claim amount, and court location.

    • Circuit Court — The statewide Circuit Court civil filing fee calculator allows filers to determine the exact fees for a new civil action based on the type of case and the amount in controversy. As a general reference, base filing fees for a new civil action in Virginia Circuit Courts start at approximately $83 for claims under $500 and increase with the amount claimed; claims over $3,000 carry a base fee of roughly $298 plus applicable technology trust fund fees and other statutory surcharges.
    • General District Court — The General District Court civil filing fee calculator computes fees for warrants in debt, unlawful detainers, warrants in detinue, and small claims. Filing fees for a warrant in debt begin at approximately $30 for claims up to $500 and increase for larger amounts. Sheriff service fees are assessed in addition to the base filing charge.

    Accessing Civil Court Records

    Civil case information from the Circuit Court is available through the Circuit Court online case search. General District Court civil records may be looked up through the GDC online portal. In-person requests can be made at either clerk’s office during business hours.

    Forms

    Standard civil forms for the General District Court, including the Warrant in Debt (DC-412), the Small Claims Warrant in Debt (DC-402), and the Summons for Unlawful Detainer (DC-421), are available for download from the Virginia Courts website. Circuit Court civil forms can be found on the Circuit Court forms page.

    E-Filing

    Civil cases in the Washington County Circuit Court may be filed electronically through the Virginia Judiciary eFiling System (VJEFS). Attorneys must first complete a registration application and submit it by email to tsmoore@courts.state.va.us. Once registered, all parties in a VJEFS case must continue filing electronically; paper filings are not accepted in cases initiated through the system. In forma pauperis petitions cannot be submitted via e-filing. If a party cannot afford filing fees, Form CC-1414 may be filed with the court to request a fee waiver.

    Washington County Family Court Records

    Family-related matters in Washington County are divided between the Circuit Court and the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court. Divorce, annulment, separate maintenance, and adoption cases are filed in the Circuit Court. Child custody, child support, visitation, spousal support enforcement, protective orders, paternity, and juvenile delinquency proceedings are heard in the JDR Court.

    Divorce Records

    The Circuit Court Clerk’s office does not maintain fill-in divorce complaint forms and cannot provide legal advice about divorce filings. A statistical form required by the Virginia Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics after a divorce action’s completion is available from the clerk. Individuals who wish to represent themselves (pro se) can obtain an informational sheet about pro se divorce from the clerk’s office.

    After a divorce decree is entered, the clerk transmits a record of the divorce to the Virginia Division of Vital Records. Under Virginia law, divorce records are restricted for 25 years from the date of the decree. During this period, only the parties to the divorce, their attorneys, and immediate family members may obtain certified copies. After 25 years, the records become publicly accessible.

    Marriage Licenses

    Marriage licenses in Washington County are issued by the Circuit Court Clerk’s office. Both parties must appear in person with valid government-issued photo identification. Both applicants must sign the application. No person under 18 may obtain a marriage license without an order of emancipation. Licenses are issued Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. A marriage license obtained in Washington County is valid anywhere in Virginia for 60 days from the date of issue. Ceremonies are not performed at the courthouse.

    Marriage Records

    Clerks of Virginia’s circuit courts are required by law to transmit marriage records to the Division of Vital Records at the Virginia Department of Health for permanent custody and archiving. Washington County marriage records are not accessible to the general public until 25 years after they are filed. During the restricted period, only the individuals named on the record, their attorneys, and immediate family members may request certified copies. Eligible individuals may apply through the Online Application for a Vital Record at a cost of $12 per certificate, or by contacting the Division of Vital Records at:

    Virginia Department of Health
    Division of Vital Records
    2001 Maywill Street, Suite 101
    Richmond, VA 23230
    Phone: (804) 662-6200

    Birth and Death Records

    Birth and death certificates are maintained by the Virginia Division of Vital Records, not by the county courts. Under Virginia Code § 32.1-271, birth records become publicly available after 100 years and death records after 25 years. Before those periods expire, only authorized individuals (the person named on the record, parents, legal guardians, spouses, adult children, or other qualifying family members) may obtain certified copies. Applications cost $12 per certificate and may be submitted online, by mail, or in person at the Division of Vital Records office in Richmond.

    Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court Records

    Most records from the JDR Court are confidential under Virginia Code §§ 16.1-305 and 16.1-306. Access is generally limited to the parties involved, their attorneys, law enforcement, school officials, and other individuals specifically authorized by statute. Requests for JDR records should be directed to the clerk of the JDR Court at (276) 676-6282. Protective order information may be available through the court’s filing-assistance tools; Virginia’s I-CAN! system provides guided assistance for individuals seeking protective orders.

    Washington County Probate Court Records

    In Virginia, probate matters are handled by the Circuit Court rather than a separate probate court. The Washington County Circuit Court oversees the probate of wills, qualification of personal representatives, estate administration, guardianships, conservatorships, and related fiduciary matters. All probate filings are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk’s office.

    Where to File

    Probate matters must be filed in the circuit court of the jurisdiction where the decedent last resided. For Washington County residents, that means:

    Clerk of Circuit Court
    189 East Main Street
    Abingdon, VA 24210
    Phone: (276) 676-6224

    Probate appointments are recommended for convenience and privacy and typically take about one hour. Call the clerk’s office and ask for Rhonda Roop to schedule an appointment.

    Probate Fees

    Virginia Code establishes the fees for probate transactions. Under § 17.1-275(A)(3), qualification fees are based on the value of the estate:

    • Estate value $5,000 or less: $0
    • Estate value up to $50,000: $20
    • Estate value up to $100,000: $25
    • Estate value over $100,000: $30

    These fees cover the oath, initial bond, issuance of two certificates of qualification, and preparation of the order of qualification. Additional certificates cost $2 each under § 17.1-275(A)(9). Recording and indexing fees for wills, inventories, accountings, real estate affidavits, and lists of heirs are $14.50 for documents up to 10 pages, $28.50 for 11–30 pages, and $48.50 for documents exceeding 30 pages, pursuant to § 17.1-275(A)(2). A $3.50 Virginia State Library fee applies to each recorded document.

    State probate tax under § 58.1-1712 is assessed at $0.10 per $100 of estate value (for estates over $15,000). Local probate tax, if adopted by ordinance, is one-third of the state tax amount.

    Small Estates

    If an estate consists of personal property totaling no more than $50,000 and sixty days have passed since the date of death with no personal representative having qualified in any jurisdiction, a small-estate affidavit may be issued to the heirs at law (for intestate estates) or to the beneficiaries under a will once the will and list of heirs have been recorded.

    Commissioner of Accounts

    The Commissioner of Accounts for Washington County is Reelia R. Watson, located at 101A East Valley Street, Abingdon, VA 24210, Phone: (276) 628-3899. Fiduciaries file inventories (due within four months of qualification) and accountings (due within sixteen months) with the Commissioner’s office, not with the clerk.

    Searching Probate Records

    Probate records are public court records and may be viewed at the clerk’s office. Land records that relate to probate filings, including recorded wills and real estate affidavits, can be searched through the clerk’s online record-access system. The Washington County real estate data platform maintained by the Commissioner of the Revenue may also be useful for verifying property ownership details connected to estate matters.

    Guardianship and Conservatorship

    The Circuit Court appoints guardians and conservators for incapacitated adults. Virginia’s Judicial System provides a dedicated Guardianship and Conservatorship portal with forms, instructions, and compliance requirements for guardians and conservators. Guardianship records may contain confidential medical or financial information that is restricted from public access by court order or statute.