Arlington County Court Dockets

Court records in Arlington County, Virginia, can be found through several access points. ArlingtonCourt.us can help locate publicly available information about court cases in the county. You can also search records through the Virginia Court System's online case information portal, visit the clerk's offices at the Arlington courthouse in person, or use public terminals available on-site. Each court maintains its own set of records, so knowing which court handled a case is the first step.

Arlington Court System & Jurisdictions

Arlington County is an independent county in Virginia that operates under the state's unified court system. Three courts serve the county, each handling distinct case types.

Arlington Circuit Court

The Arlington Circuit Court is the court of general jurisdiction. It handles:

• Felony criminal cases
• Civil cases with amounts in controversy exceeding $4,500 (exclusive jurisdiction above $25,000)
• Divorce, annulment, and custody disputes
• Appeals from General District Court and Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court
• Probate and estate administration (wills, fiduciary appointments)
• Land records, including deeds and liens

The Clerk of the Circuit Court, Hon. Paul F. Ferguson, maintains all civil, criminal, and land records for this court.

Arlington General District Court

The Arlington General District Court handles:

• Misdemeanor criminal cases
• Traffic infractions and criminal traffic offenses
• Civil claims up to $25,000
• Small claims up to $5,000
• Preliminary hearings for felony cases
• Civil protective orders

Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court

This court covers cases involving:

• Juvenile delinquency and status offenses
• Child abuse, neglect, and dependency matters
• Child custody, visitation, and support (when not tied to a divorce)
• Domestic violence protective orders
• Crimes committed against family or household members

Juvenile records are generally confidential under Virginia law and access is restricted.

Arlington Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings

Finding scheduled hearings in Arlington depends on which court is handling the case.

• Online case search: The Virginia Judiciary's Case Status and Information system allows you to search by name or case number across General District Courts, Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Courts, and Circuit Courts statewide. Hearing dates typically appear in the case detail once a case is located.
• Circuit Court: Contact the Clerk's Office at (703) 228-7010 for information about upcoming civil or criminal dockets. Some scheduling information may also be posted at the courthouse.
• General District Court: Call (703) 228-7900 for courtroom assignments and daily calendars. Daily dockets are generally posted at the courthouse each morning.
• In person: Public terminals inside the Arlington courthouse at 1425 North Courthouse Road allow you to look up case information and scheduled court dates.

If you need to confirm a hearing time, calling the appropriate clerk's office the business day before is the most reliable approach.

How to Get a Copy of a Arlington Court Document

The process for obtaining court documents depends on the court that generated the record and whether you need a certified or uncertified copy.

Step-by-Step Process

1. Identify the court. Determine whether the record is from the Circuit Court, General District Court, or Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court.
2. Search online first. Use the Virginia courts case information system to confirm the case number and court location.
3. Request in person or by mail. Visit or write to the appropriate clerk's office. For Circuit Court records, direct your request to:

Certified vs. Uncertified Copies

• Certified copies bear the court seal and clerk's signature. These are typically required for legal proceedings, background checks, or official filings.
• Uncertified copies are plain reproductions and may be sufficient for personal reference.

When requesting by mail, include the full case number (if known), party names, the type of document needed, and a check or money order for the applicable fee. Call the clerk's office in advance to confirm the current amount.

Land Records

Recorded deeds, liens, and other land records maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk can be accessed remotely through the Secure Remote Access (SRA) system for Virginia land records. An account and subscription fee may apply.

Restricted Records

Certain records are not publicly accessible. Juvenile case files, sealed records, adoption records, and some mental health proceedings are restricted under Virginia law. Public access rules are outlined in Part Eleven of the Rules of the Supreme Court of Virginia.

Arlington Court Records Fees & Payment

Fees for court record copies in Virginia are set by statute (Virginia Code § 17.1-275 and related sections). The following table reflects standard fees commonly charged at Arlington's courts. Contact the clerk's office to confirm current amounts, as fees may be updated by the General Assembly.

Payment Methods

• In person: Cash, check, money order, and in some cases credit/debit cards are accepted at the clerk's window.
• By mail: Include a check or money order payable to the Clerk of the Circuit Court or the appropriate court.
• Online: Some fees for land record access are payable through the SRA system. General court document copies typically require in-person or mail requests.

Fees cited above are based on Virginia Code § 17.1-275 and § 17.1-276. Always verify with the clerk's office before submitting payment, as additional charges may apply for expedited processing or complex searches. Standard court forms are available at no cost from the Virginia court system website.