Arlington County Court Records

Court records in Arlington County, as defined by § 17.1-292 of the Virginia Code, are any records kept by a clerk of the court in connection with civil, traffic, or criminal proceedings. These records represent the official documentation of judicial (case) activity within the county and serve to foster public accountability and transparency within the local judicial system. Furthermore, as Arlington County court records provide a centralized resource for examining the jurisdiction’s history of legal proceedings, they may be used to verify a person’s legal obligations.

In certain contexts, court records can be reviewed conjointly with other public records to provide a more comprehensive overview of a legal matter. For example, arrest records, a category of public records preserved by law enforcement departments, detail the occurrence and circumstances of a formal arrest. When considered together, arrest and court records illustrate the progression of a criminal case through the justice system, from the preliminary arrest to the final verdict.

Are Arlington County Court Records Public?

Yes. According to Titles 16.1 and 17.1 of the Virginia Code, Arlington County court records are open to members of the public. These statutes release the majority of court records to the public’s review, except for records recognized as exempt or confidential under any applicable federal/state law or by judicial order. Examples of confidential court records include

Expunged records
Juvenile case files
Identifying information about confidential witnesses and victims
Medical and similar records
Records subject to attorney-client privilege

What Information is Available in Arlington County Court Records?

The information or documents preserved as part of an Arlington County court case file are largely dependent on the type of proceeding. However, common papers or information that may be found in such files include

Petitions, complaints, answers, and other pleadings
Motions
Dockets
Interrogatories
Warrants and other writs (e.g., writs of garnishment, execution, and replevin)
Documents received in evidence
Witness summonses and subpoenas
Orders
Judgments
Transcripts
Appeal notices

Arlington County Court Records Search

The following methods can be utilized to obtain court records in Arlington County, Virginia:

Online Access: The Virginia Court System’s Case Status and Information website highlights various tools for researching court records generated or maintained in Arlington County.

These tools are organized by the particular court level (general district, circuit, or juvenile & domestic relations district). Searches can be conducted by specifying the filing court (e.g., Arlington County Circuit Court) and entering a party name or case number in the relevant fields.

The Virginia Judiciary’s online search tools offer instant access to court case details. However, they do not allow users to download or print case documents, order certified copies, or view confidential records. For these specific needs, individuals may utilize the alternative request channels explained next.

In-Person Access: Visiting the courthouse where a case was filed is often recommended when seeking access to physical copies of court records, entire court files, confidential records (if eligible), or certified documents.

At the courthouse, visitors can stop by the clerk’s office to request the inspection or duplication of court records. Typically, the requester will need to provide basic information about the record they seek, such as a case number, file date, or participant’s name, and pay the associated fees for their orders.

Mail and Phone Requests: For court records in Arlington County, the specific procedures for mail-in requests and turnaround times vary by court; therefore, it is advisable to contact the respective clerk’s office for confirmation. Generally, the sender may need to submit a written request detailing all pertinent case information, as well as payment for the applicable fee via check or money order, and an SASE (self-addressed stamped envelope) for the return of any copies.

Courts in Arlington typically do not process phone requests for court records.

Fees for Court Records in Arlington County

In Arlington County, examining (viewing) a court record is generally provided at no charge to the requester. This includes utilizing online search tools made available by the Virginia judiciary or visiting a local courthouse to view case information or documents. However, certain costs are applicable to obtain copies of court records from the county’s courts.

Since there is no standard flat fee applied across local courts, the final cost is dependent on factors such as the request’s volume, the type of copy needed, and the submission channel. For example, when submitting copy/document requests to the Arlington County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office, plain copies are priced at 50 cents per page, and certified copies at $2 per document. Meanwhile, a $10 flat fee applies to obtain digital media (such as video evidence).

Note: Although vital records (birth/marriage/death) may be found as part of court case filings, court clerks are not their primary custodians. Individuals seeking vital records in Arlington County may forward requests to the local health department. Each vital record certificate costs $12.

Arlington County Courthouse Locations

Arlington County’s judicial system has three distinct court levels: Circuit, General District, and the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District. While the precise jurisdiction for each court is detailed in the Virginia Courts in Brief manual, the Circuit Court stands out as the sole trial court of general jurisdiction, granting it the most extensive judicial authority among the three. Below is a local court directory.

Arlington County Courts

Circuit Court (Virginia’s 17th Judicial Circuit)

1425 North Courthouse Road

6th Floor

Arlington, VA 22201

Phone: (703) 228-7010

General District Court (Virginia’s 17th Judicial District)

1425 North Courthouse Road

Suite 2400

2nd Floor

Arlington, VA 22201

Phone: (703) 228-7900

Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court (Virginia’s 17th Judicial District)

1425 North Courthouse Road

Suite 4100

4th floor

Arlington, VA 22201

Phone: (703) 228-4495

Criminal Records Access in Arlington County

The Virginia State Police (VSP) is the state entity responsible for disseminating comprehensive criminal history records, including data on individual criminal activity (arrests, charges, convictions) reported by Arlington County’s criminal justice agencies. Therefore, individuals seeking access to criminal records in Arlington can approach this agency by submitting a criminal record check request. This request may incur a small fee that varies depending on the specific type of check requested. Criminal history records are disseminated in accordance with VA Code §19.2-389.

Another way to obtain criminal records access in Arlington is to review criminal court files preserved by the judicial branch. These files contain information and documents related to criminal proceedings (charges) filed in Arlington County and may be accessed through the Virginia Court System’s Case Status and Information website or the respective court clerk’s office.

Finally, for a fee of $10, the Arlington County Police Department (ACPD), the primary local law enforcement agency, offers criminal history background checks tailored to Arlington County. Local checks conducted by the ACPD only disclose arrests made by the department and are accessible to authorized individuals. Eligible requesters include the person named in the record (the subject) or someone authorized by the subject.

Arlington County Probate Records

Arlington County probate records are a set of official documents originating from probate proceedings. Probate in Virginia refers to the legal procedure of administering the estate of a deceased person, which involves authenticating the will (if one exists), naming executors, settling outstanding debts, and distributing residual assets to designated beneficiaries or heirs.

Arlington County has no independent probate court; instead, probate falls under the jurisdiction of the circuit court. The court also hears cases involving guardianships or conservatorships. The Clerk of the Arlington Circuit Court is the custodian of the court’s records. Individuals who wish to review these records have these options:

Submit a record request following the guidelines on the clerk’s Copy/Document Requests page.
Access the Virginia Judiciary’s Circuit Court Case Information system to view case indexes and summaries.

It should be noted that while many probate records are open to the general public in Arlington County, certain probate filings, such as guardianship reports, may be exempt and only disseminated to statutorily authorized entities.

Arlington County Family Court Records

Family court records comprise all documents from family law proceedings within a specific jurisdiction. In Arlington County, Virginia, family law cases are managed by two courts: the Circuit Court and the Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court. The circuit court handles matters such as divorce and adoption, whereas the juvenile & domestic relations court adjudicates family-related cases like custody, support, and visitation.

To obtain Arlington County family court records, one can utilize online case management systems featured on the Virginia Judiciary’s website, which are made available to the public at no cost. Individuals can also visit the Arlington County Courthouse or contact the respective clerk’s office to request the inspection or duplication of a case record. Fees apply for copy orders.

Not all family court records are disclosed to the general public, however. Certain limitations are put in place to safeguard protected parties (such as minors) or prevent the disclosure of confidential information (such as financial statements).

Federal Court Records in Arlington County

The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, specifically its Alexandria Division, oversees cases arising under the United States Constitution or federal statutes in Arlington County. This court is also responsible for maintaining the corresponding federal court records.

Members of the public can obtain federal court records via the following channels:

Public Access to Court Electronic Records (also called "PACER") : PACER is an internet-based database that provides public access to federal court records. Usage, however, attracts fees, which are charged to the registered user. However, PACER is free under certain circumstances, such as when a user seeks to review judicial opinions.
The Courthouse: Federal courthouses offer public computers, which are available to the general public during normal operational hours for reviewing federal court cases or printing documents. Inspection is free, but making copies at the public terminal incurs a charge of 10 cents per page.
Phone Access to Court Records : The Multi-Court Voice Case Information System (McVCIS) allows interested members of the public to access real-time, but limited, federal case information at no cost. The system is available 24/7, and callers can search by a participant’s name, case number, or Social Security number.