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Suffolk County, Virginia Court Records

Suffolk County court records encompass all official documentation generated by the county's judiciary during civil, criminal, family law, and traffic-related trials within the Suffolk City Circuit, General District, and Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts. In Suffolk City, adult case records are maintained by the Suffolk City Circuit Court Clerk's Office, while the Suffolk General District Court Clerk is the custodian of juvenile court records.

Court records do not exist in isolation. They frequently interconnect with other official documents. For instance, Suffolk City's arrest records overlap with court records during criminal trials. Likewise, vital records, such as marriage certificates and death decrees, play pivotal roles during divorces and probate adjudications within Suffolk County Circuit Court.

Are Suffolk County Court Records Public?

Yes, Suffolk County's court records are public. According to Section 17.1-208 of the Virginia Code, unless the law states otherwise, court records are public in Suffolk County and across Virginia. This statute mandates public access to all non-confidential records in the possession of the Suffolk City Circuit Court Clerk's Office.

While Virginia permits individuals to copy or view most criminal, civil, probate, and traffic case records, certain court records are exempt from public disclosure. These include:

  • Juvenile and domestic relations case records. For instance, court records involving:
  • Minors
  • Adoption
  • Paternity
  • Court records that are sealed or expunged by judicial orders. For instance, the court may restrict public access to sensitive personal information or financial records
  • Mental health proceedings or emergency protective orders.

Note that although the Virginia Freedom of Information Act governs public access to the broader official administrative and executive agency records, a separate framework regulates the state's judicial records.

What Information is Available in Suffolk County Court Records?

According to Virginia's court records statutory rules, individuals may access non-confidential court records provided there are no exempting laws or legal restrictions. While the specific details of a court record depend on case types, Suffolk County court records encompass the following information:

General docket and case index data

  • Case number, filing date, and final disposition date
  • Full names of the involved parties
  • Hearing schedules, court appearance dates, and judicial schedules.

Civil court records

  • Civil lawsuit claims and complaints
  • Monetary damages sought
  • Judgment amounts
  • Civil court orders and settlements

Criminal and traffic court records

  • Specific criminal charges and traffic violations
  • Case outcomes, verdicts, and sentences
  • Restitution and court orders, fines, and fee assessments

Divorce and family court records

  • Divorce petitions and final decrees
  • Marital settlement agreements
  • Paternity, child support, and custody filings

Probate and estate records

  • Wills and testament
  • Estate inventories, assets, and appraisals
  • Fiduciary qualifications and probate court orders

Land property and vital records

  • Deeds, mortgages, and real estate property encumbrances
  • Marriage licenses and certificates recorded with the Suffolk City Circuit Court Clerk's Office.

Suffolk County Court Records Search

Individuals searching for adult court records generated by the Suffolk City Circuit, General District, and Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts may choose a convenient option from the following:

Online access

There are two options for official access to Suffolk County court records. The Virginia Judiciary Online Case Information System provides free access to non-confidential records generated by courts across the state, including Suffolk County's trial courts. Information seekers may use this search tool to access basic details such as:

  • Party names
  • Charges
  • Hearing dates
  • Case status
  • Dispositions.

For online access to case records generated by the Suffolk General District Court, log in to the Virginia General District Court Case Online System.

The Virginia Judiciary Circuit Court Clerk Secure Remote Access to Land Records (SRA) portal also provides online access to certain court records. Interested parties may search for land and real estate documents through the SRA.

Unlike the Virginia Judiciary Online Case Information System, access to documents through the SRA requires an application and subscription. Additionally, access to full images of civil lawsuits, divorce decrees, and probate files are limited to Virginia-licensed attorneys through the Virginia Office of the Court Remote Access (OCRA) system.

In-person access

Individuals who find in-person access more convenient should identify which Suffolk City court clerk's office maintains the court records and visit during office hours. For case records related to civil lawsuits with amounts greater than $50 000.00, deeds, divorce, felonies, or probate adjudications, visit the Suffolk Circuit Court Clerk's Office at:

Mills E. Godwin Jr. Court Building

150 North Main Street,

Suffolk,

VA 23434.

Otherwise, visit the Suffolk General District Court Clerk's Office for case records on misdemeanors, traffic, and small claims.

Mail and phone access

Suffolk County also permits mail-in and phone access to its court records. For phone inquiries, call the Suffolk Circuit Court Clerk's Office at (757) 514-7800 or the Suffolk General District Court Clerk's Office at (757) 514-4822. Alternatively, mail the Suffolk Circuit Court Clerk's Office at:

P.O. Box 1604,

VA 23439-1604.

Mail requests for court records through the Suffolk General District Court Clerk's Office should be addressed to:

Suffolk County General District Court

150 North Main Street, 2nd Floor,

Suffolk,

VA 23434.

Requesters should note that it typically takes 7 to 14 business days to process mail requests for copies of Suffolk County court records. Furthermore, payments are by cash (in-person requests only), credit card & debit card, money order, or cashier's check.

Fees for Court Records in Suffolk County

While Virginia permits free viewing of court records, Section 17.1-275 of the Virginia Code permits court clerk's offices to charge reasonable fees for physical copies of the documents. Virginia operates a standardized fee schedule for copies of documents and certifications issued by local courts. Consequently, the following charges apply to copies of Suffolk City court records:

  • Paper/electronic copies - $0.50 per page or image
  • Clerk's certification - $2.00 per document
  • Authentication (triple seal/judge's attestation) - $0.50
  • Exemplified copies - $2.50 total.

Obtaining copies of Suffolk City's court records may also assess hourly search fees for remote or staff-assisted requests.

Suffolk County Courthouse Locations

Suffolk County operates three distinct court divisions located at the same building complex. These are the Suffolk Circuit Court (5th Judicial Circuit), the Suffolk General District Court (5th Judicial District), and the Suffolk Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court (5th Judicial Circuit). To contact any of the Suffolk County courts, use the following information:

Suffolk Circuit Court

150 North Main Street,

Suffolk,

VA 23434

Mailing address

P.O. Box 1604,

Suffolk,

VA 23439-1604

Phone: (757) 514-7800.

Suffolk General District Court

150 North Main Street, 2nd Floor,

Suffolk,

VA 23434

Phone: (757) 514-4822.

Suffolk Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court

150 North Main Street, 2nd Floor,

Suffolk,

VA 23434-4552

Phone: (757) 514-7790

Fax: (757) 514-4841.

Criminal Records Access in Suffolk County

Across Virginia and most of the United States, official state-level criminal background checks are not handled by local courts. In Virginia, the Central Criminal Records Exchange (CCRE) under the Virginia State Police is the custodian of statewide criminal history records. This agency collates and disseminates full criminal history records according to Section 19.2-389 of the Virginia Code and 6VAC20-120. The Virginia Central Criminal Records Exchange provides certified copies of arrest records and case dispositions from law enforcement agencies and courts across the state. Individuals and authorized entities may submit Form SP-167 (Criminal History Record Request) along with processing fees and notarized affidavits for pre-employment background screening, adoption, or licensing through the Central Criminal Records Exchange.

The Virginia State Police also maintains a dedicated access portal for personal criminal background checks. Individuals may request their own criminal history records through the Virginia Criminal History Records Check (CARE).

While the VSP Central Criminal Records Exchange provides access to official criminal history reports, the Suffolk Circuit Court Clerk's Office and the Suffolk General District Court Clerk's Office are the custodians of the county's criminal court records. The Virginia Judiciary Online Case Information System provides digital access to case records generated by local courts, including those in Suffolk County. Inquirers may also visit local courts' clerk's offices for in-person access to court records.

Suffolk County Family Court Records

In Suffolk County, Circuit Court Clerk's Office and the Suffolk Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court maintain family court records. The Suffolk Circuit Court Clerk's Office is the custodian of case records on divorce, adoption, and domestic relations case appeals, while the clerk's office of the Suffolk Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court maintains case records on:

  • Child custody and visitation
  • Child and spousal support
  • Paternity
  • Protection orders and family abuse
  • Juvenile delinquency, abuse, and neglect.

Due to the private nature of most family-related cases, Virginia does not permit online downloads of most family court records. For instance, documents such as custody agreements, divorce decrees, and support orders cannot be downloaded through the Virginia Judiciary Online Case Information System. Nonetheless, eligible entities may obtain certified copies of these documents through the Suffolk Circuit Court Clerk's Office or the Clerk of Court of the Suffolk Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court.

To obtain certified copies of Suffolk County family court records, visit the Mills E. Godwin Jr. Court Building at:

150 North Main Street,

Suffolk,

VA 23434.

For certified copies of Suffolk County family court records through mail, send formal requests to the Suffolk Circuit Court Clerk's Office at:

P.O. Box 1640,

Suffolk,

VA 23434-1640.

Individuals seeking records related to cases handled by the Suffolk Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court should mail their requests to:

Suffolk Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court

150 North Main Street, 2nd Floor,

Suffolk,

VA 23434.

Obtaining copies of Suffolk County family court records requires identification documents and involves copy and search fees. Additionally, individuals requesting copies of these documents through mail must include self-addressed stamped envelopes with sufficient postage.

Federal Court Records in Suffolk County

Federal court records are legal dockets, motions, orders, transcripts, evidence, and rulings generated during civil and criminal trials within United States federal courts. These courts include the federal district, bankruptcy, and appellate courts. Federal cases originating from Suffolk City are handled by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.

United States federal case records are accessible through the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) portal. Access to case records through PACER costs $0.10 per page and is capped at $3.00 per document. Quarterly charges of $30.00 or less are automatically waived.