Court records in Chesapeake, Virginia can be searched through several channels. ChesapeakeCourt.us can help find publicly available information about court cases in the city. You can also use the Virginia Court System's online case information tools, visit the clerk's office at the Chesapeake Circuit Court, or use public-access terminals available inside the courthouse. The General District Court clerk's office also handles in-person lookups for traffic, criminal, and civil cases heard at that level.
Chesapeake Court System & Jurisdictions
Chesapeake is an independent city in Virginia, which means it operates its own court system rather than sharing one with a surrounding county. Three main courts serve the city:
Chesapeake Circuit Court
Part of Virginia's 1st Judicial Circuit, this court handles:
- Felony criminal cases
- Civil cases where the amount in controversy exceeds $4,500
- Divorce, annulment, and custody disputes
- Adoption and name-change petitions
- Probate and estate administration — including wills, appointment of executors, and fiduciary matters (court-approved probate forms are available on the Virginia Judicial System website)
- Land records and deed recordings
- Appeals from the General District Court and the Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court
Chesapeake General District Court
This court covers:
- Misdemeanor criminal cases
- Traffic infractions and criminal traffic offenses
- Civil claims up to $25,000
- Small claims (up to $5,000, handled within the General District Court's small claims division)
- Preliminary hearings for felonies before they are certified to Circuit Court
Chesapeake Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court
Cases involving:
- Juvenile delinquency and status offenses
- Child custody, visitation, and support (when the parties are not married or when filed separately from a divorce action)
- Protective orders (family abuse)
- Offenses involving family or household members
Most adult criminal and traffic case information is searchable through the Virginia Courts Case Information portal. Juvenile records are generally confidential under Virginia law.
Chesapeake Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find today's or this week's court schedule in Chesapeake, you have several options:
- Virginia Courts Online Case Information System — The statewide case search lets you look up hearing dates by party name or case number for both Circuit Court and General District Court cases.
- Contact the Clerk's Office directly — Call the Circuit Court Clerk at (757) 382-3000 or the General District Court Clerk to confirm a specific hearing date and courtroom assignment.
- Courthouse public terminals — Walk-in visitors can check docket sheets and hearing calendars on terminals inside the Chesapeake Courts Building.
Court calendars can change due to continuances, judicial reassignments, or emergency orders. Always confirm the date and time before appearing.
How to Get a Copy of a Chesapeake Court Document
The Chesapeake Circuit Court Clerk's Office is the custodian of Circuit Court records, including civil judgments, criminal case files, divorce decrees, probate records, and land records. General District Court and Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court records are maintained by their respective clerks.
Certified vs. Uncertified Copies
- Certified copies bear the clerk's seal and signature. They are typically required for legal proceedings, real estate transactions, and filings with other agencies.
- Uncertified copies are plain reproductions and are sufficient for personal reference or background research.
How to Request
- In person — Visit the Clerk's Office at 307 Albemarle Drive, Suite 300A, Chesapeake, VA 23322 during business hours. Bring the case number or the full names of the parties and approximate filing date.
- By mail — Send a written request that includes the case number (or party names and date range), the type of document needed, whether you need a certified or uncertified copy, and a check or money order for the applicable fee. Mail to:
- Online — Land records can be accessed remotely through Virginia's Secure Remote Access (SRA) system, which provides images of recorded instruments from Circuit Court Clerk's offices statewide. A subscription fee applies.
Note that some records — including sealed cases, juvenile files, and certain adoption records — are not available to the general public under Virginia law.
Chesapeake Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for court document copies and searches in Virginia are set by statute, primarily under Virginia Code § 17.1-275 and related sections. The following table reflects standard fees charged by Virginia Circuit Court Clerks' offices. Confirm current amounts with the Chesapeake Clerk's Office, as fees may be updated by legislative action.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Search of court records (per name) | $5.00 |
| Copy of a document (per page, uncertified) | $0.50 |
| Certification of a document | $2.00 per certificate |
| Copy of a court order or decree (certified) | $2.00 for certification + $0.50/page for copies |
| Exemplification (triple seal) | $6.00 |
| Land records — Secure Remote Access subscription | Varies (set by the SRA program) |
| Returned check fee | $50.00 |
Payment Methods
- In person: Cash, check, money order, and credit/debit cards are generally accepted at the Clerk's Office window.
- By mail: Check or money order payable to "Clerk of the Circuit Court."
- Online (land records): Credit card through the SRA portal.
For vital records such as marriage licenses, birth certificates, or death records, contact the Chesapeake Health District's Vital Records Services. Each vital record search costs $12 and requires valid identification. Those records are maintained separately from court case files.
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