Executive Order Requirement to Wear Face Covering While Inside Buildings
Read the Order

Updated: 12/3/2020

Under the constitutional, statutory, and inherent authority of the Supreme Court of Virginia, the Court unanimously EXTENDS the Declaration of Judicial Emergency through January 3, 2021, and ORDERS that the provisions of the Thirteenth Order Extending  Declaration of Judicial Emergency In Response To Covid-19 Emergency, entered November 9, 2020 (Thirteenth Order), shall continue to apply in all courts of the Commonwealth for the duration of this Order unless amended by future order.

This Order shall be in effect from, December 14, 2020, through January 3, 2021.Accordingly, the Period of Judicial Emergency now extends from March 16, 2020, through January 3, 2021. The Declaration of Judicial Emergency may be extended for additional periods as provided in Va. Code § 17.1-330(E). It is so ORDERED.  See the Judicial Emergency Order.

*Please contact the respective Clerk’s Office for any questions related to any upcoming dockets.

With regard to the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office, we are continuing to operate and transact business.  However, effective April 13, 2020, for the safety of the staff and the public, the Clerk’s Office will be adjusting operating hours slightly.  The Clerk’s Office will resume our regular hours Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; however operating hours on Fridays will now be 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Persons needing to transact any business with the Clerk’s Office should utilize our website www.YPCircuitCourt.com or the telephone numbers below:

Deed /Land Records Division 757-890-4103

Criminal / Traffic Division 757-890-4104

Civil Division 757-890-4105

Fiduciary/Probate Division 757-890-4106

Any other Miscellaneous Transactions 757-890-3360

Drop-box: There is a drop-box located in the courthouse by courthouse security for Criminal Filings, Civil Filings, Land Recordings, payments, and any other correspondence. *Please do not submit cash.  The drop-box will be checked periodically throughout the day between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday and 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Friday.

*Please note that the sheriff’s deputies at the front door cannot answer any questions about any of the documentation that is being dropped off.

I, along with my staff, appreciate your patience and understanding and we remain dedicated to providing the highest quality of service possible during this pandemic.

Court Clerk

The clerk of the circuit court is a constitutional official and is elected to an 8-year term by the voters of the locality. The clerk handles administrative matters for the court and also has authority to probate wills, grant administration of estates, and appoint guardians. The clerk is the custodian of the court records, and the clerk’s office is where deeds are recorded and marriage licenses issued.

Civil Cases

General district courts have exclusive authority to hear civil cases with claims of $4,500 or less and share authority with the circuit courts to hear cases with claims between $4,500 and $25,000. The circuit court also has jurisdiction over all equity matters; these include divorce cases, disputes concerning wills and estates, and controversies involving property.