Circuit Court

The Clerk’s Office  has resumed our regular hours Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Business is conducted by appointment only.


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.

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.  

*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.

Criminal Cases


In criminal cases, the circuit court has jurisdiction over the trial of all felonies (offenses that may be punished by commitment to the State penitentiary) and of those misdemeanors (offenses carrying a penalty of not more than 12 months in jail) originally charged in circuit court. The circuit court also has jurisdiction over juveniles age 14 and older who are charged with felonies and whose cases have been certified or transferred by the judge of a juvenile and domestic relations district court for trial in a circuit court.

Appellate Jurisdiction


The circuit court has appellate jurisdiction over all appeals from the general district court in civil and criminal cases and from the juvenile and domestic relations district court in matters originating in that court. Appeals from these district courts are heard de novo; that is, the cases are tried from the beginning as though there had been no prior trial. The circuit court's appellate jurisdiction also extends to appeals from certain administrative agencies.

More Information


Read more information about the Circuit Court (PDF).

Contact the Court Divisions


  1. Civil Cases

    Phone: 757-890-4105

  2. Criminal Cases

    Phone: 757-890-4104

  3. Jury

    Phone: 757-890-3636

  1. Land Records

    Phone: 757-890-4103

  2. Traffic Appeals

    Phone: 757-890-4104

  3. Wills & Estates

    Phone: 757-890-4106