Stafford, Virginia - Circuit Court

Circuit Court

Barbara Decatur, Clerk of the Circuit Court

The Circuit Court Clerk's office is located at the Judicial Center, 1300 Courthouse Road, Stafford, VA.
The mailing address is Post Office Box 69, Stafford, VA 22555.

Circuit Court is the Commonwealth's principal trial court in the County. Court is held on the second floor of the Judicial Center. The Circuit Court has jurisdiction over both original cases and appeals in criminal and civil cases.

The Circuit Court:

hears all civil cases over $10,000
may hear civil cases where the issue is more than $500 but less than $10,000
hears appeals from lower courts
hears divorce and civil suits
hears criminal cases appealed and certified to the Grand Jury
has jurisdiction over an inquiry into the misuse of a particular right or authority
issues writs of mandamus, orders to perform specific acts; writs of prohibition, orders to stop specified acts, and writs of certiorari, orders to forward records of a case from a lower court

The Clerk of the Circuit Court is a constitutional officer elected to an eight-year term. The Clerk's duties are twofold: to administer the Circuit Court's judicial proceedings and serve as record keeper for the County.

The Clerk:

records all deeds, deeds of trust, mortgages, land transfers and easements
records wills and divorces
preserves military discharge records
issues marriage licenses
collects State and County recording taxes and probate fees
administers all probate matters
records and dockets judgments
records election results
swears in officials assuming office

For more information about the Clerk of the Circuit Court, call 540-658-8750.