Court records of Lynchburg, Virginia, can be found through online tools, official court resources, clerk's offices, and public terminals. LynchburgCourt.us allows you to search for publicly available information about court cases. Additionally, the Virginia Court System case search system provides access to district and circuit court data, and the Circuit Court clerk's office accepts requests in person and by mail.
Lynchburg Court System & Jurisdictions
Lynchburg is an independent city in Virginia, part of the 24th Judicial Circuit. Several courts operate here, each handling its type of cases.
General District Court
This court primarily handles small civil claims (up to $25,000), traffic violations, and misdemeanors — less serious criminal offenses. Preliminary hearings in felony cases also begin here. The court clerk is Amy Showalter Leftwich; the office is open from 8:00 to 16:00.
Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court
Cases involving juveniles, custody, child support, protective orders, and family violence are handled here. Records from this court generally have limited public access — especially those involving children.
Circuit Court
The broadest jurisdiction: felonies, large civil disputes, appeals from district courts, divorce, and probate cases. Land transaction records are kept in the public area of the Circuit Court clerk's office. Phone: (434) 455-2620 #4.
Federal Court
Bankruptcy cases are handled by the Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Virginia, which holds hearings in Lynchburg at 1101 Court St., Lynchburg, VA 24504.
Lynchburg Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find out the schedule of hearings for today, tomorrow, or the current week, use several sources.
- Visit the Lynchburg General District Court page — it publishes the Court Schedule and information about Criminal/Traffic Advisements, held Monday through Thursday at 11:30.
- The online Case Status and Information system allows you to search for cases by name or case number in all state courts, including Lynchburg Circuit Court and General District Court.
- Call the relevant court's office — clerks usually confirm the date and time of a specific hearing by phone.
For Circuit Court cases, registration with the local clerk is required if you want remote secure access to land records and some other documents.
How to Get a Copy of a Lynchburg Court Document
Copies of court documents come in two types: certified and uncertified. A certified copy has the clerk's seal and legal force — it is needed for submission to other courts, government agencies, or when processing transactions. An uncertified copy is suitable for review.
Ways to Obtain
- In person. Visit the Circuit Court clerk's office during business hours. Land transaction records, civil, and criminal cases are kept in the public area of the office.
- By mail. Send a written request specifying the case number, parties' names, and document type. Include a check or money order for the appropriate fees.
- Online. Some Circuit Court documents are available through the Case Information system. Full access to land records requires registration.
Mailing address for requests:
General District Court cases can be requested through the office at 905 Court Street. Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court records have limited access — check with the clerk if you are entitled to a copy.
Police Reports
If you need a police report, not a court document, contact the Lynchburg Police Department. Record requests can be submitted according to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The Code of Virginia allows certain records to be withheld from public access.
Lynchburg Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for copies of court documents in Virginia are set by law (Code of Virginia § 17.1-275 and related sections). Below are approximate fee amounts — confirm the exact amount with the office before applying.
| Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Uncertified copy (per page) | $0.50 |
| Certified copy of a document | $2.00 (first page) + $0.50 for each additional page |
| Certification of an existing copy | $2.00 |
| Record search (by name) | Depends on the court; check with the clerk |
| Remote access to Circuit Court land records | May require registration and separate fees |
Most offices accept payment by cash, check, and money order. Some courts also accept credit or debit cards — check in advance. Mail requests usually require prepayment by check made out to "Clerk of Court."
For birth, marriage, divorce, or death certificates, contact the Office of Vital Records of the Virginia Department of Health — these documents are not issued by the court office, although copies of marriage certificates can sometimes be obtained from the Circuit Court clerk.