Norfolk Civil Court Records
Norfolk civil court records are filed and maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk in Norfolk, Virginia, the largest independent city by population in the Hampton Roads region.
Norfolk Overview
Norfolk Circuit Court Clerk
The Clerk of Circuit Court for Norfolk is George E. Schaefer III. The office handles civil case filings, land records, judgments, wills, and official court documents for the 4th Judicial Circuit, which covers Norfolk as an independent city. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. The courthouse is at 150 Saint Paul's Boulevard, 10th Floor, in downtown Norfolk. Land records for Norfolk date back to 1784. An SRA (Secure Remote Access) subscription for remote land record access costs $600 per year.
| Office | Norfolk Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Clerk | George E. Schaefer III |
| Address | 150 Saint Paul's Boulevard, 10th Floor, Norfolk, VA 23510 |
| Phone | (757) 664-4380 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM |
| Land Records SRA | $600/year |
| Records Dating | Land records from 1784 |
| State Court Page | vacourts.gov - Norfolk Circuit Court |
The Norfolk Circuit Court page on vacourts.gov has current contact details and links to case search tools. Norfolk's land records go back to 1784, making the collection one of the older ones in Hampton Roads. The SRA subscription allows remote access to land records for those who need regular access without visiting the courthouse. In CJISWeb, search under "Norfolk City" to find civil court records.
Norfolk is Virginia's second most populous city and a major hub of the Hampton Roads metropolitan area. It is home to Naval Station Norfolk, the world's largest naval base, as well as Old Dominion University and a significant port complex. Civil court records here reflect a large and active court docket covering property disputes, business litigation, contract cases, personal injury, judgment liens, and landlord-tenant matters. The 4th Judicial Circuit serves only Norfolk. Records at the clerk's office go back to 1784. The 4:00 PM closing time applies seven days a week — there is no extended access.
Search Norfolk Civil Court Records Online
The main tool for searching Norfolk civil court records is the Circuit Court Case Information System (CJISWeb). Select "Norfolk City" from the locality list and search by party name or case number. The system is free, requires no login, and shows case type, filing date, party names, and current status.
For remote land record access, the SRA subscription ($600/year) provides direct access to the clerk's land records database. Virginia-licensed attorneys can inquire about OCRA access. For civil claims in general district court, use the General District Court online system. The Virginia Courts self-help portal helps identify which court has your case.
Civil Court Filing in Norfolk
Civil cases in Norfolk are filed at 150 Saint Paul's Boulevard, 10th Floor. Filing fees follow the state schedule under Virginia Code § 17.1-275. Claims up to $3,000 carry a $100 fee. Cases from $3,000 to $10,000 cost $200. Suits between $10,000 and $25,000 cost $300. Cases over $25,000 require a $400 base fee. Virginia State Bar members may use VJEFS to file electronically. Civil court records are presumed public under Virginia Code § 17.1-208. Standard copies cost $0.50 per page.
Nearby Areas
Norfolk is in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area. Surrounding independent cities include Virginia Beach to the east, Chesapeake to the south, and Portsmouth to the west. Hampton and Newport News are across the water on the Virginia Peninsula. Each city maintains its own circuit court records separately in CJISWeb.