Alleghany County Civil Court Records

Alleghany County civil court records are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk in Covington, Virginia. The county is served by the 28th Judicial Circuit. Civil cases filed here include contract disputes, property actions, judgments, and related matters. You can look up Alleghany civil court records through the state's online CJISWeb system or contact the clerk's office directly at the West Main Street courthouse in Covington.

Alleghany County Circuit Court Clerk

Debra N. Byer is the Circuit Court Clerk for Alleghany County. The office handles all civil court records for the 28th Judicial Circuit at the Covington courthouse. It is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. You can reach the clerk by phone at (540) 965-1730 or by email at dbyer@vacourts.gov. The fax number is (540) 863-6680.

Mail requests and correspondence should go to the P.O. Box rather than the street address. The clerk's office serves both Alleghany County and the independent City of Covington, so it handles civil court records for both localities under the 28th Judicial Circuit.

Search Alleghany Civil Court Records

The free statewide tool for finding civil court records in Alleghany County is CJISWeb. Go to the site, pick Alleghany County from the locality list, and enter a party name or case number. You will get back case type, filing date, parties, and status information. No account is needed and there is no charge to search.

General district court civil matters are searchable through a separate system. Visit eapps.courts.state.va.us/gdcourts and select Alleghany County for civil cases under the circuit court threshold. This covers disputes up to $25,000 and unlawful detainer cases. If you are unsure which court handled a matter, the Virginia Courts self-help portal can point you in the right direction.

Under Virginia Code § 17.1-208, court records in Alleghany County are public. You can walk in and view case files at no cost. Privacy protections under Virginia Code § 17.1-293 require the clerk to redact personal identifiers like Social Security numbers and financial account data from documents posted online, but full documents are available in person.

Civil Filing and Fees in Alleghany County

Alleghany County civil cases are filed at the clerk's office on West Main Street in Covington. State filing fees are governed by Virginia Code § 17.1-275. For a suit involving $3,000 or less, the fee is $100. Claims from $3,000 to $10,000 cost $200. Suits between $10,000 and $25,000 run $300. Cases over $25,000 carry a $400 base filing fee. The clerk may add local surcharges for courthouse security and the law library fund.

Civil forms for circuit court filings are available free at courts.state.va.us/forms/circuit. These cover original pleadings, civil motions, orders, and other standard documents. Attorneys in the 28th Judicial Circuit may e-file using VJEFS. Self-represented parties file paper documents at the courthouse in person.

Historical civil court records for Alleghany County include marriage records from 1845 and divorce, probate, and land records dating from 1822. These records may require a visit to the clerk's office or a written request since they predate electronic systems. The Library of Virginia may hold some of the older historic materials from this area.

Note: Standard copies cost $0.50 per page and certified copies are $2.00 per document. Mail a written request with party names, case number if known, document type, and payment to P.O. Box 670, Covington, VA 24426.

Cities in Alleghany County

The City of Covington is an independent city located within the Alleghany County area and is part of the 28th Judicial Circuit. Civil court records for cases filed in Covington go through the same circuit court clerk. See the Covington civil court records page for city-specific information.

Nearby Counties

Alleghany County is located in western Virginia near the West Virginia border. Bath County sits to the north. Highland County lies to the northwest. Augusta County borders to the east. Rockbridge County is to the southeast. Botetourt County lies to the south. Each has its own circuit court clerk who handles civil court records for that jurisdiction.