Hanover County Civil Court Records

Hanover County civil court records are filed and maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk in Hanover, Virginia. The 15th Judicial Circuit covers this county north of Richmond, handling contract disputes, property cases, judgments, and all other civil filings. This page tells you how to search Hanover civil court records online, contact the clerk, and get copies of court documents.

Hanover County Circuit Court Clerk

The Clerk of Circuit Court for Hanover County is Frank D. Hargrove Jr. The office has multiple divisions handling different types of matters. Civil adoptions and divorces go to (804) 365-6148. Wills and estates call (804) 365-6478. Deeds and recording call (804) 365-6151. Civil scheduling uses (804) 365-6161. Criminal matters go to (804) 365-3137. Use the P.O. Box for all mail.

The Hanover County Circuit Court page on the state judicial website has current contact information and links to online resources. Hanover County also offers a Self-Service Portal for certain online transactions and case lookups.

Hanover County offers Secure Remote Access (SRA) for land records at $50 per month or $500 per year. This subscription service gives ongoing access to recorded property documents and is used primarily by attorneys, title companies, and real estate professionals. Contact the deeds division at (804) 365-6151 to set up an account.

Search Hanover Civil Court Records Online

The main tool for searching Hanover County civil court records is the Circuit Court Case Information System (CJISWeb). Select Hanover County from the 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.

Hanover County also has a Self-Service Portal that provides additional online functionality for case information and certain court-related transactions. This is a county-specific system separate from the statewide CJISWeb. Both tools can be useful depending on what you need to find.

For civil claims handled in general district court, use the General District Court online system. This covers claims up to $25,000 and eviction cases. The Virginia Courts self-help portal can help you figure out which court handled a particular case and how to read the search results.

For land records access beyond what the free systems provide, the SRA subscription at $50/month or $500/year gives ongoing online access to recorded property documents. Call (804) 365-6151 to set up SRA access if you need it for professional research or title work.

Civil Court Filing in Hanover County

Civil cases in Hanover County are filed at the Circuit Court Clerk's office at 7530 County Complex Road. 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.

Civil case forms are at courts.state.va.us/forms/circuit. Download and complete the forms, then bring them to the clerk's office with the filing fee. Virginia State Bar members can file electronically through VJEFS. Self-represented parties typically file paper documents in person at the county complex.

Civil court records are presumed public under Virginia Code § 17.1-208. Anyone can inspect case files during business hours at no charge.

Getting Copies of Hanover Court Records

Standard copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $2.00 per document. Mail requests go to P.O. Box 39, Hanover, VA 23069. Include the case number or party names, specific documents needed, and payment by check or money order. For large or complex requests, call the relevant division first to confirm what is available and how long it will take.

Sealed records, juvenile files, and expunged matters are not public. For all other civil court records, access is open during regular office hours. The multiple division contacts listed above can direct you to the right person for your specific request.

Nearby Counties

Hanover County is north of Richmond in the greater Richmond metro area. Adjacent counties include Caroline County to the north, King William County to the east, New Kent County to the southeast, Henrico County to the south, Louisa County to the west, and Spotsylvania County to the northwest. The City of Richmond is also nearby with its own independent circuit court.