The Circuit Court Clerk’s Office :: VBgov.com

The Circuit Court Clerk’s Office

The general public is not allowed to bring cell phones, personal communication devices or electronic devices into the Judicial Center court building. The Judicial Center consists of 3 buildings connected by corridors (Buildings 10, 10A and 10B). You MUST enter through the main entrance of Building 10 located at 2425 Nimmo Pkwy, Virginia Beach, VA 23456. THIS IS THE ONLY PUBLIC ENTRANCE TO THE COURT BUILDING

Tina Sinnen
THE HONORABLE TINA E. SINNEN, CLERK

""NOTICE""

Circuit Court and Circuit Court Clerk's Office - This policy shall be in effect until June 28th 2020.

Access to the Virginia Beach Circuit Court and the Circuit Court Clerk's Office, per a Court Order issued today from the Supreme Court of Virginia, will be limited. Virginia Beach Sheriff's Office Deputies, who provide security at the Courthouse, will be limiting individuals entering the Courthouse.

The Circuit Court Clerk's Office wants to do everything we can to protect the public who need to do business with us, and our staff who work at the Clerk's Office. For those of you who do not have an emergency need to enter the Courthouse, we are asking you to stay home.

All civil, traffic and criminal matters, including jury trials shall be continued. In addition, the Friday Motion Docket and the Duty Judge Docket will not be heard and such matters must be rescheduled to a date after June 28th 2020. The exception to this policy is:

The Court shall hear, in the courtroom, protective order appeals, appeals from the juvenile and domestic relations district court and garnishments proceedings. All other civil cases on the Civil Trial Docket through June 28, 2020 shall be continued, unless otherwise excepted as listed below.
The Court may hear by use of video conferencing inmate arraignments and inmate determination of counsel hearings, bail hearings, court approved modification of sentence hearings, and guilty plea and stipulated violation of probation matters with agreed depositions or sentence.

We will be working with a very limited staff; however, the Clerk's Office will conduct all business through Building 10B of the Courthouse. For any civil or criminal filings, there will be a lock box on the steps of 10B for drop off. For any deed/land record recordings, there will be another lock box on the steps of 10B for drop off of documents, or we also have electronic recording available through two vendors, Simplifile (800-460-5657) and CSC (866-652-0111). The lock boxes will be checked several times during the day for paper filings, and we will handle those documents as if they were brought in at the counter.

Note: Boxes will be available from 8:15am till 4:00pm Monday - Friday

We are closely monitoring guidance from the local, state and federal agencies related to COVID-19 with regard to the state mandated duties we have as a Clerk's Office.

As we work through this challenge together, please know that your safety, the safety of my staff, while still trying to conduct business the best we can is at the forefront of my thoughts. Everyone please be calm, stay safe and remember to wash your hands!

Contact Numbers (limited staff working so it may take a few minutes to get answered)

Tina Sinnen, Circuit Court Clerk 385-8817

Tracey Entwisle, Chief Deputy Clerk 385-8819

Pam Walizer, Land Records Supervisor 385-8829

Nancy White, Civil Supervisor 385-8532

Elena Chan, Civil Asst. Supervisor 385-4273

Gigi Smith, Criminal Supervisor 385-4043

Nilla Harris, Criminal Asst. Supervisor 385-4489

Valerie Manigo, Crim. Asst. Supervisor 385-8907

NOTICE

ADDITIONAL CLERKS OFFICE INFO:

The Circuit Court Clerk's Office has opened a satellite office at 1804 Princess Anne Road to be able to provide some services it had to curtail when the Courthouse building closed to the general public a few weeks ago. "We are pleased we can begin offering these services again," said the Honorable Tina E. Sinnen, Clerk of the Virginia Beach Circuit Court. This office is open 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM, Monday thru Friday, DRIVE-THROUGH SERVICE ONLY, and only for the following:

First-time Concealed Carry Permits: applicants must bring a current application, a government-issued picture ID, proof of competency and $50 fee (cash or check). First time applicants must appear in person. For further information about the requirements, visit the Virginia State Police website at https://www.vsp.virginia.gov/Firearms.shtm or call (757) 385-4186.

Marriage Licenses: both parties must be present, have government-issued photo identification and have completed the marriage license application. It is available online at www.vbgov.com/marriage and at the satellite office. The license fee is $30 cash only (please have exact cash, if possible).

Notary Items for Pick-up: For those who receive notice that your Notary is available to be picked up at the Clerk's Office, pick these up at this satellite location. Proper Identification needed along with $10 cash or check. Satellite office unable to take credit or debit cards.

The Clerk of the Circuit Court is a Constitutional Official and is elected by the voters of the locality and every Circuit Court in the Commonwealth of Virginia is a court of record. The Clerk of court is charged with the custody, safekeeping and proper indexing of legal and quasi-legal papers deposited in her office. The Clerk’s Office is responsible for filing of all civil suits; docketing and filing of criminal actions; filing divorce suits; and filing adoption petitions. Additional services provided by the Clerk's office include recording land records and plats; probating wills; issuing hunting and fishing licenses; processing notary public applications; issuing marriage licenses; recording military discharge forms (DD-214’s) and assumed business names. It is the duty of the Clerk to assign a deputy clerk to each courtroom to assist the nine Circuit Court Judges in carrying out each day's activities.

We are closed on State Holidays.

NOTE: Proposed Amendments to the Constitution of Virginia May 30, 2018

Click the links to be directed to the three proposed amendments to the Constitution of Virginia agreed to by the Virginia General Assembly during the 2018 Session.

1. HJ 6 Constitutional amendment; real property tax exemption for spouse of disabled veteran.

2. SJ 21 Constitutional amendment; property tax, exemption for flooding remediation, etc.

3. SJ 76 Constitutional amendment; real property tax exemption for spouse of disabled veteran.

Probate

What is Probate?

Probate is the official proving of the will as the authentic and valid last will and testament of the deceased

Is the appointment of an executor or administrator and the formal administration of an estate always required?

The appointment of an executor or administrator is not always required. If such is the situation, no formal administration is necessary. This is usually true where the estate is small (under the statutory amount set by law) and for payment of small sums by certain government, occupational, and banking agencies.)

Additionally, qualification is not necessary to transfer a motor vehicle title, if the motor vehicle is paid off. In these circumstances, the will is probated (proved and recorded in the Wills Books of the Circuit Court) and nothing further is required. Other instances where formal qualification or administration may not be required are joint accounts with right of survivorship in banks, saving and loan associations, or credit unions.

In most cases, the payment of life insurance proceeds to a named beneficiary and the transfer of real estate to a surviving spouse or other person where there were survivorship rights in the deed occur outside the estate.

What is dying intestate?

A person dies testate if they left a will. A person dies intestate if they do not have a valid will at the time of death. If a person dies intestate, then the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in effect at the time of death, determine who the heirs are and hence who receives the decedent's property.

Where can one go for more information or answers to specific questions?

Prior to coming in, please call one of the deputy clerks of the Probate Department of the Circuit Court Clerk's Office at (757) 385-8831. They will give you specific instructions regarding what you need at the time of probate.

What taxes are to be paid?

At the time of filing the will, the probate tax must be paid. ($1 State tax and 33 cents local tax, per $1,000 value of the estate - Example: If the estate value is $50,000, then the State tax would be $50 and the local tax would be $16.67). There are also recording fees at the time of probate

Is an executor or administrator compensated?

The administration of an estate generally requires a fair amount of time and energy. Compensation is allowed. The Commissioner of Accounts must approve the compensation.

What are the basic duties of an executor or administrator?

Probably the most important duty is to ascertain and take possession of the deceased person's property over which the executor or administrator has responsibility or control. Further, the fiduciary (executor or administrator) must determine the liabilities (debts) of the estate and determine the value of the estate over which the fiduciary does not have control (for tax-accounting reasons). Further, the fiduciary must see to the payment of debts of the deceased and the estate (including taxes) and the sale or distribution of the property of the estate in accordance with the dictates of the will and Virginia law. Generally, the fiduciary must file a complete inventory for the estate within four months of qualification with the Commissioner of Accounts. The Commissioner of Accounts is a local person (generally an attorney) appointed by the Circuit Court to oversee and to ensure that estates are properly handled. The fiduciary must also give written notice of qualification or probate to the heirs and beneficiaries of the estate or those who would have been the heirs, within thirty days after qualification or probate.
Finally, the fiduciary must make an accounting (generally a list of all assets of the estate, all distributions and all assets on hand) on a yearly basis until a final accounting can be made. Often, a first and final accounting can be made at the conclusion of the first year following qualification.

What should I take with me to probate a will or to qualify on an estate?

First, the original will must be taken to the Clerk's Office of the Circuit Court in your local jurisdiction. It is necessary that an appointment be made with the Clerk or a deputy clerk. Second, the person offering the will for probate or seeking to qualify should know all the assets owned by the deceased and, as accurately as possible, the value of those assets. A copy of the death certificate should also be taken to the Court. This document contains much of the information that will be needed by the Clerk or deputy clerk assisting you.
When should I probate the will or, if there is no will, seek to be appointed administrator?

There is no set time frame in which a will must be probated or estate administration must be started. The death of a loved one is a particularly emotional, stressful, and busy time. The probate of the will can usually wait until a week or so after the funeral. It is recommended that the initial steps in the estate process start within thirty (30) days after death. If any questions exist, call your attorney or the Circuit Court Clerk's Office.

Who inherits the property of an intestate (person dying without a will)?

If a person dies without a will, Virginia law provides a course of descendants as follows (after payment of funeral expenses, debts and cost of administration).
All to the surviving spouse, unless there are children (or their descendants) of someone other than the surviving spouse in which case, one-third goes to the surviving spouse and the remaining two-thirds is divided among all children.
If no surviving spouse, all passes to the children and their descendants.
If none, then all goes to the deceased's father and mother or the survivor.
If none, then all passes to the deceased's brothers and sisters and their descendants.
There are further contingent beneficiaries set out in the Virginia statutes. (Virginia Code Annotated §64.1-1)

Who in the Circuit Court handles the probate of wills?

Usually, the Clerk of the Circuit Court or a deputy clerk handles the probate of wills and the Circuit Court judge is not involved. (Virginia Code Annotated §64.1-77) However, any person interested in the will may appeal to a judge within six months of the order of the clerk admitting a will to probate. (Virginia Code Annotated §64.1-78)

Where should the will be probated?

Virginia does not have a separate probate court. The will should be probated in the Circuit Court of the city or county where the decedent resided or where the decedent owned real estate; or if none, where the decedent owned any real estate; or if none, where the decedent died or has any estate. If the decedent died in a nursing home or similar institution, then that person's residence is presumed to be where he or she resided prior to becoming a patient at such home.

Please call 757-385-8831 to make an appointment.

Application for Marriage

Wedding rings The Application for Marriage License form is available to print and complete. Both parties are encouraged to complete the form prior to arriving at the Clerk's Office. This will save considerable time in the processing of your application.

Certified copy of a marriage license

You may obtain a certified copy of a marriage license from the Circuit Court Clerk's Office that issued the marriage license. You may make the request in person or by mail. To request a certified copy of your marriage license by mail, complete the Certified Copy of Marriage License Form and mail it to:

Virginia Beach Circuit Court Clerk's Office
Attention Marriage Licenses
2425 Nimmo Parkway
Virginia Beach, Virginia 23456

Be certain to include the following when submitting the form to the Clerk's Office:

The full name of both parties
The date of the marriage
The place of marriage
A money order, certified check or in-state personal check, in the amount of $2.50 per EACH copy, made payable to the "Circuit Court Clerk"
A self-addressed stamped envelope.

(Virginia Code Annotated, §20-20)

Circuit Court Filing Fee Schedule

The following will provide you with information concerning filing and service fees for the Circuit Court Civil Division as well as other miscellaneous fees including the Clerk's fee Schedule for Deeds.

Miscellaneous Fee Schedule

Clerk's Fee Schedule For Deeds

HUNTING & FISHING LICENSE

Hunting and fishing licenses may be obtained online at Department of Game and Inland Fisheries or from the Clerk of Circuit Court or from private sporting goods stores or bait and tackle shops. A license is not required for fishing on private property with permission of property owner. Please contact the License Division for specific exemptions on saltwater fishing licensing.

Real Estate Records (Deeds)

The Clerk of the Circuit Court records, indexes and permanently stores all real estate records for the City of Virginia Beach.

Assumed Name Certificate

The Circuit Court Clerks Office records assumed business names.

$10.00 to record with the Circuit Court
$2.50 for each certified copy

Click on the Assumed Name Certificate located to the right to view and print

Assumed Name Certificate

CONFESSIONS OF JUDGMENT

Due to the complexity and length of time to process these cases, as of January 1, 2015, confessions of judgment will be taken by appointment only. To schedule an appointment please call 757-385-4186.

NOTICE

If you are doing research for Virginia Beach Circuit Court Civil or Criminal records,

you will need to utilize the State's website ONLY. "www.vacourts.gov".

We have changed our case information system.

Thank you for your cooperation

SPECIAL NOTICES

We will have a drop box on both the deed side of the office and on the court side for filings, and we will stamp in everything received by 4pm on the same business day. In the event of an emergency, here are names and direct numbers of the Clerk, the Chief Deputy Clerk, and the Supervisors of all departments.

Coronavirus Information