Augusta County Court Records Search

Augusta County court records are kept by the Clerk of Circuit Court at the courthouse in Staunton, Virginia. You can search case information online through the Virginia statewide case lookup system or visit the clerk's office in person to review files and request copies. Augusta County is part of the 25th Judicial Circuit. The clerk's office maintains civil and criminal case files, land records, probate filings, and marriage licenses, all open to the public under Virginia law.

Augusta County Circuit Court Clerk

The Clerk of Circuit Court is the official keeper of court records for Augusta County. The office holds civil and criminal case files, land records, wills, probate documents, and marriage licenses. Staff at the clerk's counter can help you search for a case, pull a file, and make copies. The office is open to the public Monday through Friday.

The current Clerk of Court is Hon. R. Steven Landes. The circuit court office is located at 1 East Johnson Street in Staunton and can also be reached by mail at P.O. Box 689, Staunton, VA 24402. You can call (540) 245-5321 during office hours with questions or to find out what you need to bring before visiting. The fax number is (540) 245-5318. The clerk can also be reached by email at rlandes@vacourts.gov.

The Augusta Circuit Court page on vacourts.gov provides current contact details, local court schedules, and links to case search tools.

This screenshot shows the Augusta Circuit Court page on the Virginia courts website, listing clerk contact information and links to the case lookup system.

Search Augusta County Court Records Online

The Circuit Court Case Information System is the primary tool for searching Augusta County circuit court records online. Select "Augusta County Circuit" from the dropdown and search by name, case number, or date. The system pulls live data from the clerk's office. You can view party names, docket entries, motions, and orders without creating an account or paying a fee.

For district court matters, use the General District Court Online Case Information system. This covers traffic violations, misdemeanors, and small civil claims handled by the Augusta General District Court at 6 East Johnson Street, reachable at (540) 245-5300. Both search portals are free and open to anyone. You do not need to register or log in.

This screenshot shows a court records resource page for Augusta County, outlining the search tools and official links available for case lookups.

Augusta General District Court Records

The Augusta County General District Court is part of the 25th Judicial District. It handles traffic violations, misdemeanor criminal charges, civil claims up to $25,000, and preliminary hearings for felony cases. Small claims cases involving disputes up to $5,000 can also be filed here. The court is located at 6 East Johnson Street in Staunton and can be reached by phone at (540) 245-5300.

Records from the General District Court are searchable through the GDC Online Case Information portal. If you lose a ruling in General District Court, you have ten days to file a notice of appeal with the Circuit Court. Appeals result in a new hearing at the circuit court level. The Augusta Circuit Court Clerk can explain the appeal process and what forms you need to file.

Note: The General District Court and Circuit Court in Augusta County are both located in Staunton, which serves as the county seat for Augusta but is an independent city under Virginia law.

Types of Court Records in Augusta County

Augusta County court records held by the Circuit Court Clerk include civil lawsuits, felony criminal cases, divorce and custody matters, probate filings, and appeals from lower courts. Each case file contains the initial complaint, all motions and responses filed by the parties, notices of hearing, court orders, and the final judgment. Land records maintained by the clerk include deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and easements, with some records going back several centuries.

Criminal case records show charges filed, warrants issued, indictments returned by grand jury, plea agreements, and sentencing orders. Civil records show the parties involved, the nature of the dispute, any financial judgments entered, and any appeals. Probate records include wills admitted to the court, estate inventories, and orders related to the administration of estates. Marriage licenses and other vital records filings are also held by the clerk.

Most Augusta County court records are open to the public under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, Va. Code § 2.2-3700. Sealed cases, adoption records, and juvenile court files are not available to the general public. Some financial records submitted in civil cases may also be restricted from public view.

This screenshot shows the Augusta General District Court page on the Virginia courts website, where you can find contact information and access links for district-level case records.

Getting Copies of Augusta County Court Records

Copies of court records from the Augusta County Clerk's office cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies carry an additional $2.00 fee per document, which adds the deputy clerk's signature and the court seal. Triple-seal copies authenticated by both the Clerk and a judge cost an extra $2.50 per document. These fees apply to case records, land documents, and other official files held by the clerk.

Mail requests are accepted at the clerk's office. Include the case number or the year it was filed, the full names of all parties, and a certified check or money order payable to the Clerk of the Augusta Circuit Court. Call (540) 245-5321 to confirm fees before mailing. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope so the office can return your copies. In-person requests are generally handled the same day. Mail requests may take several business days.

Public Access and FOIA in Augusta County

Virginia's public records law, at Va. Code § 2.2-3700, gives citizens the right to inspect and copy public records. Court records in Augusta County are subject to this law, and the Clerk must respond to public records requests within five business days. You don't have to give a reason for requesting records.

Exempt records include sealed cases, active criminal investigation files, juvenile court records, adoption documents, and some mental health records. Virginia's FOIA law applies to state residents and qualifying media outlets. More information is available at nfoic.org/virginia-foia-laws.

Legal Resources in Augusta County

If you need help navigating the court system in Augusta County, several free resources are available. The Virginia Courts Self-Help website has guides on finding cases, filing in small claims court, and responding to civil lawsuits. It also explains how court records are organized and what each type of document contains.

The Virginia State Bar has a lawyer referral service for people who need legal help. Legal aid organizations in the Shenandoah Valley area serve low-income residents with civil matters at little or no cost. Contact your nearest legal aid office to ask about eligibility and the types of help they can provide.

Nearby Counties

Augusta County is located in the Shenandoah Valley and borders several other Virginia counties and independent cities.