Find Court Records in Craig County

Craig County court records are maintained by the Clerk of Circuit Court in New Castle, Virginia. The county is part of the 25th Judicial Circuit, and its court handles civil cases, criminal proceedings, land records, and probate matters. You can search case information online through the Virginia judicial system or go to the courthouse to look at records in person. This page covers both options and explains how to get copies of court documents.

Craig County Circuit Court Clerk

The Clerk of Circuit Court serves as the official custodian of all court records in Craig County. The clerk's office keeps civil and criminal case files, land records, wills and probate documents, marriage licenses, and financing statements. In smaller counties like Craig, the clerk's office often handles a wide range of tasks, from deed recording to court scheduling. Staff can help you find specific records and make copies.

The current Clerk of Court is Hon. Sharon P. Oliver. Her email is spoliver@vacourts.gov if you prefer to reach out electronically before visiting. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The courthouse is in New Castle on Main Street. Mailing address is P.O. Box 185, New Castle, VA 24127. Call the office to confirm what documents you need before making the trip, since Craig County is rural and some records may require advance preparation.

The Craig Circuit Court page on vacourts.gov has the current clerk contact details, court schedules, and direct links to the online case search tools.

The screenshot above shows the Craig Circuit Court entry on the Virginia courts website, where you can access contact information and navigate to the online case search system.

Searching Craig County Court Records

Two state-run online tools let you search Craig County court records from any location. The Circuit Court Case Information System covers civil and criminal cases filed in the Craig County Circuit Court. Select "Craig County Circuit" from the dropdown, then search by party name, case number, or hearing date. The results pull live data from the clerk's system and show docket entries and case status.

For district-level cases, use the General District Court Online Case Information portal. This covers traffic violations, misdemeanor criminal cases, and civil claims handled by the Craig County General District Court. Some traffic fines can be paid online through this tool as well. Neither system requires an account or registration fee.

In-person visits to the clerk's office in New Castle let you see the full paper record. Older files and documents not yet in the digital system must be reviewed on site. Staff can help with name-based searches when you don't have a case number. Call ahead since the drive to New Castle may be long depending on where you are coming from.

Note: Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court records are not public. Those files are sealed under Virginia law and require a court order to access.

Craig General District Court Records

The Craig County General District Court is part of the 25th Judicial District of Virginia. It handles traffic violations, misdemeanor criminal matters, civil claims up to $25,000, and preliminary hearings for felony cases. Small claims cases up to $5,000 can also be filed in this court. Cases that are appealed from the General District Court move up to the Circuit Court for a full hearing.

The General District Court operates out of the same courthouse location in New Castle. For case information, use the GDC Online Case Information portal and select Craig County from the list. You can also check the Craig General District Court page on vacourts.gov for current contact details and court schedule information. Appeals from district court rulings must be filed within ten days of the judgment.

What Craig County Court Records Contain

Craig County court records include documents from every type of case heard in the county's courts. Circuit Court files cover felony criminal cases, civil lawsuits, divorce and custody matters, probate filings, and appeals from the General District Court. Each case file holds the initial complaint or petition, all motions and pleadings, court orders, and the final judgment. Land records kept by the clerk include deeds, liens, mortgages, and plats. The clerk also maintains marriage licenses and notary public records.

Criminal case files contain the charges, any warrants issued, indictments, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and related documents. Civil records show the parties, the legal dispute, financial judgments, and any subsequent appeal activity. Probate records include wills, inventories of estates, and the court's orders on estate settlement. Most records the clerk holds date back to the county's formation and are part of the permanent public record.

Most Craig County court records are open to public inspection under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, Va. Code § 2.2-3700. Sealed records, adoption files, and juvenile court documents are not available to the public without a court order.

Criminal fines and court costs can be paid online through the Virginia Judiciary Online Payment System at eapps.courts.state.va.us/fmsOnline. A four percent convenience fee applies for card payments.

Getting Copies of Craig Court Records

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

To request records by mail, write to the clerk's office at P.O. Box 185, New Castle, VA 24127. Include the case number or year, the names of all parties, a check or money order made out to the Clerk of the Craig Circuit Court, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. In-person requests at the courthouse in New Castle are usually completed the same day. Mail requests may take several business days depending on the file's age and the volume of pending requests.

The Craig County Clerk also handles notary public services and processes concealed handgun permit paperwork. Contact the office at (540) 864-6141 for questions about any of these services.

Public Records Access in Craig County

Virginia's public records law, codified at Va. Code § 2.2-3700, gives citizens the right to inspect and copy records held by government bodies, including the clerk of circuit court. The clerk must respond to a records request within five business days. You do not need to state a reason for asking, and you can use the records however you like once you receive them.

Some records are exempt from public disclosure. These include sealed case files, adoption records, juvenile court filings, ongoing criminal investigation documents, and certain health-related records. Virginia also limits FOIA access to residents and qualifying media outlets. For a full overview of how Virginia's open records law works, visit nfoic.org/virginia-foia-laws.

Legal Help in Craig County

Several free resources can help you work with Craig County court records or navigate the court system. The Virginia Courts Self-Help website at selfhelp.vacourts.gov has step-by-step guides on finding a case, filing small claims, responding to civil suits, and understanding what different types of court documents contain.

The Virginia State Bar offers a lawyer referral service if you need legal representation. Virginia Legal Aid organizations serve low-income residents and may help with civil matters. Call your local legal aid office to ask about services available in the Craig County area and eligibility requirements.

Nearby Counties

Craig County is a small rural county in the Alleghany Highlands area of western Virginia. These nearby counties share parts of the same judicial circuits.