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The Clerk of Court provides many
services for the citizens of the Commonwealth. Listed below are the
most common and frequently asked questions and answers. We
trust that this will assist you to find the information that you
need. Please feel free to contact us if you have a question
not listed or if you feel that something should be added to this
list or to any other area of the site.
Frequently
Asked Question
Click the
section below to proceed to the questions relevant to that section.
Business
Concealed Handgun Permits
Criminal
DD 214'S Military Discharge Certificates
Deeds
Fines, costs, and restitution
General Questions
Judgment/Liens
Civil
Ministers Licenses
Notary
Passports
Civil
How much does it cost to file a…
Divorce - $79.00
Adoption - $34.00
Name change - $34.00
Is there a fee to issue a subpoena?
The
sheriff’s fee for service of process is $12.00. The fee for
issuance of subpoena duces tecum is $5.00. The sheriff’s fee for
service of process is $12.00.
How do I change my name?
You
must complete a name change petition and Order (forms available in
the Clerk’s Office). The fee is $34.00.
How do I petition the Court for restoration of my license after having been
declared a Habitual Offender?
You
must complete a petition for restoration (form available in the
clerk’s office). The fee is $69.00. The sheriff’s fee for service
of process is $12.00 per service. The Commonwealth’s Attorney and
the DMV Commissioner must be served. You must submit a current copy
of your driving record (available from DMV).
How long does it take to get a divorce?
Depending on your circumstances, a divorce can be finalized in a
little as one day, or as long as a year.
How long do I have to note an appeal?
Thirty
days from the date of entry of the final order.
Deeds
Has my document been recorded?
Do a
search on the customer name by using record indexing under land
records.
Are any liens on my property or a particular piece of property?
This
requires a search by the customer or a title search company
How can I get a copy of my Deed?
Visit
our copy center on the 2nd floor or you are free to
search our records yourself.
Can I search for properties by address?
No.
We only search by name. Real Estate division on the 4th
floor of City Hall can search by address.
I want to add someone to my deed, what should I do?
If
property isn’t paid in full, contact your mortgage holder. If
property is paid in full and no money is being exchanged, a deed of
gift application may be used.
When will my document(s) be returned?
There
is a 2 week turn around in receiving document(s) after recordation.
How do I get a VLR coversheet?
Go to
www.landsystems.com
Fines, costs, and restitution
My license was suspended for non-payment of court costs, fines and
restitution, but I paid it?
Bring in your receipt, cancelled check or credit card bill and we
will un-suspend your license.
I owe fines, costs and restitution and need to go on a payment
program.
Fines and costs are required to be paid within 15 days of the final
disposition of your case. If you cannot pay within the 15 days
you may apply at the Clerk's Office for a Time to Pay Plan (TTP)
If your case has gone to the Collection
Agency complete forms and bring them to cashier. Upon review you
will be directed to the offices of Glasser and Glasser.
I was in prison and the court charged interest on my fines
and costs?
Costs and fines are related to a specific
charge. If you are serving time, the charge that you are
serving time for will not accrue interest, however, any other
charges that you have costs and fines assessed against will accrue
interest until paid in full.
My Probation Officer sent me down to pay restitution and get on a
time to pay plan?
Come to the court and fill out Time to Pay
forms and refer to Finance Clerk.
Business
I am changing the name of individual business. What forms do I
need?
Expiration of old business name $10.00.
New business Name $10.00.
Passports
I need a passport right away?
Normal service for issuance is 6 weeks.
Anything less then that - use expedited service.
Notary
My notary expires before the new one arrives at the court house.
What should I do?
You will not be able to notarize documents
until the new one is received.
DD 214'S Military Discharge Certificates
Customer is requesting a copy of his DD214 papers.
Has it been put to record in our court?
and what year? The Copy Center on the 2nd floor can assist you.
Concealed Handgun Permits
How long does it takes to process a conceal handgun permit?
Normally 45 days.
I want to submit for the application form for a concealed
handgun permit, but I am not a resident of Norfolk.
You must file in the city that you are a
resident.
What do I need beside the application form when filing?
Valid ID card, $45.00 fee and Certificate
of Handling/Training. Prior military papers attesting to training
is acceptable, such as PQS Sheets, Discharge Papers with Expert
Pistol Shot Ribbon, etc.
Ministers Licenses
I am a Minister from another state and want to perform a
wedding ceremony in Norfolk.
You need to provide a copy of ordination,
valid ID, a letter to Clerk stating occasion. Fee of $24.00. Must
execute oath of office form. The procedure might take several days
to process/verify.
I am a Minister from another state and want to perform
weddings on more than one occasion?
The Clerk of Court will only issue
authority for wedding to be performed by out of state ministers for
a specific event. There are no blanket periods allowed.
Once the Clerk has authorized me to perform the wedding
can I perform the ceremony out of Norfolk?
The authorization is valid within the
state of Virginia.
Judgment/Liens:
I have a judgment/lien that shows up on my credit report
that was satisfied?
We can provide a certified copy of the
judgment/lien release so that you can provide it to the reporting
agency.
I want to check for liens/judgments against my house?
Deeds Division has public use terminals
that allow citizens to look up recorded documents on file at the
courthouse.
I have a judgment that has been filed against me, how much
do I owe and can I pay it off?
You have to contact the company who filed
the judgment against you. We can only give pay off amounts for
active criminal judgments.
I have a judgment that has been taken care of but is still
showing up on my credit report and the company is no
longer in business?
A debt is always owed. You should consult
with an attorney who probably will file a petition in the circuit
court.
General Questions
I want to pay my personal property tax?
You pay the Treasurer’s Office at City
Hall, 1st Floor.
I want to pay my parking ticket?
Parking tickets are pay to the Parking
Office across the street from the Marriott Hotel or you may pay them
online on the City of Norfolk Web Site
http://www.norfolk.gov
I need a copy of a Death Certificate?
Death Certificates may only be given out
by the Department of Health. This area its the Public Health
Building at 830 S Hampton Ave near Norfolk General Hospital, if it
is recent. You may obtain a form from the Clerks Office to send to
Division of Vital Records out of Richmond also.
I need to use a phone?
Pay phones are available on the court-room
side of the building.
I need a copy of my Birth Certificate?
Contact the Division of Vital Records in
Richmond. The Clerks office does have a form that you can send
them.
How do I apply for a restricted license?
If
your license has been suspended due to non-payment of Court Costs,
you will need to complete a payment agreement plan through the
Finance Department. If your license has been suspended by the Court
upon conviction of certain criminal offense (i.e., Drugs, DUI, Grand
Larceny-Auto, Unauthorized Use-Vehicle), the will have to complete a
Restricted License Application and submit to the Criminal Division.
This process will take a few days for processing and you will be
contacted by the Clerk’s Office. If your license has been revoked
administratively by DMV, you will need to complete a Petition for
Restoration of Driving Privileges through the Civil Division.
What happens if I don not appear for a court date?
A
CAPIAS may be issued for your arrest.
How can I determine when someone will be released from jail?
Call
the Records Division of the Norfolk Sheriff’s Office at
757-664-4700. The jail determines and sets the release date. The
Court only imposes the time to serve.
How do I determine if my case has been continued and/or if
my appearance is necessary?
You
must contact the Attorney that issued your subpoena for information
about the status of whether your appearance is necessary. Should
you be needed for the next scheduled court date, that attorney will
re-issue another subpoena for your appearance.
How do I find out which Courtroom I need to be in?
First
determine whether you matter is a criminal or a civil case and check
the appropriate docket to determine if your name appears. If you
find your name, you will need to report to the Courtroom number
printed next to the case. If the name does not appear on the
docket, please refer to the public access terminals, our website, or
a deputy clerk for assistance.
My case has been continued. How do I find out my new court
date?
The
docket clerk can be called upon to determine if in fact the case was
continued and if a new date has been set. You should contact your
attorney to determine why the case was continued and why you were
not notified. You may further refer to the website to check if the
court case is actually on the docket the evening before or the
morning of the scheduled Court date.
How do I find out the results of a particular case?
Typically cases are updated on our system by 3:00 pm the next
business day. The desired information on the case outcome can be
obtained from the website or you may contact the Clerk’s Office for
assistance from a Deputy Clerk.
How do I find out the amount of my Court Costs?
To
determine court costs, please contact the Clerk’s Office for
assistance from a Deputy Clerk as this information is not accessible
to the public via the website.
How do I get my case on the docket for a Motion to
Reconsider?
You
must ask your attorney to file a written motion with the sentencing
Judge to place the case back on the docket for reconsideration. If
your attorney is unwilling, you may write to the sentencing Judge
and request reconsideration yourself.
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