Halifax County
Halifax County, located in south central Virginia, is part of the Piedmont region. It was established in 1752 and named after George Montagu-Dunk, the 2nd Earl of Halifax, a British statesman. The county was originally part of Lunenburg County, with a rich history tied to early colonial settlement and the tobacco industry. Halifax County spans 817.7 square miles, with a population of about 34,013 residents. Its county seat, Halifax, serves as the administrative center of the county.
Halifax County operates under the framework of Virginia's Statewide Judiciary and comprises the Circuit, General District, and Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts. The Circuit Court handles criminal cases such as felonies, civil cases exceeding $15,000, and appeals from lower courts. divorce proceedings, adoptions, and probate matters. Its jurisdiction also includes property disputes, contract issues, and emergency protective orders. The General District Court deals with misdemeanor offenses, traffic violations, preliminary hearings for felonies, and civil disputes involving amounts between $4,500 and $15,000. Additionally, small claims provisions exist, covering disputes under $4,500. On the other hand, the Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court addresses family matters, such as custody, child support, juvenile delinquency, and domestic violence cases.
Halifax County court records are generated during legal proceedings and they contain information on rulings, motions, pleading, complaints, written decisions issued by the judge, and transcripts of hearings. These records are generally public under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). They include:
- Criminal Records
- Civil Records
- Probate Records
- Family Records
However, certain records such as adoption and juvenile records are restricted to protect privacy. Public record requests may be submitted by mail, phone, or in person at the Clerk of the Circuit Court Office at:
Halifax County Clerk of the Circuit Court
8 South Main Street
Halifax, VA 24558
Phone: (434) 476-6211
The Clerk's Office charges a fee for copies, typically $0.50 per page and $2 for certified copies. Alternatively, records are also accessible through the Officer of the Court Remote Access (OCRA), a subscription-based platform for authorized users. The Virginia Online Case Information System portal also provides public access to records. Interested persons can search by case number, party name, or hearing date.
