Va. Code Ann. § 17.1-316 — Virginia Code / Title 17.1 / Chapter 3 / Article 1 / Section 17.1-316
Printing and binding reports of Supreme Court
Status: in_force

When notified by the reporter of the Supreme Court that he has sufficient copy to issue a volume of the Virginia Reports, or a substantial part thereof, the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia shall order the printing of such copy. The Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia shall order sufficient copies for distribution as set forth in § 17.1-319 and for sale to the public.

All reports sold by authority of this section shall be sold at a price per volume fixed by the Executive Secretary, said price to be reasonable and sufficient to cover the cost of printing, binding, mailing and handling. The receipts from such sales shall be paid into the state treasury and credited as revenue to a special fund for use by the Supreme Court. The Executive Secretary may arrange for quantity, volume sales to book dealers or publishers for resale and on such quantity sales he may allow a reasonable discount; but the Executive Secretary may limit such sales whenever such sales would reduce the stock below a reasonable number of volumes to be held for sale to individuals for their own use.

1980, c. 615, § 17-111.3; 1983, c. 588; 1998, c. 872 .
Va. Code Ann. § 17.1-226 — Virginia Code / Title 17.1 / Chapter 2 / Article 3 / Section 17.1-226
Remote access to certain agencies from clerk of court
Status: in_force

The governing body of any locality may give the clerk of its circuit court information from local agencies that the clerk may provide to remote access users.

1985, c. 489, § 17-59.3; 1998, c. 872 ; 2008, cc. 823 , 833 .
Va. Code Ann. § 17.1-272 — Virginia Code / Title 17.1 / Chapter 2 / Article 7 / Section 17.1-272
Process and service fees generally
Status: in_force

A. The fee for process and service in the following instances shall be $12:

1. Service on any person, firm or corporation, an order, notice, summons or any other civil process, except as herein otherwise provided, and for service on any person, firm, or corporation any process when the body is not taken and making a return thereof, except that no fee shall be charged for service pursuant to § 2.2-4022 .

2. Summoning a witness or garnishee on an attachment.

3. Service on any person of an attachment or other process under which the body is taken and making a return thereon.

4. Service of any order of court not otherwise provided for, except that no fees shall be charged for protective orders issued pursuant to Chapter 11 (§ 16.1-226 et seq.) of Title 16.1.

5. Making a return of a writ of fieri facias where no levy is made or forthcoming bond is taken.

6. Summoning a witness in any case in which custody or visitation of a minor child or children is at issue.

B. The fees for process and service in the following instances shall be $25:

1. Service and publication of any notice of a publicly-advertised public sale.

2. Service of a writ of possession or writ of eviction, except that there shall be an additional fee of $12 for each additional defendant.

3. Levying upon current money, bank notes, goods or chattels of a judgment debtor pursuant to § 8.01-478 .

4. Service of a declaration in ejectment on any person, firm or corporation, except that there shall be an additional fee of $12 for each additional defendant.

5. Levying distress warrant or an attachment.

6. Levying an execution.

C. The process and service fee for serving any papers returnable out of state shall be $75, except no fees shall be charged for the service of papers in connection with the prosecution of any misdemeanor or felony domestic violence offense, or in connection with the filing, issuance, registration, or service of a protective order or a petition for a protective order. A victim of domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault shall not bear the costs associated with the filing of criminal charges against the offender, and no victim shall bear the costs associated with the filing, issuance, registration, or service of a warrant, protective order, petition for a protective order, or witness subpoena, issued inside or outside the Commonwealth.

D. The fees set out in this section shall be allowable for services provided by such officers in the circuit and district courts.

Code 1950, §§ 14-104, 14-116, p. 25; 1964, c. 386, §§ 14.1-93, 14.1-105; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 155; 1972, c. 719; 1975, c. 591; 1976, cc. 308, 310; 1981, c. 411; 1982, c. 674; 1983, c. 407; 1984, c. 317; 1992, c. 648; 1995, c. 51 , § 14.1-95.1; 1998, c. 872 ; 2002, c. 508 ; 2004, cc. 198 , 211 , 588 ; 2011, cc. 445 , 480 ; 2019, cc. 180 , 700 .
Va. Code Ann. § 17.1-250 — Virginia Code / Title 17.1 / Chapter 2 / Article 3 / Section 17.1-250
Correction of indexes
Status: in_force

No clerk or deputy clerk of any court in which deeds are recorded shall correct any indexing mistake by insertion, or alter or reprint the page, unless, at the time of such insertion, alteration or reprinting, he (i) notes the date and nature of the change in the index or (ii) by any other means capable of maintaining a permanent record of the change together with the original recording, indicates the date and nature of the change and the name of the person who made it.

1966, c. 403, § 17-79.1; 1991, c. 652; 1998, c. 872 ; 2014, c. 330 .
Va. Code Ann. § 17.1-205.1 — Virginia Code / Title 17.1 / Chapter 2 / Article 1 / Section 17.1-205.1
Repealed
Status: repealed

Repealed by Acts 2025, cc. 634 and 671 , effective July 1, 2025
Va. Code Ann. § 17.1-307 — Virginia Code / Title 17.1 / Chapter 3 / Article 1 / Section 17.1-307
Information and recommendations as to other courts
Status: in_force

The Supreme Court, with the aid of the Executive Secretary, shall obtain the information to be contained in the reports to be made pursuant to § 17.1-221 and present the same to the next regular session of the General Assembly, and at each recurring session, together with any recommendation it sees fit to make, looking to the equalization of the work of the courts of record of this Commonwealth or any matter pertaining to the conduct of the work of the courts which may enable the General Assembly to have complete knowledge thereof.

Code 1919, § 3405, § 17-103; 1928, p. 1121; 1938, p. 130; 1944, p. 131; 1973, c. 544; 1998, c. 872 .
Va. Code Ann. § 17.1-608 — Virginia Code / Title 17.1 / Chapter 6 / Section 17.1-608
How obligor in such bond may obtain indemnity
Status: in_force

On the motion of an obligor in such bond, after reasonable notice to the plaintiff, his attorney-at-law or agent, the court may order bond to be given, with sufficient surety, in a penalty equal to the penalty of the former bond, payable to the applicant and with condition to indemnify and save harmless the applicant against all loss or damage, in consequence of executing the former bond. If the bond required under this section is not given within such time as the court may prescribe, it may order the suit to be dismissed.

Code 1950, § 14-183; 1964, c. 386, § 14.1-186; 1998, c. 872 .
Va. Code Ann. § 17.1-517 — Virginia Code / Title 17.1 / Chapter 5 / Article 1 / Section 17.1-517
Number of terms; how fixed
Status: in_force

The chief judge of each circuit shall fix the terms of each of the courts within his circuit; provided, that there shall be at least four terms of court each year, and the dockets for criminal and civil cases may be called on the same or different days in any courtroom of the circuit. Such terms shall be fixed by order, which shall be entered in the common-law order book in each court. The order fixing or changing the terms of court shall be entered on or before January 1, to become effective July 1, and a copy of the order shall be forwarded to the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court, who shall cause an abstract thereof to be published in the Code of Virginia, as a part of the Rules of Court.

1973, c. 544, § 17-127.21; 1976, c. 133; 1998, c. 872 .
Va. Code Ann. § 17.1-230 — Virginia Code / Title 17.1 / Chapter 2 / Article 3 / Section 17.1-230
Documents to be recorded in bond book
Status: in_force

All bonds taken of officers, executors, administrators, trustees or other fiduciaries and all bonds of commissioners and receivers, and all suspending bonds, appeal bonds, injunction bonds, attachment bonds, cost bonds, and all other bonds required to be recorded, shall be recorded in a book known as the bond book.

Code 1919, § 3393, § 17-62; 1920, p. 313; 1932, p. 333; 1981, c. 295; 1998, c. 872 .
Va. Code Ann. § 17.1-916 — Virginia Code / Title 17.1 / Chapter 9 / Section 17.1-916
Costs
Status: in_force

No award of costs shall be made in any proceeding before the Commission or the Supreme Court.

1971, Ex. Sess., c. 154, § 2.1-37.16; 2001, c. 844 .
Va. Code Ann. § 17.1-409 — Virginia Code / Title 17.1 / Chapter 4 / Section 17.1-409
Certification to the Supreme Court
Status: in_force

A. In any case in which an appeal has been taken to or filed with the Court of Appeals, the Supreme Court in its discretion, on motion of the Court of Appeals, or on its own motion, may certify the case for review by the Supreme Court before it has been determined by the Court of Appeals. The effect of such certification shall be to transfer jurisdiction over the case to the Supreme Court for all purposes.

B. Such certification may be made only when, in its discretion, the Supreme Court determines that:

1. The case is of such imperative public importance as to justify the deviation from normal appellate practice and to require prompt decision in the Supreme Court; or

2. The docket or the status of the work of the Court of Appeals is such that the sound or expeditious administration of justice requires that jurisdiction over the case be transferred to the Supreme Court.

1983, c. 413, § 17-116.06; 1984, c. 701; 1998, c. 872 .
Va. Code Ann. § 17.1-805.1 — Virginia Code / Title 17.1 / Chapter 8 / Section 17.1-805.1
Discretionary sentencing guideline midpoints for certain defendants
Status: in_force

The Commission shall adopt discretionary felony sentencing guidelines that may increase the midpoint of the recommended sentencing range based on the defendant's record of convictions for violent felony offenses, as defined in subsection C of § 17.1-805 .

For guidelines that become effective on or after July 1, 2022, the Commission may increase the midpoint of the recommended sentencing range for such defendants as set forth in subsection A of § 17.1-805 or the Commission may recommend increases in the midpoint to the degree indicated by historical data for felony offenses sentenced in the Commonwealth. Any recommendations adopted by the Commission to modify the sentencing guidelines midpoints shall be contained in the annual report required under § 17.1-803 and shall become effective in accordance with § 17.1-806 .

2022, cc. 723 , 783 .
Va. Code Ann. § 17.1-100 — Virginia Code / Title 17.1 / Chapter 1 / Section 17.1-100
Judicial performance evaluation program
Status: in_force

A. The Supreme Court, by rule, shall establish and maintain a judicial performance evaluation program that will provide a self-improvement mechanism for judges and a source of information for the reelection process. By December 1 of each year, the Supreme Court, or its designee, shall transmit a report of the evaluation in the final year of the term of each justice and judge whose term expires during the next session of the General Assembly to the Chairmen of the House and Senate Committees for Courts of Justice. Such report shall include the number of cases during the judge's term in which a judge imposed a sentence that is either greater or less than that indicated by the sentencing guidelines and did not file a written explanation of such departure required pursuant to subsection B of § 19.2-298.01 . The Virginia Criminal Sentencing Commission shall provide such information to the Supreme Court by November 1.

B. The reporting requirement of this section shall become effective when funds are appropriated for this program and shall apply to the evaluation of any justice or judge who has had at least one interim evaluation conducted during his term. For any judge or justice elected or reelected on or after January 1, 2014, an interim evaluation of each individual justice or judge shall be completed during his term. Such interim evaluation shall be commenced by the judicial performance evaluation program no later than the midpoint of his term.

C. All records created or maintained by or on behalf of the judicial performance evaluation program related to an evaluation of any individual justice or judge are confidential and shall not be disclosed, except that any report provided to the General Assembly pursuant to this section shall be a public record that is open to inspection.

2002, c. 726 ; 2005, c. 633 ; 2014, c. 808 ; 2018, c. 727 .
Va. Code Ann. § 17.1-117 — Virginia Code / Title 17.1 / Chapter 1 / Section 17.1-117
Certain acts of courts held at improper places confirmed
Status: in_force

When any court has at any time prior to June 13, 1919, been held at a place not authorized by law, in consequence of the destruction of the courthouse, or other unavoidable cause, the acts and proceedings of such court shall be as valid as if the court had been held at the proper place.

Code 1919, § 5969, § 17-19; 1998, c. 872 .
Va. Code Ann. § 17.1-233 — Virginia Code / Title 17.1 / Chapter 2 / Article 3 / Section 17.1-233
What to be recorded in marriage register
Status: in_force

All marriage licenses and all matters relating to marriages required or authorized to be recorded under § 20-20 shall be recorded in a book to be known as the marriage register.

Code 1919, § 3393, § 17-65; 1920, p. 314; 1932, p. 334; 1998, c. 872 .
Va. Code Ann. § 17.1-604 — Virginia Code / Title 17.1 / Chapter 6 / Section 17.1-604
Costs in appellate courts
Status: in_force

In every case in the Supreme Court or the Court of Appeals, costs shall be recovered in such court by the party substantially prevailing.

Code 1950, § 14-178; 1964, c. 386, § 14.1-181; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 156; 1988, c. 525; 1998, c. 872 .
Va. Code Ann. § 17.1-292 — Virginia Code / Title 17.1 / Chapter 2 / Article 8 / Section 17.1-292
Applicability; definitions
Status: in_force

A. The provisions of § 17.1-293 shall apply to clerks of the courts of record as defined in § 1-212 and courts not of record as defined in § 16.1-69.5 .

B. As used in this article:

"Confidential court records" means court records maintained by a clerk of a court of record, as defined in § 1-212 , or a court not of record, as defined in § 16.1-69.5 , and recognized as confidential under any applicable law or sealed pursuant to court order.

"Court records" means any record maintained by the clerk in a civil, traffic, or criminal proceeding in the court, and any appeal from a district court.

"Internet" means the international computer network of interoperable packet-switched data networks.

"Land records" means any writing authorized by law to be recorded on paper or in electronic format that the clerk records affecting title to real property, including but not limited to instruments, orders, or any other writings recorded under this title, Article 5 (§ 8.01-446 et seq.) of Chapter 17 of Title 8.01, Title 8.9A and Chapter 6 (§ 55.1-600 et seq.) of Title 55.1.

"Nonconfidential court records" means all court records except those court records that are confidential court records.

2007, cc. 548 , 626 ; 2013, c. 77 ; 2018, cc. 127 , 584 .
Va. Code Ann. § 17.1-919 — Virginia Code / Title 17.1 / Chapter 9 / Section 17.1-919
Service of process; execution of orders
Status: in_force

It shall be the duty of the sheriffs and sergeants in the several counties, cities, and towns, upon request of the Commission or its authorized representative, to serve process and execute all lawful orders of the Commission or entered by the court at its request without costs therefor.

1971, Ex. Sess., c. 154, § 2.1-37.18; 2001, c. 844 .
Va. Code Ann. § 17.1-615 — Virginia Code / Title 17.1 / Chapter 6 / Section 17.1-615
Time within which witnesses may be paid out of state treasury
Status: in_force

No payment out of the state treasury shall be made to witnesses unless their claims are presented within two years from the time of rendering the service.

Code 1950, § 14-190; 1964, c. 386, § 14.1-193; 1998, c. 872 .
Va. Code Ann. § 17.1-605 — Virginia Code / Title 17.1 / Chapter 6 / Section 17.1-605
Same; printing or otherwise reproducing brief and appendix
Status: in_force

Any party in whose favor costs are allowed in the Supreme Court shall have taxed as part of the costs the actual cost incurred by him in printing or otherwise any brief filed with the Court, not to exceed $500 for all briefs filed and the actual cost incurred by him in printing or otherwise reproducing the appendix containing parts of the record filed with the Court, except that the Court for good cause may direct that such party shall recover less than the entire cost incurred by him in printing or otherwise reproducing (i) briefs filed by him (even though less than $500) or (ii) the appendix.

Code 1950, § 14-179; 1958, c. 601; 1964, c. 386, § 14.1-182; 1970, c. 250; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 156; 1972, c. 856; 1998, c. 872 ; 2010, c. 343 .
Va. Code Ann. § 17.1-324 — Virginia Code / Title 17.1 / Chapter 3 / Article 2 / Section 17.1-324
Justices of Supreme Court
Status: in_force

The justices of the Supreme Court shall receive such salaries as shall be fixed from time to time in the general appropriation act.

Code 1950, § 14-38; 1964, c. 386, § 14.1-29; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 156; 1972, c. 856; 1998, c. 872 .
Va. Code Ann. § 17.1-325 — Virginia Code / Title 17.1 / Chapter 3 / Article 2 / Section 17.1-325
Clerk and deputy clerks of Supreme Court
Status: in_force

The Clerk of the Supreme Court and the deputy clerks of the Court shall each receive an annual salary, as fixed by the Court. The salaries prescribed in this section for the Clerk and deputy clerks of the Supreme Court shall be the entire compensation for all services rendered by them, respectively, and shall be in lieu of any and all fees and other emoluments of their offices, prescribed by any other statutes or acts. A reasonable sum as approved by the Court, shall be allowed for the necessary expenses of maintaining the offices of the Clerk.

Nothing herein contained, however, shall be construed to lessen or eliminate the authority of the General Assembly to fix and determine such salaries.

Code 1950, § 14-39; 1964, c. 386, § 14.1-30; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 156; 1972, c. 856; 1998, c. 872 .
Va. Code Ann. § 17.1-248 — Virginia Code / Title 17.1 / Chapter 2 / Article 3 / Section 17.1-248
Clerk to make index to each of his books
Status: in_force

The clerk of every circuit court shall have an index to each book he is required to keep, except those for which general indexes are required or permitted, and kept, making convenient reference to every order, record or entry therein. Every execution and every judgment or decree for money shall be indexed, in the name of the person against whom and in the name of the person in whose favor the judgment or decree was rendered.

Code 1919, § 3391, § 17-78; 1942, p. 179; 1998, c. 872 .
Va. Code Ann. § 17.1-297 — Virginia Code / Title 17.1 / Chapter 2 / Article 8 / Section 17.1-297
Access to records by the Department of Corrections; subscriber agreement; requirements
Status: in_force

A. Any clerk of a circuit court who provides secure remote access to nonconfidential court records maintained by the clerk shall allow the Department of Corrections (the Department) to enter into a single subscriber agreement authorizing the Department to have secure remote access to nonconfidential court records, including court orders, sentencing guidelines, and sentencing revocation reports maintained by the clerk or the clerk's designated application service providers, provided that such subscriber agreement identifies all staff members of the Department who require such secure remote access and that otherwise satisfies all other requirements of this article or other relevant provisions of law.

B. The subscriber agreement shall identify any staff member of the Department who requires secure remote access to nonconfidential records to (i) carry out the powers and duties conferred upon the Department by Article 2 (§ 53.1-141 et seq.) of Chapter 4 of Title 53.1 or any other provision of law or (ii) prepare a discretionary sentencing guidelines worksheet in accordance with subsection C of § 19.2-298.01 . If such secure remote access to any nonconfidential court records is not available, the clerk shall provide access to a hard copy of such nonconfidential court records either in person or via mail or an electronic copy of such nonconfidential court records via electronic mail.

For the purposes of this section, no clerk of a circuit court shall require that the Department enter into individual subscriber agreements for each staff member who requires secure remote access to nonconfidential court records.

2026, c. 942 .
Va. Code Ann. § 17.1-407 — Virginia Code / Title 17.1 / Chapter 4 / Section 17.1-407
Procedures on appeal
Status: in_force

A. The notice of appeal in all cases within the jurisdiction of the court shall be filed with the clerk of the trial court or the clerk of the Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission, as appropriate, and a copy of such notice shall be mailed or delivered to all opposing counsel and parties not represented by counsel and to the clerk of the Court of Appeals. The clerk shall endorse thereon the day and year he received it.

B. Appeals pursuant to § 17.1-405 and subsection A of § 17.1-406 , other than petitions for appeal by the Commonwealth in criminal cases, are appeals of right. The clerk of the Court of Appeals shall refer each case for which a notice of appeal has been filed to a panel of the court as the court may direct.

C. Each petition for appeal by the Commonwealth in a criminal case shall be referred to one or more judges of the Court of Appeals as the court shall direct. A judge to whom the petition is referred may grant the petition on the basis of the record without the necessity of oral argument. The clerk shall refer each appeal for which a petition has been granted to a panel of the court as the court shall direct.

D. Before a petition for appeal by the Commonwealth is denied, counsel for the Commonwealth shall be entitled to state orally before a panel of the court the reasons why its appeal should be granted. If all of the judges of the panel to whom the petition is referred are of the opinion that the petition ought not be granted, the order denying the appeal shall state the reasons for the denial. Thereafter, no other petition in the matter shall be entertained in the Court of Appeals.

1984, c. 701, § 17-116.05:2; 1988, cc. 71, 479; 1998, c. 872 ; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 489 ; 2025, cc. 367 , 383 .
Va. Code Ann. § 17.1-311 — Virginia Code / Title 17.1 / Chapter 3 / Article 1 / Section 17.1-311
Where prohibition and mandamus issued and tried
Status: in_force

Writs of prohibition or mandamus from the Supreme Court shall issue and be tried at any place of session of the Court.

Code 1919, § 5872, § 17-98; 1998, c. 872 .
Va. Code Ann. § 17.1-258.3:1 — Virginia Code / Title 17.1 / Chapter 2 / Article 4.1 / Section 17.1-258.3:1
(Effective until July 1, 2027) Electronic filing of land records; paper form
Status: in_force

A. A clerk of a circuit court may provide a network or system for electronic filing of land records in accordance with the provisions of Article 3 (§ 55.1-346 et seq.) of Chapter 3 of Title 55.1 regarding the satisfaction of mortgages and the Uniform Real Property Electronic Recording Act (§ 55.1-661 et seq.). The clerk may require each filer to provide proof of identity to the clerk. The clerk shall enter into an electronic filing agreement with each filer in accordance with Virginia Real Property Electronic Recording Standards established by the Virginia Information Technologies Agency. Nothing herein shall be construed to prevent the clerk from entering into agreements with designated application service providers to provide all or part of the network or system for electronic filing of land records as provided herein. Further, nothing herein shall be construed to require the electronic filing of any land record, and such records may continue to be filed in paper form.

B. Any clerk of a circuit court with an electronic filing system established in accordance with this section may charge a fee not to exceed $5 per instrument for every land record filed by paper. The fee shall be paid to the clerk's office and deposited by the clerk into the clerk's nonreverting local fund to be used exclusively to cover the operational expenses as defined in § 17.1-295 .

C. The clerk shall maintain a disaster plan, as defined in § 42.1-77 , for recovery of any land record in possession of the clerk that is maintained as an electronic record.

2008, cc. 823 , 833 ; 2010, c. 430 ; 2012, c. 234 ; 2013, c. 77 ; 2016, c. 264 ; 2017, cc. 90 , 289 .