Tazewell County Court Docket Lookup

Tazewell County court docket records are maintained by the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the Town of Tazewell and cover all civil filings, criminal cases, and land records handled by the 29th Judicial Circuit. If you need to look up a case, check a hearing date, or find the status of a filed matter in Tazewell County, you can search docket records online through the Virginia Judicial System's free case information tools or visit the Clerk's Office at the courthouse. The public record room is open to any person during regular business hours without an appointment or any requirement to show a reason for the request.

Tazewell Circuit Court Clerk

The Tazewell County Circuit Court Clerk's Office is located at the courthouse in Tazewell, Virginia. The 29th Judicial Circuit serves only Tazewell County, making the Clerk's Office the sole circuit court authority for the county. The Clerk is a constitutional officer elected by county voters and holds more than 800 statutory duties under Virginia law. These include maintaining all circuit court case files, recording land instruments, issuing marriage licenses, handling probate matters, and keeping the public record room open during regular business hours.

The screenshot below is from the Tazewell Circuit Court page on the Virginia Judicial System website, listing the Clerk's contact details, courthouse address, and links to the case information system for Tazewell County.

The page shows the Clerk's current phone number, fax number, mailing address in Tazewell, and a direct link to the Circuit Court Case Information System for searching Tazewell County docket records.

The Circuit Court in Tazewell handles felony criminal cases, civil disputes over $4,500, divorces, estate probate, land record filings, and appeals from the lower courts. Under Virginia Code § 17.1-208, the Clerk must allow any person to inspect records in the clerk's office during regular hours without requiring a stated reason.

Note: The 29th Judicial Circuit is a single-county circuit, meaning the Tazewell Clerk's Office handles all circuit-level filings without splitting jurisdiction with another county.

Searching Tazewell Court Dockets Online

To search Tazewell County docket records online, use the Virginia Circuit Court Case Information System. Select Tazewell County from the jurisdiction list and search by party name, case number, or hearing date. The system is free and covers civil and criminal case data from the Circuit Court. No account or fee is needed to run a search.

In-person searches are available at the Clerk's Office in Tazewell. Public access terminals are set up in the office during regular business hours, letting you browse docket entries and view case files without knowing a specific case number in advance. Staff can help locate records by name or other identifying information. Mail requests are also accepted. Include enough identifying information to locate the record, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and payment for copies. Copies cost $0.50 per page under § 17.1-275, and certified copies add $2.00 per document.

Tazewell General District Court Dockets

The Tazewell General District Court is part of the 29th General District. It handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, and civil disputes at or below $25,000. Docket records for this court are maintained separately from Circuit Court records. To search them, use the Virginia General District Court Online Case Information System and select Tazewell County from the list.

The screenshot below is from the Tazewell General District Court page on the Virginia Judicial System website, showing the court's contact information and a link to the online docket search tool for Tazewell County.

The page lists the court's mailing address, phone and fax numbers, and a direct link to the General District Court case search system for Tazewell County docket records.

Criminal fines from the General District Court can be paid online through the Virginia Judiciary Online Payment System (VJOPS). A 4% convenience fee applies to card payments. Cases decided at the General District Court level can be appealed to the Circuit Court in Tazewell. Once filed, the appeal creates a docket entry in the Circuit Court system.

Note: General District Court records and Circuit Court records must be searched in separate systems, as they are maintained independently.

What Tazewell Docket Records Contain

Tazewell County court docket records cover the full range of cases heard in both courts. Criminal dockets list the charges, arraignment dates, motions, plea dates, trial schedules, and outcomes. Civil dockets include the complaint, service of process, responses, hearing dates, and judgment orders. Land records, including deeds and deeds of trust, are recorded with the Circuit Court Clerk in Tazewell and are part of the public record system.

Probate filings, wills, and estate records are held at the Circuit Court level. Divorce and domestic relations cases are also filed here. The one category that is not public is records from the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, which are confidential under Virginia law and not available through any search system, online or in person.

Most docket records in Tazewell County are open to any person under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (§ 2.2-3700) and § 17.1-208. You do not need to show why you want the records or prove a connection to the case. The only cost involved is the per-page fee for copies.

Filing Fees and Copy Costs

Civil filing fees in Tazewell County follow Virginia's statewide fee schedule. Cases under $50,000 carry a $100 clerk's fee. Cases between $50,000 and $100,000 carry $200. Cases from $100,000 to $500,000 are $250, and cases over $500,000 are $300. All fees are due at the time of filing and do not include service of process or other court costs.

Recording fees for land instruments follow the tiered schedule under Title 17.1 of the Code of Virginia. Documents of 10 pages or fewer cost $18. Documents of 11 to 30 pages cost $32. Documents with 31 or more pages cost $52. These rates apply to deeds, deeds of trust, and other instruments recorded with the Clerk's Office in Tazewell.

Copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies add $2.00 per document. A judge's certificate, if attached, adds another $0.50. Mail requests should include a check payable to the Clerk of Circuit Court for Tazewell County.

Virginia Court Record Access Laws

Public access to Tazewell County court dockets is anchored in two key statutes. The Virginia Freedom of Information Act (§ 2.2-3700) says all public records are open unless a specific exemption applies. For court records specifically, § 17.1-208 requires the Clerk to allow inspection by any person during regular hours. No reason is required, and there is no residency requirement.

The framework for how courts maintain their dockets is set out in Title 8.01 of the Code of Virginia, which covers civil procedure. Chapter 10 of Title 8.01, at §§ 8.01-331 through 8.01-335, addresses docket maintenance specifically. The broader statutory framework for courts of record is in Title 17.1.

For older Tazewell County court records, the Library of Virginia in Richmond holds chancery case files and other historic materials from southwest Virginia counties including Tazewell. You can reach the Library at (804) 692-3888 or visit at 800 East Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23219.

Nearby Counties

Tazewell County is in southwest Virginia in the 29th Judicial Circuit, surrounded by several other counties in the region.