PWC - Civil Information

Location: Judicial Center, Room 314, 9311 Lee Avenue, Manassas, Virginia 20110
Office hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays

Phone: 703-792-6029 E-mail: courts@pwcgov.org

Civil cases are disputes between individuals or entities, or groups of individuals or entities. Typical civil disputes are ones in which monetary damages are sought stemming from tort (civil wrong) or breach of contract. Not all civil cases stem from monetary or contract disputes. Examples include, but are not limited to, divorce, annulment, adoption, partition of real estate, will and estate matters, name changes, appointments of church trustees and encumbrance or conveyance of church property.

The Circuit Court serves as the appellate court in civil cases appealed from the General District Court. Likewise, the Circuit Court serves as the appellate court in civil (domestic relations) cases appealed from the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court, typically child support, custody and visitation matters.

In civil cases where monetary claims range from $4,500 to $15,000, the Circuit Court has concurrent jurisdiction with the General District Court. Monetary disputes involving more than $15,000 fall within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Circuit Court.

Requirements: A Cover Sheet must be used for all initial filings. A written request for service or a completed form is required also.

In civil cases of a domestic relations nature, the Circuit Court has exclusive jurisdiction in divorce and annulment matters, including property settlement/equitable distribution of marital assets. Matters involving child support, custody, and visitation may or may not originate in the Circuit Court, depending on various factors.

When filing a civil case in the Circuit Court, the filing party is responsible for ensuring that all pleadings are prepared in accordance with the Code of Virginia and Rules of the Virginia Supreme Court. Unlike the two District Courts, the Circuit Court does not typically provide “forms” for use by litigants in filing civil suits. Hence, it is strongly recommended that the services of an attorney be employed when filing a civil action at the Circuit Court level.

NOTE: Clerk’s Office personnel are strictly prohibited from providing legal advice.

The Circuit Court Clerk's Office Civil Section (Room 314) handles:

•	Adoptions
•	Appeals From the Circuit Court to the Court of Appeals or Supreme Court General Appeal Procedures Court of Appeals Guidelines Supreme Court Appeal Guidelines
•	Appointment of Church Trustees
•	Concealed Handgun Permits
•	Service of Process Information
•	Court Orders Submitted for Entry
•	Divorce
•	Expungement
•	Garnishments
•	Guardian Appointment
•	Motions Day Procedures
•	Name Changes
•	Restoration of Driving Privileges

Brochures

•	See Section II - Civil Practice Guidelines, Timesaver Guidelines, Prince William Bar Association

Forms

•	Supreme Court of Virginia
•	Civil Cover Sheet
•	Service Request Form

Fees

Civil Case Filing Type

These are basic filing fees (service fees not included)

Accounting	$ 84.00
Adoption – Domestic	$ 89.00
Adoption – Foreign	$ 39.00
Administrative Appeals • ABC Board Decision • Administrative Employee Grievance -Employee • Administrative Employee Grievance - Locality • Compensation Board Decision • Employment Commission	$ 84.00 $ 0.00 $ 84.00 $ 0.00 $ 84.00	Virginia Code § 2.2-3004 Virginia Code § 15.2-1507
Aid & Guidance	$ 84.00
Annulment	$ 84.00
Approval of Right to be Eligible to Register to Vote	$ 29.00
Arbitration – Confirm Award	$ 84.00
Attachment • (not exceeding $500.00) • (over $500.00)	$ 39.00 $ 49.00
Birth Certification Correction	$ 79.00	Virginia Code § 32.1-269(F)
Board of Zoning Decision Appeal – Writ of Certiorari • Individual • Locality	$ 84.00 $ 0.00
Church/Organization (Separate Actions) • Trustee Appointment • Convey/Encumber/Sale	$ 29.00 $ 29.00
Civil Contempt	$ 84.00
Complaint – Equity	$ 84.00
Complaint – Legal Cause of Action • ($0.00 - $50,000) • ($50,001 - $100,000) • ($100,001 & above)	$ 84.00 $144.00 $204.00
Compromise Settlement – no pending action • ($0.00 - $50,000) • ($50,001 - $100,000) • ($100,001 & above)	$ 70.00 $ 80.00 $ 90.00
Concealed Weapon Permit Application • New/Renewal • Duplicate	$ 50.00 $ 10.00
Condemnation Litigation • By Commonwealth • By Locality – Board of Supervisors • By Electric Authority, Sanitary District, etc	$ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 49.00
Confession of Judgment • ($0.00 - $50,000) • ($50,001 - $100,000) • (Over $100,000)	$106.00 $166.00 $226.00
Contract – Damage & Performance/Money Damage • ($0.00 - $50,000) • ($50,001 - $100,000) • (Over $100,000)	$ 84.00 $144.00 $204.00
Conservator of the Peace	$ 29.00
Counter-Claim • ($0.00 - $50,000) • ($50,001 - $100,000) • (Over $100,000)	$ 79.00 $129.00 $179.00
Cross-Claim	$ 0.00
Custody, Visitation, Support	$ 84.00
Debtor Interrogatories • Sheriff’s execution & service ($18.50 + $12.00 = $30.50) • Private Process Service	$ 30.50 $ 18.50
Declaratory Judgment • ($0.00 - $50,000) • ($50,001 - $100,000) • (Over $100,000)	$ 84.00 $144.00 $204.00
Declaration of Death	$ 84.00
Detinue • ($0.00 - $50,000) • ($50,001 - $100,000) • ($100,001 & above)	$ 84.00 $144.00 $204.00
Divorce	$ 84.00
Ejectment • ($0.00 - $50,000) • ($50,001 - $100,000) • ($100,001 & above)	$ 84.00 $144.00 $204.00
Election Referendum	$ 79.00
Establish Birth Record, Property Line or Residency	$ 84.00
Expungement	$ 84.00
Foreign Subpoena • Witness Deposition • Subpoena Duces Tecum	$ 22.00 $ 27.00
Forfeitures	$ 0.00	$3.00 Bond
Freedom of Information	$ 79.00
Garnishment Summons • ($0.00 - $500.00) • ($500.00 and up)	$ 35.50 $ 45.50	$35.50 + 48.00 service fees $45.50 + 48.00 service fees
General District Court Appeal • Civil/Small Claims • Involuntary Commitment	$ 84.00 $ 0.00
Grievance Procedure	$ 84.00
Guardian/Conservator (Adult) • Appointment • Restore/Modify/Terminate or Standby Appointment	$ 20.00 $ 15.00
Guardian – Minor • Guardian – Over the person or property (if court required) • Guardian – To Expend from Estate	$ 84.00 $ 29.00
Injunction	$ 84.00
Interpleader	$ 84.00
Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court Appeal • Custody/Visitation • Non-criminal; non custody/visitation	$ 84.00 $ 0.00
Judicial Review • DMV Revocation/Suspension of Operator’s License • Other	$ 84.00
Judgment Lien – Bill to Enforce • ($0.00 - $50,000) • ($50,001 - $100,000) • ($100,001 & above)	$ 84.00 $ 94.00 $ 104.00
Marriage Celebrant Petition	$ 29.00
Marriage License Correction • Vital Record Correction	$ 84.00	Virginia Code § 32.1-269(F)
Mechanics/Vendors Lien Enforce/Release • ($0.00 - $50,000) • ($50,001 - $100,000) • ($100,001 & above)	$ 87.00 $ 97.00 $107.00
Medical Malpractice • ($0.00 - $50,000) • ($50,001 - $100,000) • ($100,001 & above)	$ 84.00 $144.00 $204.00
Motor Vehicle - Complaint • ($0.00 - $50,000) • ($50,001 - $100,000) • ($100,001 & above)	$ 84.00 $144.00 $204.00
Name Change • Adult • Minor	$ 39.00 $ 39.00
Partition Suit	$ 84.00
Petition	$ 29.00
Quiet Title	$ 84.00
Removal	$ 84.00
Restore Right Driving Privilege • Petitions for Full Restoration or Restricted License pursuant to Habitual Offender & Third Offense statutes	$ 84.00
Separate Maintenance	$ 84.00
Special Elections • By Constitutional Officer • By Locality	$ 84.00 $ 0.00
Third Party Complaint • ($0.00 - $50,000) • ($50,001 - $100,000) • ($100,001 & above)	$ 84.00 $144.00 $204.00
Unlawful Detainer • ($0.00 - $50,000) • ($50,001 - $100,000) • ($100,001 & above)	$ 84.00 $144.00 $204.00
Vital Record Correction • Birth Certification or Marriage License	$ 84.00	Virginia Code § 32.1-269(F)
Voter Registration Denial Appeal	$ 10.00
Writs • Habeas Corpus • Mandamus • Prohibition	$ 37.00 $ 84.00 $ 84.00
Wrongful Death • ($0.00 - $50,000) • ($50,001 - $100,000) • ($100,001 & above)	$ 84.00 $144.00 $204.00

MISCELLANEOUS FEES

Type of Filing

Fee

Appeal to Court of Appeals Appeal to Supreme Court	$20.00	Virginia Code § 17.1-275 (32)
Bond Preparation	$ 3.00	Virginia Code § 17.1-275A (6)
Concealed Weapon Permit • Duplicate / Address Change	$10.00	Virginia Code § 17.1-275A (18)
Document – Copy / Certification of any paper, record or electronic record • Copy • Certification • Triple Seal	$ 0.50 $ 2.00 per document $ 2.50	Virginia Code § 17.1-275A (8) Virginia Code § 17.1-275A (9) Virginia Code § 17.1-275A (9)
Income Deduction Order	$12.00 Sheriff Service $ 5.00 Certified Mail Fee
Judgment Fees	Refer to Land Records Fee Schedule
Land Records Recording Fees	Refer to Land Records Fee Schedule
Levy/Seizure – Include Sheriff Service on 1 Debtor	$26.50
Mailings • Certified Mail • Registered Mail	$ 5.00 $10.00	Virginia Code § 26-7.2 Virginia Code § 1-15.1
Notice of Lien/Writ of Fieri Facias	$ 1.50 Clerks Execution Fee $12.00 Sheriff’s Process Fee	Virginia Code § 17.1-275A (44) Virginia Code § 17.1-275A
Reinstate/Reopen	$29.00
Restricted License • Amendment or Duplication	$10.00	Virginia Code § 17.1-275A (18)
Service Fees • DMV • Secretary of Commonwealth • State Corporation Commission	$28.00 $28.00 $30.00	Virginia Code § 8.01-310 Virginia Code § 2.2-409 Virginia Code § 12.1-19.1 (g)
Subpoena • Witness • Production Rule 4:9(C) • Attorney Issued Rule 4:9(C)(2)	$12.00 $ 5.00 Service fee if applicable No Clerk’s fee required on Production	Virginia Code § 17.1-272 Virginia Code § 17.1-275A (23) Virginia Code § 8.01-407

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