Access Richmond Probate Court Records

Richmond probate court records are kept by the Circuit Court Clerk on North 9th Street. The clerk's office handles wills, qualifications, and estate paperwork for the capital city of Virginia. You can search Richmond probate court records in person, by phone, or by mail. The Probate Office helps walk in people start a new case, get an executor named, and pull copies of older wills. Most of these probate court records are open to the public once a case is filed and indexed by the clerk.

Richmond Circuit Court Clerk Office

The Richmond Circuit Court Clerk handles all Richmond probate court records. The address is 400 N. 9th Street, Richmond, VA 23219. Phone: (804) 646-6505. The clerk takes wills for safekeeping before death, probates wills after death, and qualifies executors and administrators. The office also handles small estate affidavits and guardianship of minors who own property. You can find more on the Richmond Circuit Court page.

Appointments are required for new probate filings in Richmond. Call ahead and the clerk will help you set up a time. Walk in service is not the norm for new cases. Staff cannot give legal advice. They can answer general questions about forms, fees, and what to bring.

Richmond is part of the 13th Judicial Circuit of Virginia. The Circuit Court has wide power over felony cases, civil disputes, family matters, and probate court records. The clerk uses standard fiduciary forms set by the Supreme Court of Virginia.

The Virginia Judicial System portal links Richmond users to statewide forms and self help pages. View the source at the Virginia probate forms page.

Richmond as a Virginia Independent City

Virginia is one of only a few states where cities are fully independent of any county. Richmond is one of 38 independent cities in the state. Each independent city has its own Circuit Court for probate matters. Richmond filings do not pass through the Henrico or Chesterfield county clerks. The Richmond clerk holds will books and fiduciary records for everyone who lived in city lines at death.

Under Virginia Code Section 64.2-443, probate must take place in the city or county where the person lived at death. So if a person lived in the City of Richmond, you file the will at the Richmond Circuit Court, not at any nearby county.

How to Search Richmond Probate Records

You can search Richmond probate court records in person at the clerk's office, by phone at (804) 646-6505, or by mail. Walking in is the most direct option. Bring a photo ID and the full name of the person who died. Plain copies cost less. Certified copies carry the seal of the court and are needed for things like real estate transfers and life insurance claims.

If you cannot visit, call the clerk to ask about a case. You may also send a written request with the name, year of death, and a check for copy fees. A self-addressed stamped envelope helps the clerk send your records back faster.

For older Richmond probate court records, check the Library of Virginia chancery records collection in Richmond and the FamilySearch Virginia probate wiki. Both have indexes for will books and fiduciary records that go back many years.

• Full name of the person who died
• Year of death
• Case number when known
• Type of record needed
• Photo ID for in-person searches

Probating a Will in Richmond

To probate a will in Richmond, the clerk needs the original will, a certified death certificate, a list of heirs at law, and the value of the estate. Bring all these to your appointment. Copies of wills cannot be probated under Virginia law.

You can fill out the Probate Information Form (CC-1650) ahead of time from the Virginia Judicial System self-help portal. Fees are due at the appointment. The full set of fiduciary forms is at the Virginia Courts fiduciary forms page.

If the will is self-proving, the witnesses do not need to come with you. If the will is not self-proving, the witnesses must testify in writing or in person to prove the signatures.

Richmond Commissioner of Accounts

After you qualify as executor or administrator in Richmond, you work with the Commissioner of Accounts. The Commissioner is a local lawyer named by the Circuit Court to review estate filings. You file an inventory within four months of qualification. Yearly accountings come after that.

Under Virginia Code Section 64.2-502, the inventory must list all the personal property the estate owns, real estate that the executor controls, and joint or pay on death accounts.

The Virginia Bar Association guide to estates walks through each step. The Virginia State Bar probate page explains the role of the Commissioner of Accounts in plain words.

Richmond Probate Tax and Fees

Virginia charges a state probate tax of 10 cents per $100 of estate value. Richmond also charges a small local probate tax. Recording fees apply to wills and other documents the clerk files. Typical rates run $18 for the first 10 pages and $32 for 11 to 30 pages.

The Virginia Department of Taxation has its main office in Richmond and handles state tax filing rules for estates. You may also need to file federal estate tax forms with the IRS if the gross estate is over the federal limit.

Under Virginia Code Section 64.2-528, the order of debt payment from an estate is set by law. Costs of administration are first. Funeral costs up to $4,000 are next.

Legal Help in Richmond

The Richmond Bar Association can help match you with a probate attorney. The Virginia State Bar runs a statewide referral line at 1-800-552-7977. Both can find a lawyer who works on wills, trusts, and estate cases.

Under Virginia Code Section 64.2-200, the rules of intestate succession set who gets what when there is no will. A spouse, children, parents, or siblings may take a share based on family ties.

Cities Near Richmond

Several Virginia independent cities sit close to Richmond. Each has its own Circuit Court for probate filings.

Nearby Counties

These counties surround Richmond. Each has its own Circuit Court that keeps probate court records.