Circuit Court Public Services

Business Names Previously Registered

View previous registered business names on the Chesterfield Circuit Court Clerk Secure Remote Access site.

Recording an Assumed or Fictitious Name Release

When submitting a Certificate of Release of Assumed or Fictitious Name on File in a Circuit Court (PDF) through the mail, also enclose 1. payment by check or money order and 2. self-addressed, stamped envelope for the return of the recordation receipt and any copies requested.

Form must be signed by the appropriate party(ies) in the presence of a Notary Public or a Deputy Clerk. Parties appearing in the Clerk’s Office to have their signature acknowledged must present a driver’s license or government-issued photo I.D.

Mail to:

Circuit Court Clerk
ATTN: Record Room
P.O. Box 125
Chesterfield, VA 23832-0909

Deliver in person:

Circuit Court Clerk's Office
Record Room, Ground Floor
9500 Courthouse Road
Chesterfield, VA 23832

Fees

• Release recordation - $10. View payment types accepted.
• Copy fees - $.50 per page plus $2.00 per document for certification (if requested)

For additional information, please call the Clerk's Office at 804-717-6517 to speak with a staff member in the Record Room.

Domestic Violence Offender Gun Ban

For persons convicted of misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence, you may be subject to federal laws making it a crime for you to possess, ship, transport or receive any firearm or ammunition. View the Federal Firearms Law: Domestic Violence Offender Gun Ban (PDF) for more information.

Obtaining or Renewing a Concealed Handgun Permit

Applications are available in the Clerk’s Office and are also available on the Virginia State Police’s website. The application for renewal is the same as for first-time applicants. Renewal applications should be submitted no sooner than 180 days prior to the expiration date of the current permit. Expired permits may be renewed. 

There is a processing fee of $30. View payment options. For faster processing, applicants are encouraged to provide a self-addressed, stamped envelope for use in forwarding the permit.

Within 45 days, the Clerk’s Office will mail the permit (or notice of denial) to the applicant in the self-addressed, stamped envelope provided by the applicant.

Requirements

• Applicants must apply in the city or county of their residence.
• Renewal applicants must include a copy of their existing permit (whether active or expired).
  • If the permit is expired and a copy is unavailable, other proof of issuance such as a certified copy of the court order must be provided (if the original permit was issued outside of Chesterfield).
• Must include photocopy of valid photo ID issued by:
  • a governmental agency of the Commonwealth
  • U.S Department of Defense or
  • U.S State Department (passport)
• The Court requires proof of Chesterfield residency; if the photo ID presented does not list a Chesterfield address, other proof should be submitted (e.g., deed, lease, voter registration card, etc.).
• First-time applicants are required to provide proof of competency with a handgun. Online classes are not acceptable as the law requires in-person attendance.
  • If renewing an active or expired permit, proof of competency with a handgun is not required again.
• Applicants should provide a self-addressed, stamped envelope for use in forwarding the permit.
• Applications may be submitted in person (between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday-Friday, excluding holidays) or by mail to:
  
  Chesterfield Circuit Court
  P.O. Box 125
  Chesterfield, VA 23832

Replacement Permit

If a valid, unexpired permit either requires an address change, legal name change or has been lost/destroyed, then a replacement permit can be provided. To receive a replacement permit, original documents are required and emailed forms cannot be accepted. Items may be presented in person or by mail, whichever the permit holder prefers. If applying by mail, applicants are encouraged to provide a self-addressed, stamped envelope for use in forwarding the replacement, for faster processing.

Address Change

Address changes are processed by the issuing Circuit Court (for example, if the permit was issued in Chesterfield and the permit holder moves to Henrico, they would contact Chesterfield for the address update). View the contact information for Virginia Circuit Courts.

The processing fee for an address change replacement permit is $10.

Permit holder must present the Virginia State Police’s form SP-248A and:

• if appearing in person, their driver’s license and existing permit for review
• if sending the form by mail, a copy of their driver's license and a copy of the existing permit

Legal Name Change or Lost/Destroyed

The processing fee for a legal name change or lost/destroyed replacement permit is $5. 

To request a legal name change or lost/destroyed replacement permit, permit holder must complete the concealed handgun permit replacement request form (PDF) and provide:

• if appearing in person, their driver’s license
• if sending the form by mail, a copy of their driver's license
• proof of name change (for example, updated driver's license, certified copy of marriage license or court order)

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Requests

Pursuant to Code of Virginia § 2.2-3703 (A)(7), the records of the Clerk that are already available to the public are exempt from FOIA. This includes unsealed/nonconfidential land, court and other records for which the Circuit Court Clerk serves as custodian (judgments, marriage licenses, wills, etc.). While the Circuit Court Clerk often responds to requests for copies of records, such requests typically do not fall under FOIA provisions due to this exemption.

The Circuit Court Clerk has appointed the county's FOIA Liaison to serve as the office's FOIA Officer and FOIA requests should be submitted pursuant to county protocol.

Military Discharges Records

For additional information, call 804-717-6517 to speak with a staff member in the Record Room.

Access Records

The Code of Virginia § 17.1-265 provides strict guidelines by which access to military discharges may be granted. A written request and photo ID are required.

• Request to Access Military Discharge Record (PDF) - Form to be completed by individual requesting access.
• Authorization to Access Military Discharge Record (PDF) - Form to be completed by the subject of the military discharge record in order to grant access to another individual.

Recordation

For Chesterfield residents, the original or a properly authenticated copy of the following may be recorded free of charge:

• Discharge certificate
• Report of separation from active duty (Department of Defense Document DD-214)

Become a Notary Public

To apply to be a notary public, visit the Secretary of the Commonwealth's website.

Claiming a Notary Public Commission

After the Secretary of the Commonwealth advises that the commission has been issued, it is suggested that you contact the Clerk’s Office to confirm your commission is ready for pickup. No appointment is necessary. When appearing to claim your commission, you should be prepared to present:

• Confirmation received from the Secretary of the Commonwealth
• Government-issued photo I.D.
• $10 Clerk’s fee. View payment options.

Commissions expire if not claimed within 60 days of the commission date. Applicants who do not claim their commission within 60 days must re-apply.

Public Records Copy Requests

Chesterfield Circuit Court Clerk’s Office can provide copies of any public record such as court orders, deeds, judgments, marriage licenses, plats and wills.

By law, copies are $.50 per page and certified copies can be provided for an additional $2 per document. Copy fee quotes can be provided by phone and copies can be requested as follows:

• By Phone - If you are unsure of the appropriate division you are trying to reach, call 804-748-1241 (8 a.m. - 4 p.m., Monday through Friday). For civil case copy requests, call 804-717-6981; for criminal case copy requests, call 804-717-6980. Phone requests are payable by credit card (for an additional $2 processing fee plus postage).
• By Mail - After calling to obtain a copy fee quote, provide specific information (e.g., name, document type, date, etc.) with your request. Mail your written request with appropriate copy fees (cash, check or money order payable to Chesterfield Circuit Court) to:
  
  Circuit Court Clerk
  P.O. Box 125
  Chesterfield, VA 23832-0909
• In Person - The Clerk’s Office is open to the public from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., Monday through Friday (excluding holidays). The Record Room is located on the ground floor of the main Courts Building.