The Civil Division is located on the second floor of Building 10. Hours of operation are Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. with telephone operators on duty from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. 

The mailing address is:

Virginia Beach General District Court
Civil Division
2425 Nimmo Parkway, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23456-9057

You may also visit Virginia's Judicial System website, www.courts.state.va.us, for case information and disposition inquiries.

​​​Jurisdiction

The jurisdiction of a court is the power of that court to hear and decide a particular type of case. The General District Court, Civil Division has:

• Exclusive original jurisdiction for most claims of $4,500 or less.
• Concurrent jurisdiction with the Circuit Court for claims when the amount is more than $4,500 and less than or equal to $25,000. However, if it is personal injury or wrongful death the jurisdiction is $50,000.

A detailed description of the Court's civil jurisdiction is set out in Virginia Code, §16.1-77.

​Small Claims Court

The General District Court has established a small claims court pursuant to Virginia Code, §16.1-122.1) The Small Claims Court has jurisdiction over civil cases in which the plaintiff is seeking a monetary judgment not to exceed $5,000, exclusive of interest. (Virginia Code, §16.1-122.2) The Virginia Judicial System website provides detailed information on small claims court procedures.

​Important Tips

Case preparation is extremely important! Be prepared for trial on your first court date if the "trial on return date" box is checked on the front of your civil court papers. Have your witnesses subpoenaed and present on your trial date and have your exhibits ready. Exhibits are physical evidence which may include documents, photographs, drawings, repair estimates, etc. 

If you are claiming damages, have two copies of your itemized list of damages ready to present to the Court. Each item should be numbered, one under the other. The dollar amount claimed should be written beside each item's description (Use Form DC 422 on www.courts.state.va.us).

Cost to File Civil Papers

The cost to file civil papers such as motions, third party motions, warrant in debt, unlawful detainer, and warrant in detinue is determined by the amount in controversy. Your cost is $52 plus a $12 fee for each person served. Please use our civil fee calculator to determine the approximate costs for filing.

​Filing information:

• For a debt (other than rent) owed: Complete a warrant in debt form and set the court date 30 to 45 calendar days from the date of filing. The form is available at the Clerk's Office or by mail. File with Clerk's Office either by mail or in person.
• For rent owed: Complete a summons for unlawful detainer form available at the Clerk's Office or by mail. Set the court date 18 to 21 days from the date of completion and file with Clerk's Office.

Writ of Eviction

After judgment has been awarded for possession of the premises, you may request a writ of eviction from the Clerk's Office after the 10-day appeal period has expired.

The cost of a Writ of Possession is $25 for the first defendant and $12 for each additional defendant.

Judgment Collection Methods

Once the court has awarded judgment, there are several ways to attempt to collect your judgment through the court system. The four most common methods are:

• Garnishment: The court process in which you garnishee the debtor's wages or bank account.
• Abstract of Judgment: You may place a lien on the debtor's real estate by recording an abstract of judgment in the circuit court where the real estate is located.
• Levy: You may put a lien on the debtor's personal property for a sheriff's sale.
• Debtor Interrogatories: The court process in which you summon the debtor to appear before the court or a commissioner to answer questions about his/her estate.

Once the judgment has been paid, it is the responsibility of the plaintiff/creditor to notify the court in writing.

Copies of Civil Division Records

• For copies of the case documents prior to the court date or final disposition, the fee is $1 per page for the first two pages and 50 cents for each page thereafter.

Case management screen - A fee of 50 cents is charged for a copy of our case management screen.

Submit your request to:

Virginia Beach General District Court
Civil Division
2425 Nimmo Parkway
Virginia Beach, VA 23456-9057

Checks and money orders drawn from a Virginia bank are accepted. Checks are to be made payable to Virginia Beach General District Court. Include a stamped, self-addressed envelope with your request. Also, please include the following information:

• Defendant's full name or plaintiff's full name
• Case type
• Case number
• Court date

Allow approximately two weeks for research and mailing of the requested documents.

Note: The Virginia Supreme Court provides online access to Virginia Courts Case Information. You may search either by name, case number, or hearing date.

Continuance Policy

Motions for continuances shall comply with Supreme Court of Virginia Rule 7A:14. Motions made prior to trial shall be made either in person or in writing. If made in writing the motion shall be mailed or hand-delivered to the clerk's office. The motion may be faxed only if it is clear to the sender that a mailed motion will not be received on a timely basis. Emailed motions will not be considered. 

Motions made on the day of trial shall be made in person unless unforeseen circumstances prevent a personal appearance. In such cases, the motion shall be faxed to the clerk's office. Requests to continue made by telephone on the day of the trial are permitted only when the moving party is unable to fax the motion to the court due to circumstances beyond their control.

Other Civil Information

• Docket numbers or type of service: If you need docket numbers or the type of service made on the defendant, you will be able to get this information on your court date. Or, you may look up a case's status and disposition information on the "Virginia Courts Case Information" website, sponsored by the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Virginia Supreme Court. Cases may be searched using the name, case number, or hearing date.
• Paperwork submitted: Note the style of the case and the upcoming court date on any paperwork you submit to the court. This information will be sufficient to allow the staff to locate your file.

Office hours: The Civil Division is open between 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday-Friday, except when the General District Court is closed.

Telephone and Fax numbers: Office Number 757-385-4277 option 3 Fax Number 757-385-5682

Sheriff's Role in the Civil Process

The website for the Virginia Beach Sheriff offers information on their role in the civil process:

• The Levy Booklet details the "Steps to collect your money after judgment has been obtained by use of the Writ of Fieri Facias."
• ​The Eviction Booklet covers the "writ of possession in unlawful detainer" which is a court order authorizing the Sheriff to remove a person and his belongings from the premises and to return possession to the landlord.