The Clerk of Circuit Court is one of the constitutional officers elected by citizens of the county. In Virginia, the office dates from 1793. The Code of Virginia provides for over 800 responsibilities for the Clerk of Circuit Court, but his or her chief responsibilities include serving as recorder of deeds, deciding certain issues of probate, issuing marriage licenses, creating court records, and certifying and archiving all records of the circuit courts and other records as provided by law. Dickenson County’s current Clerk of Circuit Court, Joshua R. Evans, was elected in November 2023, with his 8 year term starting in January 2024.
The Commonwealth of Virginia has a long and proud history of providing citizens with full access to records maintained by public officials. The public records room of the Office of the Clerk of Circuit Court has upheld this history since 1793 by providing the technology and staff by which any citizen may search the following records:
Land Records (Deeds)
Financing Statements
Assumed Names
Notary Public
Concealed Handgun Permit
Marriage Licenses
Wills and Probate
Court Records Criminal Division
Court Records Civil Division
Judgments
Divorces
Jury Service
Roles & Responsibilities
The Circuit Court clerk, charged with more than 800 statutory responsibilities, is an elected official responsible for the administration of the Dickenson County Circuit Court. Such responsibilities extend beyond judicial-related business to nonjudicial and fiscal activities as well.
Chief Operating Officer Duties
As chief operating officer of the court, the clerk ensures that members of the judiciary are provided administrative support during courtroom proceedings. In criminal cases, the clerk makes certain that all proceedings are recorded and memorialized, administers all criminal case records, and coordinates case scheduling and other case-related activities with prosecutors and law enforcement. The clerk's office also lends overall judicial support by managing juries, maintaining and disposing of evidence, issuing arrest and other legal documents to be served, investing / distributing monies on the part of litigants or third-party beneficiaries, collecting criminal fines and costs, and serving as repository for the court's records.
Court Inquiries
Inquiries concerning the court, procedures and policies, and the court's records should be directed to the clerk's office, which essentially serves as the court's clearinghouse for information. In conjunction with this responsibility and in accordance with statutory provisions, the clerk's office routinely provides statistical data, case-related information, and court documents to state, local, and federal agencies as well as to the general public, attorneys, litigants, and the media.
Commitment to the Community
The Circuit Court clerk, as an elected official, is directly accountable to the citizens who elected him or her. As such, he or she is committed to exceeding customer expectations and providing the highest quality service possible to county taxpayers. Hopefully, the information contained herein will prove beneficial as both an educational tool and as a resource for use by all citizens who have a need to utilize the services of the Dickenson County Circuit Court Clerk's Office. If additional information is needed, please do not hesitate to contact the clerk's office at (276) 926-1616 or 1617.
