Virginia Small Claims Court Guide
Everything you need to know about filing a small claims case in Virginia.
Maximum Claim
$5,000
Filing Fee
$46
Fee waiver available
Court Name
Small Claims Court (General District Court)
Hearing Timeline
30–60 days from filing
Find your courthouse in Virginia
Search by city, county, or ZIP code to get the courthouse address, phone number, hours, and filing options.
How Much Can You Sue For in Virginia?
In Virginia, individuals can file small claims cases for up to $5,000. This limit applies to both individuals and businesses.
Virginia Small Claims Court Filing Fees
| Claim Amount | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard filing fee | $46 |
If you cannot afford the filing fee, you may qualify for a fee waiver. Ask the court clerk for a fee waiver application when you file.
Statutes of Limitations in Virginia
You must file your claim within the time limits below, or the court will dismiss your case regardless of its merits.
5
years — written contract
3
years — oral contract
5
years — property damage
2
years — personal injury
Ready to take action in Virginia?
A demand letter often resolves disputes before court. Our free guide shows you how to write one in minutes.
Read the demand letter guideWhere to File in Virginia
Small claims cases in Virginia are handled by the Small Claims Court (General District Court). Virginia has 133 General District Courts (32 judicial districts).
Where to file: File in the city or county where the defendant lives, is employed, or regularly conducts business
Not sure which court you need? Our step-by-step filing guide walks you through finding the right court for your case.
Find your specific courthouse: Search for your county courthouse below ↓ — get the address, phone number, hours, and see if e-filing is available.
How to Serve the Defendant in Virginia
After filing your claim, you must formally notify the defendant. This is called "service of process" and is required before your case can be heard.
Accepted methods: Personal service by sheriff or process server
Deadline: Service must be completed at least 10 days before the hearing.
Virginia Small Claims Court Procedures
Can I bring a lawyer?
Yes, attorneys are allowed to represent parties in Virginia small claims court.
Can I appeal?
Either party may appeal within 10 days for new trial in circuit court
Is e-filing available?
No, e-filing is not currently available for small claims in Virginia. You must file in person or by mail.
Are remote hearings available?
Remote hearings are available in some Virginia courts. Check with your specific court location for current policies.
Official Virginia Court Resources
Find Your Courthouse in Virginia
Select your county to get the courthouse address, phone number, hours, and filing options.
Accomack County
Accomac area
(757) 787-0923
Albemarle County
Charlottesville area
(434) 972-4007
Alexandria city
area
(703) 746-4021
Alleghany County
Covington area
(540) 965-1720
Amelia County
Amelia Court House area
(804) 561-2456
Amherst County
Amherst area
(434) 946-9351
Appomattox County
Appomattox area
(434) 352-5540
Arlington County
Arlington area
(703) 228-7900
Augusta County
Staunton area
(540) 245-5300
Bath County
Warm Springs area
(540) 839-7226
Bedford County
Bedford area
(540) 586-7637
Bland County
Bland area
(276) 688-4433
Botetourt County
Fincastle area
(540) 473-8244
Bristol city
area
(276) 645-7341
Brunswick County
Lawrenceville area
(434) 848-2315
Buchanan County
Grundy area
276-935-6526
Buckingham County
Buckingham area
(434) 969-4755
Buena Vista city
area
(540) 264-2163
Campbell County
Rustburg area
(434) 332-9546
Caroline County
Bowling Green area
(804) 633-5720
Carroll County
Hillsville area
(276) 730-3050
Charles City County
Charles City area
(804) 652-2188
Charlotte County
Charlotte Court House area
(434) 542-5600
Charlottesville city
area
(434) 970-3365
Chesapeake city
area
(757) 382-3100
Chesterfield County
Chesterfield area
(804) 748-1231
Clarke County
Berryville area
(540) 955-5128
Colonial Heights city
area
(804) 520-9346
Covington city
area
(540) 965-1720
Craig County
New Castle area
(540) 864-5989
Culpeper County
Culpeper area
(540) 727-3417
Cumberland County
Cumberland area
(804) 492-4849
Danville city
area
(434) 799-5179
Dickenson County
Clintwood area
(276) 926-1630
Dinwiddie County
Dinwiddie area
(804) 469-4533
Emporia city
area
(434) 634-5400
Essex County
Tappahannock area
(804) 443-3744
Fairfax city
area
(703) 385-7866
Fairfax County
Fairfax area
(703) 246-3012
Falls Church city
area
(703) 248-5096
Fauquier County
Warrenton area
(540) 422-8035
Floyd County
Floyd area
(540) 745-9336
Fluvanna County
Palmyra area
(434) 591-1980
Franklin city
area
(757) 562-8550
Franklin County
Rocky Mount area
(540) 483-3060
Frederick County
Winchester area
(540) 722-7208
Fredericksburg city
area
(540) 372-1044
Galax city
area
(276) 236-8731
Giles County
Pearisburg area
(540) 921-3533
Gloucester County
Gloucester area
(804) 693-4860
Goochland County
Goochland area
(804) 556-5309
Grayson County
Independence area
(276) 773-2011
Greene County
Stanardsville area
(434) 985-5224
Greensville County
Emporia area
(434) 634-5400
Halifax County
Halifax area
(434) 476-3385
Hampton city
area
(757) 727-6480
Hanover County
Hanover area
(804) 365-6457
Harrisonburg city
area
(540) 564-3130
Henrico County
Richmond area
(804) 501-4727
Henry County
Martinsville area
(276) 634-4815
Highland County
Monterey area
(540) 468-2445
Hopewell city
area
(804) 541-2257
Isle of Wight County
Isle of Wight area
(757) 365-6244
James City County
Williamsburg area
(757) 564-2400
King and Queen County
King and Queen Court House area
(804) 785-5982
King George County
King George area
(540) 775-2390
King William County
King William area
(804) 769-4947
Lancaster County
Lancaster area
(804) 462-0012
Lee County
Jonesville area
(276) 346-7729
Lexington city
area
(540) 463-3631
Loudoun County
Ashburn area
(703) 777-0312
Louisa County
Louisa area
(540) 967-5330
Lunenburg County
Lunenburg area
(434) 696-5508
Lynchburg city
area
(434) 455-2640
Madison County
Madison area
540-948-4657
Manassas city
area
(703) 792-6149 (Civil Division)
Manassas Park city
area
(703) 792-6149 (Civil Division)
Martinsville city
area
(276) 403-5125
Mathews County
Mathews area
(804) 725-2242
Mecklenburg County
Boydton area
(434) 738-6260
Middlesex County
Saluda area
(804) 758-4312
Montgomery County
Christiansburg area
(540) 394-2086
Nelson County
Lovingston area
434-263-7040
New Kent County
New Kent area
(804) 966-9530
Newport News city
area
(757) 926-3520
Norfolk city
area
(757) 664-4913
Northampton County
Eastville area
(757) 678-0466
Northumberland County
Heathsville area
(804) 580-4323
Norton city
area
(276) 328-3426
Nottoway County
Nottoway area
(434) 645-9312
Orange County
Orange area
(540) 672-3150
Page County
Luray area
(540) 743-5705
Patrick County
Stuart area
(276) 694-7258
Petersburg city
area
(804) 733-2374
Pittsylvania County
Chatham area
(434) 432-7879
Poquoson city
area
(757) 890-3450
Portsmouth city
area
(757) 393-8681
Powhatan County
Powhatan area
(804) 598-5665
Prince Edward County
area
(434) 392-4024
Prince George County
area
(804) 733-2781 or (804) 733-2783
Prince William County
Manassas area
(703) 792-6149
Pulaski County
Pulaski area
(540) 980-7470
Radford city
area
(540) 731-3609
Rappahannock County
Washington area
(540) 675-5356
Richmond city
area
(804) 646-6461
Richmond County
Warsaw area
(804) 333-4616
Roanoke city
area
(540) 853-2364 (Civil)
Roanoke County
Salem area
(540) 387-6205
Rockbridge County
Lexington area
(540) 463-3631
Rockingham County
Harrisonburg area
540-564-3130
Russell County
Lebanon area
(276) 889-8051
Salem city
area
(540) 375-3044
Scott County
Gate City area
(276) 386-7341
Shenandoah County
Woodstock area
(540) 459-6130
Smyth County
Marion area
(276) 782-4047
Southampton County
Courtland area
(757) 653-2673
Spotsylvania County
Spotsylvania area
(540) 507-7680
Stafford County
Stafford area
(540) 658-8935
Staunton city
area
(540) 332-3878
Suffolk city
area
(757) 514-4822
Surry County
Surry area
(757) 294-5201
Sussex County
Sussex area
(434) 246-1096
Tazewell County
Tazewell area
(276) 385-1563
Virginia Beach city
area
(757) 385-8531
Virginia Beach City
Virginia Beach area
(757) 385-8531
Warren County
Front Royal area
(540) 635-2335
Washington County
Abingdon area
(276) 676-6279
Waynesboro city
area
(540) 942-6636
Westmoreland County
Montross area
(804) 493-0105
Williamsburg city
area
(757) 564-2400 (Press 4 for staff person)
Winchester city
area
(540) 722-7208
Wise County
Wise area
(276) 328-3426
Wythe County
Wytheville area
(276) 223-6075
York County
Yorktown area
(757) 890-3450
Don't see your county? Let us know here!
Ready to take action in Virginia?
A demand letter often resolves disputes before court — our free guide shows you how to write one.
Read the demand letter guide