To probate an estate, you must go to the Circuit Court of the county in which the decedent resided at the time of death. Those who had resided within the city limits of Falls Church, must report to the Arlington County Circuit Court, and those residing within the City of Alexandria limits must report to the Circuit Court of Alexandria.

You may obtain a detailed Administration of Estates booklet in person from our office, or by sending a written request and a self addressed 6X9 envelope complete with postage addressed to:

Fairfax Circuit Court
4110 Chain Bridge Road, Suite 401
Fairfax, VA 22030
Attention Probate Division

It is necessary to probate an estate when the decedent has solely held assets; that is, assets which do not have a joint or co-owner with rights of survivorship, a beneficiary (on the security or account, not in the Will) or a pay on death designee. Assets include real property and personal property. Personal property includes bank accounts, stocks and bonds, retirement accounts, life insurance policies and other types of securities as well as personal belongings and vehicles.

If the decedent died with a Will, bring the following with you to your appointment with the Probate Office:

• The original Will.
• A certified copy of the death certificate.
• Witnesses to the Will or depositions of witnesses, unless the Will is self-proving.
• If the Will is self-proving, you do not need to bring the witnesses to the Will or depositions of the witnesses.
• A named executor residing outside of Virginia who wishes to be appointed as executor must bring a Virginia resident to the appointment to either co-qualify or be designated as a registered agent; Virginia Code Section 26-59 governs which procedure to follow.
• The approximate dollar value of the solely owned assets for both personal property (stocks, bonds, bank accounts, automobiles etc.) and the fair market value of real estate located in Virginia which must pass through probate.
• The names, ages and addresses of the heirs at law. The heirs at law are not necessarily the beneficiaries of the Will. Heirs at law are determined by kinship to the deceased and are set by Virginia law. VA Code §64.1-1
• If the executor named in the Will does not wish to serve, they must submit a notarized renunciation letter. If the named executor is deceased, a death certificate is required.
• Cash or check to pay fees. Visa and Mastercard are also accepted. Please note that there is a 4% processing fee for each credit card transaction.

If you are not sure if a Will is self-proving, a Probate Clerk will examine the Will during your appointment and will issue deposition forms to be completed by the witnesses, if necessary. We are unable to determine if the Will is self-proving over the telephone; an appointment must be made.

If the decedent left no Will, bring the following with you to your appointment with the Probate Office:

• A certified copy of the death certificate.
• Names, ages, and addresses of heirs at law. The heirs at law are determined by kinship to the deceased and are set forth in the Code of Virginia. VA Code §64.1-1
• An administrator residing outside of Virginia who wishes to be appointed as Administrator must bring a Virginia resident to the appointment to either co-qualify or be designated as a registered agent; Virginia Code Section 26-59 governs which procedure to follow.
• The person(s) having preference of appointment as Administrator for an Intestate Estate can be found in Virginia Code Section 64.1-118. VA Code §64.1-118
• The approximate dollar value of the solely owned assets for both personal property (stocks, bonds, bank accounts, automobiles etc.) and the fair market value of real estate located in Virginia which must pass through probate.
• Cash or check to pay fees. Visa and Mastercard are also accepted. Please note that there is a 4% processing fee for each credit card transaction.

Fiduciary Fees(PDF) are based on the amount of the estate to be probated.

Federal tax questions must be answered by the IRS.