Printer
TextHistoric Records Finding Aids
Overview
The finding aids found on this website are only a portion of the indexes and records that are held in the Fairfax Circuit Court Historic Records Room. These finding aids should be used as an introduction to our records. Please check back often, as staff continues processing material to be added to our indexes.
Copies can be made of most of our documents for a fee of 50¢ per page, payable in advance. If you are unsure of the number of pages of your document, please check with the Historic Records staff. Personal checks are not accepted. Please send a money order or certified check made payable to "Clerk of the Circuit Court" and a large self-addressed, stamped envelope for the return of your copies. Any questions may be asked over the phone at 703-246-4168, by email at historicalrecords@fairfaxcounty.gov, or by mail at Fairfax Circuit Court, Attention: Historic Records, 4000 Chain Bridge Road, Suite 1600, Fairfax, VA 22030.
African American History
Our African American index
is a collection of loose paper documents pulled from different record groups and combined in one box. Additional records relating to African-American history in Fairfax County can be found in our Deed Books, Will Books, Drawer X, Marriage Records and Term Papers.
Chancery Suits (CFF #)
Chancery is a form of litigation seeking equity. These files contain the original papers of litigation and frequently pertain to divorce and real property: boundary disputes, estate divisions (land and slaves) and sales of property for the satisfaction of debts. These files date from 1805 to about 1940 and are arranged by year and by number.These suits also include the suspended and pending chancery cases.
An online index and images of Chancery Cases are available on the Library of Virginia’s website.
Deed Books (Libers)
The Circuit Court maintains all land record filings from 1742, when the county was founded, to the present day. The deeds are arranged chronologically by the date of recordation. Early deed books include Commissions and Bonds from the Governor of Virginia, Bills of Sale, Deeds of Manumission and Deeds of Gift along with the land records. There are three finding aids for deed books from 1742 to 1866:
Some records are missing from the Circuit Court. The following deed books are missing:
- Deed Book Index 1742-1797: F, H, J, N, and V
- Deed Book Index 1797-1841: C, D, F, H, I, K, N, Q, T and X pages 238 – 244
Additionally, some individual pages are missing from some deed books. The online index will indicate if the record is missing.
Miscellaneous Records
These records include what is affectionately known in the Historic Records room as “Drawer X”. This record group contains original deeds, probate records, marriage and other documents that cover a wide range and period of court functions. These online finding aids are divided into an Individual "Drawer X" Index
- Birth Certificate Index
- Death Certificate Inde
- Marriage Book Bride Index
- Marriage Book Groom Index
Roads/Transportation
Along with public buildings, the Court also held responsibility for the maintenance and construction of roads and bridges as well as dealing with the various railroad companies who operated in Fairfax County. These records include:
- Road Petitions
- Records dealing with railroads indexed by plaintiff
Term Papers
Also known as judgments, these documents include court papers filed during the various terms of court. The index contains information for term papers indexed by plaintiff
Will Books
The Will Book Index includes the complete probate records (wills, inventories, estate and sale accounts, guardianship bonds and accounts and executor’s bonds) from 1742 – 1935.
In order to view PDF files, you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. To obtain a free copy, follow this link:
Website Survey 