Circuit Court Alert:
Fairfax Circuit Court does not mail Notices of Intent to Levy Assets, Demands for Payment, Distraint Warrants, Notices of Federal Tax Authorities Intent to Levy and Seize Property, or similar letters purporting to be from the “Tax Processing Unit, Fairfax County Public Judgment Records” for unpaid tax liabilities. This is a scam. Do not call the number listed on the document and do not give them personal information or send money. Click here for a sample letter and if you have any questions please call the Fairfax Circuit Court Judgment Division at 703-246-4159.
Fairfax Circuit Court civil judgment orders, abstracts of judgments from Virginia courts, Federal Court judgments, foreign court judgments, Commonwealth of Virginia liens and assessments, and IRS tax liens are docketed in Land Records by the judgment clerks. Civil judgments that were docketed after September 18, 2000 are available for retrieval on the public computer terminals located in Land Records. For civil judgments docketed prior to September 18, 2000, you must visit Land Records and speak with a judgment clerk.
The Land Records Division is designed for the public to do its own research. The judgment clerks are available to aid you with your research, but they cannot perform research for you.
All Virginia civil judgment orders must comply with §8.01-446 of the Code of Virginia. The "ordered" clause of the judgment order must state that it is a judgment for money, the amount of the judgment, and the full names of all parties the judgment was granted for and against (et al. is not acceptable). It should also state the amount of interest and date from which interest begins. The order also should contain the defendant's address, if known. Form civil judgment orders are available in the Circuit Court courtrooms and on the link provided at the bottom of this page.
In order to docket a foreign civil judgment (all out-of-state and Virginia federal court), the following is required:
Orders to release or vacate judgments cannot be docketed unless they include the judgment number and the names of the judgment creditor and debtor, exactly as they appear on the judgment.
For judgment related questions, call (703) 246-4159.
To docket or release a judgment by mail, mail the judgment or release to the Fairfax Circuit Court, Judgment Department, 4110 Chain Bridge Road, Suite 317, Fairfax, VA 22030. We do not accept cash or credit card payments through the mail. We also do not accept judgments or releases through the Land Records Electronic Filing System.
An action in which the defendant, debtor or attorney-in-fact (i.e. designated agent or the judgment debtor) provides written confession of a claim against the debtor/defendant and consents to entry of judgment in favor of the creditor/plaintiff without the formality, time or expense of an ordinary legal proceeding.
Confession of Judgment Instructions
Forms for Authorization for Partial or Full Release of Judgment Lien are available from the judgment clerks in Land Records or may be downloaded from the following links and forms: