Each division in the Fairfax County General District Court accepts certain types of documents for email filing at our public email address, GDCMail@fairfaxcounty.gov. The goal is to provide a more convenient alternative to in-person filing for all users of the Court for certain types of filings.  The Court may make changes to this policy as necessary.

Email Filing Deadlines

The cutoff for a document to be filed on a case is THREE (3) business days before the court date or the date the document is needed on a case.  Emails that are received after this time will not be processed, and documents will need to be brought to court if they are needed on a case.  Emergency notes, such as last-minute changes to your ability to attend court, should be provided by telephone. (See below for phone numbers.)

Please note that emails sent outside of business hours, 8:00AM - 4:00PM, will not be counted as received until the following business day.

Email Format Guidelines

To ensure prompt processing of documents filed via email, please follow these formatting guidelines:

• File Format: Adobe PDF or Microsoft .doc/.docx
• File Name: Should include name of defendant/party to case and GDC Case Number (Both are preferred, but if one is not available, provide as much information as possible.)
• Number of pages: 10 pages or less.  Filings of more than 10 pages will not be accepted by email, unless prior approval is granted by the Clerk's Office in extenuating circumstances.
• Please ensure that all text on the document is legible when printed.
• Photographs will not be accepted via email except when following the Comply With Law procedure. (Note: Videos will not be accepted.)
• Electronic signatures must meet all requirements of VA Code Sec. 59.1-480(8) and 59.1-485.
• IMPORTANT: For security reasons, emails received by GDCMail that do not sufficiently identify which case they belong to without opening attachments will be deleted without a response. Please ensure that your email clearly identifies what you are filing and where it goes to ensure it is processed.

In addition, your filing must otherwise comply with the rules of service under Rule 1:12 of the Supreme Court of Virginia. Notably, this includes proper notice/service on other parties who may or may not accept electronic service.

Please Note: If you file via email and receive an email response confirming receipt, please do NOT file the same by mail or in person.  This practice of multiple submissions of the same filing causes extra work for the clerk's office.

Filings Accepted By Email

• Civil Division
  • Notices of Satisfaction
  • Requests for Dismissal or Continuance
    • Plaintiffs can request dismissals or non-suits themselves. If there is a counter-claim or third-party claim, requests for dismissal need to be signed by all parties.  The Request for Court Action form is available for use in this instance.
  • Abstract Requests
  • Agreed Orders
  • Preliminary Protective Order Petitions
  • Remote Hearing Request forms
• Traffic Division
  • Notices of Appearance (Please use EZSubmit if possible)
  • Motions
  • Continuance Requests
  • DNA Requests
  • Agreed Discovery Orders (Discovery Order Form)
  • Requests for Witness Subpoena (Form DC-325)
  • Agreed Orders
  • Copy Requests
    • Copy requests will only be accepted by email on traffic cases from the named parties on a case, or from counsel/government agencies when the request is on firm/agency letterhead.
    • For parties that are not counsel/government agencies, the party must verify the address on the charging document requested. If the address matches, the copy will be mailed by USPS. If the address does not match, the party must submit a Change of Address form and then the case will be updated with the new address and the copy will be mailed by USPS to the new address.
    • If the party cannot verify the address, they must come to the courthouse in person to obtain the requested copy.
• Criminal Division
  • Notices of Appearance (Please use EZSubmit if possible)
  • Motions
  • Continuance Requests
  • DNA Requests
  • Requests for Witness Subpoenas (Form DC-325)
  • Agreed Discovery Orders (Discovery Order Form)
  • Proof of Community Service/Compliance with Court-Ordered Programs
  • Agreed Orders
  • Copy Requests
    • Copy requests will only be accepted by email on criminal cases from the named parties on a case, or from counsel/government agencies when the request is on firm/agency letterhead.
    • For parties that are not counsel/government agencies, the party must verify the address on the charging document requested. If the address matches, the copy will be mailed by USPS. If the address does not match, the party must submit a Change of Address form and then the case will be updated with the new address and the copy will be mailed by USPS to the new address.
    • If the party cannot verify the address, they must come to the courthouse in person to obtain the requested copy.

Fax Guidelines

The Court may temporarily allow submissions by fax in certain instances WITH prior approval by the Clerk's Office.  To obtain approval, please call the appropriate division.

Phone Contact Numbers

• Civil Division: 703-246-3012
• Traffic Division: 703-246-2815
• Criminal Division: 703-246-3305