Fairfax Courthouse Self-Help Resource Center

The Fairfax Courthouse Self-Help Resource Center (SHRC) is a resource center that is located in the Fairfax County Courthouse. It is primarily for walk-in service and is open to the public. 

The SHRC serves individuals in the community who interact with the judicial system as litigants, prospective litigants, witnesses, or those who simply have business with the court. It functions as a hub for services that are currently being provided to the public on an ad hoc basis from numerous sources, including the front help desk, Fairfax Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral Service, court clerks’ offices, and other entities. 

Fairfax Courthouse Self-Help Resource Center

4110 Chain Bridge Road, Suite 115

Fairfax, VA 22030 

Phone: 703-246-2172 (Self-Help Resource Center) 

Phone: 703-246-2170 (Fairfax Public Law Library)

Fax: 703-591-0310 

Email: SHRC@fairfaxbar.org

Get Directions | Google Map 

Note:

  • The SHRC is located in Suite 115 on the 1st Floor of the Fairfax County Courthouse.
  • The SHRC is located inside the Fairfax Public Law Library.
  • Visitors must go through the building’s security procedures at the entrances to the courthouse.

 

Hours 

 

Parking 

  • Hourly public parking is available for a fee in the designated public parking garage (Garage B on Page Avenue).
  • Free parking is available in several marked lots that are located some blocks from the courthouse in surrounding Fairfax City, with only limited street parking in the area.
  • Persons with valid handicap parking permits may park near the front of the courthouse in reserved lots and spaces that are clearly marked for such use.

 

 

Things to Remember at the SHRC and the Fairfax Public Law Library

  • No food or beverages are to be consumed in the Fairfax Public Law Library.
  • Phone conversations are prohibited in the main areas of the Fairfax Public Law Library.
  • Unmuted operations on personal devices or computers without earbuds are prohibited in the main areas of the Fairfax Public Law Library. Please bring your own earbuds, if desired. 

 

Device/Computer Use 

  • You may bring a personal laptop computer, as well as a phone, into the courthouse.
  • Free wireless internet service (Wi-Fi) is available on unsecured networks in the Fairfax Public Law Library and in several common areas of the courthouse.
  • Nine (9) public computers/work stations are available to visitors in the Fairfax Public Law Library. Visitors can access the internet and word processing on these computers. These computers are configured with one central, black-and-white printer. 

 

SHRC Fee Schedule 

Photocopies (self-service; black & white only)$0.25/side/page
Fax (incoming and outgoing)$1.00/page
Printouts (black & white only)$0.25/side/page
  • The Fairfax Public Law Library can accept cash and credit/debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, and Discover).
  • Transaction receipts may be provided.
  • Fees are subject to change.

Goals 

The goals of the SHRC are to increase access to justice, to improve court filings, and to provide a positive point of contact between the court and the community.

 

What It Does 

The SHRC provides legal information regarding court procedures, among other things, for the three branches of court that are located at the courthouse complex. Members of the public, through positive interactions with the SHRC and Fairfax Public Law Library staff, can access informational materials, forms, and legal resources. Furthermore, they can receive referrals to legal aid organizations, local and state agencies, as well as other services that may be available in Virginia. Legal advice is not provided. This is an information, resource, and referral service only.

 

Structure 

The SHRC is a County-funded initiative and a collaborative effort through the Fairfax Bar Association. It is staffed and managed by a full-time SHRC Coordinator through funding from Fairfax County. The SHRC Coordinator is employed by, and directly supervised by, the Fairfax Bar Association. The SHRC Coordinator also receives input from the SHRC Standing Committee, a committee comprising community stakeholders including non-profit organizations, legal aid programs, domestic violence response and advocacy programs, County agencies and departments such as the Department of Housing and Office to Prevent and End Homelessness, court staff, the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, the Public Defender’s Office, as well as private attorneys from various practice areas. 

SHRC staff are permitted or allowed to:

  • Provide you with contact information for a local lawyer referral service program, legal services program, or other service where you can get legal help.
  • Give you information about law libraries and online resources.
  • Explain and answer questions about how the courts work.
  • Give you general information about court rules, procedures, and practices.
  • Provide you with available court forms and instructions.
  • Provide you with court schedules, if available, and information on how to get a case scheduled.
  • Provide you with limited information from your case file, if available.
  • Answer some basic questions about court deadlines and how they are determined.
  • Provide additional assistance in some circumstances to aid you if you have special needs.
  • Provide information, brochures, and contact information for mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) programs in your court, if available.
  • Communicate with you in your own language.

SHRC staff are not permitted or allowed to:

  • Tell you whether or not you should bring your case to court.
  • Tell you what words to use in your papers. We can, however, check your papers for completeness before you file them.
  • Tell you what to say in court.
  • Give you an opinion about what will happen if you bring your case to court.
  • Talk to the judge for you.
  • Let you talk to the judge outside of court.
  • Change an order signed by a judge.
  • Give you information about a judge’s decision until the judge makes that decision public.
  • Give you information that we would be unable or unwilling to give to the other side in your case.
  • Interpret court documents or tell you what you should do.

LEGAL SELF-HELP RESOURCES

If you need help filling out a form, then you may want to contact a lawyer.

Forms that are provided by the SHRC may not be official court forms, and courts may not be required to accept them. There is no guarantee that judges and courts will accept forms that are available at the SHRC.

Forms are not available for every legal issue or situation. You may need to create your own legal documents.

The information provided on this website may not constitute the official record of the courts. The information is provided as a service to the general public. The information provided may be subject to errors or omissions. Visitors of this website agree that the courts may not be liable for those errors or omissions.

How to Conduct Legal Research

  • Resources, including Nolo Publications and Virginia CLE Publications, are available for review at the Fairfax Public Law Library.


Laws and Rules


Virginia Model Jury Instructions (Unannotated)


Definitions of Legal Terms

  • Resources, including legal or law dictionaries, are available for review at the Fairfax Public Law Library.


Resources Available at the Fairfax Public Law Library (Not All-Inclusive)

  • Fairfax Circuit Court Practice Manual
  • General District Court Manual from the Supreme Court of Virginia
  • Fairfax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Practice Manual (5th Edition)
  • Legal Resource Books Including Virginia Forms, Virginia Code, Virginia Practice Series, and Virginia CLE Publications
  • Legal Self-Help Books Including Nolo Publications
  • Computer Access to Online Databases Including WestlawNEXT, LexisAdvance, HeinOnline, Virginia Lawyers Weekly, VerdictSearch, Virginia Court Forms, and Gale Legal Forms
  • Computer Access to Various Websites Regarding Fairfax County Courts, Legal Aid Organizations, Local Agencies, and State Agencies
  • Fairfax Public Law Library Online Catalogue

Fairfax County GDC Information

Other Resources

How to Start, Respond to, and Prepare for a Small Claims Court Action

How to Request Court Action (Dismissal, Non-Suit, Continuance)

Service of Process Information

Judgment Collection for Small Claims Court Actions

Fairfax County GDC Information

Other Resources

How to Start, Respond to, and Prepare for a Civil Action in General District Court

How to Request Court Action (Dismissal, Non-Suit, Continuance)

Service of Process Information

Judgment Collection for a Civil Action in General District Court

Eviction Process for Tenants

Eviction Process for Landlords

Rental Assistance and Housing Resources

Fairfax County JDRDC Information

Other Resources

Custody, Visitation, and Support

Supervised Visitation and Exchange

Child Abuse and Neglect

Paternity

Alternative Dispute Resolution

Expungement of Juvenile Court Records

Sample Forms Used in Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court – City of Virginia Beach 

Fairfax County Circuit Court – Main Website

Fairfax County Circuit Court - General Information (Civil Case)

Calendar Control and Continuance Policy Procedures

Filing Fees

Filing Fee Waiver Request

Service of Process Information

Case Information - eCaseSearch Public Access System

Other Resources

Birth Certificate Correction

Concealed Carry Permit 

Death Certificate Correction

Expungements

Judgment Collection for Circuit Court Actions

Land Records

Marriage License Correction

Mechanics’ Liens

Medical Malpractice

Preparing for a Circuit Court Hearing or Trial

  • General Information for Civil Cases
  • Additional resources, including the Fairfax Circuit Court Practice Manual, Virginia CLE Publications, and Nolo Publications, are available for review at the Fairfax Public Law Library.

Restoration of Driving Privileges

Restoration of Firearm Rights

Single Status Affidavit

  • Resources are available for review at the Fairfax Public Law Library.

Subpoenas

  • Subpoena Information
  • Additional resources, including the Fairfax Circuit Court Practice Manual, Virginia Forms Books, Virginia CLE Publications, and Nolo Publications, are available for review at the Fairfax Public Law Library.

Annulment

Divorce

Separation Agreement

  • Resources, including sample agreements, are available for review at the Fairfax Public Law Library.

Pendente Lite Matters During Divorce

Modification of Spousal Support, Child Support, Child Custody, or Visitation Relating to Divorce

  • Resources, including the Fairfax Circuit Court Practice Manual, Virginia Forms Books, and Virginia CLE Publications, are available for review at the Fairfax Public Law Library.

Enforcement of Spousal Support, Child Support, Child Custody, or Visitation Relating to Divorce

  • Resources, including the Fairfax Circuit Court Practice Manual, Virginia Forms Books, and Virginia CLE Publications, are available for review at the Fairfax Public Law Library.

Adoption

Guardianships and Conservatorships

Fairfax Virtual Assistant