The order books, dockets and other office books formerly belonging to the several former district courts shall remain in the custody of the Clerk of the Supreme Court. Said Clerk shall furnish transcripts of the records and proceedings of such district courts when required, and perform all other duties in respect to records and proceedings of such district courts as might have been performed by the clerks of such district courts if such courts had continued to exist. All printed and manuscript orders, and other papers pertaining to cases decided in such district courts, shall remain in the custody of the clerks of the circuit courts at the several places where such district courts held their sessions, who shall be charged with the same duties in respect to such records and papers as might have been performed by the clerks of such district courts respectively, if such courts had continued to exist, and who shall receive for any such service fees similar to those charged by the clerks of district courts for such services.
§ 8.01-688.Order books, etc., of former district courts in custody of Clerk of Supreme Court, etc.
Chapter 26.2. Appeals Generally · Article 4. Miscellaneous Provisions · Last amended 1977 · Last verified July 16, 2026
In one sentenceSection 8.01-688 keeps the order books, dockets, and other records of Virginia's former district courts in the custody of the Clerk of the Supreme Court, who must furnish transcripts on request, while related case papers stay with the circuit court clerks at the old district court locations.
Full Text of § 8.01-688
Plain-English Summary
Section 8.01-688 splits custody of Virginia's former district court records between two kinds of officials. The order books, dockets, and other office books that once belonged to the several former district courts remain in the custody of the Clerk of the Supreme Court, who must furnish transcripts of those records and proceedings when required, performing whatever duties concerning them the clerks of those district courts would have performed had the courts continued to exist.
The printed and manuscript orders, and other papers pertaining to cases decided in those former district courts, stay instead with the clerks of the circuit courts at the several places where the district courts once held their sessions. Those circuit court clerks carry the same duties regarding those records and papers that the district court clerks would have carried, and they may charge fees similar to what the district court clerks once charged for the same services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who holds the order books and dockets of Virginia's former district courts?
The Clerk of the Supreme Court.
Can I get a transcript of a former district court's records?
Yes. The Clerk of the Supreme Court furnishes transcripts of the records and proceedings of those district courts when required.
Where are the actual case papers and orders from those former district courts kept?
With the clerks of the circuit courts at the places where the former district courts held their sessions.
What duties do those circuit court clerks have regarding the old papers?
The same duties the former district court clerks would have had in respect to those records and papers, had those courts continued to exist.
Can the circuit court clerk charge a fee for handling these old district court records?
Yes, fees similar to those the district court clerks charged for such services.
Amendment History
Code 1950, § 8-502; 1977, c. 617.
Source & verification. Section text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Code of Virginia, published by the
Code of Virginia, Virginia Division of Legislative Automated Systems. Last verified July 16, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: former district court records virginia8.01-688 order books custody clerkvirginia old district court transcriptscircuit court clerk custody district court papers