{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/16.1-69.55.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/16.1-69.55.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/16.1-69.55.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/16.1-69.55.html"}],"law_id":68420,"edition_id":1,"section_id":68420,"structure_id":15537,"section_number":"16.1-69.55","catch_line":"Retention of case records; limitations on enforcement of judgments; extensions","history":"1983, c. 499; 1990, c. 258; 1996, c. 463; 2003, c. 126; 2005, c. 135; 2007, cc. 369, 468, 869; 2008, c. 749; 2009, c. 740; 2011, cc. 445, 480; 2013, cc. 187, 377; 2014, c. 287; 2018, c. 128; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 188.","full_text":"A\n\nCriminal and traffic infraction proceedings:1\n\nIn misdemeanor and traffic infraction cases, except misdemeanor cases under § 16.1-253.2, 18.2-57.2, or 18.2-60.4, all documents shall be retained for 10 years, including cases sealed in expungement proceedings under § 19.2-392.2. In misdemeanor cases under § 16.1-253.2, 18.2-57.2, or 18.2-60.4, all documents shall be retained for 20 years. In misdemeanor cases under §§ 18.2-67.4, 18.2-67.4:1, 18.2-67.4:2, 18.2-346, 18.2-346.01, 18.2-347, 18.2-348, 18.2-349, 18.2-370, 18.2-370.01, 18.2-374, 18.2-386.1, 18.2-387, and 18.2-387.1, all documents shall be retained for 50 years. Documents in misdemeanor and traffic infraction cases for which an appeal has been made shall be returned to and filed with the clerk of the appropriate circuit court pursuant to § 16.1-135;2\n\nIn felony cases that are certified to the grand jury, all documents shall be certified to the clerk of the appropriate circuit court pursuant to §§ 19.2-186 and 19.2-190. All other felony case documents shall be handled as provided in subdivision 1;3\n\nDockets and indices shall be retained for 10 years.B\n\nCivil proceedings:1\n\nAll documents in civil proceedings in district court that are dismissed, including dismissal under § 8.01-335, shall be retained until completion of the Commonwealth’s audit of the court records. Notwithstanding § 8.01-275.1, the clerks of the district courts may destroy documents in civil proceedings in which no service of process is had 24 months after the last return date;2\n\nIn civil actions that result in a judgment, all documents in the possession of the general district court shall be retained for 10 years and, unless sooner satisfied, the judgment shall remain in force for a period of 10 years;3\n\nIn civil cases that are appealed to the circuit court pursuant to § 16.1-112, all documents pertaining thereto shall be transferred to the circuit court in accordance with those sections;4\n\nThe limitations on enforcement of general district court judgments provided in § 16.1-94.1 shall not apply if the plaintiff, prior to the expiration of that period for enforcement, pays the circuit court docketing and indexing fees on judgments from other courts together with any other required filing fees and dockets the judgment in the circuit court having jurisdiction in the same geographic area as the general district court. However, a judgment debtor wishing to discharge a judgment pursuant to the provisions of § 8.01-456, when the judgment creditor cannot be located, may, prior to the expiration of that period for enforcement, pay the circuit court docketing and indexing fees on judgments from other courts together with any other required filing fees and docket the judgment in the circuit court having jurisdiction in the same geographic area as the general district court. After the expiration of the period provided in § 16.1-94.1, executions on such docketed civil judgments may issue from the general district court wherein the judgment was obtained upon the filing in the general district court of an abstract from the circuit court. In all other respects, the docketing of a general district court judgment in a circuit court confers upon such judgment the same status as if the judgment were a circuit court judgment;5\n\nDockets for civil cases shall be retained for 10 years;6\n\nIndices in civil cases shall be retained for 10 years.C\n\nJuvenile and domestic relations district court proceedings:1\n\nIn adult criminal cases, all records shall be retained as provided in subdivision A 1;2\n\nIn juvenile cases, all documents and indices shall be governed by the provisions of § 16.1-306;3\n\nIn all cases involving support arising under Title 16.1, 20, or 63.2, all documents and indices shall be retained until the last juvenile involved, if any, has reached 19 years of age and 10 years have elapsed from either dismissal or termination of the case by court order or by operation of law. Financial records in connection with such cases shall be subject to the provisions of § 16.1-69.56;4\n\nIn all cases involving sexually violent offenses, as defined in § 37.2-900, and in all misdemeanor cases under §§ 18.2-67.4, 18.2-67.4:1, 18.2-67.4:2, 18.2-346, 18.2-346.01, 18.2-347, 18.2-348, 18.2-349, 18.2-370, 18.2-370.01, 18.2-374, 18.2-386.1, 18.2-387, and 18.2-387.1, all documents shall be retained for 50 years;5\n\nIn cases transferred to circuit court for trial as an adult or appealed to circuit court, all documents pertaining thereto shall be transferred to circuit court;6\n\nAll dockets in juvenile cases shall be governed by the provisions of subsection F of § 16.1-306.D\n\nAt the direction of the chief judge of a district court, the clerk of that court may cause any or all papers or documents pertaining to civil and criminal cases that have been ended to be destroyed if such records, papers, or documents will no longer have administrative, fiscal, historical, or legal value to warrant continued retention, provided such records, papers, or documents have been microfilmed or converted to an electronic format. Such microfilm and microphotographic processes and equipment shall meet state archival microfilm standards pursuant to § 42.1-82, or such electronic format shall follow state electronic records guidelines, and such records, papers, or documents so converted shall be placed in conveniently accessible files and provisions made for examining and using the same. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to the documents for misdemeanor cases under §§ 16.1-253.2, 18.2-57.2, 18.2-60.4, 18.2-67.4, 18.2-67.4:1, 18.2-67.4:2, 18.2-346, 18.2-346.01, 18.2-347, 18.2-348, 18.2-349, 18.2-370, 18.2-370.01, 18.2-374, 18.2-386.1, 18.2-387, and 18.2-387.1, which shall be retained as provided in subsection A.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":247738,"text":"Criminal and traffic infraction proceedings:","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"A1"},"1":{"id":247739,"text":"In misdemeanor and traffic infraction cases, except misdemeanor cases under § 16.1-253.2, 18.2-57.2, or 18.2-60.4, all documents shall be retained for 10 years, including cases sealed in expungement proceedings under § 19.2-392.2. In misdemeanor cases under § 16.1-253.2, 18.2-57.2, or 18.2-60.4, all documents shall be retained for 20 years. In misdemeanor cases under §§ 18.2-67.4, 18.2-67.4:1, 18.2-67.4:2, 18.2-346, 18.2-346.01, 18.2-347, 18.2-348, 18.2-349, 18.2-370, 18.2-370.01, 18.2-374, 18.2-386.1, 18.2-387, and 18.2-387.1, all documents shall be retained for 50 years. Documents in misdemeanor and traffic infraction cases for which an appeal has been made shall be returned to and filed with the clerk of the appropriate circuit court pursuant to § 16.1-135;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"A1","prefix_anchor":"A1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"A2"},"2":{"id":247740,"text":"In felony cases that are certified to the grand jury, all documents shall be certified to the clerk of the appropriate circuit court pursuant to §§ 19.2-186 and 19.2-190. All other felony case documents shall be handled as provided in subdivision 1;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"A2","prefix_anchor":"A2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A1","next_prefix":"A3"},"3":{"id":247741,"text":"Dockets and indices shall be retained for 10 years.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"A3","prefix_anchor":"A3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A2","next_prefix":"B"},"4":{"id":247742,"text":"Civil proceedings:","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A3","next_prefix":"B1"},"5":{"id":247743,"text":"All documents in civil proceedings in district court that are dismissed, including dismissal under § 8.01-335, shall be retained until completion of the Commonwealth’s audit of the court records. Notwithstanding § 8.01-275.1, the clerks of the district courts may destroy documents in civil proceedings in which no service of process is had 24 months after the last return date;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"B1","prefix_anchor":"B1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"B2"},"6":{"id":247744,"text":"In civil actions that result in a judgment, all documents in the possession of the general district court shall be retained for 10 years and, unless sooner satisfied, the judgment shall remain in force for a period of 10 years;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"B2","prefix_anchor":"B2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B1","next_prefix":"B3"},"7":{"id":247745,"text":"In civil cases that are appealed to the circuit court pursuant to § 16.1-112, all documents pertaining thereto shall be transferred to the circuit court in accordance with those sections;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"B3","prefix_anchor":"B3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B2","next_prefix":"B4"},"8":{"id":247746,"text":"The limitations on enforcement of general district court judgments provided in § 16.1-94.1 shall not apply if the plaintiff, prior to the expiration of that period for enforcement, pays the circuit court docketing and indexing fees on judgments from other courts together with any other required filing fees and dockets the judgment in the circuit court having jurisdiction in the same geographic area as the general district court. However, a judgment debtor wishing to discharge a judgment pursuant to the provisions of § 8.01-456, when the judgment creditor cannot be located, may, prior to the expiration of that period for enforcement, pay the circuit court docketing and indexing fees on judgments from other courts together with any other required filing fees and docket the judgment in the circuit court having jurisdiction in the same geographic area as the general district court. After the expiration of the period provided in § 16.1-94.1, executions on such docketed civil judgments may issue from the general district court wherein the judgment was obtained upon the filing in the general district court of an abstract from the circuit court. In all other respects, the docketing of a general district court judgment in a circuit court confers upon such judgment the same status as if the judgment were a circuit court judgment;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"B4","prefix_anchor":"B4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B3","next_prefix":"B5"},"9":{"id":247747,"text":"Dockets for civil cases shall be retained for 10 years;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"B5","prefix_anchor":"B5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B4","next_prefix":"B6"},"10":{"id":247748,"text":"Indices in civil cases shall be retained for 10 years.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"B6","prefix_anchor":"B6","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B5","next_prefix":"C"},"11":{"id":247749,"text":"Juvenile and domestic relations district court proceedings:","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B6","next_prefix":"C1"},"12":{"id":247750,"text":"In adult criminal cases, all records shall be retained as provided in subdivision A 1;","type":"section","prefixes":["C","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"C1","prefix_anchor":"C1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"C2"},"13":{"id":247751,"text":"In juvenile cases, all documents and indices shall be governed by the provisions of § 16.1-306;","type":"section","prefixes":["C","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"C2","prefix_anchor":"C2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C1","next_prefix":"C3"},"14":{"id":247752,"text":"In all cases involving support arising under Title 16.1, 20, or 63.2, all documents and indices shall be retained until the last juvenile involved, if any, has reached 19 years of age and 10 years have elapsed from either dismissal or termination of the case by court order or by operation of law. Financial records in connection with such cases shall be subject to the provisions of § 16.1-69.56;","type":"section","prefixes":["C","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"C3","prefix_anchor":"C3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C2","next_prefix":"C4"},"15":{"id":247753,"text":"In all cases involving sexually violent offenses, as defined in § 37.2-900, and in all misdemeanor cases under §§ 18.2-67.4, 18.2-67.4:1, 18.2-67.4:2, 18.2-346, 18.2-346.01, 18.2-347, 18.2-348, 18.2-349, 18.2-370, 18.2-370.01, 18.2-374, 18.2-386.1, 18.2-387, and 18.2-387.1, all documents shall be retained for 50 years;","type":"section","prefixes":["C","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"C4","prefix_anchor":"C4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C3","next_prefix":"C5"},"16":{"id":247754,"text":"In cases transferred to circuit court for trial as an adult or appealed to circuit court, all documents pertaining thereto shall be transferred to circuit court;","type":"section","prefixes":["C","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"C5","prefix_anchor":"C5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C4","next_prefix":"C6"},"17":{"id":247755,"text":"All dockets in juvenile cases shall be governed by the provisions of subsection F of § 16.1-306.","type":"section","prefixes":["C","6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"C6","prefix_anchor":"C6","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C5","next_prefix":"D"},"18":{"id":247756,"text":"At the direction of the chief judge of a district court, the clerk of that court may cause any or all papers or documents pertaining to civil and criminal cases that have been ended to be destroyed if such records, papers, or documents will no longer have administrative, fiscal, historical, or legal value to warrant continued retention, provided such records, papers, or documents have been microfilmed or converted to an electronic format. Such microfilm and microphotographic processes and equipment shall meet state archival microfilm standards pursuant to § 42.1-82, or such electronic format shall follow state electronic records guidelines, and such records, papers, or documents so converted shall be placed in conveniently accessible files and provisions made for examining and using the same. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to the documents for misdemeanor cases under §§ 16.1-253.2, 18.2-57.2, 18.2-60.4, 18.2-67.4, 18.2-67.4:1, 18.2-67.4:2, 18.2-346, 18.2-346.01, 18.2-347, 18.2-348, 18.2-349, 18.2-370, 18.2-370.01, 18.2-374, 18.2-386.1, 18.2-387, and 18.2-387.1, which shall be retained as provided in subsection A.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C6"}},"ancestry":[{"id":15537,"edition_id":1,"name":"Retention and Disposition of District Court Records","identifier":"6","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13142,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:56:08","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:56:08","permalink":{"id":162333,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15537,"identifier":"6","token":"16.1\/4.1\/6","url":"\/16.1\/4.1\/6\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13142,"edition_id":1,"name":"District Courts","identifier":"4.1","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12700,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:21","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:21","permalink":{"id":161993,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13142,"identifier":"4.1","token":"16.1\/4.1","url":"\/16.1\/4.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12700,"edition_id":1,"name":"Courts Not of Record","identifier":"16.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":160919,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12700,"identifier":"16.1","token":"16.1","url":"\/16.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":59268,"structure_id":15537,"section_number":"16.1-69.53","catch_line":"Definitions; construction of references to period of years","url":"\/16.1-69.53\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/6\/16.1-69.53","metadata":false},{"id":74208,"structure_id":15537,"section_number":"16.1-69.54","catch_line":"General provisions","url":"\/16.1-69.54\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/6\/16.1-69.54","metadata":false},{"id":65286,"structure_id":15537,"section_number":"16.1-69.54:1","catch_line":"Request for district court records","url":"\/16.1-69.54_1\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/6\/16.1-69.54_1","metadata":false},{"id":68420,"structure_id":15537,"section_number":"16.1-69.55","catch_line":"Retention of case records; limitations on enforcement of judgments; extensions","url":"\/16.1-69.55\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/6\/16.1-69.55","metadata":false},{"id":59876,"structure_id":15537,"section_number":"16.1-69.56","catch_line":"Retention of financial and administrative records","url":"\/16.1-69.56\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/6\/16.1-69.56","metadata":false},{"id":80700,"structure_id":15537,"section_number":"16.1-69.57","catch_line":"Destruction of court records","url":"\/16.1-69.57\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/6\/16.1-69.57","metadata":false},{"id":74109,"structure_id":15537,"section_number":"16.1-69.58","catch_line":"Processing, retention and reproduction of court records; retention and destruction of records in which final disposition was entered before January 1, 1985","url":"\/16.1-69.58\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/6\/16.1-69.58","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":65286,"structure_id":15537,"section_number":"16.1-69.54:1","catch_line":"Request for district court records","url":"\/16.1-69.54_1\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/6\/16.1-69.54_1","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":59876,"structure_id":15537,"section_number":"16.1-69.56","catch_line":"Retention of financial and administrative records","url":"\/16.1-69.56\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/6\/16.1-69.56","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/16.1-69.55\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1983. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 499 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1983 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 11 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1990, chapter 258; in 1996, chapter 463<\/a>; in 2003, chapter 126<\/a>; in 2005, chapter 135<\/a>; in 2007, chapters 369<\/a>, 468<\/a>, and 869<\/a>; in 2008, chapter 749<\/a>; in 2009, chapter 740<\/a>; in 2011, chapters 445<\/a> and 480<\/a>; in 2013, chapters 187<\/a> and 377<\/a>; in 2014, chapter 287<\/a>; in 2018, chapter 128<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":54192,"section_number":"16.1-117","catch_line":"When papers in civil cases in certain municipal courts may be destroyed","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-117\/"},{"id":86399,"section_number":"16.1-118","catch_line":"When papers in civil cases returned to courts of record may be destroyed","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-118\/"},{"id":78717,"section_number":"16.1-118.1","catch_line":"Destruction of papers in civil cases in certain district courts","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-118.1\/"},{"id":66357,"section_number":"16.1-306","catch_line":"Expungement of court records","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-306\/"},{"id":80700,"section_number":"16.1-69.57","catch_line":"Destruction of court records","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-69.57\/"},{"id":86540,"section_number":"16.1-94.1","catch_line":"Limitations on enforcement of district court judgments","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-94.1\/"},{"id":57149,"section_number":"46.2-417","catch_line":"Suspension for failure to satisfy motor vehicle accident judgment; exceptions; insurance in liquidated company; insurer obligated to pay judgment","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-417\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":79859,"section_number":"16.1-112","catch_line":"All papers transmitted to appellate court; further proceedings","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-112\/"},{"id":55218,"section_number":"16.1-135","catch_line":"Bail and recognizance; papers filed with circuit court","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-135\/"},{"id":82642,"section_number":"16.1-253.2","catch_line":"Violation of provisions of protective orders; penalties","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-253.2\/"},{"id":66357,"section_number":"16.1-306","catch_line":"Expungement of court records","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-306\/"},{"id":59876,"section_number":"16.1-69.56","catch_line":"Retention of financial and administrative records","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-69.56\/"},{"id":86540,"section_number":"16.1-94.1","catch_line":"Limitations on enforcement of district court judgments","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-94.1\/"},{"id":79810,"section_number":"18.2-346","catch_line":"Prostitution; commercial sexual conduct; penalties","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-346\/"},{"id":57611,"section_number":"18.2-346.01","catch_line":"Prostitution; solicitation; commercial exploitation of a minor; penalties","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-346.01\/"},{"id":85705,"section_number":"18.2-347","catch_line":"Keeping, residing in, or frequenting a bawdy place; \"bawdy place\" defined; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-347\/"},{"id":83161,"section_number":"18.2-348","catch_line":"Aiding prostitution or illicit sexual intercourse, etc.; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-348\/"},{"id":85342,"section_number":"18.2-349","catch_line":"Using vehicles to promote prostitution or unlawful sexual intercourse; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-349\/"},{"id":60265,"section_number":"18.2-370","catch_line":"Taking indecent liberties with children; penalties","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-370\/"},{"id":62948,"section_number":"18.2-370.01","catch_line":"Indecent liberties by children; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-370.01\/"},{"id":82506,"section_number":"18.2-374","catch_line":"Production, publication, sale, possession, etc., of obscene items","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-374\/"},{"id":79274,"section_number":"18.2-386.1","catch_line":"Unlawful creation of image of another; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-386.1\/"},{"id":68125,"section_number":"18.2-387","catch_line":"Indecent exposure","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-387\/"},{"id":80972,"section_number":"18.2-387.1","catch_line":"Obscene sexual display; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-387.1\/"},{"id":72208,"section_number":"18.2-57.2","catch_line":"Assault and battery against a family or household member; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-57.2\/"},{"id":86834,"section_number":"18.2-60.4","catch_line":"Violation of protective orders; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-60.4\/"},{"id":67699,"section_number":"18.2-67.4","catch_line":"Sexual battery","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-67.4\/"},{"id":64369,"section_number":"18.2-67.4:1","catch_line":"Infected sexual battery; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-67.4_1\/"},{"id":70257,"section_number":"18.2-67.4:2","catch_line":"Sexual abuse of a child under 15 years of age; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-67.4_2\/"},{"id":79502,"section_number":"19.2-186","catch_line":"When accused to be discharged, tried, committed or bailed by judge","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-186\/"},{"id":81953,"section_number":"19.2-190","catch_line":"To whom, and when, examination and recognizance to be certified","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-190\/"},{"id":77838,"section_number":"19.2-392.2","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Expungement of police and court records","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-392.2\/"},{"id":55224,"section_number":"37.2-900","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/37.2-900\/"},{"id":73353,"section_number":"42.1-82","catch_line":"Duties and powers of Library Board","order_by":null,"url":"\/42.1-82\/"},{"id":73252,"section_number":"8.01-275.1","catch_line":"When service of process is timely","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-275.1\/"},{"id":81821,"section_number":"8.01-335","catch_line":"Certain cases struck from dockets after certain period; reinstatement","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-335\/"},{"id":65562,"section_number":"8.01-456","catch_line":"Satisfaction of judgment when judgment creditor cannot be located","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-456\/"}],"permalink":{"id":162347,"object_type":"law","relational_id":68420,"identifier":"16.1-69.55","token":"16.1\/4.1\/6\/16.1-69.55","url":"\/16.1-69.55\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/16.1-69.55\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/6\/16.1-69.55","dublin_core":{"Title":"Retention of case records; limitations on enforcement of judgments; extensions","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 16.1-69.55","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Criminal and traffic infraction proceedings: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> In misdemeanor<\/span> and traffic infraction cases, except misdemeanor<\/span> cases under § 16.1-253.2<\/a>, 18.2-57.2<\/a>, or 18.2-60.4<\/a>, all documents<\/span> shall be retained for 10 years, including cases sealed<\/span> in expungement proceedings under § 19.2-392.2<\/a>. In misdemeanor<\/span> cases under § 16.1-253.2<\/a>, 18.2-57.2<\/a>, or 18.2-60.4<\/a>, all documents<\/span> shall be retained for 20 years. In misdemeanor<\/span> cases under §§ 18.2-67.4<\/a>, 18.2-67.4:1<\/a>, 18.2-67.4:2<\/a>, 18.2-346<\/a>, 18.2-346.01<\/a>, 18.2-347<\/a>, 18.2-348<\/a>, 18.2-349<\/a>, 18.2-370<\/a>, 18.2-370.01<\/a>, 18.2-374<\/a>, 18.2-386.1<\/a>, 18.2-387<\/a>, and 18.2-387.1<\/a>, all documents<\/span> shall be retained for 50 years. Documents<\/span> in misdemeanor<\/span> and traffic infraction cases for which an appeal<\/span> has been made shall be returned to and filed with the clerk of the appropriate circuit<\/span> court<\/span> pursuant to § 16.1-135<\/a>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> In felony<\/span> cases that are certified to the grand jury<\/span>, all documents<\/span> shall be certified to the clerk of the appropriate circuit<\/span> court<\/span> pursuant to §§ 19.2-186<\/a> and 19.2-190<\/a>. All other felony<\/span> case documents<\/span> shall be handled as provided in subdivision 1; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Dockets<\/span> and indices shall be retained for 10 years. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Civil proceedings: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> All documents<\/span> in civil proceedings in district court that are dismissed, including dismissal<\/span> under § 8.01-335<\/a>, shall be retained until completion of the Commonwealth’s audit of the court records<\/span>. Notwithstanding § 8.01-275.1<\/a>, the clerks of the district courts<\/span> may destroy documents<\/span> in civil proceedings in which no service of process<\/span> is had 24 months after the last return date; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> In civil actions<\/span> that result in a judgment<\/span>, all documents<\/span> in the possession<\/span> of the general district court shall be retained for 10 years and, unless sooner satisfied, the judgment<\/span> shall remain in force for a period of 10 years; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> In civil cases that are appealed to the circuit<\/span> court pursuant to § 16.1-112<\/a>, all documents<\/span> pertaining thereto shall be transferred to the circuit<\/span> court in accordance with those sections; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> The limitations on enforcement of general district court judgments<\/span> provided in § 16.1-94.1<\/a> shall not apply if the plaintiff<\/span>, prior to the expiration of that period for enforcement, pays the circuit<\/span> court docketing and indexing fees on judgments<\/span> from other courts<\/span> together with any other required filing fees and dockets<\/span> the judgment in the circuit<\/span> court having jurisdiction<\/span> in the same geographic area as the general district court. However, a judgment debtor<\/span> wishing to discharge a judgment pursuant to the provisions of § 8.01-456<\/a>, when the judgment creditor<\/span> cannot be located, may, prior to the expiration of that period for enforcement, pay the circuit<\/span> court docketing and indexing fees on judgments<\/span> from other courts<\/span> together with any other required filing fees and docket<\/span> the judgment in the circuit<\/span> court having jurisdiction<\/span> in the same geographic area as the general district court. After the expiration of the period provided in § 16.1-94.1<\/a>, executions on such docketed civil judgments<\/span> may issue<\/span> from the general district court wherein the judgment was obtained upon the filing in the general district court of an abstract from the circuit<\/span> court. In all other respects, the docketing of a general district court judgment in a circuit<\/span> court confers upon such judgment the same status as if the judgment were a circuit<\/span> court judgment; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> Dockets<\/span> for civil cases shall be retained for 10 years; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> Indices in civil cases shall be retained for 10 years. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Juvenile and domestic relations district court proceedings: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> In adult criminal cases, all records shall be retained as provided in subdivision A 1; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> In juvenile cases, all documents<\/span> and indices shall be governed by the provisions of § 16.1-306<\/a>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> In all cases involving support arising under Title 16.1, 20, or 63.2, all documents<\/span> and indices shall be retained until the last juvenile involved, if any, has reached 19 years of age and 10 years have elapsed from either dismissal<\/span> or termination of the case by court order<\/span> or by operation of law<\/span>. Financial records<\/span> in connection with such cases shall be subject to the provisions of § 16.1-69.56<\/a>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> In all cases involving sexually violent offenses<\/span>, as defined in § 37.2-900<\/a>, and in all misdemeanor<\/span> cases under §§ 18.2-67.4<\/a>, 18.2-67.4:1<\/a>, 18.2-67.4:2<\/a>, 18.2-346<\/a>, 18.2-346.01<\/a>, 18.2-347<\/a>, 18.2-348<\/a>, 18.2-349<\/a>, 18.2-370<\/a>, 18.2-370.01<\/a>, 18.2-374<\/a>, 18.2-386.1<\/a>, 18.2-387<\/a>, and 18.2-387.1<\/a>, all documents<\/span> shall be retained for 50 years; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> In cases transferred to circuit<\/span> court for trial<\/span> as an adult or appealed to circuit<\/span> court, all documents<\/span> pertaining thereto shall be transferred to circuit<\/span> court; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> All dockets<\/span> in juvenile cases shall be governed by the provisions of subsection F of § 16.1-306<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> At the direction of the chief judge<\/span> of a district court, the clerk of that court may cause any or all papers or documents<\/span> pertaining to civil and criminal cases that have been ended to be destroyed if such records, papers, or documents<\/span> will no longer have administrative, fiscal, historical, or legal value to warrant continued retention, provided such records, papers, or documents<\/span> have been microfilmed or converted to an electronic format. Such microfilm and microphotographic processes and equipment shall meet state archival microfilm standards pursuant to § 42.1-82<\/a>, or such electronic format shall follow state electronic records guidelines, and such records, papers, or documents<\/span> so converted shall be placed in conveniently accessible files and provisions made for examining and using the same. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to the documents<\/span> for misdemeanor<\/span> cases under §§ 16.1-253.2<\/a>, 18.2-57.2<\/a>, 18.2-60.4<\/a>, 18.2-67.4<\/a>, 18.2-67.4:1<\/a>, 18.2-67.4:2<\/a>, 18.2-346<\/a>, 18.2-346.01<\/a>, 18.2-347<\/a>, 18.2-348<\/a>, 18.2-349<\/a>, 18.2-370<\/a>, 18.2-370.01<\/a>, 18.2-374<\/a>, 18.2-386.1<\/a>, 18.2-387<\/a>, and 18.2-387.1<\/a>, which shall be retained as provided in subsection A. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nRETENTION OF CASE RECORDS; LIMITATIONS ON ENFORCEMENT OF JUDGMENTS; EXTENSIONS\n(\u00a7 16.1-69.55)\n\nA. Criminal and traffic infraction proceedings:\n\n 1. In misdemeanor and traffic infraction cases, except misdemeanor cases under\n § 16.1-253.2, 18.2-57.2, or 18.2-60.4, all documents shall be retained\n for 10 years, including cases sealed in expungement proceedings under §\n 19.2-392.2. In misdemeanor cases under § 16.1-253.2, 18.2-57.2, or\n 18.2-60.4, all documents shall be retained for 20 years. In misdemeanor cases\n under §§ 18.2-67.4, 18.2-67.4:1, 18.2-67.4:2, 18.2-346, 18.2-346.01,\n 18.2-347, 18.2-348, 18.2-349, 18.2-370, 18.2-370.01, 18.2-374, 18.2-386.1,\n 18.2-387, and 18.2-387.1, all documents shall be retained for 50 years.\n Documents in misdemeanor and traffic infraction cases for which an appeal has\n been made shall be returned to and filed with the clerk of the appropriate\n circuit court pursuant to § 16.1-135;\n\n 2. In felony cases that are certified to the grand jury, all documents shall\n be certified to the clerk of the appropriate circuit court pursuant to\n §§ 19.2-186 and 19.2-190. All other felony case documents shall be\n handled as provided in subdivision 1;\n\n 3. Dockets and indices shall be retained for 10 years.\n\nB. Civil proceedings:\n\n 1. All documents in civil proceedings in district court that are dismissed,\n including dismissal under § 8.01-335, shall be retained until completion\n of the Commonwealth’s audit of the court records. Notwithstanding §\n 8.01-275.1, the clerks of the district courts may destroy documents in civil\n proceedings in which no service of process is had 24 months after the last\n return date;\n\n 2. In civil actions that result in a judgment, all documents in the possession\n of the general district court shall be retained for 10 years and, unless\n sooner satisfied, the judgment shall remain in force for a period of 10 years;\n\n 3. In civil cases that are appealed to the circuit court pursuant to §\n 16.1-112, all documents pertaining thereto shall be transferred to the circuit\n court in accordance with those sections;\n\n 4. The limitations on enforcement of general district court judgments provided\n in § 16.1-94.1 shall not apply if the plaintiff, prior to the expiration\n of that period for enforcement, pays the circuit court docketing and indexing\n fees on judgments from other courts together with any other required filing\n fees and dockets the judgment in the circuit court having jurisdiction in the\n same geographic area as the general district court. However, a judgment debtor\n wishing to discharge a judgment pursuant to the provisions of § 8.01-456,\n when the judgment creditor cannot be located, may, prior to the expiration of\n that period for enforcement, pay the circuit court docketing and indexing fees\n on judgments from other courts together with any other required filing fees\n and docket the judgment in the circuit court having jurisdiction in the same\n geographic area as the general district court. After the expiration of the\n period provided in § 16.1-94.1, executions on such docketed civil\n judgments may issue from the general district court wherein the judgment was\n obtained upon the filing in the general district court of an abstract from the\n circuit court. In all other respects, the docketing of a general district\n court judgment in a circuit court confers upon such judgment the same status\n as if the judgment were a circuit court judgment;\n\n 5. Dockets for civil cases shall be retained for 10 years;\n\n 6. Indices in civil cases shall be retained for 10 years.\n\nC. Juvenile and domestic relations district court proceedings:\n\n 1. In adult criminal cases, all records shall be retained as provided in\n subdivision A 1;\n\n 2. In juvenile cases, all documents and indices shall be governed by the\n provisions of § 16.1-306;\n\n 3. In all cases involving support arising under Title 16.1, 20, or 63.2, all\n documents and indices shall be retained until the last juvenile involved, if\n any, has reached 19 years of age and 10 years have elapsed from either\n dismissal or termination of the case by court order or by operation of law.\n Financial records in connection with such cases shall be subject to the\n provisions of § 16.1-69.56;\n\n 4. In all cases involving sexually violent offenses, as defined in §\n 37.2-900, and in all misdemeanor cases under §§ 18.2-67.4,\n 18.2-67.4:1, 18.2-67.4:2, 18.2-346, 18.2-346.01, 18.2-347, 18.2-348, 18.2-349,\n 18.2-370, 18.2-370.01, 18.2-374, 18.2-386.1, 18.2-387, and 18.2-387.1, all\n documents shall be retained for 50 years;\n\n 5. In cases transferred to circuit court for trial as an adult or appealed to\n circuit court, all documents pertaining thereto shall be transferred to\n circuit court;\n\n 6. All dockets in juvenile cases shall be governed by the provisions of\n subsection F of § 16.1-306.\n\nD. At the direction of the chief judge of a district court, the clerk of that\ncourt may cause any or all papers or documents pertaining to civil and criminal\ncases that have been ended to be destroyed if such records, papers, or documents\nwill no longer have administrative, fiscal, historical, or legal value to\nwarrant continued retention, provided such records, papers, or documents have\nbeen microfilmed or converted to an electronic format. Such microfilm and\nmicrophotographic processes and equipment shall meet state archival microfilm\nstandards pursuant to § 42.1-82, or such electronic format shall follow\nstate electronic records guidelines, and such records, papers, or documents so\nconverted shall be placed in conveniently accessible files and provisions made\nfor examining and using the same. The provisions of this subsection shall not\napply to the documents for misdemeanor cases under §§ 16.1-253.2,\n18.2-57.2, 18.2-60.4, 18.2-67.4, 18.2-67.4:1, 18.2-67.4:2, 18.2-346,\n18.2-346.01, 18.2-347, 18.2-348, 18.2-349, 18.2-370, 18.2-370.01, 18.2-374,\n18.2-386.1, 18.2-387, and 18.2-387.1, which shall be retained as provided in\nsubsection A.\n\nHISTORY: 1983, c. 499; 1990, c. 258; 1996, c. 463; 2003, c. 126; 2005, c. 135;\n2007, cc. 369, 468, 869; 2008, c. 749; 2009, c. 740; 2011, cc. 445, 480; 2013,\ncc. 187, 377; 2014, c. 287; 2018, c. 128; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 188.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}