What is Clerk of Court?
Clerk of the Fairfax County Court
The Clerk of the Fairfax County Court serves as the liaison between the court system and constituents. The Clerk is responsible for record-keeping at the court, helping the constituents access public records and their personal documents, and making sure court operations run smoothly, effectively, and efficiently.
The Clerk of Court responsibilities include:
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Criminal cases and appeals, including expungements of criminal charges that did not result in conviction
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Marriage licenses, name changes, divorce proceedings, and adoptions
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Storing ballots securely post-election
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Administering wills and estates
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Running background checks prior to the issuance of concealed handgun permits
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Civil case record-keeping
The officeholder has significant influence over how these record-keeping processes run and how accessible the court’s records are.
The Clerk of the Court makes critical decisions including:
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The level of transparency in record-keeping
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Whether applications, forms, and court date information are accessible online or require in-person visits
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Whether court forms, documents, and assistance are available in languages besides English
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Whether trans and non-binary folks can ensure their government records match their identity and marital status
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Whether people have to appear in person or can pay online to access requested public records and documents
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How quickly background checks and red flag laws are processed
Having a Clerk of the Court committed to transparency, efficiency, and justice is critical to ensure individuals in Fairfax County can effectively exercise their rights.