What is Clerk of 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

• Marriage licenses, name changes, divorce proceedings, and adoptions

• Storing ballots securely post-election

• Administering wills and estates

• Running background checks prior to the issuance of concealed handgun permits

• 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

• Whether applications, forms, and court date information are accessible online or require in-person visits

• Whether court forms, documents, and assistance are available in languages besides English

• Whether trans and non-binary folks can ensure their government records match their identity and marital status

• Whether people have to appear in person or can pay online to access requested public records and documents

• 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.