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:
-
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:
-
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.