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Alleghany County, VA Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Alleghany County information |
|---|---|
| Court | Alleghany Circuit Court, Clerk of the Circuit Court |
| Courthouse address | 266 West Main Street, Covington, VA 24426 |
| Mailing address | P.O. Box 670, Courthouse, Covington, VA 24426-0670 |
| Phone | (540) 965-1730. The Judiciary page does not publish a separate probate line. |
| Fax | (540) 965-1732 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. No separate lunch closure or probate intake cutoff is published. |
| Probate tax and fees | State probate tax: under the 2003 effective schedule in Va. Code § 58.1-1712, estates of $15,000 or less pay no tax, and larger estates pay 10 cents per $100 of value. A locality may impose a local probate tax equal to one-third of the state tax under Va. Code § 58.1-1718, so ask the clerk whether Alleghany County imposes it when you schedule or arrive. |
| Local forms | Use the statewide Virginia Circuit Court CC forms. Ask the clerk whether any local cover sheet is needed for your appointment. |
| E-filing status | Probate qualification for a self-represented family member is handled through the clerk's office. No Alleghany County remote or electronic qualification practice is published. |
| Case access | OCIS is not an estate-file system. Will-book records are handled by the clerk's office, and no Alleghany County public estate-file portal is published. |
| Remote appearance | No Alleghany-specific remote qualification rule is published. Virginia circuit courts may allow remote participation in civil proceedings at the court's discretion (Va. Code § 17.1-513.2), but qualification is normally handled with the clerk. |
| Website | https://www.vacourts.gov/courts/circuit/alleghany/home |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you contact the Alleghany County clerk, make a working inventory of the decedent's assets, debts, real estate, accounts, beneficiaries, and possible creditors. Virginia qualification depends on what needs to be collected or sold, whether there is a will, who has priority to serve, and whether a bank or other holder will accept a non-qualification option.
Sunset's estate settlement tools help families search across more than 2,300 financial institutions for accounts and assets, then organize what you find into the information the clerk and commissioner of accounts will need.
Which court handles jurisdiction
File an Alleghany County estate at the Alleghany Circuit Court clerk's office in Covington if the decedent had a known place of residence in Alleghany County (Va. Code § 64.2-443). If the decedent moved to a nursing home or similar facility because of advanced age or impaired health, Virginia presumes the prior legal residence remains the residence for venue unless that presumption is rebutted (§ 64.2-443).
The same Covington courthouse counter also serves the City of Covington, which is a separate independent city. Alleghany County matters and City of Covington matters use the same clerk's office, but they are separate jurisdictions.
The jurisdiction process
- Collect the original will if there is one, the death certificate, names and addresses of heirs and beneficiaries, asset information, debt information, and any real estate information before you call or visit the clerk.
- Prepare the Virginia statewide forms that fit the situation, often including CC-1650, CC-1611, and CC-1651 if the probate tax return is required under Va. Code § 58.1-1714.
- Contact or go to the Clerk of the Circuit Court at 266 West Main Street in Covington. The published phone number is (540) 965-1730, and the published hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- At the clerk's office, offer the will for probate if there is one and apply to qualify, which is Virginia's word for being appointed and sworn in as personal representative. The clerk or a deputy clerk may admit the will, appoint and qualify the personal representative, and take the required bond (Va. Code § 64.2-444).
- Pay the state probate tax and clerk fees that apply. Under the 2003 effective schedule in Va. Code § 58.1-1712, estates of $15,000 or less pay no state probate tax, and larger estates pay 10 cents per $100 of value. A locality may add a local probate tax equal to one-third of the state tax under Va. Code § 58.1-1718, so ask the clerk whether Alleghany County imposes that local charge.
- After qualification, obtain the certificate of qualification, CC-1625, which is the authority document banks and other institutions usually request (Va. Code § 64.2-506).
- Send the required notice of probate or qualification to the people entitled to notice within 30 days, then record the affidavit of notice within four months as required by Va. Code § 64.2-508.
- Work with the commissioner of accounts, not the clerk, for fiduciary supervision after qualification. The Alleghany commissioner of accounts office listed by the Judiciary roster is in Covington at 251 West Riverside Street, P.O. Box 510, Covington, VA 24426, phone (540) 962-4986.
- Return the inventory to the commissioner of accounts within four months after the order conferring authority (Va. Code § 64.2-1300). If an account is required, the first account is due within 16 months from qualification and covers the first 12 months (§ 64.2-1304).
- Finish administration, address creditor issues, distribute according to the will or Virginia law, and close the estate settlement through the commissioner of accounts process or another Virginia closing route that fits the estate.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Alleghany County
Virginia uses statewide Circuit Court CC forms rather than a county-only probate packet. The Alleghany Circuit Court Judiciary page does not publish an Alleghany-specific probate packet, so use the statewide forms and ask the clerk whether any local cover sheet is needed for your appointment.
| Form | Use |
|---|---|
| CC-1650, Probate Information Form | Basic information the clerk uses at the probate or qualification appointment. |
| CC-1651, Probate Tax Return | Used when required by Va. Code § 58.1-1714. |
| CC-1611, List of Heirs | Filed at qualification or when a will is presented without qualification (Va. Code § 64.2-509). |
| CC-1610, Consent of Nonresident Fiduciary for Service of Process | Used when a non-Virginia resident qualifies as personal representative (Va. Code § 64.2-1426). |
| CC-1625, Certificate / Letter of Qualification | The authority document issued after qualification (Va. Code § 64.2-506). |
| CC-1670, Inventory of Decedent's Estate | Returned to the commissioner of accounts within four months after the order conferring authority (Va. Code § 64.2-1300). |
| CC-1680, Account for Decedent's Estate | Used when an account is required. The first account is due within 16 months from qualification under Va. Code § 64.2-1304. |
| CC-1685, Small Estate Affidavit | For the Virginia Small Estate Act path when the entire personal probate estate fits the $75,000 ceiling effective July 1, 2025 under Va. Code §§ 64.2-600 and 64.2-601. This affidavit is given to the asset holder, not opened as a court case. |
| CC-1686 and CC-1687 | Used only if the personal representative chooses the optional creditor notice process under Va. Code § 64.2-508.1. |
Statewide forms are available at https://www.vacourts.gov/forms/home and https://selfhelp.vacourts.gov/page/37/probate-forms.
Local nuance
Alleghany County-specific considerations
| Local point | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Courthouse in Covington | The Alleghany County clerk's probate counter is at 266 West Main Street in Covington, with mailing at P.O. Box 670, Courthouse, Covington, VA 24426-0670. |
| Shared counter with the City of Covington | The same Clerk of the Circuit Court serves Alleghany County and the separate City of Covington. Do not treat a City of Covington estate as an Alleghany County estate, even though the counter is the same. |
| Clifton Forge | Clifton Forge is a town within Alleghany County, not a separate independent city probate jurisdiction. |
| Commissioner of accounts in Covington | The Judiciary roster lists the Alleghany commissioner of accounts office in Covington at 251 West Riverside Street, P.O. Box 510, Covington, VA 24426, phone (540) 962-4986. |
Recent updates
Scenarios
| Situation | Likely Alleghany County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with co-owned home | Start by identifying whether anything actually needs qualification. If the home passed outside administration by title and there are few probate assets, the spouse may only need clerk recording steps or a non-qualification route. If the will must be admitted or assets must be collected, contact the Alleghany clerk in Covington. | Sunset helps organize accounts, real estate information, beneficiary information, debts, and documents so the spouse can see whether full estate settlement is needed. |
| Out-of-state adult child with small estate | If the personal probate estate is within the $75,000 ceiling effective July 1, 2025 under Va. Code §§ 64.2-600 and 64.2-601, CC-1685 may allow collection from asset holders after the statutory waiting period without qualification. If qualification is needed, a nonresident fiduciary signs CC-1610 and should expect bond and surety questions under Va. Code § 64.2-1426. | Sunset helps find accounts before the child chooses between the small-estate affidavit route and qualification, and can connect the family with a Virginia probate attorney if the institution will not accept the paperwork. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | If the estate must sell real estate and a personal representative needs authority, call the Alleghany clerk about qualification in Covington. After qualification, the inventory and any account go to the commissioner of accounts, whose listed office is also in Covington. | Sunset helps gather title, mortgage, account, debt, and beneficiary information for the probate packet and the later commissioner of accounts filings. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | What it helps with | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Alleghany Circuit Court | Local clerk address, phone, fax, hours, judges, and court information for Alleghany County and the City of Covington. | https://www.vacourts.gov/courts/circuit/alleghany/home |
| Virginia Judiciary commissioners of accounts directory | Find the commissioner of accounts for Alleghany County and statewide commissioner resources. | https://www.vacourts.gov/courts/circuit/resources/coa/home |
| Virginia Circuit Court forms | Statewide CC probate and fiduciary forms. | https://www.vacourts.gov/forms/home |
| Virginia Judiciary probate forms self-help page | Direct access to common probate forms for Virginia estates. | https://selfhelp.vacourts.gov/page/37/probate-forms |
| Blue Ridge Legal Services, Lexington office | General civil legal aid for Alleghany County through the Lexington office. Its listed services do not include probate or estate administration. | https://brls.org/lexington-office/ |
When to hire an attorney
Consider a Virginia probate attorney if the will is contested, heirs disagree, a nonresident fiduciary faces bond issues, real estate must be sold, creditor claims are disputed, or the commissioner of accounts asks for filings you are not comfortable preparing. Sunset connects families with a vetted attorney when legal help is the right next step.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches across more than 2,300 financial institutions and helps families organize what they find for Alleghany County estate settlement.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the asset list, family information, will details, and debt information into a clearer packet for the clerk appointment and the commissioner of accounts process.
Find a local probate attorney. If the estate needs legal help, Sunset can connect the family with a vetted Virginia probate attorney who understands qualification, nonresident fiduciary issues, creditor questions, and commissioner of accounts filings.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to understand the estate settlement process, organize documents, and decide what to do next without paying Sunset.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate for an Alleghany County resident?
Use the Clerk of the Circuit Court at the Alleghany Circuit Court, 266 West Main Street, Covington, VA 24426. Virginia venue starts in the circuit court for the county or city where the decedent had a known place of residence (Va. Code § 64.2-443).
Does the Alleghany County clerk also serve the City of Covington?
Yes. The same clerk's office at the Covington courthouse serves Alleghany County and the separate City of Covington. A City of Covington estate is still a City of Covington matter, not an Alleghany County matter.
Do I need an appointment with the Alleghany County clerk?
The Alleghany Circuit Court Judiciary page publishes the clerk's phone number and hours but does not publish a probate appointment rule. Call (540) 965-1730 before you go, especially if you need to qualify as personal representative.
Can I use VJEFS for an Alleghany County probate qualification?
No Alleghany-specific electronic qualification practice is published. Virginia's attorney e-filing system is for qualifying users and civil filings, while a family member's probate qualification is handled through the clerk's office.
Does OCIS show Alleghany County estate files?
OCIS is not an estate-file system. For a recorded will, list of heirs, or other will-book record, contact the Alleghany Circuit Court clerk's office.
Are there Alleghany County probate forms?
Use the statewide Virginia Circuit Court CC forms. The clerk's Judiciary page does not publish an Alleghany-only probate packet, so ask the clerk whether any local cover sheet is needed for your appointment.
What charges should I expect at the clerk's office?
The state probate tax uses the 2003 effective schedule in Va. Code § 58.1-1712: estates of $15,000 or less pay no state probate tax, and larger estates pay 10 cents per $100 of value. A locality may impose a local probate tax equal to one-third of the state tax under Va. Code § 58.1-1718, so ask the clerk whether Alleghany County imposes it.
Where do I send the inventory and account after qualification?
Those fiduciary filings go to the commissioner of accounts, not to the clerk. The Judiciary roster lists the Alleghany commissioner of accounts office at 251 West Riverside Street, P.O. Box 510, Covington, VA 24426, phone (540) 962-4986.
Do I have to travel to Covington if I live out of state?
The clerk's page does not publish a remote qualification option. A non-Virginia resident can serve, but must file the written consent to service of process, CC-1610, and should expect bond and surety questions under Va. Code § 64.2-1426.
Shaped by the families we've helped
Thank you to the thousands of families who have trusted Sunset to help settle their loved ones' estates. This page is shaped by the questions they actually asked and the obstacles they actually hit — and that hard-won experience is what keeps it accurate, current, and genuinely useful to the families who come next.