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City of Bristol, VA Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | City of Bristol information |
|---|---|
| Court and clerk | Clerk of the Circuit Court, City of Bristol, Virginia |
| Courthouse address | 497 Cumberland Street, Room 210, Bristol, VA 24201 |
| Mailing | Call the clerk before mailing original probate papers. The clerk's probate page gives the appointment phone rather than a separate probate mailing instruction. |
| Probate appointment phone | (276) 645-7321 |
| Fax | (276) 821-6097 |
| Hours | Office hours are published as 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Land recordings are accepted from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. No lunch closure is published. |
| Appointments | The clerk's probate page says probate is handled by appointment, and appointments are accepted Monday through Friday. |
| Taxes and clerk charges | The Commonwealth probate tax is 10 cents per $100 of estate value, with estates of $15,000 or less exempt, under Va. Code § 58.1-1712, effective 2003 and current as of August 2026. A city may add a local probate tax equal to one-third of the state tax under Va. Code §§ 58.1-1718 and 58.1-3805, so confirm the total with the clerk when scheduling. |
| Payment note | The clerk accepts Visa and MasterCard. A convenience fee of 4 percent or $2.00, whichever is greater, applies to each transaction as of August 2026. |
| Local forms | No current local probate packet or cover sheet beyond the statewide Virginia Circuit Court fiduciary forms is published for routine probate. Use the current statewide CC forms. |
| Electronic filing | Bristol participates in VJEFS for attorney civil filings. Opening an estate is handled through the clerk's probate appointment process, not through an online filing route. |
| Case access | No free public portal shows City of Bristol estate files. The clerk links VADeed Alert for land-record notices and a paid Secure Remote Access subscription for recorded documents. |
| Remote appearance | No current remote qualification option is published. Probate in the City of Bristol is normally an in-person, by-appointment matter before the clerk. |
| Website | https://www.bristolva.gov/543/Circuit-Court-Clerks-Office |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you call the City of Bristol clerk, make a working list of the decedent's solely owned accounts, vehicles, personal property, debts and Virginia real estate. The clerk's probate page asks for the approximate dollar value of solely owned personal property and Virginia real estate, the original will if there is one, a certified death certificate, heir information, valid photo identification and payment.
Sunset's estate settlement tools can help you organize that information before the appointment. Sunset's 2,300-institution asset discovery helps families find accounts and policies that may otherwise be missed, which makes the clerk appointment and later commissioner of accounts filings easier to prepare.
Which court handles jurisdiction
The City of Bristol is an independent Virginia city with its own Clerk of the Circuit Court and its own courthouse at 497 Cumberland Street in Bristol. It is not one of Virginia's shared-clerk cities. A City of Bristol estate is opened at the Bristol clerk's counter, not in Smyth County, Washington County or Bristol, Tennessee.
Virginia venue is based on the decedent's known place of residence. A will is offered in the circuit court of the county or city where the decedent had a known place of residence, and a nursing-home or similar care placement does not automatically change legal residence (Va. Code § 64.2-443). For a City of Bristol, Virginia resident, that means the Clerk of the Circuit Court at 497 Cumberland Street.
The City of Bristol, Smyth County and Washington County make up the Twenty-eighth Judicial Circuit (Va. Code § 17.1-506). Sharing a circuit does not merge the clerks' offices. Bristol has its own elected clerk and its own courthouse.
The jurisdiction process
- Call the Clerk of the Circuit Court at (276) 645-7321 to schedule a probate appointment. The clerk's probate page says appointments are accepted Monday through Friday.
- Gather the original will if there is one, a certified death certificate, valid photo identification, payment, the approximate value of solely owned assets, and the names, addresses and ages of heirs at law.
- At the appointment, ask the clerk which statewide CC forms are needed for your situation. Common forms include CC-1650 for probate information, CC-1651 for the probate tax return when required, CC-1611 for the list of heirs and CC-1610 if a nonresident fiduciary is qualifying.
- Appear before the clerk to probate the will, if there is one, and to qualify as personal representative. Qualify means Virginia's word for being appointed and sworn in. The clerk may admit wills, qualify executors and administrators, and take the required bond in the same manner as the circuit court (Va. Code § 64.2-444).
- Pay the Commonwealth probate tax and clerk charges at the counter. The Commonwealth probate tax is 10 cents per $100 of estate value, with estates of $15,000 or less exempt, under Va. Code § 58.1-1712, effective 2003 and current as of August 2026. A city may add a local probate tax equal to one-third of the state tax under Va. Code §§ 58.1-1718 and 58.1-3805, so ask the clerk for the total when scheduling.
- Receive the certificate of qualification, CC-1625, after qualification. This is the document banks and other institutions usually ask for when dealing with the personal representative.
- Send the required notice regarding estate to the people entitled to notice within 30 days after qualification or admission of the will to probate, then record the affidavit of notice within four months (Va. Code § 64.2-508).
- Work with the Bristol commissioner of accounts after qualification. The commissioner of accounts for Bristol is listed in the Virginia Judiciary directory with an office at 230 Piedmont Avenue, Suite 300, Bristol, VA 24201. The inventory, CC-1670, is due to the commissioner within four months after the order giving authority (Va. Code § 64.2-1300). The first account, CC-1680, is due within 16 months from qualification (Va. Code § 64.2-1304).
- Administer the estate, resolve creditor and tax issues, sell property if the will and law allow it, distribute the remaining assets and close the estate settlement through the commissioner of accounts process.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in the City of Bristol
The City of Bristol clerk does not publish a current local probate packet or cover sheet for routine probate beyond the statewide Virginia Circuit Court fiduciary forms. The clerk's probate page links a local Small Estate Act Affidavit, but the current statewide CC-1685 Small Estate Affidavit should be used for the Virginia small-estate affidavit process.
| Form | Use in the City of Bristol |
|---|---|
| CC-1650, Probate Information Form | Information the clerk collects for the probate appointment. |
| CC-1651, Probate Tax Return | Used when the estate must report value for the Commonwealth probate tax under Va. Code § 58.1-1714. |
| CC-1611, List of Heirs | Filed at qualification, or with the will if nobody qualifies, under Va. Code § 64.2-509. |
| CC-1610, Consent of Nonresident Fiduciary for Service of Process | Used when a nonresident 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 | Filed with the Bristol commissioner of accounts, not the clerk's counter (Va. Code § 64.2-1300). |
| CC-1680, Account for Decedent's Estate | Filed with the commissioner of accounts. The first account is due within 16 months from qualification (Va. Code § 64.2-1304). |
| CC-1685, Small Estate Affidavit | Presented to a bank or other asset holder, not filed with the clerk. It applies to the statewide small-estate affidavit route for a personal probate estate up to $75,000, effective July 1, 2025 (Va. Code §§ 64.2-600 through 64.2-601). |
Fees
The local money point the City of Bristol clerk publishes is the card convenience fee. The clerk accepts Visa and MasterCard, and a convenience fee of 4 percent or $2.00, whichever is greater, applies to each transaction as of August 2026.
The Commonwealth probate tax is 10 cents per $100 of estate value, with estates of $15,000 or less exempt, under Va. Code § 58.1-1712, effective 2003 and current as of August 2026. A city may add a local probate tax equal to one-third of the state tax under Va. Code §§ 58.1-1718 and 58.1-3805. The City of Bristol clerk's probate page does not state the city's local probate tax position, so ask the clerk for the total when you schedule the probate appointment.
Local nuance
City of Bristol-specific considerations
| Local point | What it means |
|---|---|
| Appointment required | The clerk's probate page says probate is handled by appointment. Call (276) 645-7321 before bringing original documents to the courthouse. |
| Virginia side of Bristol | The City of Bristol, Virginia has its own Clerk of the Circuit Court. Bristol, Tennessee is a separate city in a separate state and is not the venue for a Virginia resident's estate. |
| Commissioner in Bristol | The Virginia Judiciary's commissioner of accounts roster lists Bristol's commissioner with an office at 230 Piedmont Avenue, Suite 300, Bristol, VA 24201. Inventories and accounts go to the commissioner, not to the clerk's counter. |
| Land-record cutoff | The clerk's land-records page says recordings are accepted from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The office closing time published by the Judiciary is 4:30 p.m. |
Recent updates
Scenarios
| Situation | Local path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with co-owned home | Call the City of Bristol clerk at (276) 645-7321 before the appointment and bring the original will, certified death certificate, valid photo identification, heir information and a working asset list. If payment is made by Visa or MasterCard, the clerk publishes a 4 percent or $2.00 convenience fee, whichever is greater, as of August 2026. | Sunset helps identify accounts, insurance, debts and property details before the appointment, so the spouse can separate jointly held property from assets that may need estate settlement. |
| Out-of-state adult child with small estate | A nonresident can qualify in Virginia but must file the written consent to service of process, CC-1610, and should expect a surety question unless a Virginia resident qualifies at the same time or the clerk waives surety (Va. Code §§ 64.2-1426 and 64.2-1411). If the statewide small-estate affidavit route fits, CC-1685 is presented to the asset holder, not filed with the clerk, for a personal probate estate up to $75,000, effective July 1, 2025 (Va. Code §§ 64.2-600 through 64.2-601). | Sunset helps the child decide whether there are enough accounts or property issues to justify qualification, and can generate a document checklist for the Bristol appointment. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | If real estate must be sold through the estate, qualification is usually the local starting point. After qualification, the parent works with the Bristol commissioner of accounts for the inventory due under Va. Code § 64.2-1300 and the first account due within 16 months under Va. Code § 64.2-1304. | Sunset helps gather property, mortgage, account and debt information and can connect the parent with a local probate attorney when a sale or creditor issue makes counsel important. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps |
|---|---|
| Circuit Court Clerk, City of Bristol, Virginia | The clerk's office page explains what the office handles, publishes the card convenience fee and links to court policies. |
| Probate, City of Bristol, Virginia | The clerk's probate page explains that probate is by appointment, gives the scheduling phone number and lists what to bring. |
| Bristol Circuit Court, Virginia Judiciary | The Judiciary page gives the court address, phone, fax, hours, judges and term information. |
| Commissioners of Accounts directory, Virginia Judiciary | The statewide directory identifies the commissioner of accounts by jurisdiction and is the place to find the current Bristol listing. |
| Virginia Judiciary self-help probate forms | The Judiciary's self-help site links the statewide probate and fiduciary forms, including CC-1650, CC-1611, CC-1670, CC-1680 and CC-1685. |
| Southwest Virginia Legal Aid Society | General civil legal aid for low-income households in its service area, which includes the City of Bristol. The program's listed practice areas do not name estate administration, so call intake at 1-888-201-2772 to ask what help is available. |
When to hire an attorney
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset helps families organize estate settlement by locating bank, brokerage, insurance, retirement and other accounts that may not be obvious from the papers at home.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the family's information into a practical checklist for the City of Bristol clerk appointment, including the original will, certified death certificate, heir information, asset values, identification and likely statewide CC forms.
Find a local probate attorney. When a Bristol estate involves a home sale, creditor dispute, nonresident fiduciary issue or contested family situation, Sunset can connect the family with a vetted attorney.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to understand the next steps, organize documents and move through estate settlement without starting from a blank page.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file to probate a will in the City of Bristol, Virginia?
File by appointment with the Clerk of the Circuit Court for the City of Bristol at 497 Cumberland Street, Room 210, Bristol, VA 24201. Call (276) 645-7321 to schedule. A City of Bristol, Virginia resident's estate is not opened in Bristol, Tennessee.
Do I have to go before a judge to be appointed in the City of Bristol?
No. In Virginia, the clerk may admit a will to probate and qualify the executor or administrator at the clerk's office (Va. Code § 64.2-444). A circuit court judge becomes involved only for contested or judge-side matters, such as an appeal from the clerk's order or a will contest under Va. Code §§ 64.2-445, 64.2-446 and 64.2-448.
Is the City of Bristol, Virginia court the same as Bristol, Tennessee's court?
No. The City of Bristol, Virginia is an independent Virginia city with its own Clerk of the Circuit Court. Bristol, Tennessee is a separate city in another state. For a decedent whose known place of residence was the City of Bristol, Virginia, venue is the Virginia circuit court for that city (Va. Code § 64.2-443).
Can I file City of Bristol probate papers online?
No online route is published for opening an estate through the City of Bristol clerk. Bristol participates in VJEFS for attorney civil filings, but probate qualification is handled through the clerk's appointment process.
Can I check a City of Bristol estate file on the internet?
There is no free public portal for City of Bristol estate files. The clerk's land-records page links VADeed Alert for land-record notifications and a paid Secure Remote Access subscription for recorded documents. The statewide OCIS system is not an estate-file portal.
What will it cost to probate a will in the City of Bristol?
The Commonwealth probate tax is 10 cents per $100 of estate value, with estates of $15,000 or less exempt, under Va. Code § 58.1-1712, effective 2003 and current as of August 2026. A city may add a local probate tax equal to one-third of the state tax under Va. Code §§ 58.1-1718 and 58.1-3805. Ask the City of Bristol clerk for the total when you schedule the appointment. The clerk also publishes a card convenience fee of 4 percent or $2.00, whichever is greater, as of August 2026.
Do I have to come to the courthouse in person?
The City of Bristol clerk's probate page says probate is handled by appointment, and no current remote qualification option is published. Qualifying is an appearance before the clerk under Va. Code § 64.2-444, not a civil hearing. Call the clerk if travel is difficult and ask what the office will allow.
Where do I send the inventory and accounts after I qualify?
After qualification, the inventory and accounts go to the commissioner of accounts, not to the clerk's counter. The Virginia Judiciary directory lists Bristol's commissioner of accounts with an office at 230 Piedmont Avenue, Suite 300, Bristol, VA 24201. The inventory is due under Va. Code § 64.2-1300, and the first account is due within 16 months under Va. Code § 64.2-1304.
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.