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City of Charlottesville, VA Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | City of Charlottesville details |
|---|---|
| Court and clerk | Charlottesville Circuit Court, Clerk of the Circuit Court |
| Courthouse address | 315 East High Street, Charlottesville, VA 22902. The Clerk's Office and Records Room are on the lower level. |
| Mailing address | No separate mailing address is published. Use 315 East High Street, Charlottesville, VA 22902. |
| Phone | (434) 970-3766 for filing and Clerk's Office questions. The city page also lists (434) 970-3365 as a general Clerk's Office line. |
| Fax | No fax number is published by the court or city pages. |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Probate tax and clerk charges | Commonwealth probate tax is governed by Va. Code § 58.1-1712. The City of Charlottesville has a local probate tax article tied to Va. Code § 58.1-1718, so ask the clerk for the full amount due when you contact the office. |
| Local probate forms | No City of Charlottesville probate packet or local probate cover sheet is published. Use the statewide Virginia Circuit Court CC forms. |
| VJEFS and online filing | VJEFS is not a self-represented route to qualify as personal representative. Plan to work with the Clerk's Office directly. |
| Records access | The city links to civil and criminal case information, US Land Records pay-per-view access, fee calculators, and statewide judicial forms. No free public portal for an estate file is published. |
| Remote appearance | No remote qualification option is published. Virginia remote hearings are discretionary in civil proceedings (Va. Code § 17.1-513.2), and qualification before the clerk is separate from a court hearing. |
| Website | Virginia Judiciary Charlottesville Circuit Court page and the City of Charlottesville Circuit Court page |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you call the City of Charlottesville Clerk of the Circuit Court, identify the decedent's assets, debts, will, beneficiaries, and any City of Charlottesville real estate. That first inventory of facts determines whether you need to qualify as personal representative, record a will only, use a small-estate affidavit, or handle real estate by the list-of-heirs route.
Sunset's estate settlement process starts with asset discovery across more than 2,300 financial institutions, then organizes what you found into a probate-ready packet for the clerk, the commissioner of accounts, and any attorney you choose to involve.
Which court handles jurisdiction
File a City of Charlottesville decedent's will or qualification request with the City of Charlottesville Clerk of the Circuit Court at 315 East High Street. Virginia venue is the circuit court of the county or city where the decedent had a known place of residence (Va. Code § 64.2-443). If the person moved to a nursing home or similar institution because of age or impaired health, Virginia presumes the person's legal residence stayed where it was before the move unless that presumption is rebutted.
The City of Charlottesville and Albemarle County are both in the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit, but they have separate clerks and separate jurisdictions. A City of Charlottesville resident's estate is not opened at Albemarle County's clerk's office just because Albemarle's separate courthouse office is also physically located in Charlottesville.
The jurisdiction process
- Gather the original will, death certificate, asset list, debt list, heir and beneficiary information, and any documents showing how real estate is titled. Use the City of Charlottesville address only for a City of Charlottesville resident's estate settlement.
- Prepare the statewide Virginia forms that match the situation, usually including CC-1650, CC-1651 if a probate tax return is required under Va. Code § 58.1-1714, CC-1611, and any nonresident fiduciary consent on CC-1610.
- Contact the City of Charlottesville Clerk of the Circuit Court at (434) 970-3766 before going to the courthouse. Ask what the office wants you to bring, how the probate tax and clerk charges will be calculated under Va. Code §§ 58.1-1712 and 17.1-275, and whether the city charge under Va. Code § 58.1-1718 applies to your estate.
- Bring the original will, if there is one, and complete the probate or qualification appointment at 315 East High Street. In Virginia, the clerk or deputy clerk admits the will and qualifies the personal representative (Va. Code § 64.2-444).
- After qualification or admission of the will, send the required notice of probate to the people entitled to notice and record the affidavit of notice with the clerk on the statewide form required by Va. Code § 64.2-508.
- Do not expect a court hearing for a routine opening. A circuit court judge becomes involved only if the clerk's order is appealed, a will contest or show-cause route is used, or another disputed court matter is filed under the Virginia statutes.
- After the clerk qualifies you, request certified certificates of qualification, CC-1625, for banks, title companies, and other institutions. This certificate is the usual proof that you can act for the estate (Va. Code § 64.2-506).
- Administer and close the estate through the commissioner of accounts, not the clerk. The inventory goes to the commissioner of accounts, and the first account is due within 16 months of qualification under Va. Code § 64.2-1304. The City of Charlottesville and Albemarle County share the listed commissioner-of-accounts offices, but that does not merge the two clerk's offices.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in the City of Charlottesville
The City of Charlottesville does not publish a separate probate packet or local probate cover sheet. The city page notes CC-1416 for civil actions, but that is not a probate form.
| Form | Use in a City of Charlottesville estate |
|---|---|
| CC-1650 | Probate Information Form, the intake form for the clerk's probate appointment. |
| CC-1651 | Probate Tax Return, used when required by Va. Code § 58.1-1714. |
| CC-1610 | Consent of Nonresident Fiduciary for Service of Process, used when an out-of-state personal representative qualifies (Va. Code § 64.2-1426). |
| CC-1611 | List of Heirs, filed with qualification or when a will is presented and nobody qualifies (Va. Code § 64.2-509). |
| CC-1612 | List of Heirs / Real Estate Affidavit, used for the intestate real-estate affidavit route (Va. Code § 64.2-510). |
| CC-1616 and CC-1617 | Notice Regarding Estate and Affidavit of Notice Regarding Estate, used for the notice process under Va. Code § 64.2-508. |
| CC-1625 | Certificate / Letter of Qualification, the authority document issued after qualification. |
| CC-1670, CC-1680, and CC-1681 | Inventory, Account, and Statement in Lieu of Settlement of Account, filed with the commissioner of accounts when applicable. |
| CC-1685 | Small Estate Affidavit. Since July 1, 2025, this statewide route applies when the entire personal probate estate is $75,000 or less under Va. Code §§ 64.2-600 through 64.2-601, and the affidavit is presented to the asset holder rather than filed with the clerk. |
Fees
For a City of Charlottesville estate, separate the statewide charges from the city charge. Commonwealth probate tax is imposed by Va. Code § 58.1-1712, and qualification and recording charges are set by Va. Code § 17.1-275. The City of Charlottesville Code has an Article XIV titled Tax on Probate of Will or Grant of Administration, tied to Va. Code § 58.1-1718, so ask the clerk to calculate the combined total before you bring payment.
Do not treat the probate tax as the same thing as the qualification fee. The tax is based on the estate value under the Virginia tax statutes, while the qualification and recording charges are clerk fees under a separate statute.
Local nuance
City of Charlottesville-specific considerations
| Local point | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| City clerk is separate from Albemarle County | The City of Charlottesville has its own Clerk of the Circuit Court at 315 East High Street. Albemarle County's separate clerk is also physically located in Charlottesville, but it is not the filing office for a City of Charlottesville resident's estate. |
| Shared commissioner offices do not mean a shared clerk | The Virginia Judiciary roster lists the same commissioner-of-accounts offices for the City of Charlottesville and Albemarle County. That shared supervision layer does not change where the estate is opened. |
| City records page is not an estate-file portal | The city links to civil and criminal case information and to US Land Records pay-per-view access. For a recorded will or list of heirs, expect to work through the Clerk's Office records room or the land-records access route the clerk provides. |
| Courthouse access | The city's court page states that the Clerk's Office and Records Room are on the lower level and mentions a handicap entrance, handicap parking, and free one-hour public parking behind the courthouse. |
Recent updates
Scenarios
| Situation | Likely City of Charlottesville path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with a co-owned home | Start by checking the deed and beneficiary designations. If the home passes outside the probate estate, you may still need the City of Charlottesville clerk for a will, a list of heirs, or qualification for other assets. | Sunset helps identify accounts, flag title questions for counsel, and organize the documents needed for estate settlement. |
| Out-of-state adult child with a small estate | You can serve from outside Virginia, but a nonresident fiduciary signs CC-1610 and should expect the clerk to discuss bond and surety under Va. Code §§ 64.2-1426 and 64.2-1411. If the estate fits the small-estate affidavit route, the asset holder may be the next stop rather than a full qualification. | Sunset helps compare the asset list against the small-estate route and prepares a packet for a City of Charlottesville clerk call or attorney review. |
| Parent settling a predeceased child's estate when a home must be sold | If the City of Charlottesville home needs a personal representative to sell it, qualification at 315 East High Street may be required. If the child died without a will and real estate is the main issue, ask about the list of heirs and real estate affidavit route before qualifying. | Sunset helps collect property, account, debt, and family information so the attorney or clerk can see the practical path quickly. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| City of Charlottesville Clerk of the Circuit Court | Local filing office for City of Charlottesville probate, qualification, will records, and land-record questions. | 315 East High Street, Charlottesville, VA 22902. Phone: (434) 970-3766. |
| Virginia Judiciary, Charlottesville Circuit Court page | Official court page for the local circuit court, address, hours, phone, and court information. | vacourts.gov Charlottesville Circuit Court page. |
| City of Charlottesville Circuit Court and online resources pages | City pages for Clerk's Office location, hours, parking notes, online resources, land-record access, and statewide forms links. | charlottesville.gov Circuit Court pages. |
| Virginia Judiciary commissioners of accounts directory | Directory for the commissioner-of-accounts offices that supervise inventories, accounts, and estate settlement after qualification. | vacourts.gov commissioners of accounts directory. |
| Virginia court forms and self-help probate forms | Statewide CC forms used in City of Charlottesville estates. | vacourts.gov forms home and selfhelp.vacourts.gov probate forms. |
| Central Virginia Legal Aid Society | General civil legal aid for eligible residents. Its listed practice areas do not name estate administration. | 103 East Water Street, Suites 201 and 202, Charlottesville, VA 22903. Phone: (434) 296-8851. Telephone intake Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.; walk-in intake Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
When to hire an attorney
Consider a Virginia probate attorney if the will is disputed, heirs disagree, a City of Charlottesville home must be sold, a nonresident fiduciary needs bond advice, creditors are significant, or the commissioner of accounts asks for corrections to an inventory or account. Sunset connects to a vetted attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches across more than 2,300 financial institutions and helps build the asset picture before you call the City of Charlottesville clerk or an attorney.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the information you provide into an organized estate settlement packet with the people, assets, debts, and documents needed for the next step.
Find a local probate attorney. When the estate needs legal advice, Sunset helps connect the family with a vetted Virginia probate attorney who can advise on City of Charlottesville filings and commissioner-of-accounts issues.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to organize estate settlement, find assets, and understand the next step without paying Sunset for the core service.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate papers for a City of Charlottesville resident?
Use the City of Charlottesville Clerk of the Circuit Court at 315 East High Street, Charlottesville, VA 22902. Virginia venue is based on the decedent's known place of residence (Va. Code § 64.2-443).
Is Albemarle County's clerk the same office as the City of Charlottesville clerk?
No. Albemarle County has a separate Clerk of the Circuit Court, even though that office is also physically located in Charlottesville. A City of Charlottesville estate uses the City of Charlottesville clerk at 315 East High Street.
Does the City of Charlottesville publish a probate-only phone number?
No separate probate-only line is published. The court and city pages list (434) 970-3766 for filing and Clerk's Office questions, and the city page also lists (434) 970-3365 as a general Clerk's Office line.
Can I start a City of Charlottesville estate through VJEFS?
Not as a self-represented personal representative. VJEFS is not a public route for qualification before the clerk. Contact the Clerk's Office directly before you go to the courthouse.
Can I use a small-estate affidavit in the City of Charlottesville?
Possibly. Since July 1, 2025, Virginia's small-estate affidavit route applies when the entire personal probate estate is $75,000 or less under Va. Code §§ 64.2-600 through 64.2-601. If there is a will, the will may still need to be admitted by the clerk, even if nobody qualifies.
Can I view a City of Charlottesville estate file through a free public portal?
No free public portal for a full estate file is published. The city links to civil and criminal case information and US Land Records pay-per-view access, but recorded wills and lists of heirs are handled through the Clerk's Office records systems.
Does the City of Charlottesville add a local probate tax?
The City of Charlottesville Code has an Article XIV for a tax on probate of a will or grant of administration, tied to Va. Code § 58.1-1718. Commonwealth probate tax is governed by Va. Code § 58.1-1712. Ask the clerk to calculate the combined amount for your estate before bringing payment.
Do I have to travel to Charlottesville if I live out of state?
Plan as if qualification requires direct work with the Clerk's Office unless the clerk tells you otherwise. A nonresident fiduciary may qualify in Virginia, but must file the written consent to service of process under Va. Code § 64.2-1426, usually on CC-1610, and should ask about bond and surety before traveling.
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.