Back to Virginia
City of Covington, VA Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Court office | Alleghany Circuit Court, Clerk of the Circuit Court, serving the City of Covington and Alleghany County |
| Courthouse address | 266 West Main Street, Covington, VA 24426 |
| Mailing address | P.O. Box 670, Covington, VA 24426 |
| Phone | (540) 965-1730 |
| Fax | (540) 965-1732 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. No lunch closure or probate-intake cutoff is published for this office. |
| Opening cost | The Commonwealth probate tax is 10 cents per $100 of value, and estates of $15,000 or less are exempt under Va. Code § 58.1-1712, a figure in the current statute last amended in 2003. A city or county 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 you call. |
| Local forms | No separate City of Covington probate packet is published on the clerk's court page. Use the statewide Virginia circuit court forms and ask the clerk whether any local cover sheet is requested. |
| Electronic filing status | No published electronic route for probate qualification at this clerk's office. Plan on paper documents and a clerk appointment unless the clerk tells you otherwise. |
| Record access | No free public estate-file portal is published for this office. Recorded wills and lists of heirs can be viewed through the clerk's records access process. |
| Remote appearance | No current remote qualification practice is published. Virginia allows remote participation in civil proceedings only at the court's discretion, and qualification before the clerk is normally handled in person (Va. Code § 17.1-513.2). |
| Website | Alleghany Circuit Court |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you call the clerk, make a working list of the decedent's assets, debts, title documents, beneficiary designations and any real estate connected to the City of Covington. The clerk's office will need enough information to decide whether a personal representative, meaning the executor or administrator who qualifies in Virginia, is needed.
Sunset's estate settlement tools can search across more than 2,300 institutions to help identify accounts, insurance, investments and liabilities before the clerk appointment. That asset picture helps you decide whether the estate needs full qualification, a recorded will without qualification, or another Virginia path.
Which court handles jurisdiction
The City of Covington has one probate counter: the Clerk of the Circuit Court's office at the Alleghany County Courthouse, 266 West Main Street in Covington. The courthouse is physically in the City of Covington, but the city is an independent city and is not part of Alleghany County.
A City of Covington resident's will is offered for probate in the circuit court of the city where the decedent had a known place of residence (Va. Code § 64.2-443). The City of Covington and Alleghany County share the same elected Clerk of the Circuit Court, so a City of Covington estate is opened at that shared counter even though the city remains its own jurisdiction.
The jurisdiction process
- Call the Clerk of the Circuit Court at (540) 965-1730 before you go to 266 West Main Street. Ask what the clerk wants you to bring, whether an appointment is needed, and how the office wants payment of the probate tax and clerk charges.
- Prepare the statewide Virginia forms that fit the estate. Common starting forms include CC-1650, Probate Information Form, CC-1651, Probate Tax Return when required, CC-1611, List of Heirs, and CC-1610 if a nonresident fiduciary will qualify.
- Bring the original will, if there is one, the death certificate, identification, names and addresses of heirs and beneficiaries, and the asset information needed for the clerk to calculate tax and qualification requirements.
- Offer the will for probate and, if needed, qualify as personal representative before the clerk. In Virginia, qualification is the appointment and oath process handled by the Clerk of the Circuit Court, who may admit wills and qualify executors and administrators (Va. Code § 64.2-444).
- Pay the state probate tax 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, a figure in the current statute last amended in 2003. A local probate tax equal to one-third of the state tax may apply if imposed by the locality under Va. Code § 58.1-1718, so ask the clerk for the total.
- After qualification or admission of the will, send the required notice regarding estate to the people entitled to notice within 30 days, then record the affidavit of notice within four months (Va. Code § 64.2-508).
- If someone contests the will or appeals the clerk's order, the matter can move to a circuit court judge under Virginia's contest and appeal statutes. An ordinary opening appointment does not require a judge.
- Obtain certified copies of the certificate of qualification, CC-1625, if the estate needs a personal representative to deal with banks, transfer agents, real estate, claims or other institutions.
- Work with the commissioner of accounts after qualification. The inventory is returned to the commissioner of accounts within four months after the order conferring authority, and the first account is presented within 16 months after qualification (Va. Code §§ 64.2-1300 and 64.2-1304).
- Complete administration, pay valid debts, distribute assets, and close the estate through the commissioner of accounts process. This is the part of estate settlement where Sunset can help organize assets, deadlines and documents.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in the City of Covington
Virginia uses statewide circuit court forms for probate and fiduciary administration. The City of Covington clerk's court page does not publish a separate local probate packet, so start with the statewide forms and call the clerk before the appointment to ask whether the office wants any additional local cover sheet.
| Form | Use |
|---|---|
| CC-1650, Probate Information Form | Information the clerk commonly collects for a probate or qualification appointment. |
| CC-1651, Probate Tax Return | Return used when probate tax applies under Va. Code § 58.1-1714. |
| CC-1611, List of Heirs | List filed at qualification or when a will is presented and nobody qualifies (Va. Code § 64.2-509). |
| CC-1610, Consent of Nonresident Fiduciary for Service of Process | Required when a nonresident fiduciary qualifies (Va. Code § 64.2-1426). |
| CC-1625, Certificate / Letter of Qualification | Authority document issued after qualification (Va. Code § 64.2-506). |
| CC-1670, Inventory of Decedent's Estate | Inventory returned to the commissioner of accounts after qualification (Va. Code § 64.2-1300). |
| CC-1680, Account for Decedent's Estate | Accounting presented to the commissioner of accounts, with the first account due within 16 months after qualification (Va. Code § 64.2-1304). |
| CC-1685, Small Estate Affidavit | Statewide small-asset affidavit for the $75,000 route, effective July 1, 2025, under Va. Code §§ 64.2-600 through 64.2-605. It is presented to the asset holder, not filed with the clerk. |
Local nuance
City of Covington-specific considerations
| Local point | What it means |
|---|---|
| Shared clerk | The City of Covington and Alleghany County share one Clerk of the Circuit Court. A City of Covington estate is still a City of Covington matter, but the counter is the shared clerk's office at 266 West Main Street. |
| Independent city | The City of Covington is not part of Alleghany County. Do not use the county venue rule for a City of Covington resident just because the clerk also serves Alleghany County. |
| Courthouse location | The shared courthouse is in the City of Covington itself, so a local resident usually goes to the courthouse in Covington rather than traveling to a different town. |
| Commissioner of accounts | The commissioner of accounts is separate from the clerk. The Judiciary's roster lists Nolan R. Nicely, Jr., 251 West Riverside Street, P.O. Box 510, Covington, VA 24426, phone (540) 962-4986, fax (540) 962-8423, and Meade Snyder, assistant, 316 Commercial Ave., P.O. Drawer 635, Clifton Forge, VA 24422, phone (540) 862-4293. Use the Judiciary directory for current contact details. |
Recent updates
Scenarios
| Situation | Local path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse w/ co-owned home | Start at the shared Clerk of the Circuit Court's counter at 266 West Main Street in Covington. Bring the original will, death certificate, identification, names and addresses of heirs and beneficiaries, and title information for the home. | Sunset helps identify accounts, insurance and debts, then organizes the estate settlement packet so the spouse can focus the clerk appointment on what actually needs probate. |
| Out-of-state adult child w/ small estate | No remote or mail-in qualification practice is published for this clerk. If qualification is needed, plan to appear at the Covington counter. A nonresident fiduciary can qualify but must sign CC-1610, and surety may be required unless Virginia law or the clerk's waiver applies (Va. Code §§ 64.2-1426 and 64.2-1411). | Sunset helps test whether the estate may fit a Virginia small-asset path, prepares the document list for the clerk, and can connect the family with a Virginia probate attorney if travel or surety issues make the appointment difficult. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | If a personal representative must sell real estate, the appointment is handled by the Clerk of the Circuit Court at the Alleghany County Courthouse in Covington. After qualification, inventory and accounting work goes to the commissioner of accounts, whose lead office for this court is also in Covington. | Sunset helps gather asset information, draft the probate packet, track commissioner deadlines and coordinate attorney help when a home sale is part of estate settlement. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Clerk of the Circuit Court, City of Covington and Alleghany County | Shared probate counter for both jurisdictions, located inside the City of Covington. | 266 West Main Street, Covington, VA 24426. Mailing: P.O. Box 670, Covington, VA 24426. Phone (540) 965-1730. Fax (540) 965-1732. |
| Commissioners of Accounts directory | Statewide Judiciary directory for the commissioner of accounts who supervises inventories, accounts and settlements after qualification. | Search by jurisdiction and use the current roster for mailing addresses and phone numbers. |
| Virginia court forms index | Statewide circuit court forms for probate, qualification, notice, inventory and accounting. | Use the circuit court forms section. |
| Virginia Judiciary self-help probate forms | Plain-language index of probate-related forms and instruction sheets. | Online resource from the Virginia Judiciary. |
When to hire an attorney
A Virginia probate attorney is especially useful if the will may be contested, heirs disagree, a home must be sold, a nonresident fiduciary needs surety guidance, creditor claims are disputed, or the commissioner of accounts requests corrected inventories or accounts. Sunset connects families with a vetted attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset helps families identify bank accounts, investments, insurance, retirement accounts, debts and other assets that affect whether qualification is needed in the City of Covington.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset organizes the information needed for the Clerk of the Circuit Court, including heirs, beneficiaries, asset lists and the Virginia forms that commonly start the process.
Find a local probate attorney. When an estate needs legal judgment, Sunset can connect the family with a Virginia probate attorney who understands clerk qualification, commissioner of accounts supervision and real estate issues.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to move from uncertainty to a clear estate settlement plan without paying Sunset for access to the platform.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate for a City of Covington resident?
Go to the Clerk of the Circuit Court's office at the Alleghany County Courthouse, 266 West Main Street in Covington. The City of Covington and Alleghany County share that clerk's office, but a City of Covington resident's estate remains a City of Covington matter under Va. Code § 64.2-443.
Is the City of Covington part of Alleghany County for probate?
No. The City of Covington is an independent city and is not part of any county. The practical point is that the same Clerk of the Circuit Court serves both the city and Alleghany County from the courthouse in Covington.
Do I need an appointment with the clerk in Covington?
The clerk's court page publishes the office hours but does not publish a probate appointment rule. Call (540) 965-1730 before going to the courthouse and ask what the clerk wants you to bring.
Can I qualify from out of state for a City of Covington estate?
A nonresident can qualify in Virginia, but must file a written consent to service of process, usually CC-1610, and should be ready to discuss surety with the clerk (Va. Code §§ 64.2-1426 and 64.2-1411). No remote qualification practice is published for this clerk, so plan for an in-person appointment unless the clerk gives different instructions.
Can probate documents be sent through an electronic filing system in the City of Covington?
No published electronic route for probate qualification appears for this clerk's office. Use paper documents and call the clerk before the visit.
How can I view a recorded will or list of heirs in the City of Covington?
No free public estate-file portal is published for this office. Ask the clerk how to view recorded wills and lists of heirs through the records room or any records access process the office offers.
What will probate cost in the City of Covington?
The Commonwealth probate tax is 10 cents per $100 of estate value, and estates of $15,000 or less are exempt under Va. Code § 58.1-1712, a figure in the current statute last amended in 2003. A local probate tax equal to one-third of the state tax may apply if imposed under Va. Code § 58.1-1718, so ask the clerk for the total before the appointment.
Where do I send the inventory and accounts after qualification?
Send them to the commissioner of accounts, not to the clerk. For this court, the Judiciary roster lists a lead commissioner of accounts office in Covington and an assistant in Clifton Forge. The inventory is due within four months after the order conferring authority, and the first account is due within 16 months after qualification (Va. Code §§ 64.2-1300 and 64.2-1304).
Do I have to travel outside the City of Covington to open the estate?
Usually no. The shared clerk's counter is at the Alleghany County Courthouse, but that courthouse is at 266 West Main Street in the City of Covington.
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.