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City of Danville, VA Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | City of Danville detail |
|---|---|
| Court | Danville Circuit Court, Clerk of the Circuit Court |
| Courthouse address | James F. Ingram Justice Center, 401 Patton Street, Danville, VA 24543. The City page describes the clerk as being on the third floor of the Courts and Jail building at 401 Patton Street. |
| Mailing address | P.O. Box 3300, Danville, VA 24543 |
| Phone | (434) 799-5168. Call this number to set the required probate appointment. |
| Fax | (434) 799-6502 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. |
| Probate tax and local charges | The state probate tax is 10 cents per $100 of estate value for estates over $15,000, under Va. Code § 58.1-1712, a figure in place as of August 2026. The City of Danville imposes a local probate tax equal to one-third of the state tax under Va. Code § 58.1-1718, and the City FAQ reviewed in August 2026 quotes a $36 recording charge plus added charges for pages over 10. |
| Local forms | Use the statewide Virginia circuit court fiduciary forms. Danville publishes local appointment instructions and a list of what to bring. |
| VJEFS | Danville participates in VJEFS for attorney civil filings, but VJEFS is not a public path for qualifying as personal representative before the clerk. |
| Case information | No free public portal shows City of Danville probate or fiduciary estate files. The statewide OCIS system does not cover probate or fiduciary matters. |
| Remote appearance | No current City of Danville source supports video qualification. Expect an in-person appointment with the clerk. |
| Websites | Virginia Judiciary Danville Circuit Court page and the City of Danville Clerk of Circuit Court pages |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you call the clerk, make a working list of the assets and debts. Danville asks for the value of assets in the decedent's name alone, including real estate, bank accounts, stocks, bonds and personal property, so an estate settlement plan should start with ownership and beneficiary details.
Sunset's 2,300-institution asset discovery can help identify accounts before the appointment, generate a cleaner probate packet and reduce back-and-forth with the clerk and the commissioner of accounts during estate settlement.
Which court handles jurisdiction
The City of Danville is its own Virginia probate jurisdiction. A will is offered in the circuit court of the county or city where the decedent had a known place of residence, and the nursing-home presumption can keep venue tied to the prior home address rather than the care facility location (Va. Code § 64.2-443).
For a City of Danville resident, the counter is the Clerk of the Circuit Court at the James F. Ingram Justice Center, 401 Patton Street in Danville. The City of Danville is in the Twenty-second Judicial Circuit with Franklin County and Pittsylvania County, but it has its own clerk and is not part of either county.
The jurisdiction process
- Call the Clerk of the Circuit Court at (434) 799-5168 to set the required appointment. Danville's FAQ says appointments are required so the office can reserve enough time.
- Prepare the original will, a certified death certificate or obituary, and values for assets titled in the decedent's name alone. Danville's local instructions name real estate, bank accounts, stocks, bonds and personal property.
- Go to the clerk's office at the James F. Ingram Justice Center, 401 Patton Street. In Virginia, you qualify, meaning you are appointed and sworn as personal representative, before the clerk rather than before a judge (Va. Code § 64.2-444).
- Pay the charges due at service. The state probate tax is 10 cents per $100 of estate value for estates over $15,000 under Va. Code § 58.1-1712, a figure in place as of August 2026. The City imposes a local probate tax equal to one-third of the state tax under Va. Code § 58.1-1718, and the City FAQ reviewed in August 2026 quotes a $36 recording charge plus added charges for pages over 10.
- If the clerk qualifies you, obtain the certificate of qualification, the Virginia authority document used to deal with banks, transfer agents and other holders (Va. Code § 64.2-506; CC-1625).
- Send the required notice regarding estate to the people entitled to notice within 30 days after qualification or admission of the will, and record the affidavit of notice within four months (Va. Code § 64.2-508; CC-1616, CC-1617 and CC-1618).
- After qualification, work with the commissioner of accounts rather than the clerk for fiduciary supervision. Danville's commissioner of accounts office is at 217 Lynn Street in Danville, phone (434) 792-2355.
- Return the inventory to the commissioner of accounts within four months after the order conferring authority, then return the first account within 16 months from qualification, covering the first 12 months (Va. Code §§ 64.2-1300, 64.2-1304; CC-1670 and CC-1680).
- Administer the estate, address claims, distributions and any optional creditor process with legal guidance as needed, then close through the commissioner of accounts using the appropriate account or statement in lieu where the statewide requirements fit.
Executor duties
Danville's local pages add two practical duties to the statewide fiduciary checklist. First, the probate appointment is required, and the clerk asks you to arrive with the original will, death information and values for assets in the decedent's name alone.
Second, after qualification, the commissioner of accounts supervises the fiduciary work from a separate office at 217 Lynn Street in Danville. Danville's own Administration of Estates page tells personal representatives to return the inventory there within four months of qualification and notes that later accounts will also be required.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in the City of Danville
Use the statewide Virginia circuit court fiduciary forms for a City of Danville estate. Danville's local pages provide appointment instructions and a list of documents and asset values to bring, but the operative form set is the Virginia circuit court CC series.
| Form | Use in the City of Danville |
|---|---|
| CC-1650 | Probate Information Form for the clerk's appointment. |
| CC-1651 | Probate Tax Return when the estate exceeds $15,000 under Va. Code § 58.1-1714, a figure in place as of August 2026. |
| CC-1610 | Consent of Nonresident Fiduciary for Service of Process, used when a nonresident qualifies (Va. Code § 64.2-1426). |
| CC-1611 | List of Heirs, filed at qualification or when the will is presented if nobody qualifies (Va. Code § 64.2-509). |
| CC-1616, CC-1617 and CC-1618 | Notice Regarding Estate, Affidavit of Notice Regarding Estate and Waiver of Notice of Probate or Qualification. |
| CC-1625 | Certificate / Letter of Qualification, the authority document. |
| CC-1670 | Inventory of Decedent's Estate, returned to the commissioner of accounts. |
| CC-1680 | Account for Decedent's Estate, returned to the commissioner of accounts. The first account is due within 16 months under Va. Code § 64.2-1304. |
| CC-1685 | Small Estate Affidavit for the statewide small-asset process. It is presented to the holder of the asset, not filed with the Danville clerk. The $75,000 ceiling took effect July 1, 2025 under Va. Code §§ 64.2-600 and 64.2-601. |
Fees
The City of Danville imposes the local probate tax. Danville's FAQ states that the state probate tax is 10 cents per $100 and that the local tax is .333 cents per $100 of estate value at death. The state tax is imposed by Va. Code § 58.1-1712, and the local one-third add-on is authorized by Va. Code § 58.1-1718.
The same City FAQ, reviewed in August 2026, quotes a $36 recording charge plus added charges for pages over 10, with payment due at service by cash, personal check or credit card. The page does not break down the $36 figure, so treat it as the clerk's current published amount and ask the clerk for the exact total when you schedule the appointment.
Local nuance
City of Danville-specific considerations
| Local point | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Appointment required | The City's FAQ says probate appointments are required and tells you to call (434) 799-5168. |
| Third-floor clerk location | The City's FAQ places the clerk's office on the third floor of the Courts and Jail building at 401 Patton Street. |
| Local probate tax imposed | The City imposes the one-third local probate tax authorized by Va. Code § 58.1-1718, in addition to the state probate tax under Va. Code § 58.1-1712. |
| Commissioner's office is separate | The commissioner of accounts office is at 217 Lynn Street in Danville, not at the clerk's counter. |
Recent updates
| Update | What changed |
|---|---|
| Danville local probate tax | The City of Danville FAQ reviewed in August 2026 states that the City imposes a local probate tax of .333 cents per $100, the one-third local tax authorized by Va. Code § 58.1-1718, in addition to the state probate tax under Va. Code § 58.1-1712. |
| Danville appointment requirement | The City of Danville FAQ reviewed in August 2026 states that an appointment is required and gives (434) 799-5168 as the number to call. |
Page last reviewed: August 2026.
Scenarios
| Scenario | Likely City of Danville path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with co-owned home | Call (434) 799-5168 for the required appointment and bring the original will and death information to 401 Patton Street. If the home was held with full rights of survivorship, Danville's local page says qualification may be unnecessary for that asset, though other filing duties may remain. The City imposes its local one-third probate tax under Va. Code § 58.1-1718, in addition to the state probate tax under Va. Code § 58.1-1712. | Sunset helps sort title, beneficiary designations and accounts so the spouse can avoid opening an estate for assets that already pass outside administration. |
| Out-of-state adult child with small estate | Danville has no public online qualification process. A nonresident may qualify, but must sign CC-1610 and should expect surety questions unless a Virginia resident qualifies with them or the clerk waives surety under Va. Code §§ 64.2-1426 and 64.2-1411. If the statewide small-estate affidavit path fits, the $75,000 ceiling took effect July 1, 2025 under Va. Code §§ 64.2-600 and 64.2-601, and the affidavit is presented to the asset holder rather than filed with the Danville clerk. | Sunset can identify accounts, generate a probate packet and help decide whether a local attorney should handle the appointment. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | If the home must be sold through the estate, qualification before the Danville clerk is the practical route. After qualification, the commissioner of accounts at 217 Lynn Street supervises the inventory and accounts, including the first account due within 16 months under Va. Code § 64.2-1304. | Sunset helps organize the asset list, prepare the fiduciary paperwork and connect the family with a local probate attorney for the sale and administration issues. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | What it provides |
|---|---|
| Danville Circuit Court, Virginia Judiciary | Clerk's hours, phone, fax, courthouse address, judges and terms of court. |
| City of Danville Clerk of Circuit Court | Local clerk contact page with address, mailing address and hours. |
| City of Danville Administration of Estates | Local overview of qualification, surety, notices, inventory duties and the commissioner of accounts address. |
| City of Danville Clerk of Circuit Court FAQ | Appointment requirement, what to bring, payment methods, local probate tax and recording charge. |
| Virginia Judiciary commissioners of accounts directory | Searchable roster for the current Danville commissioners of accounts. |
| Virginia circuit court fiduciary forms | Statewide CC forms used for probate, qualification, notice, inventory and accounts. |
| Virginia Legal Aid Society, Danville office | General civil legal aid for eligible residents. Its locations page lists service to the Cities of Danville and Martinsville and the Counties of Henry, Patrick and Pittsylvania, but its services page does not list estate administration as a typical case. |
When to hire an attorney
Consider a Virginia probate attorney if the will may be contested, a home must be sold through the estate, creditors may exceed assets, a nonresident fiduciary needs surety guidance, or family members disagree about who should qualify. Sunset connects families with a vetted attorney when local legal help makes sense.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets
Sunset searches across thousands of institutions so families can find bank, investment, insurance and retirement accounts before the City of Danville appointment.
Generate the probate packet
Sunset turns the asset list, family information and court requirements into organized forms and next steps for a cleaner estate settlement process.
Find a local probate attorney
When the estate needs legal strategy, Sunset can connect the family with a vetted Virginia probate attorney familiar with qualification, fiduciary duties and commissioner of accounts practice.
Sunset is free for families
Families can use Sunset's estate settlement tools without paying Sunset. If attorney help is needed, the attorney explains their own fees before work begins.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file to probate a will in the City of Danville?
Go to the Clerk of the Circuit Court at the James F. Ingram Justice Center, 401 Patton Street in Danville. Danville is an independent city with its own clerk, and venue is based on the decedent's known place of residence under Va. Code § 64.2-443.
Do I need an appointment to probate a will in the City of Danville?
Yes. Danville's Clerk of Circuit Court FAQ says an appointment is required and tells you to call (434) 799-5168.
What should I bring to the Danville probate appointment?
Danville's FAQ says to bring the original will, a certified death certificate or obituary, and the value of assets in the decedent's name alone, including real estate, bank accounts, stocks, bonds and personal property.
What does it cost to probate a will in the City of Danville?
The state probate tax is 10 cents per $100 of estate value for estates over $15,000 under Va. Code § 58.1-1712, a figure in place as of August 2026. Danville also imposes the local probate tax equal to one-third of the state tax under Va. Code § 58.1-1718. The City FAQ reviewed in August 2026 quotes a $36 recording charge plus added charges for pages over 10.
Can I file probate papers electronically in the City of Danville?
No public electronic qualification path is published for the City of Danville. Danville participates in VJEFS for attorney civil filings, but qualifying as personal representative is handled by appointment with the clerk.
Can I check a City of Danville estate through a free public portal?
No free public portal shows City of Danville probate or fiduciary estate files. The statewide OCIS case system does not cover probate or fiduciary matters.
Where do I send the inventory and accounts after I qualify in Danville?
After qualification, the commissioner of accounts supervises the fiduciary filings. Danville's local page gives the commissioner of accounts office as 217 Lynn Street, Danville, Virginia 24541, phone (434) 792-2355. The first account is due within 16 months under Va. Code § 64.2-1304.
Is there free legal help for probate questions in the City of Danville?
Virginia Legal Aid Society has a Danville office and lists the City of Danville in its service area for general civil legal aid. Its services page does not list estate administration as a typical case, so call the office directly before relying on it for probate help.
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.