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Gloucester County, VA Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Gloucester County information |
|---|---|
| Court | Gloucester Circuit Court, Ninth Judicial Circuit of Virginia |
| Filing officer | Clerk of the Circuit Court |
| Courthouse address | 7400 Justice Drive, Room 327, Gloucester, VA 23061. The county also lists the office as Suite 327. |
| Mailing address | No separate mailing address is listed, so use 7400 Justice Drive, Room 327, Gloucester, VA 23061. |
| Phone | (804) 693-2502 |
| Fax | (804) 693-2186 |
| [email protected] | |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Receipting ends at 4:15 p.m. The records room is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., with receipting ending at 4 p.m. |
| Probate appointments | Available Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays only. Call (804) 693-2502 to schedule. |
| Probate tax and fees | The Commonwealth probate tax is 10 cents per $100 for estates over $15,000 (Va. Code § 58.1-1712, unchanged since 2003), plus statewide qualification and recording fees. A county may add a local probate tax equal to one-third of the state tax (Va. Code § 58.1-1718), so ask the clerk whether Gloucester County adds that amount when you schedule. |
| Local forms | No Gloucester-specific probate packet was found. Use the statewide Virginia Circuit Court fiduciary forms. |
| Online filing | Gloucester is not listed as a participating VJEFS court. Probate qualification is handled through the clerk's office. |
| Case access | No free public website shows a Gloucester County estate file. OCIS does not include probate records. |
| Remote appearance | No current Gloucester source states that probate qualification can be done by video or remotely. Qualification is normally an appointment before the clerk. |
| Websites | Virginia Judiciary court page Gloucester County clerk page |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you call the Gloucester clerk, make a working list of the decedent's assets, debts, accounts, vehicles, real estate and beneficiary information. The clerk's FAQ specifically tells families to bring a complete list of asset values owned solely by the decedent, plus names, addresses and ages of heirs and beneficiary addresses under the will.
Sunset's estate settlement platform helps families find accounts across 2,300 financial institutions, organize liabilities, and turn that information into the probate packet you need for a Gloucester appointment.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Gloucester County probate is handled at the Gloucester Circuit Court Clerk's office, 7400 Justice Drive, Room 327, Gloucester, VA 23061. Gloucester County has its own clerk's office and its own courthouse.
Virginia venue is based on the decedent's known place of residence: a will is offered for probate in the circuit court of the county or city where the decedent had that residence (Va. Code § 64.2-443). If the decedent was a Gloucester County resident, start at the Gloucester clerk's counter. Virginia also presumes that a person who moved to a nursing home or similar institution because of age or health kept the same legal residence they had before that move (§ 64.2-443).
The jurisdiction process
- Call for a Gloucester probate appointment. Call the Clerk of the Circuit Court at (804) 693-2502. Probate appointments are available Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays only.
- Gather the documents the clerk asks for. Bring the original will if there is one, a certified death certificate, photo ID, a complete list of values for assets owned solely by the decedent, and the names, addresses and ages of heirs and beneficiary addresses under the will.
- Meet with the clerk to probate the will and qualify. In Virginia, qualify means being appointed and sworn in as personal representative. The clerk may admit the will to probate and qualify an executor, administrator or curator without a judge signing the appointment (Va. Code § 64.2-444).
- Pay the taxes and clerk charges due at qualification. The Commonwealth probate tax is 10 cents per $100 for estates over $15,000 (Va. Code § 58.1-1712, unchanged since 2003). A county may add a local probate tax equal to one-third of the state tax (Va. Code § 58.1-1718), so ask the Gloucester clerk for the total when you schedule.
- Receive the certificate of qualification. The certificate of qualification, CC-1625, is the document banks and other institutions use to recognize the personal representative's authority (Va. Code § 64.2-506).
- Send required notices after probate or qualification. Virginia requires notice to heirs and beneficiaries within 30 days after qualification or admission of the will to probate, followed by an affidavit recorded with the clerk within four months (Va. Code § 64.2-508).
- Work with the commissioner of accounts. After qualification, the commissioner of accounts, not the clerk, supervises the fiduciary work and settles the inventory and accounts (Va. Code § 64.2-1200). For Gloucester, the current commissioner information is maintained through the Virginia Judiciary's Commissioners of Accounts directory.
- File the inventory and account with the commissioner of accounts. The inventory is due to the commissioner of accounts within four months after qualification (Va. Code § 64.2-1300). The first account is due within 16 months and covers the first 12 months of administration (Va. Code § 64.2-1304). Estate settlement continues until the commissioner approves the required account or closing statement.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Gloucester County
Gloucester County does not publish a separate probate packet, cover sheet or local probate worksheet. The clerk's office directs probate through the statewide Virginia Circuit Court fiduciary forms.
| Form | Use |
|---|---|
| CC-1650, Probate Information Form | Information the clerk collects for a probate appointment. |
| CC-1651, Probate Tax Return | Used when the estate value requires the Commonwealth probate tax under Va. Code § 58.1-1712. |
| CC-1610, Consent of Nonresident Fiduciary for Service of Process | Used when a nonresident personal representative qualifies in Virginia (Va. Code § 64.2-1426). |
| CC-1611, List of Heirs | Filed at qualification or when a will is presented without qualification (Va. Code § 64.2-509). |
| CC-1625, Certificate / Letter of Qualification | The authority document issued after qualification (Va. Code § 64.2-506). |
| CC-1670, Inventory of Decedent's Estate | Submitted to the commissioner of accounts within four months after qualification (Va. Code § 64.2-1300). |
| CC-1680, Account for Decedent's Estate | Used for the first account due within 16 months (Va. Code § 64.2-1304). |
Use the Virginia Judiciary's Circuit Court fiduciary forms page for the current versions.
Recent updates
Gloucester's local probate intake detail to watch is scheduling: probate appointments are available Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays only, and receipting ends before the office closes.
Page last reviewed: August 2026.
Scenarios
| Scenario | Likely Gloucester County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with co-owned home | Call (804) 693-2502 for a Wednesday, Thursday or Friday probate appointment. Bring the will, certified death certificate, photo ID, sole-owner asset values, heir information and beneficiary addresses. Virginia real estate may affect the probate tax calculation even when title passes outside administration (Va. Code § 58.1-1713). | Sunset helps identify accounts, organize asset values, and prepare the information the clerk asks for before the appointment. |
| Out-of-state adult child with small estate | If the statewide small estate affidavit route fits, the personal probate estate limit is $75,000, effective July 1, 2025 (Va. Code §§ 64.2-600, 64.2-601). If qualification is needed, Gloucester is not listed as a VJEFS court, and no current Gloucester page states that qualification can be completed remotely. A nonresident fiduciary signs CC-1610 and should expect the clerk to address surety unless a Virginia resident qualifies too or the clerk waives it (Va. Code §§ 64.2-1426, 64.2-1411). | Sunset helps determine whether assets appear to require qualification, prepares the packet, and helps plan around travel to Gloucester. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | Plan for a Wednesday, Thursday or Friday qualification appointment at 7400 Justice Drive. After qualification, work with the Gloucester commissioner of accounts for the inventory due within four months and the first account due within 16 months (Va. Code §§ 64.2-1300, 64.2-1304). | Sunset helps collect asset information, generate the estate settlement packet, and connect the family with a local probate attorney when a sale or creditor issue makes counsel useful. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | What it helps with | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Gloucester Circuit Court, Virginia Judiciary | Clerk address, phone, fax, hours, circuit information and court terms. | Court page |
| Gloucester County Circuit Court Clerk | Local office hours, email and clerk services. | Clerk page |
| Gloucester County Circuit Court Clerk FAQ | Probate appointment days, what to bring, where to file and probate tax basics. | Clerk FAQ |
| Virginia Circuit Court fiduciary forms | Statewide probate and fiduciary forms used in Gloucester County. | Forms page |
| Commissioners of Accounts directory | Current Gloucester commissioner of accounts contact information. | Directory |
| Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia | General civil legal aid. The service area includes Gloucester County, but the service page does not list estate administration as a probate service. | Apply for services Central Intake Line: (757) 827-5078 |
When to hire an attorney
A lawyer is especially useful if the will may be disputed, a house must be sold, a nonresident fiduciary needs help with bond or surety, creditors are pressing claims, or the commissioner of accounts asks for corrections to an inventory or account. When counsel makes sense, Sunset connects to a vetted attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches across 2,300 financial institutions to help identify accounts, balances and liabilities before you call the Gloucester clerk for a probate appointment.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the asset list, family information and appointment details into an organized estate settlement packet for the Clerk of the Circuit Court and the commissioner of accounts.
Find a local probate attorney. When the estate involves a home sale, a dispute, a nonresident fiduciary or creditor issues, Sunset can connect the family with a vetted Virginia probate attorney.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to organize estate settlement tasks, find accounts and prepare for the Gloucester process at no cost.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file to probate a will in Gloucester County?
File with the Gloucester Circuit Court Clerk at 7400 Justice Drive, Room 327, Gloucester, VA 23061. Virginia venue is the circuit court for the county or city where the decedent had a known place of residence (Va. Code § 64.2-443).
What days can I get a probate appointment in Gloucester County?
Gloucester probate appointments are available Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays only. Call (804) 693-2502 before traveling to the courthouse.
Do I have to go before a judge to be appointed in Gloucester County?
No. In Virginia, the Clerk of the Circuit Court may admit the will to probate and qualify the personal representative at the clerk's counter (Va. Code § 64.2-444). A judge usually becomes involved only if there is a contest or an appeal from the clerk's order (Va. Code §§ 64.2-445, 64.2-446, 64.2-448).
Does the Gloucester clerk's office have its own probate forms?
No Gloucester-specific probate packet was found on the clerk's pages. Use the statewide Virginia Circuit Court fiduciary forms, including CC-1650, CC-1651, CC-1611, CC-1625, CC-1670 and CC-1680.
Can I file Gloucester County probate papers online?
Online filing is not the Gloucester probate qualification route. Gloucester is not listed as a participating VJEFS court, and probate qualification is handled through the Clerk of the Circuit Court.
Can I view a Gloucester County estate file through a public website?
No free public website shows a Gloucester County estate file. OCIS does not include probate records. For a recorded will or list of heirs, contact the clerk's office or visit the records room during its posted hours.
What will it cost to probate a will in Gloucester County?
The Commonwealth probate tax is 10 cents per $100 for estates over $15,000 (Va. Code § 58.1-1712, unchanged since 2003), plus statewide qualification and recording fees. A county may add a local probate tax equal to one-third of the state tax (Va. Code § 58.1-1718), so ask the Gloucester clerk for the total when you schedule.
Where do I send the inventory and accounts after qualifying?
Send the inventory and accounts to the commissioner of accounts, not to the clerk. The inventory is due within four months after qualification (Va. Code § 64.2-1300), and the first account is due within 16 months (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.