Sussex County

Sussex County, Virginia is a rural county located in the southeastern portion of the Commonwealth, within the coastal plain region. Established in 1754, Sussex County was named after Sussex, England and includes approximately 491 square miles of land. Sussex County seat is Sussex area, a small town that is the administrative center for county government operations. As of recent census estimates, Sussex County has a population of approximately 10,800 residents, making it one of Virginia's smaller counties by population. Sussex County is bordered by Surry County to the east, Greensville County to the south, Prince George County to the northeast, and Dinwiddie County to the west. Sussex County is known for its agricultural heritage, particularly peanut farming and timber production, as well as several state correctional facilities that contribute significantly to the local economy. Historic landmarks include Sussex County Courthouse, built in 1825 and still in use today, and various antebellum properties that reflect Sussex County's colonial and Civil War-era history. Sussex County's public records are maintained by several offices: the Circuit Court Clerk located at 15098 Courthouse Road in Sussex is the primary custodian of land records, court documents, and vital records; the Commissioner of the Revenue handles property assessments at Sussex County Government Center; and the County Administrator's office coordinates general county business. The Nottoway River forms part of Sussex County's western boundary, providing recreational opportunities and ecological significance to Sussex County.

The Sussex County Court serves Sussex County, Virginia and handles civil, criminal, family, and probate cases. The courthouse is located at 15020 Courthouse Road. Court records and case filings can be requested in person or through the Virginia online court portal.

Sussex County Virginia Circuit Court is located in Sussex, VA. It has jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases, including felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and civil cases. The court also has jurisdiction over juvenile and domestic relations cases.

Law Enforcement & Arrests

• Mugshots and booking photos are generally available through the Sheriff's Office, though they may require a formal public records request.
• Processing fees may apply for copies of arrest records and photographs.
• The Virginia State Police also maintain records of arrests that can be accessed through their background check system for employment or licensing purposes.

Jail & Inmate Records

• The bond and bail process follows Virginia state guidelines, allowing for release pending trial under certain conditions.

Mugshots & Booking Photos

• Sussex County General District Court, located at the same courthouse complex, handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, civil cases up to $25,000, and preliminary hearings for felony charges.
• The court also processes small claims matters and magistrate functions.
• Certified copies of court documents cost $2.00 for the first page and $0.50 for each additional page, plus a $2.00 certification fee.
• Remote access fees and search fees may apply for extensive research requests.
• The Circuit Court Clerk, as the official custodian of these records, processes all requests under the Clerks' Manual published by the Virginia Supreme Court.

• Recording fees are established by Virginia Code § 17.1-275 and typically include a base fee plus additional charges for multiple pages or properties.
• The Commissioner's office conducts property assessments, maintains tax maps, and processes appeals of assessed values.
• Citizens seeking full property information should request a title search from the Circuit Court Clerk's office, which can provide certified copies of all recorded documents affecting a specific parcel.
• Research fees may apply for extensive searches.

Vital records for this county include birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates issued under state vital statistics law.

• Death certificates are similarly available through the Circuit Court Clerk for deaths occurring in Sussex County, with the same fee structure applying.
• The state office offers online ordering through VitalChek at www.vdh.virginia.gov/vital records with expedited processing available for additional fees.
• Processing time for mail requests ranges from two to four weeks, while in-person requests at the local clerk's office may be fulfilled the same day if records are readily available.
• Marriage licenses in Sussex County must be obtained from the Circuit Court Clerk's office, with both parties present, valid identification, and payment of the license fee (approximately $30).

Business records, licenses, and permits for this county are processed by the County Clerk and local government offices.

• The Clerk maintains an index of all DBAs (doing business as names) registered in Sussex County.
• State-level business entity registration is handled by the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC), and all corporations, LLCs, limited partnerships, and other formal business entities must register with the SCC.
• The Commission maintains a full online business entity search at https://cis.scc.virginia.gov where citizens can search for registered businesses, view formation documents, registered agents, and annual reports.
• Sales tax registration is handled through the Virginia Department of Taxation at www.tax.virginia.gov, where businesses can register for a Virginia Tax Account and obtain necessary permits for collecting sales tax.