IMPORTANT AUGUSTA COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT NOTICES 

The Clerk of the Circuit Court is a constitutional officer elected every eight years and serves the citizens of the County of Augusta. R. Steven Landes was sworn in as the 17^th Clerk of Circuit Court for Augusta County in November 2019, after a Special Election to fill an unexpired term of Carol M. Brydge. Mr. Landes was re-elected to a full eight-year term in November 2023. Before being elected Clerk of Circuit Court, Mr. Landes served in the Virginia House of Delegates from January 1996 until he resigned to become Clerk in November 2019.

The Office of the Clerk of Circuit Court dates from 1619.  From those early days until the present, the Clerk’s duties have changed significantly, but the office remains vitally important to the residents of each county and city. The Code of Virginia lists over 800 separate responsibilities for the Clerk, many of which are highly complex and challenging.  The Clerk serves as the recorder of deeds and probate judge, issues marriage licenses and is the official court administrator for all civil and criminal court cases.  In this latter capacity, the Clerk creates and maintains all court files and records, prepares court orders and jury lists, contacts jurors and issues summons and court processes.

Circuit Court Clerks in Virginia perform duties that in many states are divided among three or four separate offices.  In keeping with tradition, therefore, Virginia has saved its citizens significant tax dollars by combining judicial and administrative functions into a single office.

The office of the clerk of circuit court is committed to public service.  We are dedicated to providing our patrons with excellent customer service and will assist you with any questions or concerns about our policies and procedures.

We are prohibited by law from giving legal advice.  Questions regarding legal interpretation should be directed to an attorney licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

History of Augusta County Circuit Court Clerks