Alexandria and Arlington Small Claims Court: Filing Guide

Two Courts, One Metro Area

Alexandria and Arlington sit side by side in Northern Virginia, just across the Potomac from Washington, D.C. Both are densely populated jurisdictions with active small claims dockets — and because Alexandria is an independent city while Arlington is a county, each has its own General District Court with its own clerk's office.

Getting the right court matters. Under Va. Code § 8.01-262, each court can be a proper venue if a statutory connection exists there — for example, the defendant resides there, has a principal place of employment or business there, or the cause of action arose there. The city-county boundary affects venue, and a defendant may object to improper venue and seek a transfer.

Alexandria General District Court

Location: 520 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

Alexandria's court is compact but busy. The civil clerk's office handles small claims filings at the counter during business hours. The courthouse is in Old Town Alexandria, near the King Street Metro station — parking is limited, so plan accordingly.

Filing fees follow the statewide schedule: $35–$38 for claims up to $500, $50–$57 for claims between $500.01 and $5,000, plus $12 per defendant for sheriff service. Return dates are typically set 30–60 days from filing.

Alexandria, as an independent city, has a large rental market relative to its size. Security deposit disputes between tenants and property management companies are common on the small claims docket. If you're suing a property management LLC, check whether the LLC is the actual landlord or just an agent — you may need to sue the property owner directly, depending on who signed the lease.

Arlington County General District Court

Location: 1425 N. Courthouse Road, Arlington, VA 22201

Arlington's courthouse is near the Courthouse Metro station. The civil clerk's office accepts filings at the counter and by mail. Arlington runs a high-volume docket, and small claims cases are grouped onto designated civil hearing days.

Same statewide fees apply. Arlington also sees a high volume of cases involving federal contractors and technology companies headquartered in the county. These defendants are often LLCs with registered agents at professional service addresses (CT Corporation, CSC Global). Verify the exact entity name and registered agent through the SCC CIS portal before filing Form DC-402.

Venue Rules for Both Courts

Under Va. Code § 8.01-262, you can file in either court if:

• The defendant resides or has a principal place of employment in that jurisdiction
• The defendant's principal place of business is there
• The defendant's registered agent is located there
• The cause of action arose there (where the contract was performed, where the damage occurred, where the transaction happened)

Northern Virginia's tight geography creates venue questions. A defendant might live in Arlington, have a principal place of employment in Alexandria, and have caused the dispute in Fairfax. In that scenario, all three courts have a statutory venue basis — pick the most convenient one where you can establish the strongest connection.

One common mistake: assuming you can file where you live. Under Virginia law, the plaintiff's residence is only a valid venue as a last resort under § 8.01-262(10) — and only when no other statutory connection exists.

Shared Northern Virginia Considerations

Mediation: Both courts offer voluntary mediation on civil cases. In Alexandria and Arlington, mediation is often conducted the same morning as your hearing date. If you reach a settlement, the mediator drafts a consent order. If not, your case proceeds to the judge that day.

Removal risk: A defendant may remove the case under Va. Code § 16.1-122.4(B) at any point before the judge hands down a decision, moving it to the regular General District Court docket. The defendant may then be represented by an attorney. If you're suing a well-resourced business, prepare for this possibility — it changes the formality of the proceeding.

Service timing: Both the Alexandria and Arlington Sheriff's Offices handle civil process. If the defendant evades service, posted service (posting the warrant at the defendant's usual place of abode) is available in both jurisdictions. To seek a default judgment, mail a copy by first-class mail at least 10 days before trial and file Form DC-413 with the clerk on or before the return date.

For the complete filing process — including form instructions, evidence organization, and collection strategies — the Virginia small claims filing guide covers every stage.

See more Virginia guides →