{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/17.1-215.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/17.1-215.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/17.1-215.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/17.1-215.html"}],"law_id":349980,"edition_id":2,"section_id":349980,"structure_id":50110,"section_number":"17.1-215","catch_line":"Process book","history":"Code 1919, \u00a7 3403, \u00a7 17-51; 1946, p. 54; 1989, c. 137; 1998, c. 872.","full_text":"The clerk of a circuit court shall keep a process book or file or, in lieu thereof, an automated system, in which the clerk shall enter every such process, order or decree, showing its nature, date, return day and the person to whom, and the time when, it was delivered, or, if it was mailed, the time thereof and the person to whom it was addressed. From any officer, to whom there is such delivery, the clerk shall take a receipt in the process book or file or enter the receipt on the automated system.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1304402,"text":"The clerk of a circuit court shall keep a process book or file or, in lieu thereof, an automated system, in which the clerk shall enter every such process, order or decree, showing its nature, date, return day and the person to whom, and the time when, it was delivered, or, if it was mailed, the time thereof and the person to whom it was addressed. From any officer, to whom there is such delivery, the clerk shall take a receipt in the process book or file or enter the receipt on the automated system.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":50110,"edition_id":2,"name":"Other Clerks and Clerks' Offices","identifier":"2","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":2,"parent_id":50108,"metadata":{"child_laws":19,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:22:23","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:30:10","permalink":{"id":1389995,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50110,"identifier":"2","token":"17.1\/2\/2","url":"\/17.1\/2\/2\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":50108,"edition_id":2,"name":"Clerks, Clerks' Offices and Records","identifier":"2","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":2,"parent_id":50105,"metadata":{"child_laws":125,"child_structures":9},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:22:22","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:30:10","permalink":{"id":1389963,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50108,"identifier":"2","token":"17.1\/2","url":"\/17.1\/2\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":50105,"edition_id":2,"name":"Courts of Record","identifier":"17.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":50,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":322,"child_structures":25},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:22:16","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:30:09","permalink":{"id":1389801,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50105,"identifier":"17.1","token":"17.1","url":"\/17.1\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":349971,"structure_id":50110,"section_number":"17.1-206","catch_line":"Where offices to be located","url":"\/17.1-206\/","token":"17.1\/2\/2\/17.1-206","metadata":{"court_decisions":{"0":{"name":" .\u202f.\u202f. Daily Press, LLC v. Office of the Exec. Sec'y of the Supreme .\u202f.\u202f. ","case_number":"Record 160889","citation":"800 S.E.2d 822","date":"2017-06-29","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/4404754\/daily-press-llc-v-office-of-the-exec-secy-of-the-supreme-court-of-va\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. OPINION BY JUSTICE STEPHEN R. McCULLOUGH .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"SCV<\/abbr>"}}}},{"id":349972,"structure_id":50110,"section_number":"17.1-207","catch_line":"Days of operation of clerks' offices","url":"\/17.1-207\/","token":"17.1\/2\/2\/17.1-207","metadata":{"court_decisions":{"0":{"name":"Allie v. WHOLE FOODS MARKET GROUP, INC.","case_number":"1:10-cv-00813","citation":"746 F. Supp. 2d 773","date":"2010-10-05","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/2469895\/allie-v-whole-foods-market-group-inc\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 746 F.Supp.2d 773 (2010) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"District Court, E.D. Virginia"}}}},{"id":349973,"structure_id":50110,"section_number":"17.1-208","catch_line":"Records, etc., open to inspection; copies; exception","url":"\/17.1-208\/","token":"17.1\/2\/2\/17.1-208","metadata":{"court_decisions":{"0":{"name":"The Daily Press v. Commonwealth","case_number":"210787","citation":null,"date":"2022-10-20","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/8404409\/the-daily-press-v-commonwealth\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. PRESENT: Goodwyn, C.J., Powell, Kelsey, McCullough, and Chafin, JJ., and Millette and .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"SCV<\/abbr>"},"1":{"name":"Daily Press, Inc. v. Commonwealth","case_number":"120858","citation":null,"date":"2013-02-28","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1057775\/daily-press-inc-v-commonwealth\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. PRESENT: All the Justices .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"SCV<\/abbr>"},"2":{"name":"Perreault v. the Free Lance-Star","case_number":"Record 071978.","citation":"666 S.E.2d 352","date":"2008-09-12","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1058448\/perreault-v-the-free-lance-star\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 666 S.E.2d 352 (2008) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"SCV<\/abbr>"},"3":{"name":"Daily Press, Inc. v. Commonwealth","case_number":"1005111","citation":"725 S.E.2d 737","date":"2012-05-22","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1061677\/daily-press-inc-v-commonwealth\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. *224ELDER, J., .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"COA<\/abbr>"},"4":{"name":"Smith v. Richmond Newspapers, Inc.","case_number":"Record 000337","citation":"261 Va. 113","date":"2001-01-12","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1059519\/smith-v-richmond-newspapers-inc\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. JUSTICE KOONTZ .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"SCV<\/abbr>"},"5":{"name":"Lotz v. Com.","case_number":"Record 081122.","citation":"672 S.E.2d 833","date":"2009-02-27","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1058377\/lotz-v-com\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 672 S.E.2d 833 (2009) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"SCV<\/abbr>"},"6":{"name":"Shiembob v. Shiembob","case_number":"0135091","citation":"685 S.E.2d 192","date":"2009-11-24","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1062323\/shiembob-v-shiembob\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 685 S.E.2d 192 (2009) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"COA<\/abbr>"},"7":{"name":"Ostergren v. Cuccinelli","case_number":"09-1723, 09-1796","citation":"615 F.3d 263","date":"2010-07-26","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/151545\/ostergren-v-cuccinelli\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. *266Affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded by published opinion. Judge DUNCAN wrote the .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit"},"8":{"name":"Ostergren v. Cuccinelli","case_number":"09-1723","citation":null,"date":"2010-08-02","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/152064\/ostergren-v-cuccinelli\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. Filed: August 2, 2010 .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit"}}}},{"id":349974,"structure_id":50110,"section_number":"17.1-209","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/17.1-209\/","token":"17.1\/2\/2\/17.1-209","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},{"id":349975,"structure_id":50110,"section_number":"17.1-210","catch_line":"Removal of records or papers prohibited; exceptions","url":"\/17.1-210\/","token":"17.1\/2\/2\/17.1-210","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},{"id":349976,"structure_id":50110,"section_number":"17.1-211","catch_line":"Maintenance and disposition of certain receipt books, cancelled checks and statements","url":"\/17.1-211\/","token":"17.1\/2\/2\/17.1-211","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},{"id":349977,"structure_id":50110,"section_number":"17.1-212","catch_line":"Copying of records becoming illegible","url":"\/17.1-212\/","token":"17.1\/2\/2\/17.1-212","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},{"id":349978,"structure_id":50110,"section_number":"17.1-213","catch_line":"Disposition of papers in ended cases","url":"\/17.1-213\/","token":"17.1\/2\/2\/17.1-213","metadata":{"court_decisions":{"0":{"name":"Roe v. Com.","case_number":"Record 050909.","citation":"628 S.E.2d 526","date":"2006-04-21","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1058822\/roe-v-com\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 628 S.E.2d 526 (2006) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"SCV<\/abbr>"}}}},{"id":349979,"structure_id":50110,"section_number":"17.1-214","catch_line":"Clerk to deliver or send process to sheriff","url":"\/17.1-214\/","token":"17.1\/2\/2\/17.1-214","metadata":false},{"id":349980,"structure_id":50110,"section_number":"17.1-215","catch_line":"Process book","url":"\/17.1-215\/","token":"17.1\/2\/2\/17.1-215","metadata":false},{"id":349981,"structure_id":50110,"section_number":"17.1-216","catch_line":"Handling fee for service of process","url":"\/17.1-216\/","token":"17.1\/2\/2\/17.1-216","metadata":false},{"id":349982,"structure_id":50110,"section_number":"17.1-217","catch_line":"Power of clerk to administer oath","url":"\/17.1-217\/","token":"17.1\/2\/2\/17.1-217","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},{"id":349983,"structure_id":50110,"section_number":"17.1-218","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/17.1-218\/","token":"17.1\/2\/2\/17.1-218","metadata":false},{"id":349985,"structure_id":50110,"section_number":"17.1-219","catch_line":"Clerk to prepare bonds","url":"\/17.1-219\/","token":"17.1\/2\/2\/17.1-219","metadata":false},{"id":349984,"structure_id":50110,"section_number":"17.1-219.1","catch_line":"Transportation orders; authorization for clerk to issue orders to custodian","url":"\/17.1-219.1\/","token":"17.1\/2\/2\/17.1-219.1","metadata":false},{"id":349986,"structure_id":50110,"section_number":"17.1-220","catch_line":"Duplicate certificate of allowance prohibited, unless ordered by court","url":"\/17.1-220\/","token":"17.1\/2\/2\/17.1-220","metadata":false},{"id":349987,"structure_id":50110,"section_number":"17.1-221","catch_line":"Reports by clerks of the business of courts of record","url":"\/17.1-221\/","token":"17.1\/2\/2\/17.1-221","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},{"id":349989,"structure_id":50110,"section_number":"17.1-222","catch_line":"Failure to make report","url":"\/17.1-222\/","token":"17.1\/2\/2\/17.1-222","metadata":false},{"id":349988,"structure_id":50110,"section_number":"17.1-222.1","catch_line":"Collection of fees, etc., by court clerks in lieu of money","url":"\/17.1-222.1\/","token":"17.1\/2\/2\/17.1-222.1","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}}],"previous_section":{"id":349979,"structure_id":50110,"section_number":"17.1-214","catch_line":"Clerk to deliver or send process to sheriff","url":"\/17.1-214\/","token":"17.1\/2\/2\/17.1-214","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":349981,"structure_id":50110,"section_number":"17.1-216","catch_line":"Handling fee for service of process","url":"\/17.1-216\/","token":"17.1\/2\/2\/17.1-216","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/17.1-215\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 2 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1989, chapter 137; in 1998, chapter 872<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":1390033,"object_type":"law","relational_id":349980,"identifier":"17.1-215","token":"17.1\/2\/2\/17.1-215","url":"\/17.1-215\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/17.1-215\/","token":"17.1\/2\/2\/17.1-215","dublin_core":{"Title":"Process book","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 17.1-215","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

The clerk of a circuit<\/span> court<\/span> shall keep a process book<\/span> or file or, in lieu thereof, an automated system, in which the clerk shall enter every such process, order<\/span> or decree<\/span>, showing its nature, date, return day and the person to whom, and the time when, it was delivered, or, if it was mailed, the time thereof and the person to whom it was addressed. From any officer, to whom there is such delivery, the clerk shall take a receipt in the process book<\/span> or file or enter the receipt on the automated system.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nPROCESS BOOK (\u00a7 17.1-215)\n\nThe clerk of a circuit court shall keep a process book or file or, in lieu\nthereof, an automated system, in which the clerk shall enter every such process,\norder or decree, showing its nature, date, return day and the person to whom,\nand the time when, it was delivered, or, if it was mailed, the time thereof and\nthe person to whom it was addressed. From any officer, to whom there is such\ndelivery, the clerk shall take a receipt in the process book or file or enter\nthe receipt on the automated system.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1919, \u00a7 3403, \u00a7 17-51; 1946, p. 54; 1989, c. 137; 1998, c. 872.","edition":{"id":2,"name":"2026","slug":"2026","date_created":"2026-07-16 18:40:23","date_modified":"2026-08-02 15:14:36","current":1,"order_by":2,"last_import":"2026-08-02 12:37:30"}}