Southampton County Circuit Court Clerk Richard L. “Rick” Francis sent a Sept. 4 letter addressed to courthouse users that supplied information related to the move back to the renovated Southampton County Courthouse on Main Street in Courtland. The move is taking place during the week of Sept. 9-13.

The letter reads as follows:

“Our ‘Return to Courtland’ Courthouse Move will take place next week, beginning Sept. 9. Our move will likely consume the remainder of the week, during which we will likely be without computer support and not open to the public. Hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst, please plan according to the following schedule:

• The Clerk’s Office will be closing at the end of the day, Friday, Sept. 6, and we plan to reopen at 8 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 16, which is our Term Day.
• RECORDING – On Friday, Sept. 6, at 4 p.m., electronic filing (Simplifile/CSE) will be turned “off.” Electronic deed recording resumes Tuesday, Sep. 17, at 8 a.m. Paper recording received in the mail or in our dropbox will be held and eventually recorded in the order received. We have a dropbox outside the Hunterdale school and another deed dropbox (a Tote Box) just inside the front security doors of the school. Please write the date and time of dropoff on the reverse side of the last page of your document. 
• CIVIL FILINGS – Friday, Sep. 6, at 4:30 p.m. last day accepted (electronic or paper). Paper filing resumes on Sept. 16 at 8 a.m. Electronic filing will also resume on Sept. 16 at 8 a.m.
• WILLS/PROBATE – By appointment, call after Sep. 16.
• SRA ACCOUNTS – All accounts set to expire about the time of our move have been extended without cost.
• COURT COSTS – Sept. 6 at 4:30 p.m. is the last day and time online payments accepted, resuming Sept. 16. No penalties assessed during this time period.
• MARRIAGE LICENSES – Issued by appointment, call after Sept. 16.
• PASSPORTS – Hope to resume soon after return and re-certification training becomes available.
• NOTARY OATHS – Last day administered, Sept. 6 at 4:30 p.m. Resuming Sept. 16.
• CHP APPLICATIONS – Sept. 6 at 4:30 p.m., last day accepted. Resuming Sept. 16.
• WEDDINGS – Only set appointments honored. Call after Sept. 16. 
• MAILING ADDRESS – Will remain P.O. Box 190, Courtland, VA 23837
• PHYSICAL ADDRESS – Will once again be 22350 Main St., Courtland, VA 23837.
• FAX NUMBER – 757-653-2547 will not change.
• PHONE NUMBER & EMAIL – Remains unchanged but expect to receive an answering machine.
• GENEALOGICAL RESEARCH – Sept. 6, last day of assistance in our present Records Room, resuming Sept. 16.
• NEW HOURS – 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (for General District Court, Circuit Court and Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office). Our office hours are changing to eliminate the confusion between clerk’s offices opening and closing at different times, and to limit the burden on security. Our new hours will be from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with the ability to receive monetary payments and accept recordings ending at 4 p.m. each day.

“Hopefully, the move and ‘downtime’ will not be as bad as expected and we will be able to resume our customer services earlier than expected… stay tuned.”