Pay Court Costs

These are payments made to the court directly

Joyner Law doesn’t process them. This page covers how to pay the court, when payment is due, and what to do if you have questions.

Unlike some states, Virginia doesn’t suspend driver’s licenses for unpaid fines. But unpaid balances can be sent to collections about 90 days after judgment, where they start accruing interest. If you can’t pay in full, ask the court about an installment plan.

Online Payments

Most fines and court costs can be paid online with a credit or debit card. If your court date hasn’t passed yet, talk to an attorney before paying anything. Paying before your court date is treated as a guilty plea and a waiver of your hearing. And if you’re charged with reckless driving, prepayment isn’t an option — you have to appear.

To pay your fine or court costs:

  1. Go to the General District Court Online Case Information System.
  2. Select your court from the drop-down on the left side of the screen.
  3. Search for your case by name (as it appears on the ticket) or by case number.
  4. On the Case Details page, click Mark for Payment.
  5. Enter your payment information.
  6. Print the receipt for your records.

If you have multiple cases or owe multiple fines to the court, pay each one individually.

Payments by Mail

If you’re paying by mail, send a money order or check to the clerk’s office for the court handling your case. Make the check payable to the appropriate court — for example, “Chesterfield County General District Court” — and write your case number in the memo line.

Some courts require payment by check or money order only. Confirm with the clerk’s office what payment methods that specific court accepts before you mail anything.

Payments In-Person

You can also pay in person at the clerk’s office. Most courts accept cash, check, money order, or card — but some don’t take cards. Confirm the accepted payment methods with the clerk’s office before you go.

Payment Plans

If you can’t pay your fine in full within 30 days, some courts offer payment plans. Policies vary by jurisdiction, so contact the clerk’s office where your case is being heard to confirm eligibility.

The Supreme Court of Virginia publishes payment plan policies for each court level:

Working with the Clerk’s Office

For most payment questions, the clerk’s office is the right first call. Clerks try to be as helpful as they can, but they’re limited in what they’re allowed to do — not by knowledge, but by the rules they work under.

What clerks typically can do:

  • Explain how the court works
  • Answer general procedural questions
  • Share basic information from your case file
  • Point you to forms and samples
  • Confirm deadlines and court requirements

What clerks typically cannot do:

  • Change a judge’s order
  • Give legal advice
  • Predict what will happen with your case
  • Recommend an attorney
  • Speak to the judge on your behalf

If you’re already represented by an attorney familiar with the court, calling your attorney is usually faster than calling the clerk’s office.

If you run into issues with payment or have questions the clerk’s office can’t answer, give us a call.

Contact Us