District of Columbia Court Records

United States   District of Columbia    Court Records

Major courts that kept records of genealogical value for the District of Columbia were established as follows:


 * 1801-1863:  Circuit court kept records of civil and criminal cases.
 * 1863-1928:  Supreme court replaced the circuit court.
 * 1928-present: Superior court replaced the supreme court.
 * 1801-1871:  Levy court governed Washington County outside the City of Washington and assessed taxes.
 * 1800s-present: District court for the District of Columbia is the federal court that serves the general area, with jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases.

The Family History Library has copies of a few District of Columbia court records, but most are at the National Records Center in Suitland, Maryland. That collection includes Washington County District Court docket books (1801-40), minute books (1801-42), case papers (1802-40), and indentures of apprenticeship (1801-74).

The Virginia State Library has circuit court order books (1801-27) and minute books (1825-46), and U.S. district court minute books (1801-25).