Frederick County, Virginia: Where to File a Security Deposit Claim and What It Costs
Listed court is Frederick/Winchester General District Court, Civil & Small Claims Division (joint court serving Frederick County and City of Winchester) in Winchester, VA. Check venue on the court's official page or with the clerk. Filing fee: see the fee table. Claims up to $5,000. Virginia return time: 45 days. ACS two-bedroom rent: $1,291. Enter your dates below and send the dated letter first.
| Court listed | Frederick/Winchester General District Court, Civil & Small Claims Division (joint court serving Frederick County and City of Winchester) |
|---|---|
| City | Winchester, VA |
| Address | Judicial Center, 5 North Kent Street, Winchester, VA 22601-5037 |
| Phone | (540) 722-7208 |
| Hours | 8:00AM - 4:00PM |
| Statewide filing fee | ~$30-$75 sliding scale + service fee ~$12-$40; see fee calculator |
| Small claims limit | $5,000 (statewide) |
| State deposit return deadline |
|
| Time limit to sue | 3 years |
| Deposit statute | Va. Code § 55.1-1226 (Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, Title 55.1, Chapter 12) |
Some counties have more than one small claims court, and venue rules differ by state; check which court hears your claim on the court's official page or with the clerk.
Details
Limits: $5,000 (statewide).
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Details of the return rules
| When it applies | Deadline | Starts from |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit return | 45 days | Termination date of the tenancy or the date the tenant vacates the dwelling unit, whichever occurs last |
Virginia return rule: 45 days. Check the dates you entered above.
Court listed for this county: Frederick/Winchester General District Court, Civil & Small Claims Division (joint court serving Frederick County and City of Winchester). Check venue on the official court page or with the clerk.
Free dated DOCX by email. Print-ready state PDF kit: $29. Letter preparation and mailing: $49.
Who do you name in the claim?
Find and compare the legal names
Find and compare the legal names in these records:
- The lease: the Landlord or Owner line and who signed.
- The deposit receipt or the account your rent went to.
- The owner of record in the property records of Frederick County.
- The Virginia business registry for an LLC or management company: its exact legal name and registered agent. Virginia State Corporation Commission
A registered agent receives court papers for a company; it is not the defendant.
Listed filing or service charges: ~$30-$75 sliding scale + service fee ~$12-$40; see fee calculator
This page shows where the names are recorded; it does not decide who is legally liable.
What to bring to the clerk
- Your lease.
- Deposit receipt or payment record.
- The demand letter and proof of delivery.
- Move-out photos and an inventory or condition report.
Check the Virginia filing procedure before you go.
Service methods: constable or sheriff.
Procedure source (medium confidence): The amount one must pay to file a case and serve process may vary, depending upon the court. Ask the clerk of court about the cost.
Is it worth filing here?
Illustration: a deposit equal to one month's ACS median gross rent (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) for a home in Frederick County. This is calculated from rent, not measured deposits. The statutory amount requires the rule's conditions.
| Bedrooms | Deposit owed | Statutory amount | Total illustration | Limit check |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | $1,291 | Formula requires case facts | Check the formula | Check the applicable limit and remedy |
| 3 | $1,476 | Formula requires case facts | Check the formula | Check the applicable limit and remedy |
| 4 | $2,260 | Formula requires case facts | Check the formula | Check the applicable limit and remedy |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates, tables B25064, B25031, B25003, B25070; accessed 2026-09-21. Penalty rule.
How does Frederick County compare with other Virginia counties?
The two-bedroom median gross rent is $1,291: rank 18 of 95 counties with this metric in U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates. 22% of households rent in Frederick County.
| County | Median gross rent |
|---|---|
| Richmond County | $1,374 |
| Clarke County | $1,301 |
| Frederick County | $1,291 |
| King George County | $1,286 |
| Culpeper County | $1,268 |
| Rappahannock County | $1,247 |
Ranking uses the same ACS metric and period within this state; ties share a rank. Coverage is 95 of 133 listed counties. Census source.
Places in Frederick County
- Middletown
- Stephens City
These are Census places in the county. Check the rental's address with the clerk to find the court.
U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census place-to-county relationship file
Free legal help
- Virginia Legal Aid - statewide intake network: Statewide phone routing to the local legal aid office for free civil legal help for eligible residents, including housing and eviction problems; this network entry overlaps the individually listed Virginia Legal Aid Society.
FAQ
How much does it cost to file in Frederick County?
Statewide filing fee: ~$30-$75 sliding scale + service fee ~$12-$40; see fee calculator.
Where do I file a deposit claim in Frederick County?
Frederick/Winchester General District Court, Civil & Small Claims Division (joint court serving Frederick County and City of Winchester) is listed. Some counties have more than one small claims court, and venue rules differ by state; check which court hears your claim on the court's official page or with the clerk. Court page
Who should I name in the claim?
Compare the legal names on the lease, deposit receipt, property records and business registry. A registered agent receives papers for a company; it is not the defendant.
What should I bring to the clerk?
Bring your lease, deposit receipt, demand letter, proof of delivery, photos and any move-out inventory.