PWC Clerk of Court Jackie Smith introduces first newsletter known as The Circuit

Jacque;ine Smith, Clerk of the Circuit Court that serves Prince Wiliam County, Manassas and Manassas Park has begun a new public newsletter, known as The Circuit.

In the first edition, readers will discover several public services the Clerk’s Office offesr at the courthouse and within the community. This issue highlights programs available to residents, outlines the processes for obtaining public services, and shares upcoming community events.

Smith encourages residents to read on to explore the exciting services available to you.We feature the public services that residents frequently access through the Clerk’s office.

You may have heard about costly subscription based systems designed to secure property deeds. This year, I prioritized finding an efficient way to provide these same services at no cost to residents. I am excited to announce the upcoming launch of our new Property Alert system, which will notify residents of any public searches related to their property.

Property Alert will be ready for sign-ups in early 2025, so please stay tuned for more information.

Our public services include everything from copies of records and oaths for newly certified public notaries to marriage licenses and civil celebrant ceremonies.

In the first issue of Circuit, you can learn about the process of becoming a notary, obtaining a marriage license, and orientation information for local celebrants. Here at the courthouse, we offer civil celebrant ceremonies on Fridays, except holidays. Please remember that marriage licenses are required at the time of your ceremony, so schedule your appointment in advance.

We have a special Seal the Deal civil wedding ceremony event coming up! We are expanding our civil ceremonies to towns in the area, starting with the Town of Occoquan, which will host our Seal the Deal event on December 13, 2024. This event promises participating couples an afternoon filled with photographic memories at the Town Hall, located near boutiques, shops, and restaurants, all alongside the scenic river.

After the ceremony, the town will host a Firelight Festival, where couples can continue celebrating their nuptials by a cozy fire with roasted marshmallows and hot cocoa.

Several times a year, I administer oaths at law enforcement and police ceremonies. These occasions are always a time for reflection as we honor and celebrate the achievements of recruits from the criminal justice academy and welcome them into their sworn positions to maintain a safe community. This issue provides insight into the recent graduation of the Prince William County Police and Sheriff’s Criminal Justice Recruit Class #58. Congratulations to the graduates!

Thanks to our residents, the convenience of our Circuit Court Clerk Seals on Wheels program continues to thrive. This marks the second year of its implementation, allowing residents to access many courthouse services, including copies of records and deeds, concealed carry permits, filing petitions, obtaining forms, securing marriage licenses, and having civil celebrant ceremonies.

Since the program began touring the County, Manassas, and Manassas Park, 17 couples have married through Seals on Wheels, and more than 840 services have been received. Our last Seals on Wheels stop of 2024 was at the Chinn Park Library on Saturday, November 16. 

As we officially enter the holiday season, I want to wish you the happiest of holidays this year. Please mark your calendars for our holiday schedule, and I hope you enjoy reading our newsletter. If you have any questions or need assistance with our services, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Thank you,Jackie Smith

To view: https://simplebooklet.com/thecircuitnovember2024