Frequently Asked Questions Frequently Asked Questions Bond Rating 5- The Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) is a planning document. It lists many projects that the city desires to accomplish, generally over a 5-year period. The CIP includes new construction or renovations to existing school buildings and other city structures, major street, bridge, and sewer repair projects, and upgrades to existing park facilities, or new park structures.Bond Rating The CIP is a dynamic instrument that may change from year to year as infrastructure needs in the city are identified. Basically, the preparation, approval and financing process for the CIP are:

  • Development of a CIP by the City Manager and staff
  • City Council approval of a CIP after public hearings
  • City Council approval of a CIP funding source, which is usually a Bond Authorization (after a public hearing)
  • An appropriation of funds to the project
  • Award of a construction contract for the project to be built.

First, the city prepares the multi-year planning document based on all known information about particular projects. Project categories are developed for buildings, school facilities, sewers, streets, etc. The next step is to request City Council adoption of a resolution approving the CIP. This is an important step that indicates that the city has identified certain infrastructure needs. It does not mean that all projects will be accomplished within the time frames shown in the planning document. Project timing may change for a variety of reasons such as alternative ways to get the project accomplished, need for the project and cost. The City Council has total flexibility to accept, reject or modify projects in the plan. Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) changes require a different procedure. Upon the recommendation of the city Manager, the City Council may amend the Capital Improvements Plan by a majority of affirmative vote. The CIP is not a formal budget. Appropriations are made on a project-by-project basis only. Only the first year of the plan is approved by City Council on an annual basis. This provides the City Council with flexibility in executing the plan and the ability to add to the CIP with unprogrammed projects as necessary. If you have any questions, please email Budget and Evaluation.

Before a project can be started, an approved funding source must be identified. If enough uncommitted funds are available, the city may pay cash to have the project done. Most projects however, must be financed over a long time period since rarely do city governments have the money readily available to pay for high-cost capital projects.Bond Rating

Financing projects is similar to a homeowner’s mortgage. The city borrows a large sum of cash to pay for projects and then repays it with interest over a long period of time, generally 20 years. The amount repaid each year is called debt service. The general purpose behind the use of long-term debt for financing capital projects is that these facilities will last for many years so that current taxpayers will not have to absorb the full cost of their construction. Borrowing also serves to smooth the cost impact of large expensive structures (such as a school or fire station) over more than the facility’s shorter construction period. Before the city can borrow the funds or even commit to begin a project, State law requires that several steps be complied with. The State requires that a public hearing be conducted on a bond authorization by the City Council. A bond authorization indicates an amount of funds that the city intends to borrow (at some time in the future) to pay for capital projects. A notice (advertisement) that the public hearing will be held by the City Council must be advertised in the newspaper twice during the 2-week time period before the public hearing is actually held. The advertisement lists the amount of funds that the city intends to borrow (at some time in the future) and provides an estimate of the amount of money by category that it intends to spend on capital projects. The public hearing gives citizens an opportunity to express their views about the city’s intention to incur additional debt for capital projects. If the bond authorization is not approved, capital projects can only be done when the city has saved enough money to pay cash for the project. If the bond authorization is approved by the City Council, it signifies that the city will use bonds as the fund source to pay for projects up to the amount of the bond authorization. It does not mean that the city intends to sell bonds immediately or even in the very near future. Generally, the city only sells bonds when the cash is needed and when market conditions are the most favorable (lowest interest rates) for the city to borrow the money. If you have any questions, please email Budget and Evaluation.

The bond authorization gives the City Manager authority to bring individual requests for funding for capital projects to the City Council for their action (that is, approval or disapproval of funding). Projects often may be financed in stages - to accomplish the architectural/engineering element, to land purchase when necessary, or to perform studies as required by regulatory agencies.Bond Rating

Approval of funding is called an “appropriation.” When an appropriation of funds is made, construction or whatever work the project calls for may start. Once the work begins, the city is generally committed to doing the project and eventually selling bonds. If you have any questions, please email Budget and Evaluation.

The city receives most of its revenue on a seasonal basis. Property taxes are collected in November - January and again in May - July. This money must last the city for the entire year. Usually, the city will have enough cash on hand to be able to meet its regular monthly bills and still have enough cash to front-fund some capital projects. When bonds are eventually sold, the cash that was used to front-fund projects is reimbursed to the city from the bond proceeds.Bond Rating

This procedure is in the best interest of the city as it maximizes the use of the city’s available cash. Bond sales are timed to market conditions (interest rates) and actual cash needs. Actual cash needs are determined by the amount of funds that have been expended on individual capital projects. If the CIP is approved, the financing process can be summarized as:

  • A funding mechanism is approved which generally is bonds (the bond authorization)

  • Projects receive funding (an appropriation) on an individual basis

  • Project costs are paid for from existing city cash (front-funded)

  • Bonds are sold to re-pay any city funds that were used and for the remaining costs of the projects

  • The funds borrowed are paid off usually over 20 years (debt service payments)

  • State law sets the city’s debt limit at 10% of the assessed value of real property located in the city. The city’s adopted policy is that the General Fund’s annual debt service will not exceed 9.5% of the combined city and School revenue for that year. If you have any questions, please email Budget and Evaluation.Bond Rating Circuit Court 13- Circuit CourtYou may obtain copies of marriage licenses, divorce decrees, judgments, property filings, and more by: - Visiting in person: during the hours of 8 AM – 4:15 PM, Monday-Friday

  • Mailing a request: Include your contact information, document details (party names, DOB, case number, etc.), payment (check or money order made payable to Newport News Circuit Court, 2500 Washington Avenue, Newport News, VA 23607), and a self-addressed stamped envelope Copies are $0.50 per page and an additional $2.00 per document if you would like for the document to be certified.

  • Circuit CourtGeneral Information- Cost: $30 payable by cash, check, or credit card (2% convenience fee for credit)

  • The Marriage License Application process has been automated in the Clerk’s Office. Application forms are available on the Public Access Terminals in our Customer Waiting Area or through the Marriage License Pre-Application Process.

  • Marriage licenses are issued by the Clerk of Circuit Court in each city and county in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

  • There are no residency requirements; You do not have to be a Newport News resident to obtain your marriage license in the Newport News Circuit Court Clerk’s Office.

  • Once a marriage license is issued, there is no waiting period. However, the marriage license is valid for 60 calendar days and the marriage must take place in Virginia.

  • Certified Copy Fee: $2.50 each

  • For certified copies, you must bring a self-addressed, pre-stamped envelope

  • At this time, we do not office on-site marriage officiant or Justice of the Peace services. Requirements:- Both parties must appear together. A government issued photo ID, such as a driver's license, is not required to obtain a marriage license; however, if payment is made by credit or debit card, a matching ID will be required at that time

  • Social security number or Virginia Department of Motor Vehicle control number is required

  • No blood test is required to marry in the Commonwealth of Virginia

  • Pursuant to §20-48 of the Virginia Code, the minimum age at which a person may marry is 18, unless the minor has been emancipated by court order. Upon application for a marriage license, the emancipated minor must provide a certified copy of the court order of emancipation to the Public Service Division.

  • The Officiant who performs the marriage ceremony must return the license within 7 days after the ceremony to the Newport News Circuit Court Clerk’s Office at 2500 Washington Ave. Newport News, VA 23607.

  • Circuit CourtAny of the following persons may serve on juries in civil and criminal cases but shall be exempt from jury service upon his request: 1. through 3. [Repealed.] 4. A mariner actually employed in maritime service; 5. through 7. [Repealed.] 8. A person who has legal custody of and is necessarily and personally responsible for a child or children 16 years of age or younger requiring continuous care by him during normal court hours, or any mother who is breast-feeding a child; 9. A person who is necessarily and personally responsible for a person having a physical or mental impairment requiring continuous care by him during normal court hours; 10. Any person over 73 years of age; (Effective July 1, 2024) 11. Any person whose spouse is summoned to serve on the same jury panel; 12. Any person who is the only person performing services for a business, commercial or agricultural enterprise and whose services are so essential to the operations of the business, commercial or agricultural enterprise that such enterprise must close or cease to function if such person is required to perform jury duty; 13. Any person who is the only person performing services for a political subdivision as a firefighter, as defined in § 65.2-102, and whose services are so essential to the operations of the political subdivision that such political subdivision will suffer an undue hardship in carrying out such services if such person is required to perform jury duty; 14. Any person employed by the Office of the Clerk of the House of Delegates, the Office of the Clerk of the Senate, the Division of Legislative Services, and the Division of Legislative Automated Systems; however, this exemption shall apply only to jury service starting (i) during the period beginning 60 days prior to the day any regular session commences and ending 30 days after the day of adjournment of such session and (ii) during the period beginning seven days prior to the day any reconvened or special session commences and ending seven days after the day of adjournment of such session; 15. Any general registrar, member of a local electoral board, or person appointed or employed by either the general registrar or the local electoral board, except officers of election appointed pursuant to Article 5 (§ 24.2-115 et seq.) of Chapter 1 of Title 24.2; however, this exemption shall apply only to jury service starting (i) during the period beginning 90 days prior to any election and continuing through election day, (ii) during the period to ascertain the results of the election and continuing for 10 days after the local electoral board certifies the results of the election under § 24.2-671 or the State Board of Elections certifies the results of the election under § 24.2-679, or (iii) during the period of an election recount or contested election pursuant to Chapter 8 (§ 24.2-800 et seq.) of Title 24.2. Any officer of election shall be exempt from jury service only on election day and during the periods set forth in clauses (ii) and (iii); and 16. Any member of the armed services of the United States or the diplomatic service of the United States appointed under the Foreign Service Act (22 U.S.C. § 3901 et seq.) who will be serving outside of the United States at the time of such jury service. Code 1970, § 8-208.6:1; 1977, c. 458; 1987, c. 256; 1997, c. 693; 1999, c. 153; 2004, c. 106; 2005, c. 195; 2011, cc. 389, 708; 2012, c. 98; 2024, cc. 71, 72.

  • Circuit CourtPursuant to Virginia Code §20-23, when a minister of any religious denomination produces before the circuit court of any county or city in the Commonwealth proof of his ordination and of his being in regular communion with the religious society of which he is a reputed member, or proof that he is commissioned to pastoral ministry or holds a local minister's license and is serving as a regularly appointed pastor in his denomination the clerk of such court at any time, may make an order authorizing such minister to celebrate the rites of matrimony in the Commonwealth. Pursuant to Virginia Code §20-25, persons other than ministers may perform rites of marriage upon petition filed with the clerk and payment of applicable clerk's fees ($56.00). Any circuit court judge may issue an order authorizing one or more persons resident in the circuit in which the judge sits to celebrate the rites of marriage in the Commonwealth. Any person so authorized shall, before acting, enter into bond in the penalty of $500, with or without surety, as the court may direct. The clerk's office does not have forms for this procedure. You must prepare your own petition to file. If you still have questions please call 757-926-8356 for further information.

  • Circuit CourtNo, you are required to file your divorce in the Circuit Court which is a court of record and you must comply with all the applicable rules in the Rules of the Virginia Supreme Court (PDF), the applicable statutes in the Virginia Code, 1950, as amended, and the local rules of the 7th Judicial Circuit (Newport News). You may go to the Virginia Judicial System Court Self-Help website located at https://selfhelp.vacourts.gov/ for their online forms program for uncontested and no-fault divorces.

  • Circuit CourtYes, but this does not provide proper legal service. Legal service on your spouse must be by a manner authorized in §8.01-296, Code of Virginia, as amended, or by acceptance of service as set forth in §20-99.1:11, as amended.

  • No, you are required to see that the case goes forward and in so doing you must comply with all applicable rules and statutes, prepare and file all necessary papers, have the evidence taken (uncontested divorce), and prepare and file all Orders (Decrees) necessary to process and complete the divorce.Circuit Court

  • Circuit CourtYou may file in Newport News if: - The defendant in the divorce lives in Newport News as of the date of filing

  • The two of you last cohabited as husband and wife in the City of Newport News

  • You are the plaintiff and live in Newport News and the defendant is either a non-resident of Virginia

  • The defendant's present whereabouts are unknown Please note that your reason for filing in Newport News must be clearly stated in your Bill of Complaint, and if you allege either (3) or (4), you will have to obtain service of your Bill of Complaint on the Defendant by publication (§8.01-316 and §20-104, Code of Virginia or personal service outside Virginia (§8.01-320, Code of Virginia).

  • No, the clerks, judges and their personnel cannot provide you with legal advice. You will have to seek legal advice from those qualified and authorized to give that advice or sufficiently educate yourself concerning the relevant area of the law.Circuit Court

  • Circuit CourtThe Code of Virginia and the Rules of the Virginia Supreme Court are both available. The Law Library for the City of Newport News is open to the public from 8 AM until 4:45 PM Monday through Friday, and is located on the 1st floor in the Justice Building at 2501 Washington Avenue, directly across the street from the Courthouse.

  • Circuit CourtAs an adult, you may petition the Circuit Court in the city where you live. The court will determine whether good cause exists under the circumstances alleged in the petition. Pursuant to §8.01-217, Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, the following are required in the petition: - The petition must be made under oath (you must swear to the truth of the allegations in the petition after having been placed under oath by a Notary, and that Notary must acknowledge on the petition that you were placed under oath and swore to the truth of the allegations in the petition and that you did sign the petition)

  • Your place of residence

  • The names of both of your parents, including the maiden name of your mother

  • Your birth date and your place of birth

  • Your felony conviction record, if any. If none, that must be stated

  • Whether you are presently incarcerated or a probationer with any court (if not, that must be stated)

  • Whether your name has been previously changed [if so, list your former name(s)]

  • Your affirmation that this name change is not sought for any fraudulent purpose and would not infringe upon any rights of others

  • Circuit CourtOne or both parents of a minor child may petition the Circuit Court in the city where the child lives. The court will determine whether good cause exists under the circumstances alleged in the petition and whether the change is in the best interest of the child. Pursuant to §8.01-217, Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, the following are required in the petition: - The petition must be made under oath by parent or parents (you must swear to the truth of the allegations in the petition after having been placed under oath by a Notary, and that Notary must acknowledge on the petition that you were placed under oath and swore to the truth of the allegations in the petition and that you did sign the petition);

  • The place of residence of the minor child

  • The names of both parents of the minor child, including the maiden name of the mother

  • The birth date and birth place of the minor child

  • The felony conviction record of the minor child. If none, that must be stated

  • Whether the minor child is presently incarcerated or a probationer with any court (if not, that must be stated)

  • Whether the name of the minor child has been previously changed [if so, list the former name(s)]

  • The parent or parents petitioning must affirm that the name change is not sought for any fraudulent purpose, does not infringe upon any rights of others and is in the best interest of the child In the case of a minor with both parents living, if only one parent files the petition, the parent who does not join in the petition shall be served with reasonable notice of the petition, and, if he or she objects, a hearing before the judge must be scheduled. It is the responsibility of the petitioner to see that reasonable notice of the petition is served on the other parent. If a name change for a minor is allowed, it does not terminate any of the legal parental rights of a parent.

  • Circuit CourtYou should get from the Clerk's Office a minimum of 2 certified copies of