STAUNTON – Waynesboro Clerk of Circuit Court Nicole A. Briggs, Staunton Clerk of Circuit Court Staci N. Falls, and Augusta County Clerk of Circuit Court R. Steven Landes, today announced that beginning January 1, 2021, the training requirement to apply for a Virginia Concealed Handgun Permit must be in-person, and will no longer be allowed to be completed online.

            The 2020 Virginia General Assembly passed House Bill 264 and Senate Bill 263, which were signed into law by Governor Ralph Northam. The legislation changes Virginia Code §§ 18.2-308.02, and 18.2-308.06 and removes the option of the online training certification and requires that the training certification be in-person. This change takes effect January 1, 2021.

            “We want to emphasize to those citizens who will be applying for the first time for Concealed Handgun Permits that you must now have a certificate that verifies you have completed in-person firearm training, and that online training certificates will no longer be acceptable,” Briggs, Falls and Landes said. “Please call our offices if you have any questions regarding this change.”

            All three Clerks also encouraged citizens applying for a Concealed Handgun Permit to go to the Virginia State Police Website: https://www.vsp.virginia.gov/Firearms_ResidentConcealed.shtm for the online application through the Virginia State Police. New permit applications must be brought to each Clerk’s Office, but renewal permit applications may be mailed to the Clerk’s Offices, with the appropriate documentation and fee. In addition, each Clerk’s Office may be called for information regarding lost or destroyed permits, or for change of addresses, or to request a replacement permit.

            The Augusta County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office is in downtown Staunton at the Augusta County Courthouse, and the number to call is 540-245-5321. The Staunton City Circuit Court Clerk’s Office is in downtown Staunton at the George M. Cochran Judicial Center, and the number to call is 540-332-3874. The Waynesboro Circuit Court Clerk’s Office is in downtown Waynesboro at the Thomas L. Gorsuch Municipal Building, and the number to call is 540-942-6616.

            In addition to issuing Concealed Handgun Permits the Clerks also serve as the recorder of deeds, probate judge, issue marriage licenses and are the official court administrator for all civil and criminal cases. The Clerks create and maintain all court files and records, prepare court orders and jury lists, contact jurors and issue summons and court processes.