Richmond has two federal courthouses within a few blocks of each other downtown, plus a small cluster of other federal offices nearby, and the federal building in Richmond, VA you need depends on why you’re going. Most people end up at the Spottswood W. Robinson III and Robert R. Merhige, Jr. Federal Courthouse at 701 East Broad Street, which houses the district court, the bankruptcy court, and the Federal Public Defender.1United States District Court – Eastern District of Virginia. Richmond – Eastern District of Virginia Appeals go to the Lewis F. Powell, Jr. U.S. Courthouse at 1000 East Main Street, home of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.2United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Visiting the Court
Which Courthouse Handles What
Robinson/Merhige Courthouse — 701 East Broad Street
The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Richmond Division, holds federal trials and hearings here in civil and criminal cases. This is also where jurors report and where the district court clerk accepts filings.1United States District Court – Eastern District of Virginia. Richmond – Eastern District of Virginia
The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia operates from Suite 4000 in the same building. The Bankruptcy Clerk’s Office is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and closes on federal holidays.3United States Bankruptcy Court – Eastern District of Virginia. Richmond
The Federal Public Defender’s Office sits in Suite 3600, reachable at (804) 343-0800. It represents defendants in federal criminal cases who cannot afford private counsel, with eligibility set by the court rather than by walking in.4Federal Public Defender. Richmond Office
Powell Courthouse — 1000 East Main Street
The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals hears oral arguments here during scheduled court weeks. It is an appellate court, so there are no jury trials or witness testimony; visitors come to observe argument or because they have a case on the calendar.5United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. About the Court The Fourth Circuit Clerk’s Office is in the adjacent annex at 1100 East Main Street, Suite 501.6United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Offices – Section: Office of the Clerk of Court
Other Federal Offices Nearby
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia keeps its Richmond branch at 919 East Main Street, Suite 1900, a short walk from either courthouse.7U.S. Department of Justice. Eastern District of Virginia – Contact Us The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division has a district office at 400 North 8th Street, Room 416, (804) 771-2995.8U.S. Department of Labor. Wage and Hour District Offices
What ID You Need at the Door
Every visitor must show a valid photo ID issued by a federal or state government agency, such as a driver’s license or passport. Security officers can accept other photo identification at their discretion.9United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. Courthouse Entrance Requirements and Security Policy
Federal courthouses are exempt from REAL ID requirements. Even after the May 7, 2025 enforcement date, a standard non-REAL ID driver’s license still gets you into a courthouse, because the exemption protects the public’s right of access to court proceedings.10United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. Courthouse Entrance Requirements and Security Policy For a non-courthouse federal building, you will generally need a REAL ID-compliant license, a passport, or another accepted form of ID.11Department of Homeland Security. ID Requirements for Federal Facilities
Phones, Laptops, and Screening
All visitors pass through a magnetometer and put bags through an X-ray. Officers can use a handheld wand at their discretion, and there are no exceptions to screening. Firearms, knives, mace, pepper spray, and anything usable as a weapon are banned from both buildings, and neither courthouse provides lockers.9United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. Courthouse Entrance Requirements and Security Policy
Electronics are where the two courthouses diverge, and this catches most first-time visitors off guard.
At the Robinson/Merhige Courthouse
You can bring a cell phone or smart watch, but a security officer will power it off and seal it in a locked Yondr Pouch as you enter. The pouch blocks all signals, so your device cannot receive calls, texts, or notifications until an officer unlocks it as you leave. Tablets, laptops, and any device that can record audio, video, or still images are prohibited unless a judge has specifically authorized them.9United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. Courthouse Entrance Requirements and Security Policy
At the Powell Courthouse
The Fourth Circuit is stricter. Members of the public are generally prohibited from bringing any electronic devices into the courthouse or annex. Lawyers and their staff may carry phones, laptops, and tablets during scheduled court weeks, subject to security inspection, and all electronics must be off inside any courtroom or judicial chambers. Violations can result in removal, a fine, or other sanctions.12United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Electronic Device Policy
If you’re attending Fourth Circuit oral arguments as a member of the public, leave your phone in the car. If you’re headed to the district court, bring it but expect it to be inaccessible until you exit.
Naturalization Ceremonies
The Eastern District of Virginia hosts naturalization ceremonies at the Richmond Division courthouse on a periodic rather than fixed schedule. For upcoming dates, call the court’s Help Desk at (804) 916-2220.13United States District Court Eastern District of Virginia. Naturalization Cell phones and smart watches are banned outright for these ceremonies, not just pouched, and guests who bring them will not be allowed in.9United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. Courthouse Entrance Requirements and Security Policy
If You’re Reporting for Jury Duty
Federal jurors summoned to the Richmond Division report to the Robinson/Merhige Courthouse at 701 East Broad Street. Petit jurors receive a $50 daily attendance fee for each day of service, plus reimbursement for daily travel.14United States Courts. Fees of Jurors and Commissioners (Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Request) Plan for the Yondr Pouch and no laptop access. If service runs multiple days, the security routine repeats each morning.
Filing Documents and Representing Yourself
Most filing with the Eastern District of Virginia happens electronically through the CM/ECF system, and attorneys are required to file that way. If you’re representing yourself in a federal civil case, the court publishes a Pro Se Litigant Reference Handbook covering procedures and expectations; it is not a substitute for legal advice.15United States District Court – Eastern District of Virginia. Pro Se Litigant Information Procedural questions go to the Help Desk at (804) 916-2220.
Parking and Getting Downtown
Downtown Richmond parking is almost entirely commercial garages and surface lots. Public garages within a few blocks of both courthouses include ones at 7th and Marshall and 5th and Marshall. Some private lots offer early-bird rates for arrivals before 9:00 AM. Budget time to walk from wherever you park.
Drivers with a disability parking placard can park up to four hours in metered or time-restricted spaces without paying, though Virginia localities can override this, so check posted signs.16Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. Disabled Parking Placards and Plates Privileges
The Greater Richmond Transit Company (GRTC) runs every bus route fare-free.17GRTC. Community Partners: Improving Access With Zero Fare The GRTC Pulse bus rapid transit line serves downtown along Broad and Main streets, and multiple local routes stop near both courthouses. Main Street Station, about half a mile southeast of the Powell Courthouse, connects Amtrak, GRTC local routes, the Pulse, and intercity bus service.
Hours and Phone Numbers
The Robinson/Merhige Courthouse is open to the public Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The District Court Clerk’s Office runs 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM on those days.1United States District Court – Eastern District of Virginia. Richmond – Eastern District of Virginia The Bankruptcy Clerk’s Office in Suite 4000 keeps shorter hours: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.3United States Bankruptcy Court – Eastern District of Virginia. Richmond All federal courthouses close on federal holidays, and individual offices sometimes keep different hours than the building. The 4:00 PM bankruptcy clerk close is the most common late-afternoon surprise.
- Fourth Circuit Clerk’s Office: (804) 916-270018United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Contact
- Fourth Circuit Access Coordinator (accommodations for hearing or other communication disabilities): (804) 916-27602United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Visiting the Court
- District Court Help Desk (Richmond Division): (804) 916-222013United States District Court Eastern District of Virginia. Naturalization
- Bankruptcy Court (Richmond Division): (804) 916-24003United States Bankruptcy Court – Eastern District of Virginia. Richmond
- Federal Public Defender (Richmond): (804) 343-08004Federal Public Defender. Richmond Office
- DOL Wage and Hour Division (Richmond): (804) 771-29958U.S. Department of Labor. Wage and Hour District Offices
If you’re unsure whether a specific office is open, call ahead.