The duties of a Circuit Court Clerk in Virginia are, in other states, divided into as many as three different offices such as the Register of Deeds, County Clerk, and Clerk of Court. The responsibilities of a Virginia Circuit Court Clerk touch every area of law and include some 800+ specific duties, which include the following highlighted ones:

Record Deeds and Other Land Records

In 2022, we recorded 3,321 deeds and other land records. Documents may be submitted in person, by mail, or by e-filing through digital vendors. While some clerks now accept deeds only by e-filing, I will always allow them to be filed in person.

Provide Public Access to Deeds and Records

For easier access and to create back-up copies in case of disaster, we digitally back-scanned all of our deeds, marriage licenses, wills, and plats back to 1832 (the founding of Smyth County). These records are open for public inspection for free during regular business hours and remotely by subscription.

Maintain Case Files for All Criminal and Civil Cases

In 2022, we commenced 981 new criminal cases and 544 new civil cases. Case files are maintained digitally and, unless sealed, they are open for public inspection for free during regular business hours. We were among the first offices in Virginia to allow civil cases to be filed electronically. We were among the first offices in Virginia to provide remote access to case files through “Officer of the Court Remote Access” or OCRA, which allows lawyers and other officers of the Court to view case files remotely.

Issue Concealed Handgun Permits

Since becoming clerk in 2010, I have issued over 10,000 concealed handgun permits. We now produce permits on hard plastic cards for greater durability and convenience. Citizens will soon be able to apply for a CHP through an online portal.

Probate Wills and Qualify Administrators of Estates

In 2022, we probated wills and set up estates for 343 families who had lost a loved one. In Virginia, the Circuit Court Clerk acts as an initial probate judge, determining the validity of wills, identifying heirs-at-law, and helping families with various legal matters that need attention after the death of a loved one.

Administer Jury System

The Circuit Court Clerk manages the jury process, from sending out juror information forms to randomized citizens, summonsing jurors, training jurors about their service, informing jurors of upcoming trials and cancellations, and paying them afterwards. Each year there are hundreds of trials scheduled, and we must be “ready to go” for all of them. In 2022, all but seven of them were cancelled or settled. Nonetheless, it is the duty of Circuit Court Clerks to ensure that juries are available and prepared whenever citizens exercise their right to a trial by jury.

Serve As the Archivist for the County’s Oldest Records

I have secured over $278,000 in grant funding to protect, restore, and create digital copies of our oldest, one-of-a-kind local records. These include our oldest deed books, will books, property tax books, one muster roll book, two extraordinary historical scrap books, and Smyth County’s only “co-habitation record” (record of African Americans who had lived together as husband and wife in 1866 but without legal recognition of their marriage).

Empower Staff

The Smyth County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office employs 6 full-time staff members and 4 part-time staff members. All of my eligible staff members have taken extra training to become certified as “Master Deputy Clerks,” a designation recognizing advanced skills and knowledge. At one time, we were one of only two offices in the state to have all staff members certified as “Master Deputy Clerks.” My newest full-time deputy clerk will be eligible to become certified in two more years.

More Duties of the Clerk

In 2022, we issued 209 marriage licenses, qualified 93 notaries public, invested and held over $830,000 in trust funds held for the benefits of minors and litigants, and administered an oath of office to hundreds of Smyth County citizens.

John is an experienced and effective leader who is making an impact in our community, and who brings both legal knowledge but also a pastor’s heart to the work of clerk. John's priorities as clerk are:

1. Provide exceptional service
2. Continually improve technology and easy access to records
3. Manage a dependable, efficient, and professional office

• 2010-present: Clerk of the Circuit Court of Smyth County
• 1999-2010: Attorney with a general law practice with Graham & Graham, PC
• 2004-2010: Commissioner of Accounts – supervised administration of estates

• 1988: Marion Senior High School
• 1992: College of William & Mary (BA in government)
• 1995: Duke University Divinity School (MDiv)
• 1999: University of Tennessee College of Law (JD)
• 2016: National Center for State Courts-Certified Court Manager
• 2016: Virginia Court Clerks' Association-cert as "Master Circuit Court Clerk"

In 2002, John worked with other pastors in the Chilhowie area and started the Loaves & Fishes food pantry, which still helps put food on the table of neighbors in need.

In 2019-2020, as chair of the Smyth County Community Foundation, John helped lead the effort to establish the Saltville Wellness Center, which has helped improve the health of citizens in the Saltville area, and has helped spur more revitalization in that community.

In 2013 and the years following, as chair of a subcommittee of the Smyth County Community Foundation, John helped establish the strategic milestones that guided a capstone gift of $5.0 million, which enabled Emory & Henry College successfully to launch its School of Health Sciences.

Currently, John is working with other community members to start a residential treatment facility to people dealing with substance use problems. It will be called the Appalachian Center for Hope and will be located in a building soon to be renovated on the grounds of the state hospital. Grants of over $3.6 million have been awarded to support this effort.

• Pastor of three small rural United Methodist Churches
  • Mountain View (Chilhowie)
  • Laurel Springs (Marion)
  • Zion Hill (Thomas Bridge)
• Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry – Board of Directors (chair)
• Chilhowie Ministers Association – Treasurer
• Smyth County Bar Association - Secretary
• Smyth County Community Hospital – Advisory Board & Ethics Committee
• Smyth County Community Foundation – Board of Directors (past chair)
• Emory & Henry School of Health Sciences – Advisory Board of Mental Health
• Appalachian Center for Hope – Board of Directors (chair)

WINGS: At the invitation of the Chief Justice of the Virginia Supreme Court, John serves on the WINGS Committee, which strives to improve guardianships of incapacitated persons (persons who are deemed by the Court to be unable to care for themselves) throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia (WINGS is the acronym for Working Inter-disciplinary Network of Guardianship Stakeholders).

VCCA EDUCATION COMMITTEE: John was selected by his fellow clerks throughout Virginia to serve as Co-Chair of the Education Committee of the Virginia Court Clerks’ Association (VCCA), which is charged with equipping clerks with policies and procedures to perform the 800+ duties of clerks in compliance with Virginia law and best practices.

STANDING COMMITTEE ON COMMISSIONERS OF ACCOUNTS: At the invitation of the Chief Justice of the Virginia Supreme Court, John serves on the Standing Committee on Commissioners of Accounts, which investigates allegations of wrong-doing by Commissioners of Accounts throughout the Commonwealth.

CIRCUIT COURT FORMS ADVISORY COMMITTEE: John serves on a statewide committee of judges and clerks who develop forms for the benefit of court users throughout the Commonwealth.

Mona A. Foley (R), Clerk of Circuit Court of Williamsburg/James City County

“When I have an unusual probate problem, John is my ‘go-to’ guy. He’s always willing to share his knowledge and experience to help other clerks.”

From Tina E. Sinnen (R), Clerk of the Circuit Court of Virginia Beach

“I work with John on a statewide committee of clerks, and his efforts and commitment to help clerks across the Commonwealth accomplish the many legal duties we must do are nothing short of amazing. He not only serves his constituents to the best of his ability, but tries to ensure other elected clerks do the same for their citizens.”

From K. Todd Swisher (I), Clerk of the Circuit Court of Lynchburg

“As a relatively inexperienced clerk acclimating myself to my new role, I have asked for John’s assistance and counsel on occasion, and I have always found him to be very approachable and helpful. The Circuit Court Clerk’s Office is entrusted with over eight hundred diverse responsibilities, many of which are extremely complex, therefore experience in the position is critical – simply put, experience matters. It also requires a thorough understanding of the law and the judicial process. Clearly, John possesses the knowledge and experience necessary to continue to provide exceptional service to the citizens of Smyth County, Virginia. In fact, I cannot imagine one more prepared to serve in this role than John Graham.”

Born and raised in Marion, John is married to his high-school sweetheart, Elizabeth Purser Graham, and together they have three daughters: Abby, Anna, and Ava Kate, all of whom graduated from Marion Senior High School.

If you are willing to volunteer for the campaign, send an email to grahamforclerk@gmail.com or call 276.783.7819.

If you are willing to donate, click here to make a secure online donation, or make checks payable to Friends of John Graham, and mail to 111 North Park Street, Marion, VA 24354.

If you need a sign in your yard or other promotional materials, send an email to grahamforclerk@gmail.com or call 276.783.7819

• phone276.783.7819
• emailgrahamforclerk@gmail.com
• mail"Friends of John Graham" 111 North Park Street, Marion, VA 24354