Virginia public records
Virginia's independent cities may hold records separately from surrounding counties. Use the local assessor and circuit court clerk for property, the SCC for business entities and State Police for criminal-history requests. Virginia FOIA requester eligibility is narrower than unrestricted online public search access.
By DeepSearch · Updated
Agency records law
Virginia Freedom of Information Act
Va. Code Ann. § 2.2-3700 et seq.
Official record sources
Choose the document you need before searching. A case index, parcel assessment, recorded deed and certified certificate are different records. The links below lead to the responsible government service or its official directory.
| Record / custodian | How to access | Costs and coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Court recordsVirginia Judicial System | Choose the court level and case-search service; contact the clerk for documents. | Public case lookup and court-copy services differ. Circuit-court participation and record access vary; land records and divorce decrees may need a separate clerk request. |
| Property and land recordsVirginia local-government directory | Choose the city or county assessor and circuit court clerk for land records. | Local copies and remote land-record access can carry charges. Virginia independent cities have their own records; do not assume a nearby county holds the property file. |
| Business recordsVirginia State Corporation Commission | Use the Clerk's Information System to search registered business entities. | Lookup and certificates have separate fee rules. Virginia corporate records belong with the SCC; registration is distinct from an occupational license. |
| Birth, death, marriage and divorceVirginia Department of Health | Choose birth, death, marriage or divorce certificate ordering and eligibility instructions. | Certificate searches and copies carry fees. Access restrictions and record age apply; the full divorce decree comes from the circuit court. |
| Criminal-history checksVirginia State Police | Select the SP-167 or authorized fingerprint procedure for the request purpose. | Record-check and fingerprint fees depend on service. Consent and requester category govern access; a public court search is not the same report. |
A criminal charge is not a conviction. A name match does not establish identity. Use the official case disposition and the appropriate authorized record-check process when those distinctions matter.
Requesting agency records in Virginia
Use this process for existing government agency records. Court case copies, vital certificates and criminal-history reports use the separate procedures in the table.
- Who can request
- Virginia FOIA rights apply to Virginia citizens and qualifying news-media representatives. The public body may verify requester eligibility.
- How to submit
- Identify the Virginia agency, municipality or county that maintains the record, then use its published records-custodian contact or accepted request channel. Describe existing documents, identifiers and dates. Keep the submitted request and acknowledgement; court copies and vital certificates use the separate services above.
- Response and delivery
- The ordinary response is due within five working days. If production is practically impossible, written notice can invoke seven additional working days.
- Fees and estimates
- Reasonable charges may cover actual access, duplication and supply costs. Request an advance estimate and discuss reducing scope if the estimate is high.
- If access is denied
- Ask for the specific Code section authorizing withholding. The FOIA Council offers guidance; enforcement can proceed in general district or circuit court.
Virginia records-request example
Replace the brackets, narrow the dates and send this to the agency that holds the records. Use its required form or portal when applicable. This example requests agency documents; it is not a certificate application or court filing.
To: [the agency's designated records custodian] Subject: Virginia public-records request — [record or project identifier] Under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Va. Code Ann. § 2.2-3700 et seq.), I request electronic copies of the city or county's executed contract and approved payment records for [project]. Please use existing records in their available electronic format. If any material is withheld, identify the legal basis and provide the non-exempt portions. Before incurring charges above [your limit], please send an itemized estimate. Please confirm receipt and the expected response date. [Name and contact details required by the receiving agency] [Requester eligibility or residency information, where required]
Before sending, check requester eligibility above. Keep the submission confirmation, cost estimate, response and any exemption cited so a follow-up or appeal can refer to the same request.
Virginia public records FAQ
Where can I find Virginia court records?
Choose the court level and case-search service; contact the clerk for documents. Circuit-court participation and record access vary; land records and divorce decrees may need a separate clerk request.
Sources: Virginia Judicial SystemAre Virginia public records free?
Reasonable charges may cover actual access, duplication and supply costs. Request an advance estimate and discuss reducing scope if the estimate is high. Certificate and court-document services follow the separate charges listed above.
Sources: Virginia official public-records guidance; Virginia Judicial System; Virginia Department of HealthHow do I get birth, death, marriage or divorce records in Virginia?
Choose birth, death, marriage or divorce certificate ordering and eligibility instructions. Access restrictions and record age apply; the full divorce decree comes from the circuit court.
Sources: Virginia Department of Health; Virginia Judicial SystemIs a Virginia court search a complete criminal-history check?
No. Consent and requester category govern access; a public court search is not the same report. Select the SP-167 or authorized fingerprint procedure for the request purpose.
Sources: Virginia State Police; Virginia Judicial SystemSources and review
Each link identifies the official custodian or its published directory. Portal coverage and fees can change; confirm the current order details before paying. The date below records the source review, not the date a government record was created.
- Virginia official public-records guidance — checked
- Virginia Judicial System — checked
- Virginia local-government directory — checked
- Virginia State Corporation Commission — checked
- Virginia Department of Health — checked
- Virginia State Police — checked
Browse other jurisdictions
Public-records access rules vary by jurisdiction. Continue through the directory or return to the full list to choose the agency location you need.
All public-records jurisdictions