Virginia Public Records: A Complete Research Guide

Last Updated on March 21, 2026 by Editorial Staff

Virginia public records are government-created documents, filings, databases, and communications maintained by state and local agencies that are accessible to citizens of the Commonwealth under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (VFOIA), codified at Virginia Code §§ 2.2-3700 through 2.2-3714. The law establishes a presumption that all public records are open to inspection and copying unless a specific exemption applies, and it requires that exemptions be interpreted narrowly to promote government transparency.

Residents frequently perform a Virginia public records search — sometimes called a Virginia FOIA request, Virginia government records request, or Virginia open records search — to locate court filings, property ownership records, criminal case information, business registrations, vital records, and other government documents. Virginia’s FOIA covers state agencies, local governing bodies, authorities, boards, and commissions throughout the Commonwealth’s 95 counties and 38 independent cities.

Public records in Virginia are distributed across state agencies and 133 separate jurisdictions (95 counties plus 38 independent cities, each treated as the equivalent of a county). Virginia’s circuit court clerks serve as the official recorders of land records, and the courts system provides online access to case information through the Virginia Judicial System’s public portals. Understanding which agency maintains each record type is the key to researching public records effectively in Virginia.

Quick Answer: Where to Search Virginia Public Records

The most important free and low-cost government databases for researching Virginia public records include:

• Virginia Judicial System Case Information (vacourts.gov/caseinfo) — statewide search of criminal and traffic cases in district and select circuit courts; free
• Virginia State Police CCRE Criminal Background Check (vsp.virginia.gov) — official criminal history repository; mail-in only, $13 for state record; no public online search
• Virginia State Police Sex Offender Registry (sex-offender.vsp.virginia.gov) — free statewide sex offender registry
• VADOC Offender Search (vadoc.virginia.gov) — Virginia Department of Corrections inmate and offender search; free
• Circuit Court Clerk Land Records (various county sites) — deeds, mortgages, liens, and other property instruments; recorded at each circuit court clerk’s office
• Virginia SCC Business Entity Search (scc.virginia.gov/pages/Business-Information) — corporations, LLCs, and business registrations; free
• Virginia Department of Health Vital Records (vdh.virginia.gov/vital-records) — birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates; $12/copy
• Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (dpor.virginia.gov) — professional license verification; free
• FOIA Council (foiacouncil.dls.virginia.gov) — non-binding advisory opinions on VFOIA disputes involving state agencies

These systems provide access to the majority of publicly searchable government records in Virginia.

⚠️ Legal Notice

Virginia public records law is governed primarily by the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Va. Code §§ 2.2-3700 through 2.2-3714). The VFOIA applies to state agencies, local governing bodies, and other public bodies throughout the Commonwealth. Access is generally limited to Virginia citizens and certain media representatives — this residency requirement is one of the most distinctive features of Virginia’s public records law and is discussed in detail below. Common exemption categories include personnel records, attorney-client privileged communications, scholastic records, active law enforcement investigative files, health and medical records, and records relating to administrative investigations. Virginia law contains more than 150 specific FOIA exemptions.

This guide explains lawful public records research methods and does not constitute legal advice.

Why This Guide Is Reliable

This guide is written by the research team at inet-investigation.com and based directly on the text of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Va. Code §§ 2.2-3700 et seq.), the Virginia FOIA Council’s official reference materials and advisory opinions, official agency websites including the Virginia State Police, Virginia Department of Health, Virginia Judicial System, and the Virginia State Corporation Commission. We cite specific statutory provisions so readers can verify our statements independently. We update our guides when laws or agency procedures change. We do not accept payment from agencies, databases, or third-party vendors to shape our content.

Why Virginia Public Records Law Is Distinctive

Virginia is one of only a handful of states that restricts FOIA access to state residents. Under Va. Code § 2.2-3704(A), public records must be open to “citizens of the Commonwealth” and to representatives of newspapers and magazines with circulation in Virginia. Non-residents generally do not have a statutory right to request records under VFOIA. The U.S. Supreme Court upheld this restriction in McBurney v. Young (2013), ruling that states may lawfully discriminate against out-of-state requesters. In practice, non-Virginia residents who need state records must either establish Virginia residency, find a Virginia-resident proxy to request on their behalf, or use the many public online portals that make records available to anyone regardless of residency.

Virginia’s FOIA has a strict five-working-day response rule with a seven-day extension. Unlike some states where response deadlines are ambiguous, Virginia’s timeline is precise. Agencies must respond within five working days by either producing records, withholding records with an exemption citation, partially producing records, indicating the records don’t exist, or notifying the requester they need up to seven additional working days. Failure to respond within five days is deemed an automatic denial and constitutes a FOIA violation. Criminal investigative files under § 2.2-3706.1 get a 60-working-day extension period.

Virginia exemptions are discretionary, not mandatory. A key distinction in VFOIA is that most exemptions are permissive — they allow an agency to withhold records, but do not require it. Just because a record falls within an exemption category does not mean the agency must withhold it. Agencies have discretion to release exempt records, and the Virginia FOIA Council (foiacouncil.dls.virginia.gov) provides non-binding advisory guidance when disputes arise over whether an exemption applies.

Virginia’s circuit court clerks serve dual roles as land recorders and court record keepers. Unlike many states where property recording is handled by a separate county recorder’s office, in Virginia the Clerk of the Circuit Court records and maintains all land records (deeds, mortgages, deeds of trust, liens, plats) as well as court records for that jurisdiction. This means property research and civil court record research both start at the same office — but researchers must understand this combined role to navigate it effectively.

Virginia criminal history is not publicly accessible online. The Central Criminal Records Exchange (CCRE) maintained by the Virginia State Police does not provide a public online search portal. Third-party criminal history access is limited by statute (Va. Code § 19.2-389), and requests for criminal history from the general public must be submitted by mail. Free court case information is available online through the Virginia Judicial System’s case search tool, which shows criminal case filings and outcomes — but it is distinct from the CCRE and does not constitute a complete criminal history record.

Virginia has 133 independent jurisdictions — 95 counties and 38 independent cities — each with its own circuit court clerk. Virginia’s independent cities (like Alexandria, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and Richmond) are legally separate from surrounding counties, each maintaining their own government records systems. Researchers unfamiliar with this structure may look for records in the wrong jurisdiction — for example, searching Fairfax County records when a property is located in the independent City of Fairfax, which has its own circuit court clerk.

The Legal Framework

Virginia Court Records

Virginia’s court system has four levels: the Supreme Court of Virginia (appellate), the Court of Appeals of Virginia (intermediate appellate), circuit courts (trial courts of general jurisdiction), and district courts (general district courts and juvenile and domestic relations district courts). Virginia has 120 circuit courts and 32 general district courts, organized into 31 judicial circuits and 32 judicial districts. Court records in Virginia are primarily governed by statute and Supreme Court rules — not by VFOIA, which explicitly excludes judicial branch records.

Statewide Online Case Information — vacourts.gov

The Virginia Judicial System provides free public online access to case information through several portals at vacourts.gov/caseinfo:

• Criminal Case Information: A statewide search of adult criminal case information in juvenile and domestic relations district courts, criminal and traffic cases in general district courts, and select circuit courts. Cases are searchable by name, case number, or hearing date.
• Circuit Court Case Information: Access to civil and criminal cases in select circuit courts. Coverage varies by locality — not all circuit courts participate in online access.
• General District Court Case Information: Online access by locality to civil, criminal, and traffic cases in the general district courts.

These portals are useful for identifying whether a case exists and retrieving basic case information. For complete court records including documents and orders, researchers must contact the clerk of the court where the case was filed. Copying fees are typically $0.50 per page.

Land Records — Circuit Court Clerks

Virginia’s circuit court clerks serve as the official recorders of land records in their jurisdictions. Deeds, deeds of trust, mortgages, liens, plats, and other property instruments are recorded with and maintained by the Clerk of the Circuit Court for the county or independent city where the property is located. Many clerks provide Secure Remote Access (SRA) to land records for subscribers — fees vary by locality. Some counties provide free online land record searching; others require in-person visits or paid subscriptions. The Virginia Judicial System’s website (vacourts.gov) provides a directory of all circuit court clerks.

Federal Court Records

Virginia has two federal judicial districts. The Eastern District of Virginia (Alexandria, Norfolk, Richmond, and Newport News divisions) and the Western District of Virginia (Roanoke, Charlottesville, Abingdon, and Harrisonburg divisions). Federal case records are available through PACER (pacer.gov) at $0.10 per page after a $30 quarterly free threshold. The Eastern District of Virginia is notably known for its “Rocket Docket” — one of the fastest-moving federal civil dockets in the country.

Sealed and Confidential Records

Juvenile court records, adoption records, certain mental health and commitment records, and court-ordered sealed records are not publicly accessible. Expunged criminal records are sealed from public view by court order. Requests for sealed records require a demonstrated legal right of access or a court order.

Virginia Criminal Records

Central Criminal Records Exchange (CCRE)

The Virginia State Police maintains the Central Criminal Records Exchange (CCRE), established in 1966, as the official statewide repository for criminal history record information. Unlike states such as Washington (with its online WATCH system) or Texas (with its DPS online conviction search), Virginia’s CCRE does not provide a public online search portal. Public access to CCRE records is limited by statute (Va. Code § 19.2-389) and is primarily available to the subject of the record or to authorized employers for specific employment purposes.

An individual may request their own criminal history record from CCRE by submitting Form SP-167 by mail with a $13 fee (state record only) or $37 (state plus FBI record). Processing takes approximately 15 business days. There is no online public search of the CCRE database available to third parties.

Online Court Case Search as a Criminal Record Proxy

Because CCRE is not publicly searchable online, researchers frequently use the Virginia Judicial System’s free online case information portal (vacourts.gov/caseinfo) as a practical substitute. This system shows adult criminal cases in district courts and select circuit courts, including case dispositions. While it is not a complete criminal history record and does not include all courts, it is the most accessible free tool for researching someone’s Virginia criminal case history. Cases not covered by online search require direct contact with the relevant court clerk.

What Virginia’s Criminal Records System Does and Does Not Show

Virginia’s criminal history records include felony and misdemeanor arrests, charges, and dispositions. Records may be expunged by court order for qualifying cases — including charges where the person was found not guilty, charges that were nolle prosequied, or charges that were otherwise dismissed. Expunged records are sealed from public view. Juvenile adjudications are confidential and not publicly accessible.

Sex Offender Registry

The Virginia State Police maintains the Virginia Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry at sex-offender.vsp.virginia.gov. The registry is free and searchable by name, locality, or zip code. Virginia requires sex offenders to register and re-register periodically based on their offense tier. The registry is publicly accessible and includes the offender’s photo, address, and offense information for registered individuals.

Virginia Property Records

Virginia property records are maintained by two distinct county- or city-level offices: the Circuit Court Clerk (land records — deeds, mortgages, liens) and the Commissioner of the Revenue or local assessor (property valuation and tax records). Because Virginia has 38 independent cities in addition to 95 counties — each with its own government — property research must be directed to the correct jurisdiction for where the property is physically located.

Circuit Court Clerk — Recorded Land Records

The Clerk of the Circuit Court in each Virginia county and independent city is the official recorder of real property instruments. All deeds, deeds of trust, mortgages, liens, easements, plats, and related documents are filed here. When property is sold in Virginia, the deed conveying title is recorded with the circuit court clerk in the jurisdiction where the property is located. Virginia is a non-disclosure state for sale prices — the consideration (sale price) is not required to be disclosed on recorded deeds, and Virginia does not impose a transfer tax that creates a separate public price disclosure document. As a result, property sale prices in Virginia are frequently not publicly available from government records alone (unlike, for example, Washington State or Ohio).

Many circuit court clerks provide online land records access through the Secure Remote Access (SRA) system, which requires registration and payment of a subscription fee. Some larger jurisdictions (such as Fairfax County, Arlington County, and Virginia Beach) offer more extensive free public online access. For jurisdictions without robust online access, researchers must visit the circuit court clerk’s record room in person.

Commissioner of the Revenue / Local Assessor — Valuation and Tax

Property valuation and tax assessment in Virginia is handled by the Commissioner of the Revenue (in counties and some cities) or the equivalent local assessor’s office. These offices maintain records of property ownership, assessed value, and tax bills. Many Virginia jurisdictions provide free online property search portals through their official government websites. The Virginia Department of Taxation does not maintain a centralized statewide property search tool — each of the 133 jurisdictions operates independently.

Virginia Geographic Information Network (VGIN)

The Virginia Geographic Information Network (vgin.vdem.virginia.gov) provides some statewide GIS property data, and many localities publish their own GIS/parcel viewers online. These tools are useful for locating parcels and identifying ownership, though they reference the same underlying data from the Commissioner of the Revenue and circuit court clerk.

Virginia Business Records

The Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) maintains business entity records for corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, and other registered entities in Virginia. The SCC’s free online search tool (scc.virginia.gov/pages/Business-Information) provides entity status, registered agent information, principal office address, and filing history. The SCC also regulates insurance companies, financial institutions, public utilities, and securities in Virginia, and maintains enforcement and licensing records for those industries.

Fictitious names (doing-business-as or DBA registrations) in Virginia are registered with the clerk of the circuit court in the locality where the business is operated — not with the SCC. Researchers looking for DBA registrations must contact the relevant circuit court clerk directly.

UCC financing statements are filed with the SCC’s State Corporation Commission for most transactions, or with the circuit court clerk for real-property-related UCC filings. The SCC maintains a UCC search tool accessible through its website.

Virginia Vital Records

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) Office of Vital Records maintains statewide vital records for births, deaths, marriages, and divorces that occurred in Virginia. VDH’s main office is located at 8701 Park Central Drive, Suite 100, Richmond, VA 23227. Local health departments across Virginia also issue certified copies of vital records for events within their jurisdictions, often with faster turnaround than the state office.

Fees and Eligibility

The statutory fee is $12 per certified copy or per search of the files (whether or not a record is located). Records may be ordered online through VDH’s online application system, by mail to the Office of Vital Records, in person at VDH’s Richmond office, or at many local health departments. Some local health departments, including Fairfax County, also issue certified copies at their offices at the same $12 fee. VitalChek is an authorized vendor for online and phone orders. Online applications through VDH process in approximately 5 business days; mail-in applications process in approximately 8 business days.

Virginia vital records also have a unique access channel: the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) issues birth certificates, death certificates, marriage records, and divorce records at DMV customer service centers for a $14 search fee. Eligible customers can leave with the record in hand if it is located — making DMV one of the fastest in-person access points for Virginia vital records.

Who Can Obtain Certified Copies

Certified copies of vital records in Virginia are issued to the person named on the record, immediate family members (parents, children, siblings, spouses), legal representatives, and government agencies for official purposes. Applicants must provide valid photo ID and, for records of another person, documentation of the qualifying relationship.

Historical Access

Virginia vital records date from June 1912 for births and deaths. Records older than 100 years for births and 25 years for deaths, marriages, and divorces are considered public records under Virginia law and are accessible to anyone. Older records are also available through the Library of Virginia (lva.virginia.gov) and through genealogical databases including Ancestry and FamilySearch.

Marriage and Divorce Records

Marriage licenses in Virginia are issued by the clerk of the circuit court in the locality where the license is obtained. Certified copies of marriage records are available from VDH for marriages occurring in Virginia from 1936 to the present; older records are available through the Library of Virginia. Divorce records (divorce decrees) are maintained by the circuit court where the divorce was granted. VDH issues a Divorce Certificate (a simplified proof-of-divorce document, not the full decree) for divorces from 1918 to the present.

Virginia Inmate and Corrections Records

The Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) maintains a free public Offender Search tool at vadoc.virginia.gov. The search covers individuals currently incarcerated in Virginia state correctional facilities, individuals on probation or parole supervision, and individuals who have been released. Results include offense information, sentence details, and current facility or supervision status.

Local and regional jail records are not in the VADOC system — they are maintained by individual sheriff’s offices or regional jail authorities. Many Virginia sheriff’s offices publish online jail rosters; researchers should check the specific locality’s sheriff’s office website for local jail information.

Professional License Records

The Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) (dpor.virginia.gov) is the primary licensing authority for dozens of professions and trades in Virginia, including contractors, real estate agents, architects, engineers, home inspectors, and many others. DPOR’s online license lookup is free and searchable by name, license number, or profession type. Disciplinary actions and license status information are public records.

Health professions in Virginia are licensed by the Virginia Department of Health Professions (DHP) (dhp.virginia.gov), which covers physicians, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, counselors, and dozens of other health care occupations. The DHP Practitioner Lookup is free and searchable by name or license number, and includes disciplinary history.

Attorneys in Virginia are regulated by the Virginia State Bar (VSB) (vsb.org), which maintains a searchable attorney directory with license status, bar number, and disciplinary history. The VSB attorney search is free and publicly accessible.

Charity and Nonprofit Records

Charitable organizations soliciting contributions in Virginia are required to register with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) Office of Charitable and Regulatory Programs. The CharitiesSearch database at vdacs.virginia.gov allows free public searches of registered charities, their registration status, and annual reports. Virginia’s charitable solicitation law covers organizations raising more than $5,000 annually from Virginia donors.

For federal tax-exempt organizations (501(c)(3) and related entities), the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search (apps.irs.gov/app/eos) provides free access to determination letters, Form 990 returns, and exemption status. Form 990 returns for Virginia nonprofits are also available through ProPublica’s Nonprofit Explorer (projects.propublica.org/nonprofits).

How to Submit a Virginia FOIA Request

Virginia citizens (and qualifying media representatives) may submit VFOIA requests to any covered public body. Non-Virginia residents generally cannot make FOIA requests under Virginia law, though they may access the many public online portals that do not require any request process. Written requests are not legally required but are strongly recommended as they create a documented paper trail.

Step 1 — Confirm Your Eligibility and Identify the Correct Agency

Confirm that you are a Virginia citizen (or qualifying media representative) and that the agency you are requesting from is a covered public body under VFOIA. Virginia’s FOIA applies to state agencies, local governing bodies, and other public entities. It does not apply to the judicial branch’s court records (those are governed by separate statutes and court rules) or to private organizations. Identify which specific agency holds the records you need — VFOIA requests can only be fulfilled by the agency that actually possesses the records.

Step 2 — Locate the Agency’s FOIA Officer

Virginia law requires each public body to designate one or more FOIA officers. The Virginia FOIA Council maintains a directory of FOIA officers on its website at foiacouncil.dls.virginia.gov. For local agencies, check the county or city government website. Direct your request to the designated FOIA officer — not to a general agency email or phone number.

Step 3 — Write Your Request

Describe the records you want with “reasonable specificity” — the standard required by Va. Code § 2.2-3704(B). You do not need to cite the VFOIA by name, use legal language, or explain why you want the records. A clear, specific description of the records being sought is more effective than a broad request. Requests for “all records” of an agency may be treated as overly broad. Include your name and address (agencies may require this before processing the request) and your preferred contact method and format for receiving records.

Step 4 — Submit and Track the Five-Day Clock

Submit your request in writing — by email, mail, fax, or in person — to the FOIA officer. The five-working-day clock starts the day after the agency receives the request (Day 1 is the day after receipt, not the day of receipt). If you do not receive any response within five working days, the non-response is automatically deemed a denial and constitutes a VFOIA violation. Document the date you submitted the request carefully.

Step 5 — Respond to the Agency’s Reply, Appeal, or Litigate

The agency must respond within five working days by producing records, withholding records with a specific exemption citation, partially producing records, indicating the records do not exist, or requesting up to seven additional working days. If records are withheld, the agency must identify the specific exemption and briefly explain how it applies. If you believe the denial is improper, you may request a non-binding advisory opinion from the Virginia FOIA Council (foiacouncil.dls.virginia.gov) — this is a free resource available for state agency disputes. You may also petition the circuit or district court to compel compliance. If you substantially prevail in court, the agency may be ordered to pay your attorney’s fees.

Free Government Databases for Virginia Public Records

Common Mistakes When Researching Virginia Public Records

Non-residents submitting FOIA requests without a Virginia proxy. Virginia’s FOIA is statutorily limited to Virginia citizens and qualifying media representatives. Non-residents who submit FOIA requests to Virginia agencies have no legal entitlement to a response under state law. While many agencies will respond anyway as a courtesy, they are not obligated to. Non-residents who need Virginia records should either use the public online portals (which require no request), find a Virginia-resident proxy, or consult a Virginia attorney.

Searching the wrong jurisdiction due to Virginia’s independent cities. Virginia’s 38 independent cities are legally separate from surrounding counties. A property located in the City of Fairfax is not in Fairfax County — it has its own circuit court clerk, assessor, and government. Similarly, Alexandria is independent of Arlington County, and Virginia Beach is independent of Princess Anne County (which no longer exists separately). Researchers must identify the correct jurisdiction for where the property or event is located before searching for records.

Expecting to search criminal history online through the state repository. Virginia’s CCRE does not provide a public online search. Researchers who expect to find a comprehensive criminal history by visiting a state website will be disappointed. The best free online resource is the Virginia Judicial System’s case information portal (vacourts.gov/caseinfo), which shows court cases but is not a complete criminal history repository. CCRE background checks for the general public require a mail-in request with a fee and take approximately 15 business days.

Assuming Virginia property records are a reliable source of sale price information. Virginia is a non-disclosure state — recorded deeds are not required to show the actual sale price, and Virginia has no transfer tax structure that generates a separate price disclosure document. Researchers expecting to find sale prices from recorded deeds will frequently find only nominal consideration stated (e.g., “for $10 and other valuable consideration”). Sale price information in Virginia is most reliably obtained from commercial real estate databases or MLS records, not from government property records.

Looking for DBA registrations at the SCC instead of the circuit court clerk. Fictitious business names (DBA or “doing business as” registrations) in Virginia are not filed with the State Corporation Commission. They are registered with the clerk of the circuit court in the locality where the business operates. Researchers looking for sole proprietorships or partnerships operating under trade names must contact the local circuit court clerk — the SCC will not have this information.

Treating a five-day non-response as a gray area. Virginia FOIA is unusually strict on this point: failure to respond within five working days is not a procedural technicality — it is automatically deemed a denial and constitutes a FOIA violation. Requesters who receive no response within five working days should document the non-response carefully, as this is the starting point for any enforcement action or advisory opinion request.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Virginia public records open to anyone?

No — Virginia is one of the few states that restricts FOIA access to its own citizens. Under Va. Code § 2.2-3704(A), public records must be open to “citizens of the Commonwealth” and to representatives of Virginia-circulating newspapers and magazines. Non-residents generally cannot make FOIA requests under Virginia law, though the U.S. Supreme Court upheld this restriction in McBurney v. Young (2013). However, many Virginia government records are accessible through public online portals (court records, inmate records, sex offender registry, business records, vital records) that do not require any formal FOIA request and are available to anyone regardless of residency.

Does Virginia have a FOIA law?

Yes. Virginia’s own state open records law is called the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (VFOIA), codified at Va. Code §§ 2.2-3700 through 2.2-3714. It was first enacted in 1968. The federal Freedom of Information Act (federal FOIA) applies only to federal agencies — not to Virginia state or local governments. Virginia’s VFOIA is distinct from the federal law and has different procedures, timelines, and exemptions. The Virginia FOIA Council provides free advisory guidance on VFOIA compliance at foiacouncil.dls.virginia.gov.

Are Virginia criminal records public?

Virginia criminal history records are not broadly public. The Central Criminal Records Exchange (CCRE), maintained by the Virginia State Police, is not publicly accessible online — third-party access is restricted by Va. Code § 19.2-389. However, individual criminal court cases are publicly accessible through the Virginia Judicial System’s online case search tool (vacourts.gov/caseinfo), which shows case filings, charges, and dispositions for adult cases in district courts and select circuit courts. Juvenile records are confidential. Expunged records are sealed from public view.

Where are Virginia property records searched?

Virginia property research requires two offices in the correct jurisdiction. The Clerk of the Circuit Court maintains recorded land records — deeds, mortgages, deeds of trust, and liens — for the county or independent city where the property is located. The Commissioner of the Revenue or local assessor’s office maintains property valuation and tax records. Because Virginia has 38 independent cities that are legally separate from surrounding counties, it is essential to identify the correct jurisdiction before searching. Many localities offer online access to land records and property tax records through their official websites.

Are Virginia arrest records public?

Arrest information for adults who are charged and arrested — including felony, misdemeanor, and traffic arrests — is a public record under VFOIA (§ 2.2-3706). Law enforcement agencies are required to release basic arrest information including the identity of any arrested adult, the charges, and the status of the charge or arrest. However, this applies to “reasonably contemporaneous” arrests; older arrest information may be directed to court records. The CCRE’s comprehensive arrest and disposition history is not publicly searchable. Expunged records are sealed by court order and no longer publicly accessible.

Can a Virginia public agency charge fees for records?

Yes. Virginia agencies may charge the “actual, reasonable costs” of locating, copying, and providing records in response to a FOIA request (Va. Code § 2.2-3704(F)). There is no fixed per-page rate set by statute — fees are based on actual costs. Agencies may require an advance deposit if the cost estimate exceeds $200. Requesters have the right to ask for a cost estimate in advance before the agency begins work. There is no statutory fee waiver provision in VFOIA — unlike some other states, Virginia has not created automatic waivers for media, nonprofits, or public interest purposes, though agencies have discretion to reduce or waive fees voluntarily.

Final Thoughts

Virginia’s public records system is a mixed picture. On the positive side, the VFOIA’s strict five-day response rule, the mandatory exemption citation requirement, and the FOIA Council’s accessible advisory opinion process make it a relatively procedurally clear system to navigate. The Virginia Judicial System’s online case search tools are genuinely useful for court record research, and the SCC’s business search is well-organized. On the challenging side, Virginia’s citizen-only FOIA requirement, the non-public CCRE criminal history repository, and the absence of a statewide property records portal create real barriers for researchers unfamiliar with the system.

The greatest practical challenge for researchers in Virginia is the fragmentation created by 133 independent jurisdictions — each with its own circuit court clerk for land records, its own assessor for property tax, and its own FOIA officer for public records requests. Virginia’s 38 independent cities are a particularly frequent source of confusion, as properties and events in an independent city must be searched under that city’s records — not the surrounding county’s. There is no statewide property database, no statewide online criminal history search, and no single portal that covers all court records.

For most common research tasks: start court record searches at vacourts.gov/caseinfo (free, covers most district courts and some circuit courts); for property records, identify the county or independent city and contact the circuit court clerk’s office and the Commissioner of the Revenue; for vital records, order through VDH online or visit a local health department or DMV customer service center; for criminal history, use the court case search as a practical proxy or submit a mail-in request to VSP CCRE. Non-Virginia residents should use the public online portals rather than attempting a formal FOIA request.

Related Guides

• Washington Public Records: A Complete Research Guide
• North Carolina Public Records: A Complete Research Guide
• Georgia Public Records: A Complete Research Guide
• Texas Public Records: A Complete Research Guide
• Florida Public Records: A Complete Research Guide
• How to Search Property Records Step by Step
• How FOIA Requests Work
• Best Government Databases for Background Research

Disclaimer

This guide is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. Public records laws and agency procedures change over time. Always verify current law and agency requirements directly with the relevant government office or a licensed Virginia attorney before relying on this information for legal or official purposes.