Unlike most states, Virginia allows citizens seeking records to file a cost estimate request prior to the agency beginning work. The public records laws allow agencies to charge up to the actual cost of producing records. Inspection of public records is free of charge for in-state residents. Each agency in Virginia has a procedure in place for public inspection of records. Out-of-state residents can be denied access, but the law does not prevent in-state residents from inspecting documents on the behalf of someone else. The public access laws in Virginia allow any citizen of the state to inspect records in person in the office of the custodian of records. Records will not include names or taxes paid, but will identify land assessments and values. County and city offices can provide public access to some records. Public records laws specifically exempt property tax records from public disclosure. The Virginia Department of Corrections provides these records. Online records searches include names, aliases, and prison location, but does not include mugshots or a description of convictions. Virginia public records laws restrict the information the Department of Corrections may provide about inmates. Marriage, divorce, and death records are closed to the public for 25 years after the event. Birth records are closed until 100 years after the date of birth. These records are closed to public inspection. Virginia vital records include birth records, death records, marriage and divorce records, fetal deaths, adoptions, and annulments performed in the state. The records become public once law enforcement agencies file charges in a Virginia court. Some police incident reports involving arrests for felony crimes are public, but many records of misdemeanor, traffic, and DUI arrests may not be immediately available. Once filed with the court, an arrest record is no longer an investigatory record, and the public has access. Law enforcement agencies generate arrest records, but file reports with the courts. Information about arrests, including arrest warrants issued by courts is generally available to the public. Records of the Circuit Courts are online, including civil, criminal, family, and traffic cases. The Virginia Judicial System provides online access to records searches. Records are more restricted in Virginia than most states. Records from the courts are public under the public records laws, but restrictions to access of records is through numerous Supreme Court rules and decisions. Records found in a public background check include: Anonymous records searches are not available to the public. Unlike many other states, Virginia requires a signature of the subject in the presence of a notary public on records request forms. Criminal RecordsĬriminal records are public in Virginia. Agencies may refuse to provide public inspection of records to out-of-state requestors. The law allows public inspection of records by any citizen of Virginia, unlike most states. The public access laws in Virginia apply to a “public body,” which covers all three branches of state government, local and municipal governments, and entities that do significant business with or for the state. What is Included in Virginia Public Records? These records can be informative and useful for finding out about individuals in the state. Some records held by Virginia government entities concern the residents of the state. Many of the records available to the public are not important to most people. Public access to important documents in Virginia stems from laws preventing government agencies from concealing records created in the course of public business.
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