OPEN PUBLIC RECORDS

Because You Need to Know
How to use this page: Pick the record type you need below. Each section names the agency that holds those records and links to the official source — no aggregators, no third-party services. Because Virginia has 95 counties and 38 independent cities (some sharing names — Richmond, Fairfax, Franklin, Roanoke, Alexandria), double-check you're contacting the right locality.

What You Can Find Here

⚖️ Court case records through Virginia's statewide OCIS system
🔍 Arrest records from county sheriffs and independent-city police
📋 Criminal history checks through Virginia State Police
🏛️ Vital records, property records, and open-records requests
Have this ready before you start:
  • Full name of the person or business
  • Case number, if you have one
  • The county or independent city where the record was created

How Records Work in Virginia

Virginia's record systems run on three tracks: state, locality, and arresting-agency. The state judiciary under the Supreme Court of Virginia maintains appellate records and the OCIS case-search system. Virginia State Police holds statewide criminal history through the Central Criminal Records Exchange. Most of what you'll actually search for — deeds, marriage licenses, local court files — lives at the locality level.

Virginia has 133 localities total: 95 counties plus 38 independent cities. That's a national anomaly — no other state has constitutionally independent cities. Five names appear as both county and independent city (Richmond, Fairfax, Franklin, Roanoke, Bedford), which routinely trips up people searching for records. Each locality has its own clerk of the Circuit Court who holds property records, marriage licenses, wills, and other vital court filings. Online access varies widely — larger localities tend to have better portals than smaller ones.

Counties And Independent Cities in Virginia

Virginia has 133 localities: 95 counties and 38 independent cities (Virginia is the only U.S. state with constitutionally independent cities). Select one below to find local court, arrest, and court and arrest records.

What this page does not show: Not every record is online. Some require a written request, an in-person visit, a fee, or all three. Because Virginia has 133 localities with their own clerks, online coverage varies a lot — larger localities tend to have better portals. When in doubt, call the clerk's office directly.

This page is a guide to help you find official records — it is not the official database. All information comes from government sources. Verify details directly with the agency that holds the records.

Last updated: April 24, 2026