Virginiabeach County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Virginia Beach County?

Public records in Virginia Beach are defined under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), § 2.2-3700 et seq. of the Code of Virginia as all writings, papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, films, sound recordings, and other documentary materials prepared, owned, or retained by a public body in the transaction of public business. Virginia Beach operates as an independent city rather than a county, though it functions with consolidated city-county authority and maintains a comprehensive array of public records accessible to members of the public.

The following record types are currently available through various Virginia Beach offices:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family matters) — maintained by the Virginia Beach Circuit Court
Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, and assessments) — maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk's Land Records Division
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates) — maintained by the Virginia Beach Department of Public Health and the Virginia Department of Health
Business records (licenses, permits, and fictitious trade names) — maintained by the Virginia Beach Commissioner of the Revenue
Tax records (property tax bills and assessment records) — maintained by the Virginia Beach Treasurer and Assessor's Office
Voting and election records — maintained by the Virginia Beach Electoral Board and Registrar
Meeting minutes and agendas (City Council, boards, and commissions) — maintained by the City Clerk's Office
Budget and financial documents — maintained by the Virginia Beach Department of Finance
Law enforcement records (arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law) — maintained by the Virginia Beach Police Department
Land use and zoning records — maintained by the Virginia Beach Department of Planning and Community Development

Is Virginia Beach County an Open Records County?

Virginia Beach fully complies with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, which establishes the public's right to access government records and meetings. Under § 2.2-3704 of the Code of Virginia, all public records shall be open to inspection and copying by any citizen of the Commonwealth, and all public bodies shall make reasonable efforts to provide records in the requested format. The Act further declares, under § 2.2-3700, that the provisions of FOIA shall be liberally construed to promote an increased awareness by all persons of governmental activities and afford every opportunity to citizens to witness the operations of government.

Virginia Beach has adopted local policies consistent with state law. The City Attorney's Office oversees FOIA compliance citywide, and each department designates a FOIA officer responsible for responding to records requests. Virginia Beach also adheres to the Virginia Public Records Act, § 42.1-76 et seq., which governs the retention, management, and disposition of public records held by government agencies throughout the Commonwealth.

How to Find Public Records in Virginia Beach County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Virginia Beach public records through several channels, depending on the record type sought. The following steps outline the current process:

Identify the custodial office. Determine which agency maintains the record — for example, court records are held by the Circuit Court Clerk, while property deeds are recorded in the Land Records Division.
Submit a FOIA request in writing. Requests may be submitted by mail, email, or in person to the relevant department's designated FOIA officer. Written requests are not legally required under Virginia FOIA, but they are strongly recommended to create a clear record.
Use online portals where available. The Virginia Beach Circuit Court provides online access to certain case records. Certified copies of birth, death, marriage, and divorce records may be requested through the Virginia Beach Department of Public Health vital records office.
Allow the statutory response period. Under current law, public bodies must respond to FOIA requests within five working days of receipt. The agency may provide the records, deny the request with written explanation, or notify the requester that an extension is needed.
Appeal a denial if necessary. If a request is denied, the requester may petition the Virginia Freedom of Information Advisory Council or seek judicial review in the appropriate circuit court.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Virginia Beach County?

Current fees for public records in Virginia Beach are governed by § 2.2-3704(F) of the Virginia FOIA, which permits public bodies to charge reasonable fees not to exceed the actual cost incurred in accessing, duplicating, supplying, or searching for the requested records. Standard fees currently applicable include:

Paper copies: Typically $0.10 to $0.50 per page, depending on the office and document type
Certified copies of court documents: Generally $0.50 per page plus a $2.00 certification fee, as set by the Circuit Court Clerk
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce certificates): $12.00 per certified copy, as established by the Virginia Department of Health
Land records and deed copies: Fees vary by document length; the Circuit Court Clerk's Office publishes a current fee schedule
Electronic records: Fees for electronic production may include staff time for retrieval and formatting, not to exceed actual cost

Accepted payment methods vary by office and may include cash, check, money order, or credit card. Fee waivers may be available in limited circumstances, particularly where disclosure is determined to be in the public interest and the requester demonstrates an inability to pay. Requesters should inquire directly with the relevant office regarding waiver eligibility.

Does Virginia Beach County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available under Virginia law. Pursuant to § 2.2-3704, members of the public have the right to inspect public records at no charge during regular business hours; fees apply only when copies are requested. Several categories of records are currently accessible at no cost through official government channels:

Court case information may be searched at no charge through the Virginia Beach Circuit Court's public access terminals located in the Clerk's Office
Property assessment data is available without charge through the Virginia Beach Real Estate Assessor's online database
City Council meeting minutes and agendas are posted at no cost on the Virginia Beach City Clerk's official webpage
Zoning and land use records may be reviewed without charge through the Department of Planning and Community Development's online GIS portal
Statewide vital records information, including guidance on eligibility and ordering procedures, is available through the Office of Vital Records at the Virginia Department of Health

Who Can Request Public Records in Virginia Beach County?

Under current Virginia law, any person — regardless of residency, citizenship status, or stated purpose — may request access to public records held by Virginia Beach government agencies. The Virginia FOIA does not require requesters to be Virginia residents, to provide identification, or to explain the reason for their request when seeking most categories of records.

Key eligibility provisions include:

No residency requirement: Non-residents of Virginia Beach and non-citizens of the Commonwealth retain the right to request public records under applicable law
No identification required for general public records requests, though certain sensitive record types (such as vital records) require proof of identity and eligibility
No stated purpose required for the majority of records; however, agencies may ask for clarification to help locate responsive documents
Requesting your own records: Individuals seeking records about themselves may be entitled to access additional information that would otherwise be restricted, such as certain law enforcement or personnel records
Restrictions for specific record types: Vital records, juvenile court records, adoption records, and certain law enforcement files are subject to eligibility requirements and may only be released to authorized individuals as specified under Virginia Code

Notary-related public documents, including commission records, are maintained at the state level and may be verified through the Secretary of the Commonwealth's notary commission registry.

What Records Are Confidential in Virginia Beach County?

Certain categories of records are exempt from mandatory public disclosure under Virginia law. The Virginia FOIA, at § 2.2-3705 et seq., enumerates specific exemptions that public bodies may invoke to withhold records from disclosure. Exempt and confidential record categories currently recognized in Virginia Beach include:

Sealed court records — records sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection
Juvenile records — records pertaining to juveniles in the court system are confidential pursuant to Virginia Code § 16.1-301
Ongoing criminal investigation records — law enforcement records compiled for active investigations are exempt to protect the integrity of proceedings
Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are protected from disclosure
Medical and health records — protected under both Virginia law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Adoption records — sealed by statute and accessible only through court order
Child welfare and protective services records — maintained as confidential by the Virginia Department of Social Services
Personnel records — employee records are generally exempt, with limited exceptions for certain disciplinary actions involving public officials
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — submitted to government agencies under assurances of confidentiality
Security and infrastructure plans — records relating to the security of public buildings, facilities, or critical infrastructure

Where a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, Virginia Beach agencies are required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder, consistent with the severability provisions of the Virginia FOIA.

Virginia Beach Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Virginia Beach Circuit Court Clerk's Office serves as the primary recorder of official documents, including land records, court filings, and related instruments.

Virginia Beach Circuit Court Clerk's Office 2425 Nimmo Pkwy, Building 10, Virginia Beach, VA 23456 (757) 385-8827 Virginia Beach Circuit Court Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Virginia Beach Department of Public Health – Vital Records 4452 Corporation Lane, Virginia Beach, VA 23462 (757) 518-2700 Vital Records – VA Beach Dept. of Public Health Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Virginia Beach Commissioner of the Revenue 2401 Courthouse Dr., Building 1, Virginia Beach, VA 23456 (757) 385-4251 Commissioner of the Revenue Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Virginia Beach City Treasurer 2401 Courthouse Dr., Building 1, Virginia Beach, VA 23456 (757) 385-4445 City Treasurer Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Virginia Beach Police Department – Records Unit 2509 Princess Anne Rd., Virginia Beach, VA 23456 (757) 385-5000 Virginia Beach Police Department Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.