Petersburg County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Petersburg County in 2026
PetersburgRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to public records maintained by government agencies in Petersburg County, Virginia. Members of the public seeking court documents, property filings, vital records, or other official documents may locate relevant data through a combination of online portals, in-person visits, and written requests submitted to the appropriate custodial offices. The categories of records that may be accessible include:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and land records
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
- Business licenses and permits
- Tax and assessment records
- Voting and election records
- Meeting minutes, agendas, and budget documents
- Law enforcement records, where permitted by law
Online Access: Members of the public may search court case information through the Virginia Judiciary Online Case Information System, which provides access to civil and criminal case data maintained by Virginia's circuit and general district courts. Property records and land documents are accessible through the Petersburg Circuit Court Clerk's land records portal. Some records require user registration prior to access.
In-Person Requests: Individuals may inspect records in person at the Petersburg Circuit Court Clerk's Office, located at 7 Courthouse Avenue, Petersburg, VA 23803. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Requestors should present a valid government-issued photo identification and specify the record type and relevant case or document number when possible.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted by mail to the Petersburg Circuit Court Clerk's Office at 7 Courthouse Avenue, Petersburg, VA 23803. Requests must include the requestor's full name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the intended purpose if required by the record type. Under Virginia Code § 2.2-3704, public bodies are required to respond to requests within five working days.
Phone/Email:
- Phone: (804) 733-2367
- Email inquiries may be directed through the court's official contact page at the Petersburg Circuit Court.
What Are Public Records in Petersburg County?
Public records in Petersburg County are defined under Virginia law as all writings and recordings — regardless of physical form or characteristics — prepared or owned by, or in the possession of, a public body or its officers, employees, or agents in the transaction of public business. Under Virginia Freedom of Information Act § 2.2-3700 et seq., all public records are presumed open unless a specific statutory exemption applies.
The following record types are maintained by Petersburg County and its associated agencies:
| Record Type | Custodial Office |
|---|---|
| Civil and criminal court records | Petersburg Circuit Court Clerk |
| Property deeds, mortgages, liens | Petersburg Circuit Court Clerk |
| Vital records (birth, death, marriage) | Virginia Department of Health |
| Business licenses and permits | Petersburg City Commissioner of Revenue |
| Property tax and assessment records | Petersburg City Assessor |
| Voting and election records | Petersburg City Electoral Board |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | Petersburg City Clerk |
| Budget and financial documents | Petersburg Department of Finance |
| Law enforcement records | Petersburg Police Department |
| Land use and zoning records | Petersburg Department of Planning |
Court records, including civil, criminal, probate, and family case files, are maintained by the Petersburg Circuit Court as part of the 11th Judicial Circuit of Virginia. Vital records, including birth and death certificates, are administered at the state level by the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records.
Is Petersburg County an Open Records County?
Petersburg County operates in full compliance with Virginia's open records framework. Under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), all public bodies in the Commonwealth — including those in Petersburg — are required to make public records available for inspection and copying upon request. The Act establishes that "all public records shall be open to inspection and copying by any citizens of the Commonwealth" and that the law "shall be liberally construed to promote an increased awareness by all persons of governmental activities."
The Virginia FOIA Office, housed within the Virginia Freedom of Information Advisory Council, provides guidance to both public bodies and citizens on compliance with open records obligations. Petersburg's public bodies are subject to the same sunshine laws that govern all Virginia localities, including requirements for open meetings, timely responses to records requests, and written justification for any denial of access.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Petersburg County?
The current fee structure for public records in Petersburg County is governed by state law and individual office schedules. Under Virginia Code, public bodies may charge reasonable fees not to exceed the actual cost of responding to a request.
Standard Copy Fees:
| Fee Type | Standard Rate |
|---|---|
| Paper copies (letter/legal size) | $0.50 per page (standard) |
| Certified copies of court documents | $2.00 per page + $2.00 certification fee |
| Certified vital records (birth/death/marriage) | $12.00 per copy (state fee) |
| Electronic records | Actual cost of duplication |
| Search fees | Actual staff time, where permitted |
- Inspection of records at a public office is provided at no charge.
- Certification fees apply when an official seal or attestation is required.
- Payment methods accepted at the Petersburg Circuit Court Clerk's Office include cash, check, and money order payable to the Clerk of Court.
- Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or in cases where disclosure is determined to be in the public interest, at the discretion of the custodial agency.
Does Petersburg County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available to any person at the offices of the custodial agency during regular business hours. Virginia law requires that public bodies permit in-person inspection of non-exempt records without charge. The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while viewing records on-site carries no fee, obtaining physical or electronic copies is subject to the fee schedule described above.
The following resources provide free online access to certain Petersburg County records:
- The Virginia Judiciary Online Case Information System provides free access to civil and criminal case summaries for circuit and general district courts statewide.
- The Virginia Department of Corrections maintains a free inmate and supervisee locator that includes individuals housed in state correctional facilities as well as those supervised in the community.
- The Virginia State Corporation Commission provides free access to business entity records through its Clerk's Information System.
- Property assessment data may be reviewed at no cost through the Petersburg City Assessor's public access terminals.
Who Can Request Public Records in Petersburg County?
Any citizen of the Commonwealth of Virginia holds the right to inspect and copy public records under the Virginia FOIA. In practice, Virginia's public bodies extend access to non-residents as well, and requestors are not required to state a purpose for their request in most circumstances. The following conditions apply:
- Residency: Requestors are not required to be Virginia residents to access most public records, though the Virginia FOIA specifically enumerates rights for citizens of the Commonwealth.
- Identification: Requestors are not required to provide identification to inspect public records, though identification may be required for certified copies of vital records or records involving personal information.
- Purpose: Requestors are not required to state the purpose of their request for general public records. Certain record types — such as criminal history information or sealed court files — may require the requestor to demonstrate a qualifying interest.
- Personal records: Individuals requesting their own records, such as personal criminal history or vital records, may be required to provide proof of identity and, in some cases, a notarized authorization.
- Third-party records: Requests for records pertaining to another individual may be subject to additional restrictions, particularly for records protected under privacy statutes.
What Records Are Confidential in Petersburg County?
Certain categories of records are exempt from mandatory disclosure under Virginia law. Virginia Code § 2.2-3705 enumerates specific exemptions that public bodies may invoke to withhold records from public inspection. The following record types are among those currently protected from disclosure:
- 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 under Virginia law.
- Ongoing investigation records: Law enforcement records related to active criminal investigations may be withheld to protect the integrity of the investigation.
- Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted from publicly released documents.
- Medical records: Health information is protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
- Adoption records: Adoption files are sealed and accessible only under specific statutory conditions.
- Child welfare records: Records maintained by child protective services are confidential.
- Personnel records: Employee records of public bodies are exempt, with limited exceptions for certain disciplinary actions.
- Trade secrets: Proprietary business information submitted to government agencies in confidence is protected from disclosure.
- Security and infrastructure plans: Documents detailing security measures for public facilities are exempt from disclosure.
Public bodies invoking an exemption are required to cite the specific statutory basis for the denial and, in many cases, must provide a written response explaining the grounds for withholding the requested records.
Petersburg County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
The primary custodian of land records, court filings, and related documents in Petersburg is the Clerk of the Circuit Court, which serves as the functional equivalent of a county recorder's office.
Petersburg Circuit Court Clerk's Office
7 Courthouse Avenue
Petersburg, VA 23803
(804) 733-2367
Petersburg Circuit Court — Virginia's Judicial System
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Virginia Department of Health — Office of Vital Records
8701 Park Central Drive, Suite 100
Richmond, VA 23227
(804) 662-6200
Office of Vital Records — Virginia Department of Health
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Walk-in customers are served during posted lobby hours
Petersburg Commissioner of the Revenue
135 North Union Street
Petersburg, VA 23803
(804) 733-2346
City of Petersburg Official Website
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Petersburg Police Department — Records Division
35 Franklin Street
Petersburg, VA 23803
(804) 732-4222
City of Petersburg Official Website
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
As the Virginia FOIA Advisory Council notes, "The policy of the Commonwealth is that all public records shall be open to inspection and copying by any citizens of the Commonwealth, the news media, and all other persons." This principle guides the operations of all custodial offices in Petersburg and ensures that members of the public retain meaningful access to government records.