Virginia Public Records

State Level Information

In Virginia, the Freedom of Information Act was put in place as a way to guarantee that the public has their rightful access to any public records of government agencies performing duties at any level in the state of Virginia. It also legislates the ways in which public meetings are conducted.

"The provisions of this chapter 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. Any exemption from public access to records or meetings shall be narrowly construed and no record shall be withheld or meeting closed to the public unless specifically made exempt." - Code of Virginia, 2.2-3700

State of Virginia Department of Public Safety
Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
State of Virginia Department of Real Estate
Virginia Department of Revenue
Virginia Department of Transportation
Virginia State Veterinary Medical Examining Board

Court Record Resources

Criminal History Records Check SP-167 must be included, signed and notarized. Individuals, private companies and the general public are authorized to use this form.

Criminal History Records Check SP-230 is also governed by the same statute. Pursuant to the guidelines it declares, this form does not require a notary seal and it empowers the following non-criminal justice agencies to use it:


Virginia Judicial Branch
Virginia Criminal Justice Services
Virginia State Police
Virginia Department of Corrections

Vital Records Facts

Virginia Department of Health Services