Prince George County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Prince George County in 2026
Members of the public seeking government documents in Prince George County, Virginia, may access a range of publicly available records through official county and state resources. PrinceGeorgeRecords.org provides data and publicly available information related to public records maintained by government agencies in the county. Records that may be available through official channels include court filings, property documents, land recordings, vital records, tax assessments, and meeting minutes, subject to applicable exemptions under Virginia law.
Records in Prince George County may be searched through official court resources, the Clerk of the Circuit Court, public access terminals located at the courthouse, and online government portals.
Online Access:
- The Prince George County official website provides access to online real estate assessment records through the Real Estate Assessor's Office portal. No registration is required to view assessment data.
- Court case information may be searched through the Virginia Judicial System's online case information system at vacourts.gov.
- Land records, including deeds and deeds of trust, are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk's Office and may be accessed through the clerk's public terminals.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Prince George Circuit Court Clerk's Office at 6601 Courts Drive, Prince George, VA 23875. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Requestors should identify the record type, provide relevant names or parcel numbers, and submit a written or verbal request to the clerk on duty.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be directed to the Clerk of the Circuit Court at P.O. Box 98, Prince George, VA 23875-0098. Requests should include the requestor's name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for response. Under Virginia Code § 2.2-3704, public bodies are required to respond to FOIA requests within five working days of receipt.
Phone/Email:
- Circuit Court Clerk's Office: (804) 861-5721
- County FOIA Officer (County Attorney's Office): (804) 722-8678
What Are Public Records in Prince George County?
Public records in Prince George County are defined under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act as all writings, recordings, and other documentary materials prepared or maintained by a public body in the transaction of public business. The following record types are available through designated county and state offices:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Civil and criminal court records | Circuit Court Clerk's Office |
| Property deeds and mortgages | Circuit Court Clerk's Office – Land Recordings |
| Real estate assessments | Real Estate Assessor's Office |
| Marriage licenses | Circuit Court Clerk's Office |
| Name changes | Circuit Court Clerk's Office |
| Probate records | Circuit Court Clerk's Office |
| Business licenses and permits | Commissioner of the Revenue |
| Property tax records | Treasurer's Office |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | County Administrator's Office |
| Budget and financial documents | Finance Department |
| Voting and election records | General Registrar's Office |
| Land use and zoning records | Planning and Zoning Department |
| Incident and arrest reports | Prince George County Sheriff's Office |
Birth and death certificates are maintained at the state level by the Virginia Department of Health, not by the county clerk.
Is Prince George County an Open Records County?
Prince George County operates in full compliance with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified at Virginia Code § 2.2-3700 et seq. As stated on the county's official FOIA information page, the Virginia FOIA "guarantees citizens of the Commonwealth and representatives of the media access to public records held by public bodies, public officials, and public employees."
The Virginia FOIA establishes a presumption of openness: all public records are presumed open unless a specific statutory exemption applies. The county's FOIA Officer is located within the County Attorney's Office and is responsible for coordinating responses to public records requests. The county does not require requestors to state a reason for seeking records, consistent with state law. Virginia's open meetings law, the Virginia Freedom of Information Act's open meetings provisions under § 2.2-3707, further requires that meetings of public bodies be open to the public, with limited exceptions.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Prince George County?
Current fees for public records in Prince George County are governed by the Virginia FOIA and applicable court fee schedules. The following fee structure applies at present:
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Standard paper copies | $0.50 per page (standard rate) |
| Certified copies of court documents | $2.00 per document (plus $0.50 per page) |
| Deed recordation copies | Varies by document length |
| Electronic records | Actual cost of duplication |
| Search fees | Not permitted for inspection only |
| Inspection of records | No charge |
Under Virginia Code § 2.2-3704(F), a public body may charge for the actual cost of responding to a request, including staff time spent searching, retrieving, and reviewing records, provided the public body notifies the requestor in advance if costs are expected to exceed $200. Accepted payment methods at the Circuit Court Clerk's Office include cash, check, and money order payable to the Clerk of the Circuit Court. Fee waivers are not formally codified under Virginia FOIA, though individual offices may exercise discretion in certain circumstances.
Does Prince George County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available to any member of the public under Virginia law. Requestors are not charged a fee to view records in person at the relevant government office. The following resources are available at no cost:
- Online real estate assessment data is accessible at no charge through the county's property assessment portal. As noted on the county's website, "Under Virginia State Law, these records are public information."
- Court case information may be searched at no cost through the Virginia Judicial System's online case information system.
- In-person inspection of land records, court filings, and other documents held by the Circuit Court Clerk's Office is available free of charge during regular business hours.
- Public access terminals at the courthouse allow members of the public to search and view records without incurring copy fees.
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while inspection carries no charge, obtaining physical or certified copies is subject to the fee schedule described above.
Who Can Request Public Records in Prince George County?
Under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, any person may request access to public records held by Prince George County government bodies. Eligibility is not restricted to Virginia residents; non-residents retain the same right of access as county residents under state law. The following conditions apply at present:
- Identification: Requestors are not required to present identification to inspect public records, though identification may be required for certain certified documents or records involving personal information.
- Purpose: Requestors are not required to state a reason or purpose for their request under Virginia FOIA.
- Residency: Non-residents of Virginia may submit public records requests and receive the same treatment as residents.
- Requesting your own records: Individuals seeking records about themselves may be entitled to access records that would otherwise be restricted to third parties, such as certain personnel or law enforcement records.
- Restrictions by record type: Some records, such as juvenile court records, adoption records, and sealed court files, are restricted regardless of the identity of the requestor.
Members of the media are explicitly recognized under Virginia FOIA as having the same rights of access as members of the public.
What Records Are Confidential in Prince George County?
Certain categories of records are exempt from public disclosure under Virginia law. Virginia Code § 2.2-3705 and related sections enumerate specific exemptions, including but not limited to:
- Juvenile records: Records relating to juveniles in the court system are sealed and not available to the public.
- Sealed court records: Records sealed by court order are not subject to public inspection.
- Ongoing criminal investigation records: Law enforcement records compiled for active investigations are exempt from disclosure.
- Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are redacted from disclosed records.
- Medical and health records: Records protected under HIPAA and Virginia health privacy statutes are not publicly accessible.
- Adoption records: Adoption proceedings and related documents are confidential under Virginia law.
- Child welfare and protective services records: Records maintained by child protective services are exempt from public disclosure.
- Personnel records: Employee personnel files are exempt, with limited exceptions for certain public officials.
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Confidential commercial or financial information submitted to a public body is protected from disclosure.
- Security plans and infrastructure details: Documents describing the security of government facilities or critical infrastructure are exempt.
Virginia FOIA does not require a balancing test for most enumerated exemptions; the exemptions are categorical. However, public bodies retain discretion to disclose exempt records when disclosure is not otherwise prohibited by law.
Prince George County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Prince George Circuit Court Clerk's Office
6601 Courts Drive
Prince George, VA 23875
(804) 861-5721
Prince George Circuit Court – Virginia's Judicial System
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 98
Prince George, VA 23875-0098
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
The Clerk of the Circuit Court maintains land records, marriage licenses, court filings, probate records, and name change documents. The office serves as the primary repository for official instruments recorded in Prince George County.
Additional Offices:
Prince George County Real Estate Assessor's Office
6602 Courts Drive, Suite 201
Prince George, VA 23875
(804) 722-8629
Online Real Estate Assessments – Prince George County
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Prince George County Attorney's Office (FOIA Officer)
6602 Courts Drive
Prince George, VA 23875
(804) 722-8678
Freedom of Information Act – Prince George County
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM