CAROLINE COUNTY PUBLIC RECORDS

What are Caroline County Public Records?

Caroline County public records are all data in written or recorded format maintained, received, filed, and issued by a public agency to fulfill public activity. For this reason, the term “public records” may cover the following examples: books, graphs, charters, maps, SMS, emails, videotapes, audio recordings, memoranda, photographs, and statistical reports.

In some cases, public agencies may include social media posts as a public document. According to state law, all interested persons must request the record custodian holding the document. Sometimes, record custodians prevent access to certain documents based on confidentiality and privacy. Examples of these exempted documents are listed below:

• Information subject to attorney-client privilege;
• Proprietary information of service providers;
• Personnel records or information on identifiable individuals;
• Cost estimates and appraisals of real estate properties;
• Routing information and account numbers for any credit or debit card with financial institutions;
• Information on the patient's medical history;
• Documents, including preliminary drafts and notes used in the award and negotiation of a specific contract;
• Records collated for use in a closed session;
• Investigation procedures and strategies utilized in an ongoing investigation. More so, the stakeholders’ identity (law enforcement officers and crime victims) in an ongoing investigation;
• Information on tests or examinations prepared by government entities for the evaluation of:
  • Qualifications for certificates or licenses issued by public entities;
  • Students performance;
  • Employees and employees' aptitude for promotion, employment, or retention;
• Critical infrastructure information on the operation of systems and security equipment of any public structure or building.

In addition to government agencies, county public records may also be obtained from third-party websites. These non-government platforms come with intuitive tools that allow for expansive searches. Record seekers may either opt to use these tools to search for a specific record or multiple records. Users are able to search third-party websites remotely for multiple records at a time with just the name of the record subject and their last known location, including the city, county, or state. Third-party sites are not sponsored by government agencies. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.

Caroline County Crime Statistics

The Virginia State Police publishes crime figures and statistics for all crimes and incidents in the state. Local law enforcement agencies are responsible for sending all crime reports to the VSP. Thus, persons or entities can obtain Caroline County crime statistics via the VSP’s online database.

According to the VSP 2020 crime report, Caroline County reported 1,307 crimes, comprising 973 Group A offenses and 403 Group B offenses. The listed Group A and B offenses include the following: one murder, ten tapes, 27 burglaries, six motor vehicle thefts, 119 larceny thefts, and 32 disorderly conduct.

Meanwhile, Caroline County recorded 1,012 crimes in 2016. When compared with the 2020 crimes report, crime rates in Caroline County increased by 35 percent.

Are Caroline County Criminal Records Public?

Caroline County criminal records are public documents. Thus, all interested persons can view and get criminal records from record custodians. On the other hand, record custodians have the legal right to restrict access to certain parts of criminal records. For example, juvenile criminal records are only accessible to the record subject and other authorized requesters. Furthermore, the identity of crime victims is not publicly-accessible.

Record seekers can find Caroline County criminal records at the Records Department of the Caroline County Sheriff's Office. Thus, requesters must visit the Caroline County Sheriff's Office to obtain these records or get more information on how to get these criminal records. The Caroline County Sheriff's Office is located at:

118 Courthouse Lane
Bowling Green, VA 22427
Phone: (804) 633-1120

Likewise, the Virginia State Police maintains a repository of all documented criminal information. The VSP enables access to criminal records via a name-based or fingerprint-based search. In addition to this, the VSP maintains an online searchable portal for accessing criminal information. Persons or entities can conduct a name-based search for criminal records via these steps:

1. For interested persons, private companies, and out-of-state public agencies, download and fill out the Criminal History Records Check (SP-167);
2. Authorized Virginia public agencies must fill out the SP-230 form;
3. Next, notarize the completed form;
4. Include a money order or check payable to the Virginia Department of Police;
5. Send the notarized form and payment to:

Civil & Applicant Records Exchange (CARE)
Virginia State Police
P.O. Box 85076
Richmond, VA 23285.

In contrast, persons or entities can access criminal records by sending a completed fingerprint card to the Virginia State Police Headquarters or the Area 44 Office. Thus, interested persons can fill out and obtain a fingerprint-based criminal record at these locations:

State Police Headquarters
7700 Midlothian Turnpike
North Chesterfield, VA 23235
Phone: (804) 674-2000

Area 44 Office (Counties of Caroline and King George)
110 Milford Street
Bowling Green VA 22427.

Record seekers must provide two valid forms of identification and a $13.75 payment to the addresses provided above.

How to Obtain Caroline County Police Reports and Arrest Records

Members of the public can view and obtain copies of Caroline County police reports and arrest records from the County Sheriff's Office. The Records Department of the Caroline County Sheriff's Office maintains all incident and arrest reports. Thus, requesters can access these records in person at the location below:

Caroline County Sheriff's Office
118 Courthouse Lane
Bowling Green, VA 22427
Phone: (804) 633-1120

Record seekers must provide the following information when requesting a police report or arrest record:

• Incident/report date;
• Report number;
• Incident time and location;
• Requester's valid ID or driver's license.

It costs $5 and $8 to obtain an incident or traffic accident report, respectively.

How to Find Sex Offender Information in Caroline County

The Virginia State Police's Sex Offender Registry (SOR) contains information on all registered sex offenders in Caroline County. Through the online database, requesters can obtain sex offender information via these search criteria: zip code, address, county, city, and school. Besides the sex offender registry, requesters may also check the supplemental sex offender registry to search for more sex offenders.

In addition, record seekers can find information on absconded sex offenders in Caroline County. The Wanted Sex Offender database showcases the offender's picture, address, city, county, state, and zip code. More so, it provides the wanted sex offender's details - registration ID, sex, age, race, height, weight, hair color, Tier level, fingerprints, and palm prints.

How to Find Caroline County Inmate Records

The Virginia Department of Corrections (VDOC) provides information on all inmates incarcerated in Caroline County Jails. Thus, requesters can search for Caroline County inmates via the VDOC’s Offenders Locator. To search for inmate records on the Offender Locator, requesters may provide the inmate's first and last name or inmate ID. In addition to this, requesters may conduct a search by filling out:

• The inmate's middle name or aliases
• Location
• Release date
• Age range
• Race.

Caroline County Court Records

Caroline County's court system consists of a Circuit Court, General District Court, and Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court. The county courts have jurisdiction over specific types of court records. Furthermore, the Clerk of the county courts is responsible for maintaining and issuing copies of court documents to interested persons. Record seekers can find Caroline County courts at the following locations:

Caroline County Circuit Court - 15th Judicial Circuit
112 Courthouse Lane
Box 309
Bowling Green, VA 22427
Phone: (804) 633-1090
Fax: (804) 633-0519

Caroline County General District Court - 15th Judicial District
111 Ennis Street
P.O. Box 511
Bowling Green, VA 22427
Phone: (804) 633-5720
Fax: (804) 633-3033

Caroline County Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court
111 Ennis Street
P.O. Box 462
Bowling Green, VA 22427
Phone: (804) 633-9550
Fax: (804) 633-4065

Are Caroline County Court Records Public?

Caroline County court records are open to the public. However, the court may redact portions of documents that contain sensitive or confidential information. For example, Caroline County courts may redact confidential portions of juvenile criminal and adoption court case documents. In addition, sealed Caroline court records are not open to the general public.

How to Obtain Caroline County Civil Court Case Records

The Clerk of the Caroline Circuit Court is the record custodian for all civil court cases documented within the county. Record seekers interested in Caroline County civil court records must provide the Clerk’s Office with record descriptions that include relevant names, dates, case numbers, and court judgment details. Members of the public can obtain copies of civil court records in-person at the location below:

Caroline County Circuit Court
P.O. Box 309
Bowling Green, VA 22427.

At the same time, requesters can obtain Caroline County civil court case records from the Virginia Judicial System. The Virginia Judicial System provides online access to civil court case records via the General District Court Case Information. To access civil court records online, record seekers must follow these steps:

1. Select the Caroline County District Court to commence the civil court case search;
2. Then, proceed to search for civil court cases using a name search, case number search, service/process search, and hearing date search.

How to Obtain Caroline County Criminal Court Case Records

Members of the public can obtain Caroline County criminal court case records from the Office of the County's Circuit Court. Record seekers interested in accessing Caroline County criminal court records must provide the Clerk’s Office with record descriptions that include relevant names, dates, case numbers, and court judgment details. Members of the public can obtain copies of civil court records in-person at the location below:

Caroline County Circuit Court
P.O. Box 309
Bowling Green, VA 22427.

Also, the Virginia Judicial System maintains an online repository of all documented criminal court case records in Caroline County. To access Caroline County criminal court records on the platform, record seekers must select "Caroline County District Court" in the drop-down menu. Then, proceed to search for criminal court cases using a name search, case number search, service/process search, and hearing date search.

What are Caroline County Vital Records?

Caroline County vital records are all government-generated data concerning all life events within the county. Vital records contain information on birth, death, marriage, and divorce events. These records are under the purview of local and state agencies. Thus, interested persons can obtain the records by sending a request to the custodian agency responsible for issuing the documents.

Caroline County Divorce Records

Caroline County divorce records are government-verified data on all divorce events in the county. The Caroline County Circuit Court’s Office serves as the record custodian of all divorce cases. Therefore, persons or entities interested in the record must contact the Clerk of the Circuit Court at this location:

Caroline County Circuit Court
P.O. Box 309
Bowling Green, VA 22427.

Caroline County Marriage Record

Caroline County marriage records are official documents attesting to the occurrence of marriage events. Marriage records are under the purview of the County’s Circuit Court Clerk. In addition, the Clerk of the Circuit Court issues copies of Caroline County marriage certificates to interested persons. Therefore, requesters can receive copies of marriage records at this address:

Caroline County Circuit Court
P.O. Box 309
Bowling Green, VA 22427.

In contrast, requesters can access marriage records via a mail request to the Clerk of the Circuit Court. The mail request must contain the following data:

• Full names of both record subjects;
• Marriage date and location;

Requesters must send the necessary information in a self-addressed envelope to:

Caroline County Circuit Court
P.O. Box 309
Bowling Green, VA 22427.

It costs $2.50 to receive a certified copy of Caroline County marriage certificate.

Caroline County Birth Records

Caroline County birth records provide information on all reported birth events in the county. The Virginia Department of Health is the record custodian for all Caroline County birth certificates. Furthermore, it releases copies of birth certificates to the record subject and parents or guardians listed on the birth certificate. To receive copies of birth certificates via mail or in-person, record seekers must follow these steps:

1. Download and fill out a Birth Application Request form;
2. Attach a valid government-issued ID;
3. Include a $12 money order or check payable to the State Health Department;
4. Send the completed form, valid ID, and payment fees to:

Office of Vital Records
P.O. Box 1000
Richmond, VA 23218-1000.

Caroline County Death Record

Caroline County death records provide information on all recorded death events in the county. The Virginia Department of Health is the custodian agency for death records. Furthermore, it releases copies of death certificates to requesters with a legitimate interest in the documents.

To receive copies of death certificate via mail or in-person, record seekers must follow these steps:

1. Download and complete a Death Application Request form;
2. Attach a valid government-issued ID;
3. Include a $12 money order or check payable to the State Health Department;
4. Send the completed form, valid ID, and payment fees to:

Office of Vital Records
P.O. Box 1000
Richmond, VA 23218-1000.