What Are Newport News Public Records?
Newport News public records refer to government-generated documents that open to the public. These documents may be written, typewritten, digitally recorded, and stored in different formats. Generally, these records are considered public when they do not contain information that violates personal privacy, disrupts government actions or procedures, or under statutory exemptions such as:
- Personnel records
- Medical records
- Information concerning juveniles, child protective services, and beneficiaries of social service programs
- Vendor proprietary information, attorney work products, and data subject to attorney-client privilege
- Information concerning the negotiation and grant of a contract before it is awarded
- Certain administrative investigations
- Other confidential information under the Freedom of Information Act
Newport News Crime Statistics
According to the Virginia State Police UCR statistics, there were 8,403 arrests and 15,207 offenses recorded by Newport News Police Department in 2019. Arrests consisted of 8,065 adult arrests and 338 juvenile arrests, whereas an estimated 4,642.5 out of 100,000 residents were arrested in the same year. Alternatively, the offenses rate was 7,069.6 out of 100,000 residents, with crimes broken-down into three main categories; 4,404 crimes against persons, 7,673 crimes against property, and 3,130 crimes against society.
The 2019 crime trend showed that the more recurring crime categories consisted of Simple assault, drug/narcotics, and vandalism with 2,845, 1,912, and 1,841 reported incidents. Other crimes include, but are not limited to, 37 forcible rapes, 24 murders/nonnegligent manslaughters, 164 robberies, 523 burglaries, 40 arsons, 345 MVTs, and 1,236 other larcenies.
Are Newport News Criminal Records Public?
The Virginia Freedom of Information Act mandates the disclosure of Newport News criminal records, but with certain limitations. The Act grants public access to mugshots, criminal incident description, subject identifying data, arrest/charge status, and other related information, as long as the disclosure is not likely to harm an individual, ongoing investigation, or prosecutions. Other information is disclosed at the discretion of the record custodian or prohibited from public disclosure; this includes:
- Contact information of law enforcement personnel
- Criminal investigation files that are not subject to release
- Identity of anonymous informants (prohibited)
- Information on undercover operations, tactical plans, and protection details
- Information regarding supervision, probation, monitoring, or parole of persons
- Records concerning persons imprisoned in a penal institution
- Reports submitted in confidence
- Other sensitive law enforcement records that may harm law enforcement personnel or the public
Interested persons may obtain Newport News criminal records from the Newport News Police Department or the Virginia State Police. Local criminal history checks are conducted by contacting the Records Unit of the NNPD located at:
9710 Jefferson Avenue,
Newport News, VA 23605
Phone: (757) 247-2500
Phone: (757) 928-4100
Local checks cost $10 and result only contain information on Class 3 and 4 misdemeanors committed in the city. For more in-depth or statewide checks, make online background check requests or call the VSP at (804) 674-2000 for more information.
How to Obtain Police Reports and Arrest Records
The Newport News Police Department provides a variety of crime reports on-site and online. These police reports include Newport News arrest records, daily offense reports, outstanding warrants, and other crime data. Individuals may download daily reports on accidents, arrests, offenses, and thefts from vehicles through the Open Data Portal or obtain information on periodical crime statistics from the Crime Analysis Unit page.
The online arrest report page provided by the Sheriff’s Office also provides daily and weekly information on individuals who were arrested in the city. The page provides the offenders’ name, age, time of arrest, arrest location, arrest ID number, charge, charge number, arresting agency, and occupation. Individuals may also obtain copies of Newport News arrest records, crash reports, incidents reports, and non-criminal pictures from the Records Unit of the NNPD located at:
9710 Jefferson Avenue,
Newport News, VA 23605
Phone: (757) 247-2500
Phone: (757) 928-4100
Other police reports are also obtainable from different divisions of the NNPD at different prices. Individuals should note that not all records are public, and requesters may have to present valid identification to prove a relationship with the record.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Newport News
The Virginia General Assembly empowers the Virginia State Police to provide public access to information concerning individuals convicted of specific sex crimes through the sex offender and crimes against minors registry. The registry contains statewide records of sex offenders who are schooling or residing in different areas of the state, and interested persons may visit the searchable database to find information on offenders in Newport News.
Individuals may use the search tools to locate offenders by name, city, county, school, address, or zip code. Results may also be screened to include or exclude incarcerated offenders, civilly committed offenders, wanted offenders, and neighboring zip codes (zip code search category only). Users may also access other resources, including wanted offenders listing or supplementary registry, as well as sign up for community notifications.
How to Find Newport News Inmate Records
Individuals may find information on persons who were booked by the Newport News Sheriff’s Office within 24 hours with the online daily arrest report page. The page provides the offenders’ name, age, time of arrest, arrest location, arrest ID number, charge number, arresting agency, charge, and occupation. Individuals may also obtain information on inmate records, funds, bonds, and communications on the jail information page. Individuals may also conduct searches by booking date, inmate number, and inmate name. For additional information, contact the Newport News Sheriff’s Office at:
224 26th Street,
Newport News, VA 23607
Phone: (757) 926-8535
Email: sheriff@nnva.gov
For information concerning juvenile detention, contact the Juvenile Detention Center at:
350 25th Street
Newport News, VA 23607
Phone: (757) 926-1600
Fax: (757) 926-1685
Email: juvenileservices@nnva.gov
How Do I Visit an inmate in Newport News City Jail?
Individuals incarcerated in the Newport News City Jail may receive visits from pre-approved persons listed on the inmate's visitation list, and others granted special privileges by the Jail Administrator. Inmates may receive visits on weekends for 20 minutes per session and a maximum of four persons per visit, including minors.
Approved visitors may visit remotely through the approved third-party sites or in person at 224 26th Street, Newport News. Visitors are subject to search, inspection, monitoring, and must keep the visitation procedures and rules, which include:
- No contrabands or prohibited items like phones, food, alcohol, or weapons allowed
- No revealing or inappropriate dressing allowed.
- Schedules and rules are subject to change.
- Visitors must come with proof of identification such as driver's licenses, birth certificates, or state-issued identification cards.
For further information on visiting the City Jail, contact the Sheriff’s Office at (757) 926-8535. Individuals who wish to visit juveniles in the Secure Detention Center must be the detainee’s parent, legal guardian, or grandparent, and others approved by the juvenile detention administrator or authorized by court order. Juveniles may receive two visits weekly, which may be 30 or 40 minutes long, depending on the resident's level. Qualified persons may set appointments through the Supervisor on Duty according to the visiting schedules. Find visitation procedures and additional information online or call (757) 926-1600.
Court Records
Newport News court records are materials, documents, or files collated or maintained by a court in the city to provide information on the civil, criminal, or traffic proceedings and other administrative actions that happen in the court. These records may be documented or stored in different formats, for example, e-fillings, audio/video recordings, written transcripts, online dockets, and so on.
Locations of Courts in Newport News
The following are the courts located in Newport News that make up the 7th Judicial Circuit:
City of Newport News Circuit Court
2500 Washington Avenue,
Newport News, VA 23607
Phone: (757) 926-8561
City of Newport News General District Court - Civil
2500 Washington Avenue,
Newport News, VA 23607
Phone: (757) 926-3520
Fax: (757) 926-7024
City of Newport News General District Court - Criminal
2500 Washington Avenue,
Newport News, VA 23607
Phone: (757) 926-8811
Fax: (757) 926-7026
City of Newport News General District Court - Traffic
2500 Washington Avenue,
Newport News, VA 23607
Phone: (757) 926-8876
Fax: (757) 926-7025
City of Newport News Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court
2501 Huntington Avenue,
Newport News, VA 23607
Phone: (757) 926-3603
Fax: (757) 926-3598
Are Newport News Court Records Public?
Newport News court records are mainly public accessible. However, like most Newport News public records, court-generated documents are subject to the provisions of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act and restricted under certain circumstances, especially when they contain:
- Details regarding juveniles charged with violent felonies
- Information on victims or witnesses of a crime
- Information on closed hearings
- Information on certain administrative investigations
- Medical reports, tax records, and proprietary information
- Records subject to attorney-client privilege
Can You Look Up a Newport News Court Case Online?
Yes, individuals may search for information on Newport News court cases with the Virginia Court Case Information sites for Circuit and General District Courts. The Circuit Court Online Information System provides available data on criminal and civil proceedings that happened in Circuit Courts, while the General District Court Online Information System provides information on traffic, criminal and civil cases that held in General District Courts.
Individuals may use these systems to search for Newport News court case information using party names, case number, hearing date, and service/process information (General District search only). Individuals should note that the information obtained online is limited and may not include information on protective orders, temporary detention orders, medical emergency custody, civil committed proceedings, and others.
How to Obtain Newport News Civil Court Case Records
Interested persons may obtain Newport News court records on civil cases online through the Virginia Court Case Information sites for Circuit and General District Courts. Individuals may use these systems to search for Newport News court case information using party names, case number, hearing date, and service/process information (General District search only).
Users should note that the information obtained online is limited and may not include information on protective orders, temporary detention orders, medical emergency custody, civil committed proceedings, and others. Nevertheless, individuals may also inspect or obtain copies of civil court case records by making requests in person or via mail to the appropriate court clerk/court where proceedings took place.
How to Obtain Newport News Criminal Court Records
Interested persons may obtain Newport News court records on criminal cases online through the Virginia Court Case Information sites for Circuit and General District Courts. Individuals may use these systems to search for Newport News court case information using party names, case number, hearing date, and service/process information (General District search only).
Note that the information obtained online is limited and may not include information on protective orders, temporary detention orders, medical emergency custody, and others. Nevertheless, individuals may also inspect or obtain copies of criminal court case records by making requests in person or via mail to the appropriate court clerk/court where proceedings took place.
What Are Newport News Vital Records?
Newport News vital records are government-generated documents that contain information on the births, marriage, deaths, divorces, and other life events that happen within the city’s jurisdiction. These records are partly available to the public. For instance, certified copies of birth records are strictly accessible to persons with direct claims or legal authorization until after the 100th anniversary, while ineligible persons may wait 25 years after a death to obtain copies from the custodians.
Where and How to Obtain Newport News Divorce Records
Newport News divorce records are available at the Virginia Department of Health, Office of Vital Records, which maintains statewide records from 1918 till date. However, these are not publicly accessible until after 25 years. Individuals who may obtain these copies of Newport News divorce certificates within the restricted period include the divorced party, direct descendants, siblings, parents/legal guardian, grandparents, and other legally authorized persons with valid proof of identification/authorization.
To obtain copies of the divorce records, mail request forms along with other requirements or drop-off in person at:
Office of Vital Records
P.O. Box 1000
Richmond, VA 23218-1000
Phone: (804) 662-6200
Requirements include event description, requester details, copy of valid identification, and $12 fees paid with checks or money orders made payable to the 'State Health Department.' Mailed requests may take up to eight weeks to process, but there are options of express delivery within 24 hours or two-hour pickup in person. Fees may apply.
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Newport News
Newport News marriage records are available at the VDH Office of Vital Records, which maintains statewide records from 1936 to date. However, these are private until after 25 years. Individuals who may obtain certified copies of confidential Newport News marriage certificates include the spouses, direct descendants, parents/legal guardians, grandparents, and other legally authorized persons with valid proof of identification/authorization.
To obtain copies of the marriage records, mail request forms along with other requirements or drop-off in person at:
Office of Vital Records
P.O. Box 1000
Richmond, VA 23218-1000
Phone: (804) 662-6200
Requirements include event description, requester details, copy of valid identification, and $12 fees paid with checks or money orders made payable to the 'State Health Department.' Mailed requests may take up to eight weeks to process, but there are options of express delivery within 24 hours or two-hour pickup in person. Fees may apply.
Where and How to Get Public Newport News Marriage Records
Newport News marriage records are available at the VDH Office of Vital Records, which maintains statewide records from 1936 to date. However, without special authorization, members of the public have to wait 25 years before accessing these records. To obtain copies of the public marriage certificates, mail request forms along with other requirements or drop-off in person at:
Office of Vital Records
P.O. Box 1000
Richmond, VA 23218-1000
Phone: (804) 662-6200
Requirements include event description, requester details, copy of valid identification, and $12 fees paid with checks or money orders made payable to the 'State Health Department.' Mailed requests may take up to eight weeks to process, but there are options of express delivery within 24 hours or two-hour pickup in person. Fees may apply.
Where and How to Find Newport News Birth Records
Newport News birth records are available at the VDH Office of Vital Records, which maintains statewide records from 1912 to date. However, these are not publicly accessible until after 100 years. Individuals who may obtain these copies of Newport News birth certificates within the restricted period include the registrant, parents/legal guardian, grandparents, and other legally authorized persons with valid proof of identification/authorization.
To obtain copies of the birth records, mail request forms along with other requirements or drop-off in person at:
Office of Vital Records
P.O. Box 1000
Richmond, VA 23218-1000
Phone: (804) 662-6200
Requirements include event description, requester details, copy of valid identification, and $12 fees paid with checks or money orders made payable to the 'State Health Department.' Mailed requests may take up to eight weeks to process, but there are options of express delivery within 24 hours or two-hour pickup in person. Fees may apply.
Where and How to Find Newport News Death Records
Newport News death records are available at the VDH Office of Vital Records, which maintains statewide records from 1918 till date. However, these are not publicly accessible until after 25 years. Individuals who may obtain these copies of Newport News death certificates within the restricted period include the deceased’s spouse, direct descendants, siblings, parents/legal guardian, grandparents, and other legally authorized persons with valid proof of identification/authorization.
To obtain copies of the death records, mail request forms with other requirements or drop-off in person at:
Office of Vital Records
P.O. Box 1000
Richmond, VA 23218-1000
Phone: (804) 662-6200
Requirements include event description, requester details, copy of valid identification, and $12 fees paid with checks or money orders made payable to the 'State Health Department.' Mailed requests may take up to eight weeks to process, but there are options of express delivery within 24 hours or two-hour pickup in person. Fees may apply.
