What Are Norfolk City Public Records?
Norfolk City public records are publicly-available documents of any form that contain information on public business and the actions of government departments in the city. Members of the public can legally request these records, as long as all conditions of the dissemination protocols are satisfied. Generally, Norfolk public records do not include records of closed meetings, sealed court records, files on pending investigations, and sensitive information that may violate personal privacy. However, some records can be granted with the exempted sections redacted or edited from the copy given to the public.
Norfolk City Crime Statistics
According to the latest report published by the Virginia State Police, Norfolk Police Department recorded 19,738 offenses and 13,651 arrests in 2019. Offenses were categorized into 4,687 crimes against persons, 12,383 crimes against property, and 2,668 crimes against society. On the other hand, arrests consisted of 11,598 adult arrests and 2,053 juvenile arrests. Out of the 51 crimes categories reported, there were eight arsons, 36 murders, 86 forcible rapes, 313 robberies, 846 burglaries, and 853 aggravated assaults. The more popular crimes consisted of 1,103 larceny-thefts, 1,711 drug/narcotics violations, 2,626 vandalism, and 2,814 simple assaults, which was the most recurring crime. The trend for arrests was also similar, with more adult incidents than juveniles.
Are Norfolk City Criminal Records Public?
Yes, members of the public can request and obtain Norfolk criminal records. However, not all criminal details are available to individuals who are in any criminal justice agency. For instance, juvenile records and sealed information are not included in the criminal records check results. Interested persons can obtain these records from the Virginia State Police by filling the online criminal history background search page and making required payments. Results of the background check may include the subject’s full name, physical description, arrest and indictment history, conviction details, and so on. For more inquiries call (804) 674-2131 or (804) 674-2000.
How to Obtain Police Reports and Arrest Records
For reports and arrest records maintained by the Norfolk Police Department, individuals will have to make requests through the Police Operations Center or the Central Records Division. Visit the operations center at 3661 East Virginia Beach Boulevard, Norfolk, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., or call the records division at (757) 664-7012. Visitors or requesters must present two accepted means of identification listed on the police reports webpage.
The Norfolk Police also make arrest logs, incident records, and active warrants available at the Open Data Portal. For records maintained by the Norfolk Sheriff’s Office, interested persons should call (757) 664-4700 or visit the office at 811 East City Hall Avenue, Norfolk, VA 23510. Note that while information may be viewed freely, obtaining copies of Norfolk arrest records or police reports will come at a cost. Moreover, access to certain information may depend on the requester’s authorization or claims.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Norfolk City
The Virginia State Police maintains a public sex offender and crimes against minors registry. Individuals can use this database to obtain information on sex offenders who are living, working, or studying in Norfolk City. Users can conduct offender search by county, city, offender name, school, address, or zip code. Results can also be streamlined by choosing to include contiguous zip codes, wanted offenders, civilly committed offenders, or incarcerated offenders only. There is also a listing of offenders on the supplemental registry page, while individuals may opt to receive alerts on sex offenders in the city by registering on the community notification page.
How to Find Norfolk City Inmate Records
The Norfolk Sheriff’s Office is responsible for overseeing the activities in the Norfolk City Jail as well as maintaining inmate records. Individuals can find inmate information by visiting the inmate page on the Sheriff’s website and selecting ‘inmate lookup’. Users can also search for inmates by name or unique identifier or value. Name search requires the inmate's first name, last name, and date of birth, while the unique identifier search may be by booking number, ICE number, State ID, Permanent number, County ID, or FBI number.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Norfolk City Jail?
Individuals who wish to visit an inmate in the Norfolk City Jail must first schedule visits using the approved third-party website. Select “schedule a visit” on the inmate page on the Sheriff’s website to register and schedule visits and click on “visitation” to view the visitation procedures and guidelines. For additional details, contact the Sheriff’s Office at:
811 East City Hall Avenue
Norfolk, VA 23510
Phone: (757) 664-4700
Court Records
Norfolk court records are recordings of judicial proceedings that took place in the Norfolk District Court, Norfolk Circuit Courts, and all its divisions. These courts grant members of the public access to view, inspect, and obtain copies of court records, as per state laws and dissemination protocols.
Locations of Courts in Norfolk City
City of Norfolk Circuit Court - 4th Judicial Circuit
150 Street Paul's Boulevard,
Norfolk, VA 23510
Phone: (757) 769-8539
City of Norfolk General District Court - 4th Judicial District
150 Street Paul's Boulevard,
Norfolk, VA 23510
Phone: (757) 664-4910
Fax: (757) 664-4901
City of Norfolk County Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court
800 East City Hall Avenue,
Norfolk, VA 23510
Phone: (757) 664-7340
Fax: (757) 683-2219
Are Norfolk City Court Records Public?
Yes, under state laws, most Norfolk court records like dockets, transcripts, affidavits, audiotapes, and video recordings are available to the public, except when exempted or sealed from public access. Norfolk court records that are not considered public information include:
- Records of an ongoing criminal investigation
- Child custody or child abuse cases
- Domestic abuse cases
- Records of closed proceedings or information subject to attorney-client privilege
- Records placed under court seal
- Records of juvenile cases
- Private information like social security number, medical reports, mental health reports, financial details, and other information that might pose a security risk to an individual
Can You Look Up a Norfolk City Court Case Online?
Not all records of cases held in Norfolk City courts are available online. However, it is possible to obtain relevant information on civil and criminal cases held in the Norfolk District and Circuit Courts. For records on the Circuit Court, visit the website of the Norfolk Circuit Court and choose civil matters, criminal division, daily dockets, or request documents online. For document requests, the Circuit Court charges $17.45 per hour for record research and retrieval, $2 for certifying documents, 50 cents per page copied, and $7.50 for sending results via postal mail. For case records on the proceedings of the General District Court, visit their online case information system to conduct searches.
How to Obtain Norfolk City Civil Court Case Records
Individuals can obtain civil case records from Norfolk City Courts by making requests online, in person, or via mail. For online records visit the website of the Norfolk Circuit Court or the online case information system of the General District Court and select ‘civil’ when conducting searches or making online requests. Contrarily, requesters can visit or send mailed requests to the appropriate court where the case took place. Information that may be required for search includes the name of parties, case number, year of charge, and requester details.
How to Obtain Norfolk City Criminal Court Records
Individuals can obtain criminal case records from Norfolk City Courts by making requests online, in person, or via mail. For online records visit the website of the Norfolk Circuit Court or the online case information system of the General District Court and select ‘criminal’ when conducting searches or making online requests. Contrarily, requesters can visit or send mailed requests to the appropriate court where the case took place. Information that may be required for search includes the name of parties, case number, hearing date/year of charge, and requester details.
What Are Norfolk City Vital Records?
Norfolk City vital records are government-generated documents and certificates that provide information on the various life events that occurred within the city’s jurisdiction. Examples of events that these documents detail include births, deaths, marriages, and divorces in the city. However, these records are partly confidential.
Divorce, marriage, and death records are confidential until 25 years after the event, whereas birth records remain closed for 100 years. While documents are private, only persons mentioned in the record, close relatives, and other authorized persons can obtain the Norfolk vital record. Individuals can get these documents from different depositories in the city and at the state level.
Where and How to Obtain Norfolk City Divorce Records
Norfolk City divorce records since 1918 are obtainable from the Office of Vital Record under the Virginia Department of Health. Individuals interested in obtaining these records should first fill and download the application form for divorce record with necessary information like the requester’s relationship with the person mentioned in the record, name of the divorced party, and date/place of divorce. Next, requesters should send the form along with a $12 check or money order and photocopy of required IDs to:
Office of Vital Records
P.O. Box 1000
Richmond, VA 23218-1000
Phone: (804) 662-6200
Individuals can also obtain Norfolk City divorce records from the Circuit Court where the divorce was granted by filling and submitting the online document requests form. Select ‘divorce’ and input requester’s details, year of divorce, names of divorced spouses, and case number. Requests can also be made in person or via mail to:
City of Norfolk Circuit Court
150 Street Paul's Boulevard,
Norfolk, VA 23510
Phone: (757) 769-8539
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Norfolk City
Norfolk City marriage records since 1936 are obtainable from the Office of Vital Record under the Virginia Department of Health. Individuals interested in obtaining Norfolk marriage certificates within 25 years after the event should fill the application form for a marriage record with necessary information like the requester’s relationship with either spouse, couple’s names, and date/place of marriage. Next, requesters should send the form along with a $12 check or money order and photocopy of required IDs to:
Office of Vital Records
P.O. Box 1000
Richmond, VA 23218-1000
Phone: (804) 662-6200
Individuals can also obtain Norfolk City marriage records from the Circuit Court that issued the marriage license by filling and submitting the online document requests form. Select ‘marriage license’ and input requester’s details, year of marriage, and names of spouses. Requests can also be made in person or via mail to:
City of Norfolk Circuit Court
150 Street Paul's Boulevard,
Norfolk, VA 23510
Phone: (757) 769-8539
Where and How to Get Public Norfolk City Marriage Records
Norfolk City marriage records since 1936 are obtainable from the Office of Vital Record under the Virginia Department of Health. Individuals interested in obtaining public marriage records can only do so 25 years after the marriage took place or with a court order. Fill the application form for marriage record with necessary information like the requester’s relationship with the person mentioned in the record, the couple’s names, and date/place of marriage. Next, requesters should send the form along with a $12 check or money order and photocopy of required IDs to:
Office of Vital Records
P.O. Box 1000
Richmond, VA 23218-1000
Phone: (804) 662-6200
Individuals can also obtain Norfolk City marriage records from the Circuit Court that issued the marriage license by filling and submitting the online document requests form. Select ‘marriage license’ and input requester’s details, year of marriage, and names of spouses. Requests can also be made in person or via mail to:
City of Norfolk Circuit Court
150 Street Paul's Boulevard,
Norfolk, VA 23510
Phone: (757) 769-8539
Where and How to Find Norfolk City Birth Records
Norfolk City birth records since 1912 are obtainable from the Office of Vital Record under the Virginia Department of Health. Eligible individuals interested in obtaining Norfolk birth certificates should fill the application form for birth record with necessary information like the requester’s relationship with the registrant, name of child and parents, sex, and date/place of birth. Next, requesters should send the form along with a $12 check or money order and photocopy of required IDs to:
Office of Vital Records
P.O. Box 1000
Richmond, VA 23218-1000
Phone: (804) 662-6200
Where and How to Find Norfolk City Death Records
Norfolk City death records since 1912 are obtainable from the Office of Vital Record under the Virginia Department of Health. Eligible individuals interested in obtaining these records must fill the application form for death record with necessary information like the requester’s relationship with the deceased, name of the deceased, and deceased’s parents, sex, and date/place of death. Next, requesters should send the form along with a $12 check or money order and photocopy of required IDs to:
Office of Vital Records
P.O. Box 1000
Richmond, VA 23218-1000
Phone: (804) 662-6200
