What are Portsmouth City Public Records?
According to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, Portsmouth public records consist of records produced, owned, prepared, or otherwise in the custody of a government entity if needed for the transaction of public business. These public records may be documents, photographs, electronic recordings, mechanical recordings, or any other form of data compilation or storage, regardless of characteristics or physical form. Although most are accessible, some Portsmouth City public records remain closed to members of the general public as they contain information that Virginia law considers sensitive. The following are a few examples:
- Records created or prepared for closed meetings
- Tests or examination records used by a public body for employment, evaluation, or licensing purposes. The law allows the subject of the test to access these records and also allows the entity to release the records if they have no future use
- Legal advice delivered to any public body or its officials
- Records protected by the attorney-client privilege
- Personnel information that identifies any individuals. However, subjects of this record may allow public access to such information upon submitting written consent
- Computer software created by a public agency
- Appraisals and estimates for the purchase, lease, or sale of real estate until the acquisition or other business is concluded
- Information maintained by financial institutions, including account numbers and credit or debit card details
- Security plans and assessment information from school safety audits
- Assessment or infrastructure records that could threaten the safety of any person or property
- Records that contain location information of security equipments of public facilities
- Surveillance techniques and security systems
- Sensitive information on rape victims or battered spouses
- Private medical records
Public city records may also be accessible from third-party websites. Record seekers may either opt to use these non-governmental platforms to search for a specific record or multiple city records. However, users will need to provide enough information to assist with the search, such as:
- The address of the requestor
- A case number or file number (if known)
- The location of the document or person involved
- The name of the subject involved in the record (not juvenile)
- The last known or current address of the registrant
Third-party sites are not sponsored by government agencies. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
Portsmouth City Crime Statistics
The Virginia State Police (VSP) publishes annual crime statistics reported by law enforcement agencies in the state, through its Data Analysis and Reporting Team (DART). In 2020, the team reported a total of 10,360 offenses, including 2,755 crimes against persons. Specific crimes against persons include 34 murder and nonnegligent manslaughter incidents, 40 kidnappings, 17 forcible rape cases, 599 aggravated assaults, 1,843 simple assaults, and 192 cases of intimidation.
Reported crimes against property totaled 7,013, including 7 cases of arson, 458 burglary incidents, 1,734 cases of property destruction or vandalism, 21 embezzlement reports, 130 cases of credit card fraud, 222 robberies, 521 motor vehicle thefts, and 660 other larceny incidents. There were also 592 crimes against society, including 276 drug violations and 224 weapon law violations. Furthermore, the 2020 report revealed a total of 2,093 arrests involving 2,031 adults and 62 juvenile offenders.
Are Portsmouth City Criminal Records Public?
Portsmouth City criminal records are not public by default. Virginia’s law on the dissemination of criminal history record information (Va. Code Ann. § 19.2-389) specifies parties authorized to receive these records from the Virginia State Police (VSP). Eligible requestors include, but are not limited to, criminal justice agencies, licensure agencies deciding on an applicant’s eligibility, and some other organizations requesting for employment or investigative purposes. Residents may also request personal criminal records.
However, a Portsmouth criminal record is available to a third-party requester if submitted with the signature of the person named on the record. Interested persons may complete the SP-167 form with details of the person to be searched and the requestor’s contact information. Each request costs $15 and takes between 15 and 20 days from the day the VSP receives the request. All interested persons should mail requests to the:
Civil & Applicant Records Exchange (CARE)
Virginia State Police
P.O. Box 85076
Richmond, VA 23285
How to Obtain Portsmouth City Police Reports and Arrest Records
Persons seeking police reports or arrest records may request the Portsmouth Police Department (PPD) by mail, phone, fax, or in person. All applications for records in the PPD's custody must contain details specific enough for the department's Records Unit to satisfy the requests. Interested persons should provide information such as the names of involved parties, incident description, incident date and time, arrest and charge information, and other known details. Requestors should note that the PPD may only provide records that already exist, and is not required to create a record to satisfy a request. The PPD may also reach out to the requestor for more information about desired records. Furthermore, applicants may choose to receive physical or electronic copies. All requests should be forwarded to the Records Unit using the following details:
Portsmouth Police Department
700 Port Centre Parkway
Portsmouth, VA 23704
Email: ppdpio@portsmouthva.gov
Phone: (757) 393-8073 (Records Unit)
Fax: (757) 393-8814
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Portsmouth City
The Virginia State Police provides a public sex offender registry that contains information on all registered sex offenders in the state. Interested persons can use the provided city search box to view a list of all sex offenders that live in Portsmouth City. Alternatively, searchers can find sex offender records by name, county, address, school, or zip code. The registry also allows searches restricted to wanted offenders, civilly committed offenders, or incarcerated offenders. Search results display offender details, including a full name, registration ID, age, physical description, and tier. Users can also view the offender's aliases, address, registration information, and conviction details.
How to Find Portsmouth City Inmate Records
Persons seeking inmate records may contact the Portsmouth City Sheriff’s Office with details of the incarcerated party. All requests for Portsmouth City inmate records should be submitted using the following address:
Portsmouth City Sheriff’s Office
701 Crawford Street
Portsmouth, VA 23704
Phone: (757) 393-5461
How Do I Visit an Inmate in the Portsmouth City Jail?
The Portsmouth City Jail allows family and friends to visit inmates by scheduling visits online. Interested persons may register accounts and select the preferred visitation time as provided. All visits to the Portsmouth City Jail, including onsite and remote visits, are via the jail’s video visitation system.
Visits are allowed on Mondays through Fridays and are scheduled depending on the inmate’s location in the facility. All visits are from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm, according to the following schedule:
Day Floor
Monday Third / 8A
Tuesday Fifth / 8B
Wednesday Fourth / 8C
Thursday Seventh
Friday Sixth
Each inmate may receive visitors for 15 minutes per visit. No child under the age of 12 years may be in the jail lobby or visit an inmate. All visitors must check in at the lobby latest by 8:45 pm and may be searched for prohibited items such as cell phones, drugs, food, drinks, and weapons.
Inmates are restricted to two persons per visit.
The Portsmouth City Jail also has other rules and regulations contained in a booklet each inmate receives upon entry. Family and friends are advised to familiarise themselves with all rules as described by the inmate.
What are Portsmouth City Vital Records?
Portsmouth City vital records are government-generated records of life events in the city. In Portsmouth, records of births, deaths, marriages, and divorces are obtainable at different public agencies, including the Portsmouth City Circuit Court, the Portsmouth City Health Department, and the Virginia Department of Health. Interested persons may submit official requests to obtain copies of these records from the respective record custodians. However, Virginia law restricts access to some Portsmouth vital records.
Where and How to Obtain Portsmouth City Divorce Records
The Portsmouth City Circuit Court keeps records of divorces initiated or finalized in the city. Anyone interested in copies of Portsmouth City divorce decrees may contact the Clerk of the Circuit Court by mail or in person. All requests should contain details, such as the divorced parties' names, divorce date, and other known details to help court staff locate the desired record. Parties should note that the court may charge request fees before making copies available. All requests should be submitted to the following addresses:
In-Person Requests
Portsmouth Circuit Court
1345 Court Street
Suite 101
Portsmouth, VA 23705
Hours: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Mail Requests
Portsmouth Circuit Court
PO Drawer 1217
Portsmouth, VA 23705
Residents may also obtain Portsmouth City divorce certificates from the Office of Vital Records at the Virginia Department of Health. However, these records are not open to the general public. For 25 years from the divorce date, access is restricted to the following requestors:
- Either party named on the certificate
- The party’s parent, child, grandparent, or legal guardian
- The party’s current spouse or sibling
Portsmouth divorce certificates are requestable from the Virginia Office of Vital Records by mail or in person. Mail requestors should complete a vital record application with the full names of both parties and the marriage date. Persons requesting in person may drop off the application for pick-up the next day, or use the two-hour pick-up option for requests submitted no later than 3:00 pm. All requests require legible and current identification as listed on the application form, and a $12 check or money order made out to the "State Health Department". Requests should be submitted by mail or in person as follows:
Mail Requests
VDH, Office of Vital Records
P.O. Box 1000
Richmond, VA 23218-1000
In-Person Requests
Office of Vital Records
2001 Maywill Street
Suite 101
Richmond, VA 23230
Where and How to Get Public Portsmouth City Marriage Records
The Virginia Office of Vital Records issues copies of Portsmouth City marriage records to interested persons who submit mail or in-person requests. However, the Office of Vital Records does not entertain requests from the general public for 25 years from the birth date. Within this period, only the following persons may obtain Portsmouth City marriage certificates:
- The registrant named on the record
- The registrant’s sibling, parent, legal guardian, or grandparent
- The registrant’s current spouse or child
Each Portsmouth marriage certificate costs $12, payable by check or money order made out to the “State Health Department.” Requestors should complete the vital record application with both parties’ full names, marriage date, and marriage location.
All persons may mail completed applications to the Office of Vital Records or submit requests in person. Parties may drop off requests and pick up records on the next business day, or submit requests before 3:00 pm to pick up records after two hours. All requests for Portsmouth City marriage certificates require completed copies of the application form and acceptable primary or secondary identification as described on the form. Applicants should visit or send mail requests using the following details:
Mail Requests
VDH, Office of Vital Records
P.O. Box 1000
Richmond, VA 23218-1000
In-Person Requests
Office of Vital Records
2001 Maywill Street
Suite 101
Richmond, VA 23230
Where and How to Find Portsmouth City Birth Records
Interested parties may obtain Portsmouth City birth records from the Virginia Office of Vital Records. For 100 years after the birth date, only the following persons are eligible to request records:
- The person listed on the birth record
- The person’s current spouse, sibling, child, parent, grandparent, or legal guardian
Parties authorized to receive Portsmouth City birth certificates should submit a completed vital record application. Required information includes the person’s name at birth, current name if name has changed for any reason other than marriage, date of birth, place of birth, race, sex, hospital of birth, mother’s full maiden name, and father’s full name.
Portsmouth birth certificates cost $12 per copy. Each requestor must submit a completed vital record application, check or money order payable to the "State Health Department," and an acceptable form of identification. Applicants may mail requests or drop them off for processing. Depending on the requestor's preference, applicable time options include one business day and two hours. All requests should be forwarded to the following addresses:
Mail Requests
VDH, Office of Vital Records
P.O. Box 1000
Richmond, VA 23218-1000
In-Person Requests
Office of Vital Records
2001 Maywill Street
Suite 101
Richmond, VA 23230
Where and How to Find Portsmouth City Death Records
The Portsmouth Health Department maintains records of deaths that happen in Portsmouth City and issues copies to interested applicants. However, only the following parties can obtain copies of death records within 25 years of the death date:
- The person listed on the birth record
- The person’s current spouse, sibling, child, parent, grandparent, or legal guardian
Eligible applicants must complete the vital record application with the name of the deceased, age at death, date of death, race, sex, and place of death. The form also requires the father's full name and the full maiden name of the decedent's mother. Each Portsmouth City death certificate costs $12. Applicants may pay with money orders and checks made out to the "State Health Department."
The Office of Vital Records entertains mail and in-person requests. Interested persons may send the completed application with a copy of an acceptable form of identification and payment. In-person requestors may submit records at the office, drop requests off for pick-up the following day, or submit requests for 2-hour processing. All requests should be submitted as follows:
Portsmouth Health Department
1701 High Street
Suite 102
Portsmouth, VA 23704
Phone: (757) 393-8585
Hours: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday
