What Are Richmond Public Records?
Richmond public records are non-confidential documents or files generated, collated, or maintained by government departments, which contain information concerning their conduct and activities. These records exist in different forms and can be written, typed, photographed, digitally recorded, and so on. However, sections of a public record may be redacted if it contains:
- Mental health assessments or medical reports
- Records of ongoing prosecution or investigations
- Sensitive security and financial information
- Trade secrets and proprietary information
- Other records considered confidential by the Freedom of Information Act or an infringement of personal privacy
Richmond Crime Statistics
According to the most recent annual publication of crime statistics collated by the Virginia State Police, Richmond Police Department reported 8,495 arrests and 19,713 offenses in 2019. The arrest rate was 3,744.9 per 100,000 residents, and there were 8,142 adult arrests to 353 juvenile arrests. The offense data were categorized into three sections and consisted of 4,187 crimes against persons, 12,978 crimes against property, and 2,548 crimes against society. Some of the more popular offenses included vandalism, simple assault, and theft from motor vehicles with 3,305, 3,203, and 2,284 incidents, respectively. There were also 55 cases of murders/nonnegligent manslaughter, 28 forcible rapes, 44 arsons, 389 robberies, 990 burglaries, and 1,596 drug/narcotics violations reported amongst the 51 crimes listed. Individuals may get more information by using the crime incident information center application.
Are Richmond Criminal Records Public?
Richmond criminal records are generally considered public information under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. However, not all criminal history information is disclosed in the records and documents may also be withheld under certain circumstances. For instance, juvenile records, criminal investigative files, and information submitted in confidence fall under records that fall under prohibited or discretionary release. Interested persons can obtain Richmond criminal records by conducting local or statewide background checks through the Richmond Police Department or the Virginia State Police (VSP), respectively. For local background checks, visit the Information Desk of the Police Department in person with two forms of identification and $5, or mail completed and notarized request form with fees via mail to:
City of Richmond Police Department
Central Records Unit
200 West Grace Street,
Richmond, VA 23220-5018
Requests cost $5 per copy and an extra $1 for each additional copy. Fees are payable in certified checks, money orders, or company checks. Note that records only provide details of misdemeanor convictions that occurred after 1985, which are not reportable to the VSP. Information on arrests, pending dispositions, and reportable convictions are not inclusive. For a more comprehensive criminal history record, visit the VSP website or call (804) 674-2000.
How to Obtain Police Reports and Arrest Records
The Richmond Police Department is responsible for creating and maintaining recorded information of incidents that happen within its jurisdiction. According to state laws, there are limitations on the issuance of various Richmond police reports. However, individuals can obtain information on vehicle accidents, criminal incidents, and others in person by visiting Window 4 of the Richmond Police Information Desk located at RPD Headquarters lobby, 200 West Grace Street. Individuals can also send completed request forms for police reports along with fees and a self-addressed, stamped envelope to:
RPD Records Unit
200 West Grace Street,
Richmond, VA 23220
These police records cost $5. For information on how to obtain Richmond arrest records, contact the Central Records Unit at (804) 646-6715.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Richmond
Information on sex offenders in Richmond is accessible through the sex offender and crimes against minors’ registry provided and updated by the Virginia State Police. Individuals can check the online index of wanted offenders, explore the supplementary registry, register for email alerts on the community notifications page, and conduct offender searches on the registry. Persons interested in finding offenders who live or work in specific areas can search according to zip code, county, city, and address. Additionally, a school search should be done to find sex offenders around campuses, while a name search is ideal to find specific offenders. Users can also expand or narrow down search results by including or excluding neighboring zip codes, incarcerated offenders, wanted offenders, or civilly committed offenders as desired.
How to Find Richmond Inmate Records
Individuals may find information on non-juvenile offenders incarcerated in the Richmond City Justice Center (RCJC) by using the inmate search application provided by the Sheriff’s Office. Searches can be according to the offender’s last name, first name, inmate number, and booking date. Search results will show a listing of relevant inmates, including their full names, booking date, inmate ID, and other publicly available details. Individuals may also find if an individual is in RCJC by calling the Information Desk at (804) 646-4464 and providing the person’s information like names, social security number, or date of birth.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Richmond City Jail?
Family and friends of individuals incarcerated at Richmond City Justice Center (RCJC) may visit inmates at 1701 Fairfield Way, Richmond, VA 23223. Inmates can receive one visit per week, except otherwise permitted by authorized personnel, and visits are from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily. Visitors who are over 16 years of age should visit the facility with unexpired identification and must dress modestly. Clothing with transparent materials, profane words/images, and other revealing outfits are permitted in the facility. Visit the Sheriff’s website or call (804) 674-3000 for further details.
Court Records
Richmond court records are materials and information gathered, filed, and disseminated by a court within the city's jurisdiction. These records contain information on the criminal, civil, probate, traffic, and juvenile cases, proceedings, and administrative actions that happen in the court. Examples of court records include dockets, transcripts, audio/video tapings, decrees/judgment rolls, and so on.
Locations of Courts in Richmond
Richmond Circuit Court - 13th Judicial Circuit
John Marshall Courts Building
400 North 9th Street,
Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: (804) 646-6505
Fax: (804) 646-6562
Richmond General District Court - 13th Judicial District - Civil
John Marshall Courts Building
400 North 9th Street,
Room 203,
Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: (804) 646-6461
Fax: (804) 646-8758
Richmond General District Court - 13th Judicial District - Criminal/Traffic
John Marshall Courts Building
400 North 9th Street,
Room 209,
Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: (804) 646-6431
Fax: (804) 646-6659
Richmond General District Court - 13th Judicial District – Criminal/Traffic
Manchester Courthouse
920 Hull Street,
Richmond, VA 23224
Phone: (804) 646-6677
Fax: (804) 646-0387
Richmond Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court
Oliver Hill Courts Building
1600 Oliver Hill Way,
Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: (804) 646-2942
Fax: (804) 646-2906
Are Richmond Court Records Public?
Not all Richmond court records are publicly available. Virginia state laws exempt certain documents from disclosure when they contain confidential information, sensitive personal details, and records concerning public safety. Some of the cases or court records that fall under this category include:
- Court documents or reports concerning involuntary admission
- Records of ongoing prosecutions
- Financial and security information
- Records of closed cases
- Records sealed by court order
- Juvenile and certain child custody cases
Can You Look Up a Richmond Court Case Online?
Online access to Richmond court case information varies depending on the case. However, individuals may use the various resources available on Virginia’s Judicial System to search for case information online. For details of proceedings that happened in Richmond Circuit Court, use the search tools available on the CJIS website, while information on Richmond General District Court may be available on the online case search tool. Individuals can also search for city court cases using the Online Court Information System. Users may use the court name, case type, case number, parties' names, hearing date, and other details to conduct the search.
How to Obtain Richmond Civil Court Case Records
Richmond civil court case records can be accessed online, in person, or through mailed requests. For online search, interested persons should visit the CJIS website for Richmond Circuit Court cases, use the case search tool for Richmond General District Court, and the Online Court Information System for both court levels. Users should select "civil" as case type and use court name, case number, parties' names, hearing date, and other details to conduct the search.
For in-person or mailed requests, individuals should visit the Clerk of the Court where proceedings took place or send request forms and letters via mail. Like online search, requesters should provide relevant record/case descriptions to help locate the required document. However, individuals most likely have to pay fees for searching and duplicating the record. The costs must be reasonable and within the standard rates.
How to Obtain Richmond Criminal Court Records
Individuals can obtain information on criminal cases that were heard in Richmond courts online, in person, or through mailed requests. For online search, interested persons should visit the CJIS website for Richmond Circuit Court cases, use the case search tool for Richmond General District Court, and the Online Court Information System for both court levels. Users should select "criminal" as case type and use court name, case number, parties' names, hearing date, and other details to conduct the search.
For in-person or mailed requests, individuals should visit the Clerk of the Court where proceedings took place or send request forms and letters via mail. Like online search, requesters should provide relevant record/case descriptions to help locate the required document. However, individuals most likely have to pay fees for searching and duplicating the record. The costs must be reasonable and within the standard rates.
What Are Richmond Vital Records?
Richmond vital records are government-generated documents that contain information on life events that happened within the city's jurisdiction. These include marriages that were licensed in the city, divorces granted by a Richmond City court, and births and deaths that took place in the city. A number of Richmond vital records are available at the city, county, and state levels, however, there are a few restrictions. Public access to birth records begins after 100 years of birth, while marriage, divorce, and death records become open from the 25th anniversary. Parties eligible to obtain these records while they are confidential include the record subject, direct relatives, spouses, and other authorized persons.
Where and How to Obtain Richmond Divorce Records
Richmond divorce records are available at the Vital Record Department of the Richmond City Health Department. The office receives mailed, faxed, and in-person requests for copies of these documents and issues them for $12 per requested copy. Interested individuals should submit or send request forms, fees, and legible photocopy of acceptable identification to:
Vital Records Department
Room 126
400 East Carry Street,
Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: (804) 205-3911
Fax: (804) 786-9007
Fees are acceptable in checks or money orders made payable to the 'State Health Department.'
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Richmond
Individuals may obtain confidential Richmond marriage records from two different custodians in the city: the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office and the Vital Record Department of the Richmond City Health Department. Individuals can obtain certified copies of marriage licenses for $2.50 per copy by making requests via mail or in person.
For copies of Richmond marriage licenses issued between July 1997 and June 2001, requesters must get consent from one of the married couples while records before July 1997 or after June 2001 do not require any. Requesters should also provide names of the married couple, fees made payable to “Edward F. Jewett, Clerk”, and date of marriage to:
Clerk of Circuit Court
City of Richmond
John Marshall Courts Building
400 North 9th Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: (804) 646-6767
For copies of Richmond marriage certificates from the Vital Record Department, individuals can make mailed, faxed, and in-person requests. Submit or send request forms, fees, and legible photocopy of acceptable identification to:
Vital Records Department
Room 126
400 East Carry Street,
Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: (804) 205-3911
Fax: (804) 786-9007
The department charges $12 per requested copy. Fees are acceptable in checks or money orders made payable to the 'State Health Department.'
Where and How to Get Public Richmond Marriage Records
Members of the public may obtain Richmond marriage records from two different custodians in the city: the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office and the Vital Record Department of the Richmond City Health Department. However, these records are publicly accessible from the 25th anniversary of the marriage. Individuals can obtain copies of marriage licenses from the Clerk’s Office for $2.50 per copy by making requests via mail or in person. For copies of marriage licenses issued between July 1997 and June 2001, requesters must get consent from one of the married couples, whereas records before July 1997 or after June 2001 do not require any. Requesters should also provide names of the married couple, fees made payable to “Edward F. Jewett, Clerk”, and date of marriage to:
Clerk of Circuit Court
City of Richmond
John Marshall Courts Building
400 North 9th Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: (804) 646-6767
For copies of Richmond marriage certificates from the Vital Record Department, individuals can make mailed, faxed, and in-person requests. Submit or send request forms, fees, and legible photocopy of acceptable identification to:
Vital Records Department
Room 126
400 East Carry Street,
Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: (804) 205-3911
Fax: (804) 786-9007
The department charges $12 per requested copy. Fees are acceptable in checks or money orders made payable to the 'State Health Department.'
Where and How to Find Richmond Birth Records
Richmond birth records are available at the Vital Record Department of the Richmond City Health Department. The office receives mailed, faxed, and in-person requests for copies of Richmond birth certificates and issues them for $12 per requested copy. Interested individuals should submit or send request forms, fees, and legible photocopy of acceptable identification to:
Vital Records Department
Room 126
400 East Carry Street,
Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: (804) 205-3911
Fax: (804) 786-9007
Fees are acceptable in checks or money orders made payable to the 'State Health Department.'
Where and How to Find Richmond Death Records
Richmond death records are available at the Vital Record Department of the Richmond City Health Department. The office receives mailed, faxed, and in-person requests for death records and issues them for $12 per requested copy. Interested individuals should submit or send request forms, fees, and legible photocopy of acceptable identification to:
Vital Records Department
Room 126
400 East Carry Street,
Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: (804) 205-3911
Fax: (804) 786-9007
Fees are acceptable in checks or money orders made payable to the 'State Health Department.'
