What are Roanoke Public Records?
Under the Virginia Open Records Act, Roanoke public records are all data created, received, or re-created by public agencies concerning a public activity. Public records in Roanoke are stored in digital or physical formats. They may include the following: books, emails, maps, SMS, memoranda, notes, videos, audio files, charters, building plans, codes, and photographs. Sometimes, record custodians may restrict access to certain portions of a public document if it is exempt from disclosure under the Open Records Act. Per state law, the following documents are exempt from public access:
- Information subject to attorney-client privilege;
- Cost estimates and appraisals of real estate properties;
- Routing information and account numbers for any credit or debit card with financial institutions;
- Personal information, such as credit/debit card number, social security number, and drivers license number;
- Information on the medical history of an individual;
- Records collated for use in a closed session.
- Investigation procedures and strategies utilized in a law enforcement agency;
- Identity of crime victims, complainants, and witnesses in a criminal record;
- Documents, including preliminary drafts and notes used in the award and negotiation of a specific contract;
- Proprietary information of service providers;
- Personnel records or information on identifiable individuals;
- Examination or test materials prepared or used by government entities to evaluate the following:
- qualifications for certificates or licenses issued by public entities;
- Students performance;
- Employees and employee's aptitude for promotion, employment, or retention;
- Critical infrastructure information on the operation of systems and security equipment of any public structure or building.
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.
Roanoke Crime Statistics
The City of Roanoke Police Department documents all records of crime and arrests carried out in the city's geographical area. In addition, it generates yearly statistics of all reported index crimes in the city. According to the 2019 index crime report, the city documented 125 index crimes, consisting of 12 violent crimes and 113 property crimes. Furthermore, the report listed the following index crimes: two rapes, three robberies, seven aggravated assaults, 17 burglaries, 91 larceny thefts, and five motor vehicle thefts. Per the report, the city did not document a murder or arson crime in 2019. Compared with a 2016 crime report, the index crime rates in Roanoke City fell sharply by 3,508 percent. Roanoke reported a total of 4,508 index crimes in 2016.
Likewise, the City of Roanoke Police Department hosts an online map interface to showcase the crime rate in the city area. Interested persons can visit the online map interface to search for the most reported crimes in a particular location.
Are Roanoke Criminal Records Public?
Not all criminal records in Roanoke City are public documents. The state open records law prevents the disclosure of criminal records that may reveal information on witnesses, complainants, and crime victims. In addition, criminal records of juvenile offenders are restricted to only the record subject and other authorized entities, such as law enforcement agencies and school districts.
All non-exempt criminal records are obtainable via the Roanoke Clerk of the Circuit Court's Criminal Division. Requesters may opt to obtain Roanoke criminal records online or offline means. To get online copies of criminal records, interested persons must follow these steps:
- Visit the Virginia Judicial System online database;
- Select "Roanoke City Circuit Court" in the drop-down menu;
- Select "criminal" on the next page, and input the following data:
- Offender's name;
- Case number;
- Hearing date.
On the other hand, record seekers may obtain physical copies of Roanoke criminal records visiting the Office of the Clerk of Circuit Court at:
315 West Church Avenue
P.O. Box 2610
Roanoke, VA 24010-2610
Phone: (540) 853-6723 (Criminal Division).
The Clerk of the Circuit Court accepts cash, credit card, and certified checks as payments for obtaining criminal records. Note that the Clerk of the Court charges a convenience fee of $2 for search fees less than $50 and $4 for search fees higher than $50.
Alternatively, the Virginia State Police provides access to Roanoke criminal records via mail-in requests. All record seekers must print out a fingerprint card and select one of the listed request forms, based on the category of the requester:
Individuals, private businesses, and out-of-state agencies must use the SP-167 request form. In contrast, only Virginia-approved agencies must use the SP-167 request form to obtain criminal records. Interested persons or entities must mail in a fingerprint card alongside a request form to the Civil & Applicant Records Exchange (CARE) at:
Virginia State Police
P.O. Box 85076
Richmond, VA 23285
How to Obtain Roanoke Police Reports and Arrest Records
Interested persons or entities can obtain Roanoke City police reports and arrest records from the Records Division of the Roanoke County Police Department. Police reports and arrest records are accessible via in-person requests at:
Roanoke County Police Department
P.O. Box 29800
Roanoke, VA 24018-0798
Phone: (540) 772-2006
Alternatively, record seekers may call the Records Division at (540) 777-8605 to request the public document. Furthermore, requesters must provide the following information when requesting arrest records:
- Date of the incident;
- Name of the parties involved;
- Location of the incident;
- The law enforcement employee that carried out the arrest.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Roanoke City
All sex offender information in Roanoke City is accessible to the public via the Virginia State Police's online sex offenders registry. The registry contains an online database of all registered information. It covers sex offenders' details, such as names, photographs, age at the time of conviction, the jurisdiction where the sex crime occurred, and the sex crime.
Record seekers can search for Roanoke sex offenders using the following search options: zip code, address, city, school, and county. In addition, requesters can also view sex offenders data via the supplemental sex offender registry. The sex offender registry also hosts a database of all absconded or wanted sex offenders in Roanoke City.
How to Find Roanoke Inmate Information
The Roanoke City Sheriff's Office hosts an online database for all inmates incarcerated within the city. Record seekers can access Roanoke inmate records by filling out the inmate's first and last name on the online database.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Roanoke City Jail?
Visitation to Roanoke City Jail is solely through remote or video calls. Therefore, visitors must register on the GTL ConnectNetwork and schedule a video call on the platform at least a day in advance. Visitors must pay the specified fee before communicating with inmates on an internet-enabled device. In contrast, visitors must use the computer terminals in the jail lobby at:
324 Campbell Avenue Southwest
Roanoke, VA 24016
Phone: (540) 853-2621
Video calls via the terminals are free and last for only 20 minutes. The video visitation schedule for visitors are as follows:
- Monday to Sunday: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
- Monday to Sunday: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
What are Roanoke City Vital Records?
Roanoke City vital records cover all documents in writing or recording of all life events within the city. Recorded life events include all death, birth, marriage, and divorce events. The Virginia Open Records Act requires custodian bodies at the local and state level to keep all vital records generated in Roanoke City. Thus, interested public members must contact these public bodies to obtain copies of the documents. For example, requesters must contact the Roanoke City Clerk of the Circuit Court to access copies of divorce and marriage records. However, the Virginia Department of Health, via the Office of Vital Records, is the custodian for all marriage, birth, and death records in Roanoke City.
Where and How to Obtain Roanoke Divorce Records
The Roanoke Clerk of the Circuit Court is the designated record custodian for all records of divorce proceedings in the state. It provides access to Roanoke divorce records via online and offline means. Requesters may opt to receive online copies of divorce records via the following steps:
- Visit the Virginia Judicial System online database;
- Select "Roanoke City Circuit Court" in the drop-down menu;
- Select "civil" on the subsequent page, and input the following data:
- Offender's name;
- Case number;
- Hearing date.
On the other hand, interested public members can receive divorce records by visiting the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Roanoke City at:
315 West Church Avenue
P.O. Box 2610
Roanoke, VA 24010-2610
Phone: (540) 853-6702 (Civil Division)
Where and How to Get Roanoke Marriage Records
Record seekers may obtain Certified copies of Roanoke marriage certificates from the Circuit Court Clerk's Office and the Vital Records Division of the Virginia Department of Health. The Roanoke Circuit Clerk's Office provides access to marriage records via in-person or mail-in requests. To receive marriage records in person, requesters must visit the Circuit Court Clerk's Office at:
315 West Church Avenue
P.O. Box 2610
Roanoke, VA 24010-2610
Phone: (540) 853-6702 (Civil Division)
Also, mail-in orders to the Circuit Court Clerk's Office must contain a written request detailing the record subject's name, the purpose of the request, the date and place where the event occurred, and the requester's contact details. Requesters must mail the written request and a money order or check payable to the Roanoke Circuit Court Clerk at:
315 West Church Avenue
P.O. Box 2610
Roanoke, VA 24010-2610
Phone: (540) 853-6702 (Civil Division)
Likewise, Roanoke marriage records are obtainable through mail requests to the Virginia Department of Health. Record seekers must mail in a completed application form, a valid government-issued ID, and a money order or check to:
Office of Vital Records
P.O. Box 1000
Richmond, VA 23218-1000
At the Virginia Department of Health, the average processing time for mail requests is eight weeks from the day the request is received.
Where and How to Find Roanoke Birth Records
Interested persons or entities can request and get copies of Roanoke birth certificates from the Virginia Department of Health. Birth certificates are accessible to eligible applicants via walk-in or mail-in orders. Irrespective of the request method, all requesters must download and print out the application form for vital records.
For in-person requests, public members must present a valid ID alongside a $12 payment fee at the customer lobby of the Office of the Vital Records at:
2001 Maywill Street
Richmond, VA 23230
Phone: (804) 662-6200
In contrast, requesters must mail the completed form, a valid ID, and a money order for check for $12 payable to the State Health Department to:
Office of Vital Records
P.O. Box 1000
Richmond, VA 23218-1000
Where and How to Find Roanoke Death Records
All death events documented in Roanoke City are obtainable from the Vital Records Division of the Virginia Department of Health. City residents and non-residents can get Roanoke death records via mail or in-person request to the Vital Records Office. To access Roanoke death certificates in-person, public members must present a valid ID alongside a $12 payment fee at the customer lobby of the Office of the Vital Records at:
2001 Maywill Street
Richmond, VA 23230
Phone: (804) 662-6200
On the other hand, requesters must mail in the completed application form, a valid ID, and a money order for check for $12 payable to the State Health Department to:
Office of Vital Records
P.O. Box 1000
Richmond, VA 23218-1000
Certified Roanoke birth certificates cost $12, and it takes eight weeks to process mail requests for death certificates. Conversely, record seekers can get
