What are Culpeper County Public Records?
Culpeper County public records are documents that disclose details of an agency's operations or transactions. Provided the information contained in them are deemed public, documents in the custody of any Culpeper County governmental agency must be made available for disclosure. These documents are typically maintained in the form of letters, papers, photographs, voice recordings, cassettes, files, and other electronic formats.
While the Freedom of Information Act ensures public access to selected records, it also requires some data to be treated as confidential. The following are the provisions on exempt records:
- Data that can cause physical harm if released will remain sealed.
- Information that can cause a loss of revenue either to the state or federal government will remain sealed.
- Classified military records cannot be released.
- Documents showing threat assessment measures that can compromise the safety of state buildings will remain classified.
- Documents containing trade secrets that can grant undue advantage to competitors if released remain sealed.
- Documents containing the medical background and mental background of individuals remain sealed.
- Complaints, investigation materials, the identity of a victim, a confidential source, a suspect, or any other record that might threaten a person's right to a fair trial are all classified documents.
- Details of a consultation, examination, diagnosis, therapy, or prescription, and a person's psychological, mental, or physical history and handicap status are all classified.
In addition to government agencies, county public records may also be obtained from third-party websites. These non-government platforms come with intuitive tools that allow for extensive searches. Record seekers may opt to use these tools to search for a specific record or multiple records. Users can search third-party websites remotely for multiple records at a time with just the name of the record subject and their last known location, including the city, county, or state. Government agencies do not sponsor third-party sites. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
Culpeper County Crime Statistics
The Virginia State Police (VSP) provides the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting Program with statewide crime statistics. According to its 2019 report. 32 violent crimes including 4 rape cases, 13 robberies, 15 aggravated assaults were reported. There were also 340 property crimes, including burglaries, 315 larceny-theft and 16 motor vehicle thefts. In comparison, the county's 2018 report showed 31 violent crimes, with no murder cases, 6 rape cases, nine robberies,16 aggravated assaults as well as 296 property crimes including 17 burglaries, 266 larceny-theft, 13 motor vehicle thefts, and no arson. These reports clearly show that in 2019 the crime rate went up by 12 percent over the 2018 report.
Are Culpeper County Criminal Records Public?
Culpeper County criminal records are public records according to Virginia code §19.2-389. The Virginia State Police is the central repository for criminal records and offers statewide criminal background checks. To request these records, public requesters must fill out a criminal history request form and submit it along with a money order or certified check payable to the Virginia State Police in a stamped self-addressed envelope. The request may then be mailed to:
Virginia State Police
Civil & Applicants Records Exchange
P.O. Box 85076
Richmond, VA 23285
Phone: (804) 674-2131
It takes about 15 days to process criminal records in Virginia. Also, the VSP will only handle a request if complete payment for the service has been confirmed. However, public criminal record searches are available for free. Eligible person's may call or email the agency for a fee waiver, stating financial hardship or other situations that make the requester eligible for a cost waiver. If releasing the document serves the public interest rather than commercial interests, the record custodian will likely consider the waiver request.
How to Obtain Culpeper County Police Reports and Arrest Records
The Sheriff's office in Culpeper is the custodian of Culpeper County arrest records and police reports. The report is supplied to residents to provide relevant information on the desired report. This information includes the name, incident dates, people involved, and charge information, amongst other things. In addition, requesters will do well to take note of the various charges relating to the requested copy of the record. Completed requests should be sent by mail to the address below:
Culpeper County Sheriff's Office
110 West Cameron Street
Culpeper, VA 22701
Phone: (540) 727-3400
Fax: (540) 727-3463
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Culpeper County
There is an online registry provided by the Virginia State Police where citizens can get information on registered sex offenders in the state. Interested requesters in Culpeper can use the VSP's sex offender registry to get the desired information. The search can be conducted by name, county, city, mile radius, and zip code. Different types of sex offenders can be searched.
How to Find Culpeper County Inmate Records
The public can see inmate records in Culpeper County at the Culpeper County Jail. Interested parties may submit requests that include an inmate's data, such as full name, booking date, charge information, and other known details. Requesters should send the details to the following address:
Culpeper County Jail
131 West Cameron Street
Culpeper, VA 22701
(540) 727-3434
Culpeper County Court Records
Circuit, District, Juvenile, and Domestic Relations District Courts are part of the Culpeper County court system. The Circuit Court is the county's general jurisdiction court, jurisdiction over all county affairs. The Circuit Court also has the authority to consider matters from the district court or the Juvenile Court.
Landlord/tenant cases, traffic violations, replevin actions, and criminal cases classified as misdemeanors and specific felonies are all dealt with in Culpeper County District Courts.
The Juvenile Court is charged with cases involving Juveniles in the county. These could include issues concerning protective custody, abuse against the juvenile, and minor crimes committed by juveniles.
Locations of Courts in Culpeper County
Culpeper County Circuit Court
135 West Cameron Street
Culpeper, VA 22701
Phone: (540) 727-3438
Culpeper County General District Court
135 West Cameron Street
Culpeper, VA 22701
Phone: (540) 727-3417
Culpeper Magistrate Court
131 West Cameron Street
Culpeper, VA 22701
Phone: (540) 727-3433
Culpeper Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court
135 West Cameron Street
Culpeper, VA 22701
Phone: (540) 727-3418
Fax: (540) 727-3498
Are Culpeper County Court Records Public?
Court filings in Culpeper County are public records under Virginia law. Information regarding charges, court dates, litigants, and judgment documents is available. Under Virginia law, however, the Culpepper County Clerk of Courts has the authority to deny public access to certain data. Some of these records include:
- Personal information in the marriage license.
- Records concerning minors.
- Tax returns of individuals.
- Records concerning the adoption of children.
- The record concerning termination of parental rights.
- Financial records filed in a case concerning minors.
- Doctor's documentation concerning patients with disability.
How to Obtain Culpeper County Civil Court Case Records
The Circuit Court Clerk in Culpeper County is the custodian of all court records in the county. In line with Virginia laws, the clerk makes the records available whenever there is a request. Interested individuals can write to the clerk giving a detailed description of the required record and attach the necessary fees to the request. All requests should be sent to the Culpeper County Clerk at:
Culpeper County Circuit Court Clerk
135 West Cameron Street
Culpeper, VA 22701
Phone: (540) 727-3438
How to Obtain Culpeper County Criminal Court Case Records
The Clerk of Courts in Culpeper County is in charge of keeping criminal court records. Interested individuals can seek non-confidential criminal court documents in person or by mail after providing the Clerk's Office with a description of the document of interest. Requests for information about the records should be sent to the office of the circuit court clerk.
What are Culpeper County Vital Records?
Culpeper County vital records are documents with information that has to do with the life events of the county's citizens. These records include divorce, marriage, birth, and death records. Culpeper vital records are government-created documents that attest to the occurrence of a specific event. In Culpeper County, vital records are considered public documents. Some important records are available from the Circuit court clerk at the county level, while others are only available at the state level. Some records may also be available through a third-party website.
Culpeper County Divorce Records
Divorce records in Culpeper County are official papers relating to the breakup of a married couple. Divorce decrees or divorce certificates are examples of this. A divorce certificate, in general, is less extensive than a divorce judgment since it does not include information such as asset allocation. On the other hand, a divorce decree provides all facts about the breakup, including the court's final decision, custody and child support agreements (if the couple has children), and asset and liability allocation. Virginia State also collects and indexes divorce filings to help public divorce record searches.
Culpeper County maintains vital data at both the municipal and state levels. Only registrants and close family members, such as siblings, children, parents, and grandparents, have access to certified copies. A valid government-issued identity card may be required of requesters. The Virginia Department of Health also makes copies of Culpeper County divorce decrees available for $12. Interested individuals can fill out a divorce record request form online and send the request with cash or money orders to the health department at:
Virginia Department of Health
2001 Maywill St
Richmond, VA 23230
(804) 662-6200
Culpeper County Marriage Records
A marriage record is a government document that shows that two people were joined together in matrimony and that the couple got a marriage license. The circuit court clerk is the custodian of Culpeper County marriage records and makes copies available to qualified requesters. Qualified requestors include:
- The couple.
- Representatives of the couple whose name is on the record.
- A legal representative of any of the couple.
Qualified individuals should visit the Circuit Court Clerk's Office with a government-issued picture identification card to request a copy.
The full names of both spouses, the maiden names, and the marriage date and place are some of the requirements needed to obtain copies of Culpeper County marriage records. The Virginia Department of Health also grants access to certified and non-certified copies of Culpeper marriage records for $12. Requesters should fill out the marriage certificate request form and mail it along with the required filing fees to the VDH office.
Culpeper County Birth Records
A birth record is an official account of a child's birth that includes the child's name, date, place of birth, gender, and parent's names. The Vital Records Division of the Virginia Department of Health keeps track of all births in the state and distributes copies. Virginia law prohibits public access to Culpeper County birth certificates. Only the owner of the record, the parents of the owner of the record, the owner's spouse, a guardian with custodial rights, and legal representatives of the owner are qualified to request a copy.
The cost of a Culpepper birth certificate is $12. Each individual obtaining a birth certificate by mail must include:
- A completed birth certificate application.
- A valid government-issued photo ID.
- A mailing address
If the requester does not have access to a government-issued photo ID, they can produce two recent documents proving their identity and current address. Acceptable papers include a utility bill, car registration or agreement, a bank statement, or a pay stub.
Culpeper County Death Records
Culpeper county death records detail the fatalities that have occurred in the county. The deceased's name, age of death, date of death, and gender are all listed. Culpeper County death records are available through the Virginia Department of Health's Vital Records Division. The department has preserved birth records since 1912 and only sends qualified requesters over the age of 18. All qualified requesters are close relatives of the deceased, legal representatives of the deceased, and the funeral director in charge of the deceased's final burial rites.
Qualified individuals can request Culpepper death certificates by mail or in person. A $12 service fee is required. Each mail request requires a completed death certificate application, money order or check made out to Vital Records, and proper identification. Culpeper county death records detail the fatalities that have occurred in the county. The deceased's name, age of death, date of death, and gender are all listed.
