Essex County Background Information
The state of Virginia contains Essex County. In 2021, Essex County had a human population of 10,599, as reported in a local census. The current county seat in Essex County is Tappahannock.
The county was established in 1692.
It is named for either the shire or county in England, or for the Earl of Essex.
Essex County Arrest Records
All crimes in the Essex County area have records kept on them. Crimes in Essex County are divided into two primary categories, violent crime and property crime. Essex County had 7 violent and 34 property crimes back in 2021.
Essex County Sheriff's Office
Sheriff: Walter "Arnie" Holmes
304 Prince St, Tappahannock
VA 22560, United States
Phone: (804) 443-3346
Essex County Criminal Records
In the state of Virginia, with Essex County included, the police have to keep an current register of any and all sex offenders within their jurisdictional borders. This is not limited to those purely living and working in Essex County, but also those attending school or imprisoned within the county. This register can be accessed by all Essex County inhabitants. Members of the public living in Essex County can also search online for offenders in the area.
Essex County Court Records
In Essex County, the circuit court system oversees all criminal, family, and civil cases. All Essex County court records are preserved by the court clerk. To obtain these records in Essex County, a person must enquire at:
Essex County Circuit Court
Gayle Ashworth, Clerk
P. O. Box 445
305 Prince Street
Tappahannock, VA 22560
Phone: (804) 443-3541, (804) 443-4381
Fax: (804) 445-1216
Email: gashworth@vacourts.gov
The Court of Appeals in Virginia holds the power to analyze all contested cases across the state. The lower courts over which the Court of Appeals oversees contain the 95 superior or trial courts across the 95 counties, including Essex County.
NOTE - Standard records in Essex County can be sent by mail, email, or fax. At the same time, all official records can only be delivered via mail in Essex County.
Essex County Public Records
In Virginia state, records called vital records are kept on every last resident within the jurisdiction. These records refer to a person's most significant life events. These records can include vital records on divorces, marriages, births, deaths, and more. Essex County plays an important role in accumulating these documents. Individual counties may collect records and send copies to the state.
The county clerk in Essex County is in charge of accumulating all marriage records. All records are located by the Virginia Family History Library. In the past, Essex County has also been in charge of acquiring birth and death records. The major vital records collected by the state are birth certificates, death certificates, divorce decrees, marriage licenses, divorce certificates, marriage certificates, and more. All state vital records, including those from Essex County, are kept in one central registry. In future, these vital records can be utilized for statistical analysis.
The general public in Essex County can access all public records. Essex County occupants have the right to access these documents since Virginia passed the Freedom of Information Act in 1968. The most recent amendment to this law came in the year 2000. Essex County can apply for records in person at:
Essex County Circuit Court
Gayle Ashworth, Clerk
P. O. Box 445
305 Prince Street
Tappahannock, VA 22560
Phone: (804) 443-3541
Fax: (804) 445-1216
Email: gashworth@vacourts.gov
Having said that, records come with a charge in Essex County. By way of example, birth certificates, death records, marriage certificates and divorce records cost $12 for each certificate in Essex County.
NOTE - Anyone looking to acquire records in person should be aware that the office opens between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 P.M EST on Monday - Friday. In Essex County, some form of photo ID is needed to obtain records. Both driver's licenses and state IDs would suffice. A person must also put their request in writing in Essex County.
