What are Frederick County Public Records?
According to the Virginia FOIA, public records are materials containing information about an agency's operations. Generally, public records generated or retained by Frederick County government officials, regardless of physical form and created for official business, are statutorily included in this definition. These include letters, papers, photographs, voice recordings, cassettes, files, and electronic records.
While FOIA guarantees public access, it also restricts access to documents containing sensitive or confidential information. Examples of these exempt records include:
- Records containing information that might result in the loss of state or federal revenue if made public.
- Publications that would compromise public safety and national defense.
- Military documents tagged as classified.
- Records that can cause a clear or substantial risk of bodily harm to the persons whose information appears in the record.
- Government agents will also withhold records that might jeopardize the safety or physical security of a facility, utility, or infrastructure.
- Medical records containing information about the diagnosis and treatment of a person's medical conditions.
- Records containing sensitive, personally-identifying information like social security numbers, driver's license numbers, a judge's or law enforcement officer's home address.
- Documents containing trade secrets.
- Any record that might threaten a person's right to a fair trial.
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 expansive searches. Record seekers may either opt to use these tools to search for a specific record or multiple records. Users are able to 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. Third-party sites are not sponsored by government agencies. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
Frederick County Crime Statistics
According to crime statistics obtained from the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting Program, Frederick County law enforcement reported 990 index crimes in 2019. These included 80 violent crimes and 910 property crimes. Regarding violent crimes, there were 17 reported incidents of rape, 13 robberies, and 50 aggravated assaults. The county law enforcement also recorded 97 cases of burglary, 748 larceny-theft, 65 motor vehicle theft, and 1 arson.
Compared with the 2018 crime report, index crimes in Frederick County have reduced by 13% year-on-year. However, a closer look at the change in index crimes shows that violent crimes increased by 9% (64 violent crimes in 2018). Property crimes accounted for the most significant downtrend, dropping by 14% (1059 property crimes in 2018).
Are Frederick County Criminal Records Public?
According to Virginia Code 19.2-389, criminal records in Frederick County are public records. Anyone interested in Frederick County criminal records can file an online or mail request to the Virginia State Police. There are three sorts of criminal record history checks that different persons can perform. The SP-167 is the most common (Available to all residents). Another is the SP-230, which is only available to Virginia child care agencies that are registered. The third is the SP-325, which is used to screen prospective employees.
The VSP's Criminal History Request Form can be filled out and mailed by anybody seeking information. Before it may be approved, the request form must be signed and notarized. Requests for records should be directed to the following address:
Civil & Applicant Records Exchange (CARE)
Virginia State Police
P.O. Box 85076
Richmond, VA 23285
How to Obtain Frederick County Police Reports and Arrest Records
The Sheriff's Office is the record custodian for arrest records and police reports. Requests must include the names of the persons involved, the incident dates, and the location. Informational copies of Frederick County arrest records are also available online. Residents can get copies of detailed arrest records and police reports by sending a mail or visiting:
Frederick County Sheriff's Office
107 North Kent Street
Winchester, VA 22601
Phone: (540) 662-8961
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Frederick County
The Virginia Sex Offender Registry provides information on registered sex offenders in Frederick County. Concerned persons may search the registry by name, city, municipality, county, mile radius, and zip code. It is also possible to look for transient offenders, sexually violent delinquent youths, sexually violent predators, and non-compliant offenders. The following information is included in the register:
- Full name and aliases
- Physical description
- Photographs
- Offender type
- Registration date
- Offense details
- Conviction date
- Vehicles owned
- Home, employment, and school addresses
How to Find Frederick County Inmate Records
Offenders arrested or serving a jail sentence in Frederick County do so in the Northwestern Adult Regional Detention Center. Persons who wish to obtain inmate records may use the inmate locator, using the inmate's full name or identification number. Alternatively, contact the jail administrative desk and schedule a visit to obtain inmate records.
Northwestern Regional Adult Detention Center
141 Fort Collier Road
Winchester, VA 22603
Phone: (540) 535-3800
How Do I Visit an Inmate in the Frederick County Prison?
There are two prison facilities in Frederick County. The Northwestern Regional Juvenile Detention Center and the Northwestern Regional Adult Detention Center. Both facilities have the same inmate's visitation rules. Each institution requires visitors to provide a valid identification card and submit it to a search. Acceptable types of identification include a driver's license with a current address, an active military identity card, photo identification with a current address, and a passport with a current address.
The inmate's visiting list should include all eligible guests. Persons who have been jailed in the six months before the visit are also ineligible. In addition to these qualifications, visitors may be denied entry to either building for any of the following reasons:
- Inadequate space available at the visiting area.
- The visitor appears to be drunk or on drugs.
- Improper behavior by the inmate or the visitor.
- Visitor destroys equipment at the facility.
- Any state of emergency.
- Any condition that the Lieutenant or Shift Commander believes is a threat to the prison.
Before visiting any inmate in the jail, everyone must first register on the visitor's list. All visitors must be registered on the approved list before visiting someone in the Frederick County Detention Center. Before going to see the detainee, visitors should check with the jail officials at:
Northwestern Va Regional Adult Detention Center
141 Fort Collier Road
Winchester, VA 22603
Phone: (540) 535-3800
Fax: (540) 665-1615
Northwestern Regional Juvenile Detention Center
145 Fort Collier Road
Winchester, VA 22603
Phone: (540) 722-6174
Fax: (540) 722-6695
Frederick County Court Records
Frederick County court records are documents containing information about case proceedings, from petitions to affidavits, statements, motions, and judgment records. The clerk of courts in the court where the case was adjudicated is the record custodian for court records.
Locations of Courts in Frederick County
Frederick/Winchester General District Court
Judicial Center
5 North Kent Street
Winchester, VA 22601-5037
Phone: (540) 722-7208
Fax: (540) 722-1063
Frederick County Circuit Court
5 North Kent Street
Winchester, VA 22601-5037
Phone: (540) 667-5770
Fax: (540) 545-8711
Are Frederick County Court Records Public?
Yes. According to Virginia law, court documents in Frederick County are public records. Charge information, court dates, litigant information, and judgment documents are all accessible for viewing. However, the Frederick County Clerk of Courts can block public access to records containing sensitive information, such as juvenile records, records of adoption proceedings, and sealed or expunged records.
Can You Look Up a Frederick County Court Case Online?
Yes. Residents can use the Virginia Judiciary Web Portal's case search to obtain Frederick County court documents online. Users can search for records using the following criteria: docket number, incident number, complaint number, citation number, attorney, participant name, offense tracking number (OTN), and organization. Residents should be aware that recent entries made in Frederick County courts may not be available online right away.
How to Obtain Frederick County Civil Court Case Records
Civil court cases in Frederick County are available with the Clerk of the circuit court. Record seekers should submit requests to the following:
Frederick County Circuit Court Clerk
5 North Kent Street
Winchester, VA 22601-5037
Phone: (540) 667-5770
Fax: (540) 667-6638
How to Obtain Frederick County Criminal Court Case Records
The Frederick County Clerk of Courts maintains criminal court records. Public members can seek non-confidential criminal court documents in person or by mail after providing the Clerk's Office with a description of the document they want. requestors should send requests for information about the records to the following address:
Frederick County Circuit Court Clerk
5 North Kent Street
Winchester, VA 22601-5037
Phone: (540) 667-5770
Fax: (540) 667-6638
What are Frederick County Vital Records?
Frederick County vital records are official papers that chronicle life events in the county, as well as information about the persons involved in these life events. These documents contain information about the marriages, divorces, births, and deaths of county residents.
Vital records in Frederick County become public records after a period of confidentiality elapses - 100 years for birth records and 25 years for other vital records. Until then, only the persons named on the record and immediate family members may obtain certified copies of vital records.
Where and How to Obtain Frederick County Divorce Records
The Circuit Court Clerk is the record custodian for vital records. The requestor must provide the full names of the persons named on the divorce record, the divorce year, as well as the requestor's delivery information before the record custodian will process the request. The individual must also pay the fee of $0.50 per page, payable in cash or by money order to the Frederick County Circuit Court Clerk.
5 North Kent Street
Winchester, VA 22601-5037
Phone: (540) 667-5770
Fax: (540) 667-6638
Virginia State also collects and indexes divorce filings to help public divorce record searches. Each divorce decree department of health costs $12, payable to the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) by cash or money order. The completed marriage/divorce record request form should be mailed or submitted to the following address:
Virginia Department of Health.
Office of Vital Records
2001 May Will Street
Suite 101
P.O. Box 1000
Richmond, VA 23218-1000
Where and How to Get Public Frederick County Marriage Records?
Marriage records are kept by the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Frederick County. Interested parties must visit the Circuit Court Clerk's Office with a government-issued photo identification card to get a copy. A marriage record in Frederick County costs $3 per page. The requestor must first give information about the document to receive copies of Frederick County marriage records. Both spouses' full and maiden names, the wedding day, the marriage license number, and the wedding location are necessary.
Frederick County Circuit Court Clerk
5 North Kent Street
Winchester, VA 22601-5037
Phone: (540) 667-5770
Fax: (540) 667-6638
The VDH also provides certified and non-certified copies of marriage records to those who request them. requestors can mail a completed copy of the aforementioned marriage/divorce record request form to the VDH, together with the $12 cost and a completed marriage record request form, to:
Virginia Department of Health.
Office of Vital Records
2001 May Will Street
Suite 101
P.O. Box 1000
Richmond, VA 23218-1000
Where and How to Find Frederick County Birth Records
Frederick County birth certificates are not open to the public. Only the persons named on the record and immediate family members may obtain a copy from the Clerk's Office or the VDH.
The requestor must submit a completed Application for Birth Certificate, along with a valid government-issued photo I.D., and payment for processing the request. The cost of a Frederick birth certificate is $12, and this amount is non-refundable whether or not the certificate is found.
Frederick County Circuit Court Clerk
5 North Kent Street
Winchester, VA 22601-5037
Phone: (540) 667-5770
Fax: (540) 667-6638
Virginia Department of Health.
Office of Vital Records
2001 May Will Street
Suite 101
P.O. Box 1000
Richmond, VA 23218-1000
Where and How to Find Frederick County Death Records
Frederick County death records are available through the VDH and the County Clerk's Office.
The requestor must submit a completed Application for Death Certificate, along with a valid government-issued photo I.D., and payment for processing the request. The cost of a Frederick death certificate is $12, and this amount is non-refundable whether or not the certificate is found.
Frederick County Circuit Court Clerk
5 North Kent Street
Winchester, VA 22601-5037
Phone: (540) 667-5770
Fax: (540) 667-6638
Virginia Department of Health.
Office of Vital Records
2001 May Will Street
Suite 101
P.O. Box 1000
Richmond, VA 23218-1000
