What are Orange County Public Records?
The Virginia Freedom of Information Act describes Orange County public records as writings and recordings comprising letters, numbers, words, or any equivalent, notwithstanding storage method, characteristics, or physical form. According to the act, public records may be handwritten, typewritten, printed, or photographed documents created or prepared by a public officer for transacting public business. Regardless of the act’s public access provision, some records must remain closed to the general public. Examples include personnel information, real estate appraisals and cost estimates, financial account information, and security threat assessments.
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.
Orange County Crime Statistics
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) publishes nationwide crime statistics through its Uniform Crime Reporting Program (UCR). In 2019, the UCR’s report showed 148 offenses, including 23 violent crimes and 125 property crimes. Reported violent crimes were 1 robbery, 10 aggravated assault incidents, and 12 rape cases. For property crimes, the report revealed 17 burglary incidents, 97 larceny thefts, and 11 motor vehicle thefts.
While there was no arson or murder in 2019, the 2018 report revealed one occurrence in each case. In total, Orange County experienced 160 crimes in 2018, representing a 7.5% decrease between 2018 and 2019.
Are Orange County Criminal Records Public?
Virginia law does not allow public access to criminal records. According to Section 19.2-389 of the Virginia Code, Orange County criminal records are only accessible to a few eligible requestors, including persons requesting personal records, criminal justice agencies, licensure organizations, and specific care institutions requesting for employment or investigative reasons. However, third-party requestors are eligible if the record’s subject authorizes the request.
Eligible record seekers can obtain these records from the Virginia State Police (VSP) by submitting completed SP-167 forms. Each request costs a $15.00 search fee payable by Virginia State Police Charge Account Number or credit card. Requestors may also use business checks, certified checks, or money orders, payable to "Virginia State Police". Applicants should submit requests for Orange criminal records to:
Virginia State Police
Civil & Applicants Records Exchange
P.O. Box 85076
Richmond, VA 23285
How to Obtain Orange County Police Reports and Arrest Records
Orange County arrest records and police reports are available at the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. The office requires requestors to provide detailed record descriptions and pay applicable copy fees. Specific details should include the names of involved persons, incident date, incident description, charge information, and case number. All parties seeking Orange arrest records should submit requests to:
Orange County Sheriff’s Office
11282 Government Center Drive
P.O. Box 445
Orange, VA 22960
Phone: (540) 672-1200
Fax: (540) 672-7824
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Orange County
The Virginia State Police maintains a public online Sex Offender Registry. Anyone can search the database by name, address, county, city, school, or zip code. Available information includes the offender’s name, registration ID, sex, age, physical description, and status. The registry also displays the person’s registration information, conviction record, and photograph.
How to Find Orange County Inmate Records
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office does not maintain an online database containing inmate information. Parties interested in Orange County inmate records should directly contact the Sheriff’s Office. Record seekers should submit the inmate’s name, booking information, charge details, and other known information to:
Orange County Sheriff’s Office
11282 Government Center Drive
P.O. Box 445
Orange, VA 22960
Phone: (540) 672-1200
Fax: (540) 672-7824
Court Records
Orange County has a Circuit Court, General District Court, and a Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court. The Circuit Court has authority over all county cases, while the General District Court has limited jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases. On the other hand, the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court has jurisdiction over juvenile matters, some criminal cases, and certain domestic relations hearings. However, this court does not handle divorce filings.
Locations of Orange County Courts
Orange County Circuit Court
Orange County Courthouse
110 North Madison Road, Suite 300
P.O. Box 230
Orange, VA 22960
Phone: (540) 672-4030
Fax: (540) 672-2939
Orange County General District Court
Orange County Courthouse
110 North Madison Road, Suite 100
P.O. Box 821
Orange, VA 22960
Phone: (540) 672-3150
Fax: (540) 672-9438
Orange County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court
Orange County Courthouse
110 North Madison Road, Suite 200
Orange, VA 22960
Phone: (540) 661-5320
Fax: (540) 672-2090
Are Orange County Court Records Public?
All interested persons can obtain copies of Orange County court records. Unless restricted by law, anyone may submit requests to inspect or obtain copies of Orange court records after paying applicable fees. However, record seekers cannot view sealed court records or juvenile court case information.
How to Obtain Orange County Civil Court Case Records
A requestor seeking Orange County civil court records may contact the Clerk of Circuit Court with record details. Required information may include the names of parties to the case, charge information, court dates, docket details, and a case number. Parties should also note that physical copies of Orange civil court records may cost varying request fees. Interested persons should contact the Clerk’s Office at:
Orange County Circuit Court
Orange County Courthouse
110 North Madison Road, Suite 300
P.O. Box 230
Orange, VA 22960
Phone: (540) 672-4030
Fax: (540) 672-2939
How to Obtain Orange County Criminal Court Case Records
Anyone can contact the Orange County Clerk of Court to obtain criminal court case records. The Clerk of Court’s Office provides access to persons who submit official requests containing detailed descriptions of the desired records. Interested parties should note that criminal court records that contain sensitive information are not open to the general public. All persons seeking non-confidential records can submit requests to:
Orange County Circuit Court
Orange County Courthouse
110 North Madison Road, Suite 300
P.O. Box 230
Orange, VA 22960
Phone: (540) 672-4030
Fax: (540) 672-2939
What are Orange County Vital Records?
Orange County vital records are official records of major life events in the county, including marriages, divorces, births, and deaths. Orange vital records are obtainable from the Circuit Court Clerk's Office or the Virginia Office of Vital Records. Interested requestors should note that not all Orange vital records are public.
Divorce Records
Orange County divorce records are government-issued records that provide evidence of marriage dissolutions. Parties seeking Orange County divorce decrees should contact the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office with the names of the divorced parties, divorce date, case number, and other known case details. Record seekers may send mail requests or visit the courthouse in person. All requests should be submitted to:
Orange County Circuit Court
Orange County Courthouse
110 North Madison Road, Suite 300
P.O. Box 230
Orange, VA 22960
Phone: (540) 672-4030
Fax: (540) 672-2939
Requestors interested in Orange County divorce certificates may contact the Virginia Office of Vital Records. However, divorce certificates are not open to the public for 25 years after the event. Each record costs a non-refundable $12.00 fee per certificate/search. Payments are non-refundable.
Marriage Records
A marriage record is an official record confirming details of a marriage between two people who meet the requirements stipulated by law. Interested persons can obtain Orange County marriage records from the Office of Vital Records. However, only the following people are eligible:
- Either party named on the record
- Either party’s next of kin or immediate family member, including a parent, spouse, child, or sibling
Eligible parties should complete the Application for Certification of a Marriage Record with both spouses’ full names, maiden names where applicable, marriage date, and place of marriage. Each Orange County marriage certificate costs $12.00, payable by checks or money orders made out to the “State Health Department”. Record seekers should send completed forms, payment, and acceptable identification to:
Office of Vital Records
P.O. Box 1000
Richmond, VA 23218-1000
Phone: (804) 662-6200
Birth Records
A birth record contains a newborn's identifying details, including the name, date of birth, place of birth, and parents' names. Parties seeking Orange County birth records should contact the Virginia Office of Vital Records. For 100 years after birth, records are only available to the subjects of the records and immediate family members. Eligible parties include a current spouse, child, sibling, parent, or grandparent. Each party should send a completed Application for Certification of a Birth Record, a $12.00 check or money order payable to "State Health Department," and a valid ID. Record seekers should submit requests for Orange County birth certificates to:
Office of Vital Records
P.O. Box 1000
Richmond, VA 23218-1000
Phone: (804) 662-6200
Death Records
Orange County birth records are official records of deaths in the county. According to Virginia law, these records are only accessible by immediate family members for 25 years after the death. Eligible persons should complete the Application for Certification of a Death Record and submit with valid ID and a $12.00 check or money order made out to “State Health Department”. Requestors should note that the Office of Vital Records will retain the payment as a search fee if no records match provided details. Applicants should submit requests to:
Office of Vital Records
P.O. Box 1000
Richmond, VA 23218-1000
Phone: (804) 662-6200
