What are Rockingham County Public Records?
Rockingham County public records are informational documents in a physical or electrical form created and maintained by a government-approved agency. Pursuant to the Virginia state FOIA, government-approved custodial agencies are mandated to make the public records in their care accessible to requestors. This is regardless of the characteristics and physical form of the document. However, the act also restricts public access to specific records, including:
- Records concerning ongoing investigations
- Information under the control of the state's Military Advisor Council
- Medical records and information from confidential professional assessment (this includes victim identity)
- Descriptive information about the operation, function, design, or access control of a security system
- Trade secrets
- Documents that have the potential to endanger the life of a state resident
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.
Rockingham County Crime Statistics
According to the 2018 crime report from the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting Program (UCR), a total of 52 violent crimes was recorded in Rockingham County, comprising 1 murder, 19 rapes, and 32 aggravated-assault cases. The number of reported property crimes was 471, including 129 burglaries, 332 larceny thefts, 10 motor-vehicle thefts, and 3 arsons.
In comparison, 2016 crime report shows a total of 70 violent crimes, which comprised 1 murder, 27 rapes, 5 robberies, and 37 aggravated assaults. Rockingham also recorded 362 property crimes, including 116 burglaries, 239 larceny thefts, 7 motor-vehicle thefts, and 5 arsons. Comparing the reports from the two years reveals that violent crime dropped by about 29% while property crime increased by about 26%.
Are Rockingham County Criminal Records Public?
Under the Virginia State FOIA, Rockingham County criminal records are publicly available. Interested residents may obtain copies of criminal history reports on persons of interest from the Rockingham County Clerk's Office. In addition, residents can also request this record by submitting a criminal record request form to the Virginia State Police (VSP).
How to Obtain Rockingham County Police Reports and Arrest Records?
All interested parties can obtain Rockingham County police reports and arrest records from the County's Sheriff's Office. The following is the address of the Sheriff's office:
Rockingham County Sheriff's Office
25 South Liberty Street
Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Phone: (540) 564-3800
Fax: (540) 564-3807
As a rule of thumb, it is best to call the Sheriff's office to confirm the public status and availability of the record of interest before making an in-person visit.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Rockingham County
Rockingham County sex offender information is available to the general public. Considering that sexual offenders are criminals, you can get reports regarding arrested sex offenders from the Rockingham Sheriff's office. Likewise, the state of Virginia has an official Sex Offender Registry that contains details of people who have been convicted of sex crimes within the state's jurisdiction. Interested individuals can query the registry in various ways. The tool allows requestors to search for sex offenders with whatever information they have. A person can perform a search with:
- The offenders nearest location
- The offender's zip code
- The offender's name
- The offender's county
- The offender's city
- The offender's school
How to Find Rockingham County Inmate Records
Persons who wish to obtain Rockingham County inmate records may visit or call the Rockingham County Sheriff's Office. The requestor must provide the inmate's name or identification number if known. Only non-confidential inmate records is available to the public.
25 South Liberty Street
Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Phone: (540) 564-3800
Fax: (540) 564-3807
Interested individuals can also obtain Rockingham County inmate records via the Virginia Offender Locator tool. This registry is provided by the Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC). To query the database, researchers should have the following inmate details:
- Last name and first name
- Offender ID number
- Middle name
- Alias
- Release date
- Location
- Age range
- Race
- Sex
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Rockingham County Jail?
The Sheriff's Office of Rockingham County allows relatives and family members to visit inmates serving time in the Rockingham-Harrisonburg Regional Jail. However, intending visitors are advised to comply with the jail visitation guidelines. Visitors must arrive at the facility 20 minutes before the scheduled time of visitation. They are also required to present a valid photo ID before entering the facility. Visitors under 14 are not allowed unless accompanied by an adult listed on the visitation list. Furthermore, jail visitors cannot carry items into the visiting room and are subject to body screenings to confirm this. Also, visitations are subject to recording at the jail administrator's discretion. Visitors who violate jail visitation rules will be suspended from future visits.
Rockingham County Court Records
Court records in Rockingham county are official courthouse documents containing events that happened during court activities. The Virginia state FOIA legislates that court records be made available to the general public on request.
Locations of Courts in Rockingham County
Rockingham County Circuit Court (26th Judicial Circuit)
This court handles all cases relating to crimes and violations in the county and is located at:
Rockingham County Courthouse
80 Court Square
Harrisonburg, VA 22802
Phone: (540) 564-3111
Fax: (540) 564-3127
Rockingham General District Court (26th Judicial District)
This court handles all cases concerning decedents and bankruptcy and is located at:
53 Court Square
Suite 132
Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Phone: (540) 564-3130
Fax: (540) 564-3096
Rockingham Domestic Relations and Juvenile District Court
This court handles all cases concerning the family, i.e., domestic violence, and is located in:
53 Court Square
Suite 214
Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Phone: (540) 564-3370
Fax: (540) 564-3378
Are Rockingham County Court Records Public?
Yes, open Rockingham County courts records are public documents as stated in the FOIA of the state. The county's court records are obtainable for all interested parties via online requests or in-person requests. However, intended requestors should remember that the Virginia FOIA exempts some records from public view.
How to Obtain Rockingham County Civil Court Case Records
The Rockingham Clerk of the Circuit Court is the custodian of the court records in Rockingham. All persons interested in the court case files of the county may visit the office of the Circuit Court Clerk located at:
80 Court Square
Harrisonburg, VA 22802
Phone: (540) 564-3111
Fax: (540) 564-3127
Opening Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm (Mondays - Fridays)
How to Obtain Rockingham County Criminal Court Records
Criminal court records are documentations comprising the court proceedings on a criminal case. As per the court rules, in Rockingham County, a clerk is present at all court proceedings to record the events. The files are available to the public. requestors can reach the court clerk online via the official website of the office. In-person requests for these records are also available. All interested parties can do this by visiting:
Rockingham County Circuit Court Clerk
80 Court Square
Harrisonburg, VA 22802
Phone: (540) 564-3111
Fax: (540) 564-3127
Opening Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm (Mondays - Fridays)
What are Rockingham County Vital Records?
Vital records of Rockingham are documents issued by the government regarding the significant life milestones of residents of the county. The forms of vital records in Rockingham County are birth records, death records, divorce records, and marriage records. Interested persons can obtain birth, death, and marriage records from the Rockingham County self-service tool. Alternatively, the records are obtainable from the Virginia Department of Health (VDH).
Where and How to Obtain Rockingham County Divorce Records
A divorce certificate is the official court-issued document detailing the legal dissolution of a marriage. Rockingham County divorce certificates are accessible to the general public. Rockingham County divorce certificates are obtainable from the County Clerk in:
Rockingham County Circuit Court Clerk
80 Court Square
Harrisonburg, VA 22802
Phone: (540) 564-3111
Fax: (540) 564-3127
Opening Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm (Mondays - Fridays)
Also, the Virginia Department of Health disseminates divorce certificates from the county. Interested parties can fill the marriage/divorce record request form, attach a check or money order for the fee, and submit it to the VDH. The record costs $12.00 per copy.
Virginia Department of Health
Vital Records Office
2001 May Will Street,
Suite 101
P.O. Box 1000
Richmond, VA 23218-1000
Opening hours: 7:00 am to 4:30 pm (Monday - Friday)
It is critical to note that these documents are accessible to either the immediate family or the legal representative. Also, requestors will need to submit the following:
- The signature of the requestor
- A legible ID photocopy of the requestor
To make amendments to the divorce certificates, the applicant will have to make a request, first to the circuit court where the license was issued. There is a fee of $10 attached to these services.
Where and How to Get Public Rockingham County Marriage Records
Marriage records are accessible to either the registrant, immediate family, or the legal representative. requestors of a marriage record can mail the Rockingham County Clerk at:
80 Court Square
Harrisonburg, VA 22802
Phone: (540) 564-3111
Fax: (540) 564-3127
Opening Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm (Mondays - Fridays)
Alternatively, requestors can order Rockingham County marriage records from the VDH by completing the aforementioned marriage/divorce record request form. The record costs $12.00 per copy, payable via credit cards, check, or money order.
Virginia Department of Health
Vital Records Office
2001 May Will Street,
Suite 101
P.O. Box 1000
Richmond, VA 23218-1000
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Rockingham County
Confidential marriage records do not exist in Virginia; all marriages in Rockingham County are public marriages.
Where and How to Find Rockingham County Birth Records
Rockingham birth records are available to persons named on the record and immediate family members at the Office of the County Clerk. requestors can visit the Rockingham County Clerk at:
80 Court Square
Harrisonburg, VA 22802
Phone: (540) 564-3111
Fax: (540) 564-3127
Opening Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm (Mondays - Fridays)
Alternatively, the VDH issues birth records of persons born in Rockingham county. These documents are available to the record holder, the spouse, child, and parents. requestors can obtain birth records by completing a birth record request form and submitting it in-person or by mail. requestors should send the forms along with the payment to:
Virginia Department of Health
Vital Records Office
2001 May Will Street
Suite 101
Richmond, VA 23230
Opening hours: 7:00 am to 4:30 pm (Monday - Friday)
Where and How to Find Rockingham County Death Records
Rockingham County death records are only accessible to the following:
- Immediate family member
- Non-immediate family
- Persons with a reasonable and direct interest in the death of the deceased.
Interested parties may access death records by completing a death record request form and submitting it in person or by mail. requestors should send the application with the payments to:
Virginia Department of Health
Vital Records Office
2001 May Will Street
Suite 101
Richmond, VA 23230
Opening hours: 7:00 am to 4:30 pm (Monday - Friday)
Death records ordered via mail, in-person or online cost $12.00 per copy. The payments are payable in money orders or checks.
