Fairfax County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Fairfax County?

Public records in Fairfax County are defined as all writings and recordings prepared, owned, or possessed by public bodies in the transaction of public business, pursuant to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (VFOIA) § 2.2-3701. These records, regardless of physical form or characteristics, are maintained by government agencies and are generally accessible to the public.

Fairfax County maintains numerous types of public records, including:

Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases maintained by the Fairfax County Circuit Court. These include judgments, case filings, and court orders.
Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments. Historic land records dating back to 1742 are available through the Land Records Research division of the Circuit Court.
Vital Records: Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates. While the Virginia Department of Health maintains the official vital records, certified copies of marriage licenses from 1853 to present can be obtained from the Circuit Court.
Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious name registrations maintained by the Department of Tax Administration and the Clerk of the Circuit Court.
Tax Records: Property tax information and assessment records accessible through the Department of Tax Administration.
Voting and Election Records: Voter registration information and election results maintained by the Fairfax County Office of Elections.
Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of proceedings for the Board of Supervisors, commissions, and other public bodies.
Budget and Financial Documents: County financial reports, budgets, and expenditure records.
Law Enforcement Records: Certain police reports, incident logs, and arrest records available through the Fairfax County Police Department's Central Records Section.
Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, zoning applications, and building permits maintained by the Department of Planning and Development.

Each record type is maintained by specific county departments or agencies with jurisdiction over the relevant subject matter. The Fairfax County Circuit Court serves as the primary repository for many historical and legal records, while administrative records are typically held by the respective county departments.

Is Fairfax County an Open Records County?

Fairfax County adheres to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (VFOIA), codified under Code of Virginia § 2.2-3700 et seq., which establishes the presumption that all government records are open to public inspection unless specifically exempted by law. The statute explicitly states that its provisions "shall be liberally construed to promote an increased awareness by all persons of governmental activities and afford every opportunity to citizens to witness the operations of government."

Under VFOIA § 2.2-3704, public bodies must respond to records requests within five working days, either by providing the requested records or citing a specific statutory exemption that permits withholding the information. The law further stipulates that "failure to respond to a request for records shall be deemed a denial of the request and shall constitute a violation" of the Act.

Fairfax County has implemented specific policies to facilitate public access to records. The county maintains a dedicated VFOIA request portal through which members of the public may submit formal requests for county records. Additionally, many commonly requested records are proactively published on the county's website to enhance transparency and reduce the need for formal requests.

The county also complies with Virginia's open meetings laws, which require that meetings of public bodies be open to the public, with limited exceptions for closed sessions on specific topics such as personnel matters, pending litigation, or certain contract negotiations.

Fairfax County's commitment to open government is further demonstrated through its comprehensive records management program, which ensures the preservation and accessibility of public records in accordance with state retention schedules established by the Library of Virginia.

How to Find Public Records in Fairfax County in 2026

Members of the public seeking access to Fairfax County records may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they require. The appropriate process varies depending on the type of record sought:

Online Access: Many records are available through the county's digital platforms:
- Property records can be searched through the Fairfax County iCARE system, which provides assessment information, ownership details, and tax data.
- Court case information is accessible via the Virginia Judicial System's Case Information website.
- Board of Supervisors meeting minutes, agendas, and videos are available on the county's official website.
In-Person Inspection: Records may be examined at the relevant county office:
- Land records and court documents can be researched at the Circuit Court Clerk's Office.
- Building permits and zoning records are available at the Department of Planning and Development.
- Police reports can be obtained from the Central Records Section of the Police Department.
VFOIA Requests: For records not readily available online or at public counters, individuals may submit a formal request under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act:
- Submit requests through the county's online VFOIA portal.
- Direct requests to the specific department likely to maintain the desired records.
- Include a clear description of the records sought, preferred format, and contact information.
Mail or Email Requests: Written requests may be submitted to the appropriate county department:
- Include name, contact information, and a specific description of the requested records.
- Specify whether inspection or copies are desired.
- Allow five working days for an initial response as required by VFOIA § 2.2-3704.
Historical Records Research: For historical documents dating back to the county's founding:
- Visit the Historic Records Center at the Circuit Court, which maintains records dating to 1742.
- Schedule an appointment for research assistance with specialized historical collections.

When requesting records, individuals should be as specific as possible about the information sought to facilitate prompt and accurate fulfillment of their request. County staff are available to provide guidance on locating particular record types and navigating the various systems and repositories.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Fairfax County?

Fairfax County assesses fees for public records in accordance with VFOIA § 2.2-3704(F), which permits public bodies to make "reasonable charges not to exceed the actual cost of accessing, duplicating, supplying, or searching for the requested records." The current fee structure varies by record type and the department maintaining the records:

Standard Copy Fees:

Paper copies: $0.25 per page for standard letter/legal size documents
Certified copies: $2.50 per document plus copy fees
Large format documents (maps, plans): $3.00 to $10.00 per sheet depending on size

Specialized Record Fees:

Land records: $2.00 per page for deed copies
Marriage licenses: $12.00 for a certified copy
Court case documents: $0.50 per page
Police reports: $10.00 for first 10 pages, $0.50 per additional page

Electronic Records:

Records provided via email or download: No charge for transmission
Records provided on CD/DVD: $10.00 per disc
Database extracts requiring programming: Actual cost of staff time

Research and Staff Time:

Records requiring extensive staff time to locate or redact may incur additional charges based on the actual hourly rate of the employee(s) performing the work
The first 30 minutes of search time is typically provided at no charge

Accepted payment methods include cash, check, money order, and credit card (for in-person transactions). Online payments may be made via credit card for certain record types. Checks should be made payable to "County of Fairfax" unless otherwise specified by the department fulfilling the request.

Under VFOIA § 2.2-3704(H), public bodies may require payment in advance if estimated charges exceed $200. Additionally, the law permits fee waivers or reductions when the release of the records primarily benefits the general public, rather than the requester. Requests for fee waivers must be submitted in writing with an explanation of the public interest served by disclosure.

It is important to note that while fees may be charged for copies and extensive searches, inspection of records in person is generally available at no cost during normal business hours, subject to staff availability and space constraints.

Does Fairfax County Have Free Public Records?

Fairfax County provides several avenues for accessing public records at no cost to residents and other interested parties. In accordance with VFOIA § 2.2-3704(A), all public records are available for inspection at no charge during the regular office hours of the custodian agency. This statutory right to free inspection applies to all non-exempt records maintained by county departments and agencies.

The following free public record resources are currently available:

Online Property Information: The Fairfax County iCARE system provides free access to property assessment data, ownership information, and tax records.
Court Case Information: Basic case information for civil and criminal matters can be viewed at no cost through the Virginia Judicial System's online case information portal.
Board of Supervisors Records: Meeting agendas, minutes, and video recordings are freely accessible through the county's website.
GIS Mapping Data: Basic geographic information system (GIS) maps and data layers are available at no charge through the county's online mapping portal.
Budget and Financial Reports: Comprehensive annual financial reports, adopted budgets, and quarterly financial statements are published on the county's website.
Building Permit Status: Basic permit status information can be checked online without charge.
Election Results and Voter Information: Election data and polling location information are freely available through the Office of Elections website.
Public Library Resources: The Fairfax County Public Library provides free access to certain historical records, newspapers, and genealogical resources.

For records not available online, members of the public may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours to inspect records at no cost. While inspection is free, fees may apply if copies are requested or if extensive staff time is required to locate or prepare records, as detailed in the previous section.

County agencies maintain public access terminals at various locations to facilitate free inspection of electronic records. These terminals are available at the Circuit Court Clerk's Office, Department of Tax Administration, and other county facilities.

Who Can Request Public Records in Fairfax County?

Under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act § 2.2-3700(B), "all public records shall be open to inspection and copying by any citizens of the Commonwealth, representatives of newspapers and magazines with circulation in the Commonwealth, and representatives of radio and television stations broadcasting in or into the Commonwealth." In 2013, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled in McBurney v. Young that states may limit FOIA rights to their own citizens.

However, Fairfax County generally processes records requests from any person, regardless of citizenship or residency status, though the county retains the legal right to deny requests from non-Virginia citizens if necessary. The following guidelines apply to public records requests in Fairfax County:

Eligibility Requirements:

Virginia citizenship or residency is not typically verified for routine requests
Media representatives from outlets with circulation or broadcast in Virginia have explicit statutory rights to access
Business entities registered in Virginia may request records through authorized representatives
Government agencies from any jurisdiction may request records for official purposes

Identification Requirements:

Requesters are not required to present identification for most record types
Certain sensitive records may require verification of identity, particularly when the records contain personal information about the requester
Requests for vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates) require proper identification under state law

Purpose Disclosure:

Requesters are not required to state the purpose of their request for most public records
The intended use of the information cannot generally be used as a basis for denying access
Commercial use of public records is permitted, though certain bulk data requests may be subject to specific terms

For requests concerning an individual's own records, proper identification is typically required to protect privacy. This includes requests for personal tax records, employment files, or records containing social security numbers or other sensitive personal information.

Under VFOIA § 2.2-3704(C), public bodies may ask for the name and legal address of the requester, but this information can only be used for the purpose of responding to the request and maintaining statistical data.

What Records Are Confidential in Fairfax County?

While Fairfax County operates under the presumption of openness established by the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, certain records are exempt from mandatory disclosure under VFOIA § 2.2-3705.1 through § 2.2-3706. These exemptions protect privacy, security, and other important interests. The following categories of records are generally considered confidential:

Court and Law Enforcement Records:

Sealed court records pursuant to court order
Juvenile court records (with limited exceptions under VA Code § 16.1-301)
Records related to ongoing criminal investigations (VFOIA § 2.2-3706(A)(2))
Criminal investigative files in closed cases where release would jeopardize future investigations
Victim identity information in certain cases
Confidential informant information

Personal Information:

Social Security numbers and other personal identifying information
Personnel records (including performance evaluations, disciplinary actions, and salary information for non-executives)
Medical and mental health records protected under HIPAA and state law
Scholastic records containing personally identifiable student information (protected under FERPA)
Library records showing individual borrowing history

Sensitive Government Information:

Records related to public safety and critical infrastructure that would jeopardize security if disclosed
Attorney-client privileged communications and work product
Records relating to the negotiation and award of contracts prior to completion
Trade secrets and proprietary business information submitted to government agencies
Executive working papers and correspondence (VFOIA § 2.2-3705.7(2))

Family and Social Services Records:

Child welfare and protective services records
Adoption records (sealed by court order)
Domestic violence shelter locations and client information
Social services case files containing personal client information

Other Protected Records:

Certain tax information beyond basic assessment data
Records containing information on rare, threatened, or endangered species
Records related to cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities
Attorney work product prepared for litigation

It is important to note that under VFOIA § 2.2-3704.01, public bodies must release any portion of a record that does not fall under a specific exemption, even if other portions are exempt. This often requires redaction of exempt information while providing access to the remainder of the record.

The exemptions in VFOIA are discretionary rather than mandatory in most cases, meaning that agencies may choose to release exempt records unless another law specifically prohibits disclosure. When denying a request based on an exemption, the public body must cite the specific statutory exemption being invoked.

Fairfax County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The recording of deeds, mortgages, and other land records in Fairfax County is handled by the Land Records Division of the Circuit Court Clerk's Office, rather than a separate Recorder's Office. This division maintains all real estate transactions and related documents for the county.

Fairfax County Circuit Court Clerk's Office - Land Records Division
4110 Chain Bridge Road, Suite 317
Fairfax, VA 22030
703-691-7320
Fairfax County Circuit Court

Public Counter Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
(Document recording ends at 3:30 PM)
Closed on weekends and county holidays

Services Provided:

Recording of deeds, deeds of trust, mortgages, liens, and releases
Issuance of marriage licenses
Probate of wills and administration of estates
Notary public commissions
Processing of fictitious name (DBA) registrations
Maintenance of historic land records dating to 1742

For historical research and access to older records, the following office provides specialized assistance:

Historic Records Center
4000 Chain Bridge Road, Suite 1600
Fairfax, VA 22030
703-246-4168
Historic Records Center

Public Research Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
By appointment for special collections

For vital records such as birth and death certificates, residents should contact:

Virginia Department of Health - Division of Vital Records
2001 Maywill Street, Suite 101
Richmond, VA 23230
804-662-6200
Virginia Department of Health

DMV Select Services - Vital Records
Fairfax County Government Center
12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 221
Fairfax, VA 22035
703-222-8234
DMV Select

Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
(Closed 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM for lunch)