Washington County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Washington County in 2026
Members of the public seeking publicly available information related to government activities, legal proceedings, and property transactions in Washington County, Virginia may access a range of official documents through county and state agencies. The directory resource WashingtonVARecords.us aggregates publicly available data that may assist individuals in locating relevant record categories. Washington County maintains official records through multiple custodial offices, and the availability of specific documents depends on the record type, the custodial agency, and applicable state law. Records that may be accessible include:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family court filings)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and land transfer documents
- Vital records such as birth, death, and marriage certificates
- Tax assessment and property tax records
- Business licenses and fictitious name registrations
- Voting and election records
- County board meeting minutes and agendas
- Law enforcement incident reports (where permitted by law)
- Land use, zoning, and planning documents
Online Access: Members of the public may search court case information through the Virginia court case status portal, which provides access to civil and criminal case data maintained by the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia. The Secure Remote Access (SRA) system provides subscription-based access to land records and other court documents maintained by clerks of circuit courts across the Commonwealth, including Washington County. Public land records maintained by clerks of court are searchable through the Virginia SRA records interface. Registration is required for SRA access.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Washington County Circuit Court Clerk's Office at 189 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Requestors should present a written or verbal description of the record sought and provide sufficient identifying information to enable staff to locate the document.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted to the Washington County Circuit Court Clerk's Office at 189 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210. Requests should include the full name of the subject, the type of record sought, the approximate date range, and the requestor's contact information. Under Virginia Code § 2.2-3704, public bodies are required to respond to FOIA requests within five working days of receipt.
Phone/Email: The Washington County Circuit Court Clerk's Office may be reached at (276) 676-6224. The Washington County Administrator's Office may be contacted at (276) 676-6272 for general public records inquiries.
What Are Public Records in Washington County?
Public records in Washington County are defined under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified at Virginia Code § 2.2-3700 et seq., as all writings and recordings — regardless of physical form or characteristics — prepared or owned by, or in the possession of, a public body or its officers, employees, or agents in the transaction of public business. The following record types are maintained by designated county and state offices:
| Record Type | Custodial Office |
|---|---|
| Civil and criminal court records | Washington County Circuit Court Clerk |
| Property deeds and land records | Washington County Circuit Court Clerk |
| Vital records (birth, death, marriage) | Virginia Department of Health |
| Tax assessment records | Washington County Commissioner of the Revenue |
| Business licenses | Washington County Commissioner of the Revenue |
| Zoning and land use records | Washington County Planning and Zoning Department |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | Washington County Administrator's Office |
| Election records | Washington County Electoral Board |
Historical county records, including court records, fiduciary records, land records, and marriage records, are also preserved through the Washington County microfilm collection maintained by the Library of Virginia.
Is Washington County an Open Records County?
Washington County operates in full compliance with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, which mandates public access to government records and meetings. Under Virginia Code § 2.2-3700, the General Assembly declares it the policy of the Commonwealth that "the people of the Commonwealth do not yield their sovereignty to the agencies that serve them" and that "the affairs of government are not intended to be conducted in an atmosphere of secrecy." All Washington County public bodies, including the Board of Supervisors, constitutional officers, and administrative departments, are subject to these provisions. The Virginia FOIA applies to all records prepared, owned, or possessed by public bodies in the transaction of public business, with enumerated exemptions. The Virginia Freedom of Information Advisory Council provides guidance on compliance and publishes official interpretations of the Act.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Washington County?
The fee structure for public records in Washington County is governed by Virginia Code § 2.2-3704, which permits public bodies to charge reasonable fees not to exceed the actual cost incurred in accessing, duplicating, supplying, or searching for requested records. Standard fees applicable to most requests are as follows:
- Paper copies: $0.50 per page (standard 8.5" x 11")
- Certification of records: Fees set by the Circuit Court Clerk per Virginia Code § 17.1-275
- Electronic copies: Actual cost of duplication; no charge if the record is already in electronic format and can be transmitted without additional processing
- Search fees: Permitted only when the actual cost of search and review exceeds $60.00 (first hour of staff time is not chargeable)
- Inspection: No fee may be charged for the inspection of public records
Accepted payment methods at the Washington County Circuit Court Clerk's Office include cash, check, and money order. Fee waivers are not expressly mandated under Virginia FOIA, but public bodies retain discretion to waive fees in appropriate circumstances. Fees for vital records obtained through the Virginia Department of Health are set separately and are not subject to FOIA fee provisions.
Does Washington County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available to any person under Virginia FOIA, which prohibits public bodies from charging a fee solely for the act of inspecting records. Members of the public may inspect records at no cost during regular business hours at the custodial office. The following resources provide free access to Washington County records:
- The Virginia court case status portal provides free online access to civil and criminal case information maintained by the Virginia court system.
- The Washington County Circuit Court Clerk's Office provides free in-person inspection of land records, court filings, and other documents maintained in its custody.
- The Library of Virginia's Washington County microfilm collection provides free access to historical county records for research purposes.
- The Washington County Commissioner of the Revenue's Office permits free inspection of property assessment records during regular business hours.
Free inspection does not include the right to receive free copies. Charges for duplication apply when a requestor seeks physical or electronic copies of inspected records.
Who Can Request Public Records in Washington County?
Any person may request public records in Washington County, Virginia. Virginia FOIA does not restrict access based on residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Requestors are not required to:
- Be a resident of Virginia or Washington County
- Provide identification (except where required for specific record types such as sealed or restricted records)
- State the reason for the request
Certain record types carry additional access requirements. Vital records — including birth, death, and marriage certificates — are restricted under Virginia Code § 32.1-272, which limits certified copies to the registrant, immediate family members, legal representatives, and others with a demonstrated legal interest. The Office of Vital Records of the Virginia Department of Health administers these restrictions. Individuals requesting their own records are subject to the same procedures as any other requestor, though they may have additional rights under specific statutes governing personal data.
What Records Are Confidential in Washington County?
Virginia FOIA enumerates specific categories of records exempt from mandatory disclosure. Virginia Code § 2.2-3705 et seq. identifies the following as confidential or exempt from public access in Washington County:
- Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not subject to public inspection.
- Juvenile records: Records relating to juveniles in the court system are confidential under Virginia Code § 16.1-301.
- Ongoing criminal investigation records: Law enforcement records compiled for criminal investigative purposes are exempt while the investigation is active.
- Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted from disclosed records.
- Medical and health records: Protected under both Virginia law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
- Adoption records: Sealed by statute and accessible only through court order.
- Child protective services records: Confidential under Virginia Code § 63.2-104.
- Personnel records: Employee records of public bodies are exempt, with limited exceptions for salary and position information.
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Exempt when submitted to a public body in confidence.
- Security plans and infrastructure details: Exempt to protect public safety and critical infrastructure.
Public bodies applying exemptions must identify the specific statutory basis for withholding any record. The exemptions are permissive, not mandatory, meaning a public body retains discretion to disclose exempt records unless another law prohibits disclosure.
Washington County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Washington County Circuit Court Clerk's Office
189 East Main Street
Abingdon, VA 24210
(276) 676-6224
Washington County Circuit Court Clerk
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Washington County Administrator's Office
1 Government Center Place, Suite A
Abingdon, VA 24210
(276) 676-6272
Washington County Administrator
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Washington County Commissioner of the Revenue
1 Government Center Place, Suite B
Abingdon, VA 24210
(276) 676-6270
Commissioner of the Revenue
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Virginia Department of Health – Office of Vital Records
8701 Park Central Drive, Suite 100
Richmond, VA 23227
(804) 662-6200
Office of Vital Records – Virginia Department of Health
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM (walk-in customers)