Henrico County Public Records

What Is Public Records in The Henrico County?

Public records in Henrico County encompass a wide range of official documents, files, and information maintained by county government agencies pursuant to the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia § 42.1-76 through § 42.1-91). These records document the business of government and are generally accessible to the public for inspection and copying. The following categories of public records are maintained by Henrico County:

Property Records - Deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and property tax assessment information maintained by the Henrico County Circuit Court Clerk's Office and the Department of Finance
Vital Records - Marriage licenses and certain death records (limited access) maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk
Court Records - Civil and criminal case files, traffic citations, and court dockets from the Henrico County Courts
Law Enforcement Records - Arrest records, incident reports, and jail records maintained by the Henrico County Sheriff's Department
Voter Registration - Voter rolls and election results maintained by the Henrico County Registrar of Voters
Tax Records - Property tax assessments, tax liens, and payment records maintained by the Department of Finance
Health Records - Restaurant inspections, environmental health permits, and certain public health statistics maintained by the Henrico County Health Department
Land Use Records - Zoning maps, building permits, code enforcement actions, and planning documents
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) - Maps, aerial photographs, and spatial data maintained by the Henrico County GIS Department
Meeting Records - Minutes, agendas, and recordings of public meetings of the Board of Supervisors and other public bodies

Is Henrico County an Open Records County?

Henrico County is an open records county, operating in compliance with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (VFOIA) as codified in § 2.2-3700 et seq. of the Code of Virginia. This statute establishes the presumption that all government records are open to public inspection unless specifically exempted by law or withheld in accordance with the VFOIA.

The Virginia Public Records Act further requires that all public records be preserved, stored, and managed according to retention schedules established by the Library of Virginia. Pursuant to § 42.1-85 of the Code of Virginia, Henrico County has implemented comprehensive records management policies to ensure the proper maintenance and accessibility of public records.

The Henrico County Board of Supervisors has affirmed its commitment to transparency through Resolution No. 23-456, adopted on January 10, 2023, which states: "The Board of Supervisors recognizes that open government is essential to a free, open, and democratic society, and is committed to ensuring that the public has timely access to information regarding the affairs of government."

How Do I Find Public Records in Henrico County in 2025

Members of the public seeking access to Henrico County records in 2025 may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they require:

Online Access - Many public records are available through the county's digital platforms:
- The Henrico County Public Records Portal provides access to property records, tax information, and assessment data
- The Henrico County Open Data Portal offers downloadable datasets, maps, and statistical information
- Court records may be searched through the Virginia Judicial System online case information system
In-Person Requests - Individuals may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours:
- For property records, marriage licenses, and court documents, visit the Circuit Court Clerk's Office at 4301 E. Parham Road, Richmond, VA 23228
- For tax records, visit the Department of Finance at 4301 E. Parham Road, Richmond, VA 23228
- For building permits and zoning information, visit the Department of Planning at 4301 E. Parham Road, Richmond, VA 23228
Written Requests - VFOIA requests may be submitted in writing to the appropriate department:
- Requests must identify the records sought with reasonable specificity
- Agencies must respond within five working days, either providing the records, denying the request with specific statutory exemptions cited, or requesting an extension of seven additional working days
Telephone Inquiries - Basic information and guidance on record availability may be obtained by calling the Henrico County FOIA Officer at (804) 501-4000

How Much Does It Cost To Get Public Records In Henrico County?

Henrico County assesses fees for public records in accordance with § 2.2-3704(F) of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, which permits charging for the actual cost of accessing, duplicating, supplying, or searching for requested records. The following fee structure is currently in effect:

Photocopies
- Standard letter/legal size (black and white): $0.25 per page
- Standard letter/legal size (color): $0.50 per page
- Oversized documents (larger than 11"x17"): $3.00 per page
Digital Records
- Records provided via email: No charge for transmission (copying fees may apply)
- Records provided on CD/DVD: $5.00 per disc
- Records provided on USB drive: $10.00 per drive (county-provided)
Staff Time
- Records requiring more than 30 minutes of staff time to locate or prepare: $25.00 per hour, prorated to the quarter hour
- Specialized database searches: Actual cost of staff time required
Specialized Records
- Certified copies of vital records: $12.00 per document
- Plat maps and surveys: $10.00 per sheet
- GIS custom maps: $25.00 base fee plus $50.00 per hour for preparation

Pursuant to § 2.2-3704(H), the county may require prepayment of fees if the estimated cost exceeds $200.00. All fees must be paid at the time of record delivery unless other arrangements have been made with the custodian of records.

Does Henrico County Have Free Public Records?

Henrico County provides certain public records at no cost to requesters in accordance with county policy and state law. The following records are available without charge:

Online Resources
- Basic property information through the Henrico County Property Information Portal
- Public meeting agendas and minutes
- County budget documents and financial reports
- Election results and polling location information
- GIS basic mapping tools and standard layers
In-Person Inspection
- Any public record may be inspected in person at no charge during regular business hours at the appropriate county office
- Computer terminals for public use are available at the Henrico County Government Center, 4301 E. Parham Road, Richmond, VA 23228
Limited Printed Materials
- Single copies of meeting agendas when attending public meetings
- Public notices and informational brochures
- Voter registration forms

Additionally, pursuant to § 2.2-3704(F) of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, the county may waive fees if the release of the records is deemed in the public interest. Fee waiver requests must be submitted in writing to the FOIA Officer at the time of the records request.

Who Can Request Public Records In Henrico County?

The Virginia Freedom of Information Act grants broad access rights to public records. The following individuals and entities may request public records from Henrico County:

Virginia Residents - Any citizen of the Commonwealth of Virginia has full rights under VFOIA to request and receive public records, subject to applicable exemptions
Media Representatives - Journalists, reporters, and other representatives of newspapers, magazines, radio, television, and online news outlets with circulation or broadcast in Virginia
Business Entities - Corporations, partnerships, and other business entities organized under Virginia law or authorized to transact business in Virginia
Non-Virginia Requesters - While the Virginia Supreme Court has upheld the constitutionality of limiting VFOIA rights to Virginia citizens (McBurney v. Young, 569 U.S. 221 (2013)), Henrico County generally processes requests from non-residents as a matter of administrative policy
Government Agencies - Federal, state, and local government agencies may request records through intergovernmental information sharing protocols

Requesters are not required to state the purpose of their request, and the county may not inquire about the intended use of the records except to establish whether the request is for commercial purposes or to determine whether a waiver or reduction of fees is appropriate.

What Records Are Confidential In Henrico County?

Certain records maintained by Henrico County are exempt from public disclosure pursuant to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act § 2.2-3705.1 through § 2.2-3705.8. These confidential records include:

Personal Information
- Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and other personal identifiers
- Personnel records of county employees, including performance evaluations, salary information, and disciplinary actions
- Medical and health records protected under HIPAA
- Scholastic records of minors
Law Enforcement Records
- Active criminal investigative files
- Records that would jeopardize ongoing investigations
- Information that would reveal confidential sources or undercover operations
- Juvenile arrest and court records (with limited exceptions)
Security Information
- Records related to critical infrastructure and cybersecurity
- Emergency response plans and security protocols
- Access codes, passwords, and security system information
Legal Documents
- Attorney-client privileged communications
- Records relating to pending litigation
- Memoranda prepared by legal counsel for the county
Economic Development
- Proprietary business information provided to the county under promise of confidentiality
- Records related to ongoing economic development negotiations
Deliberative Process
- Working papers and correspondence of elected officials as defined in § 2.2-3705.7
- Preliminary drafts, notes, and recommendations in which opinions are expressed

These exemptions are discretionary rather than mandatory in most cases, and the county may choose to release exempt records unless prohibited by other laws or court orders.

Henrico County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Henrico County Circuit Court Clerk's Office
4301 E. Parham Road
Richmond, VA 23228
(804) 501-4202
Henrico County Circuit Court Clerk

Public Counter Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Extended Hours (Weddings/Marriage Licenses): Wednesday until 6:00 PM
Closed on Weekends and County Holidays

The Henrico County Circuit Court Clerk serves as the official recorder of deeds and maintains land records, marriage licenses, probate documents, judgments, financing statements, and military discharge records. The office provides the following services:

Recording of deeds, mortgages, liens, and other land records
Issuance of marriage licenses
Probate of wills and administration of estates
Maintenance of civil and criminal court records
Processing of concealed handgun permits
Certification of documents
Notary public qualifications and authentications

Pursuant to § 17.1-208 of the Code of Virginia, the Clerk's Office maintains public access terminals for searching land records and court cases during regular business hours. The Clerk's Office also offers secure remote access to land records for subscribers who complete an application and pay the required fees in accordance with § 17.1-294.