Chesapeake County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Chesapeake County?

Public records in Chesapeake, Virginia are defined under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act as all writings, papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, films, sound recordings, and other documentary materials, regardless of physical form or characteristics, prepared, owned, or in the possession of a public body or its officers, employees, or agents in the transaction of public business. Chesapeake is an independent city in Virginia — not a county — and its public records are maintained across several municipal and state offices.

The following categories of records are currently available to members of the public:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family matters) — maintained by the Chesapeake Circuit Court, which serves as the 1st Judicial Circuit of Virginia
Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, and assessments) — recorded with the Clerk of the Circuit Court and the City Assessor's Office
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates) — issued through the Chesapeake Health District Vital Records Services
Business records (licenses, permits, and fictitious trade names) — maintained by the Commissioner of the Revenue and the City Clerk's Office
Tax records (property tax bills and assessment records) — held by the City Treasurer and Commissioner of the Revenue
Voting and election records — maintained by the Chesapeake Electoral Board and General Registrar
Meeting minutes and agendas (City Council, boards, and commissions) — available through the City Clerk's Office
Budget and financial documents — published by the Department of Finance and Budget
Law enforcement records (arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law) — maintained by the Chesapeake Police Department, subject to applicable exemptions
Land use and zoning records — held by the Department of Planning and the Zoning Office

Is Chesapeake County an Open Records County?

Chesapeake, Virginia fully complies with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (VFOIA), codified at § 2.2-3700 et seq. of the Code of Virginia, which establishes the public's right to inspect and copy public records held by government bodies. The Act declares that the policy of the Commonwealth is that the affairs of government are not intended to be conducted in an atmosphere of secrecy, and that the free flow of information between public officials and citizens is essential to the democratic process.

Under current law, public bodies are required to respond to records requests within five working days of receipt. If a response cannot be provided within that period, the public body must notify the requester and provide a reasonable estimate of the time needed to fulfill the request. Chesapeake's municipal offices operate in accordance with these provisions and do not impose additional local restrictions beyond those authorized by state statute. The Virginia Freedom of Information Advisory Council provides guidance on compliance and publishes interpretive opinions accessible to both public bodies and citizens.

How to Find Public Records in Chesapeake County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Chesapeake public records through several official channels. The following steps outline the standard process:

Identify the custodial office. Determine which city department or agency holds the record sought. Court records are maintained by the Clerk of the Circuit Court; vital records are processed through the Chesapeake Health District; property and land records are held by the Circuit Court Clerk's land records division.
Submit a written request. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or electronically where the agency provides an online portal. Written requests should identify the record with reasonable specificity, including relevant dates, names, or case numbers.
Use online resources. The Virginia Court System provides case status and court record information through its statewide online portal, allowing members of the public to search civil and criminal case data without visiting a courthouse in person.
Visit the office in person. Members of the public may inspect records during regular business hours at the relevant office without charge. Copies may be requested at the time of inspection.
Request certified copies where required. Vital records and certain court documents require certified copies for legal purposes; applicable fees apply.

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

Current fees for public records in Chesapeake are governed by § 2.2-3704.1 of the Code of Virginia, which limits the charges a public body may impose for responding to records requests. Standard fees currently applicable include:

Paper copies: Agencies may charge a reasonable fee not to exceed the actual cost of reproduction, typically $0.10 to $0.50 per page depending on the office
Certified copies of vital records: The Virginia Department of Health charges a standard fee per certified copy; the Chesapeake Health District applies the same schedule
Certified court documents: The Clerk of the Circuit Court charges fees established by the Virginia Supreme Court's fee schedule
Electronic records: Fees for electronic copies may not exceed the actual cost of duplication
Staff time: Agencies may charge for the actual cost of the time required to search, retrieve, and compile records when the request is for a large volume of records or requires extensive staff effort

Accepted payment methods vary by office and currently include cash, check, money order, and credit or debit card at most Chesapeake city offices. Fee waivers may be available where disclosure is determined to be in the public interest and the requester demonstrates an inability to pay, at the discretion of the custodial agency.

Does Chesapeake County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to all members of the public under Virginia law. No charge may be imposed solely for inspecting records in person at the custodial office. The following government resources currently provide free access to public records:

Virginia Court System online portal — Members of the public may search Virginia court case records at no cost through the statewide case information system
Chesapeake Circuit Court Clerk's Office — Land records, deeds, and court filings may be inspected in person at no charge during public counter hours
Chesapeake City Clerk's Office — Meeting minutes, agendas, and adopted ordinances are available for free inspection and are published on the city's official website
Virginia Department of Corrections — The Virginia Department of Corrections provides free online access to offender search and incarceration status information through its public-facing portal
Chesapeake Electoral Board and General Registrar — Voter registration data and election results are available for public inspection at no cost

Who Can Request Public Records in Chesapeake County?

Any person may request public records in Chesapeake, Virginia, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Under § 2.2-3704 of the Code of Virginia, public bodies are not permitted to require a requester to provide identification or to state the reason for the request as a condition of access to public records, except in limited circumstances authorized by statute.

The following provisions apply under current law:

Residency: Non-residents of Virginia and non-residents of Chesapeake retain full rights to request and inspect public records
Identification: Requesters are generally not required to provide identification; exceptions apply to certain restricted record categories
Purpose: Requesters are not required to state the purpose of their request for most record types
Requesting one's own records: Individuals seeking their own records, such as personal vital records or court case files, may be required to provide proof of identity to receive certified copies
Restricted record types: Certain categories, including juvenile records, sealed court files, and law enforcement investigative records, are subject to additional access restrictions regardless of the requester's identity

What Records Are Confidential in Chesapeake County?

Certain records held by Chesapeake city agencies are exempt from mandatory public disclosure under Virginia law. The Code of Virginia enumerates specific exemptions applicable to public bodies, and § 2.2-3705 et seq. identifies the following categories of records that are currently withheld from general public access:

Sealed court records — Records sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection
Juvenile records — Records pertaining to juveniles in the court system are confidential pursuant to Title 16.1 of the Code of Virginia
Ongoing law enforcement investigation records — Records compiled during active criminal investigations are exempt to the extent disclosure would compromise the investigation
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 or specific statutory procedures
Child welfare and protective services records — Maintained as confidential by the Department of Social Services
Personnel records — Employee records are generally exempt, with limited exceptions for certain categories of public employees
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — Submitted to government agencies under confidentiality agreements or statutory protections
Security and infrastructure plans — Documents detailing critical infrastructure vulnerabilities or emergency response plans are withheld in the interest of public safety

Where a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the custodial agency is required to redact the exempt portions and provide access to the remainder.

Chesapeake County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Clerk of the Circuit Court serves as the primary recorder of official documents in Chesapeake, Virginia, maintaining land records, court filings, and related instruments. Vital records services are administered separately through the Chesapeake Health District.

Chesapeake Circuit Court — Clerk of the Circuit Court 307 Albemarle Drive, Chesapeake, VA 23322 (757) 382-3000 Chesapeake Circuit Court Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Chesapeake Health District — Vital Records Services 736 Battlefield Blvd. North, Chesapeake, VA 23320 (757) 382-8620 Vital Records Services – Chesapeake Health District Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Virginia Department of Corrections — Offender Records 6900 Atmore Drive, Richmond, VA 23225 (804) 674-3000 Virginia Department of Corrections