Petersburg County Court Records

Petersburg court records encompass a broad range of documents generated during the adjudication of cases in the City of Petersburg’s courts. As Petersburg is an independent city located within the Commonwealth of Virginia, these records arise from both criminal and civil proceedings and may include, but are not limited to, warrants, summonses, pleadings, exhibits, transcripts, docket sheets, appeals, orders, judgments, and final decrees. They serve critical functions, such as establishing a historical account of judicial matters, facilitating the administration of justice, ensuring transparency within the legal system, and providing verification resources for employers, researchers, and the general public.

Are Court Records Public in Petersburg County?

In general, Petersburg court records are public documents. The Virginia Freedom of Information Act (VFOIA), codified in Va. Code § 2.2-3700 et seq., grants citizens of the Commonwealth—along with non-residents—the right to access many government records, including most judicial records filed or recorded in Petersburg courts. However, not all court records are freely available for public inspection. Certain records are exempted or confidential under Virginia law. Pursuant to Va. Code §§ 16.1-305 and 2.2-3706, as well as other relevant statutes and court orders, the following categories of records are commonly restricted:

• Juvenile court records and proceedings
• Records related to ongoing criminal investigations
• Documents that would identify victims of sexual offenses or confidential informants
• Records containing personal health or social services information
• Expunged or sealed case files
• Proprietary business information and trade secrets
• Mental health records subject to confidentiality

Persons seeking access to restricted records must generally obtain a court order or demonstrate legal authorization under the applicable statute.

Petersburg County Court Records Search

Individuals interested in reviewing court records filed in Petersburg have several options:

In-Person or Written Requests to the Appropriate Clerk:

Parties may visit or write to the clerk’s office of the specific Petersburg court where the case was filed. Court clerks maintain official records and can provide certified copies upon request, usually for a nominal fee.

Online Search Systems:

• Virginia Circuit Court Case Information System: Provides basic docket information for circuit court civil and criminal cases.
• Virginia General District Court Case Information System: This system offers online docket access for certain civil, traffic, and misdemeanor cases heard in the general district courts.

Third-Party Online Platforms:

Several non-governmental websites compile and host publicly available court data. While these platforms may be convenient, information found on them may be outdated or inaccurate.

Petersburg County Courts

The addresses and contact information of courthouses in Petersburg are as follows:

City of Petersburg Circuit Court - 11th Judicial Circuit
7 Courthouse Ave,
Petersburg, VA 23803
Phone: (804) 733-2367
Fax: (804) 732-5548

City of Petersburg General District Court - 11th Judicial District
35 E Tabb St,
Petersburg, VA 23803
Phone: (804) 733-2374
Fax: (804) 733-2375

City of Petersburg County Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court
27 E Tabb St,
Petersburg, VA 23803
Phone: (804) 733-2372
Fax: (804) 733-2362

Petersburg County Criminal and Civil Records

For Petersburg-specific arrest, inmate, and local criminal history information, inquirers may contact the Petersburg County Sheriff’s Office or the Petersburg Bureau of Police at:

Petersburg Sheriff’s Office
8 Courthouse Avenue
Petersburg, VA 23803
Phone: (804) 733-2369

Petersburg Bureau of Police
37 East Tabb Street,
Petersburg, VA 23803
Phone: (804) 732-4222

FOIA requests for arrest reports, incident logs, and related documents can be submitted to these agencies. However, full disclosure may be limited if the records are part of ongoing investigations or are otherwise exempt.

For statewide Virginia criminal history records, interested parties may apply through the Virginia State Police (VSP) Central Criminal Records Exchange (CCRE). Submit a notarized SP-167 form (for personal requests) or SP-230 form (for businesses/agencies) along with a $15 by mail to:

Virginia State Police
Civil & Applicant Records Exchange (CARE)
7700 Midlothian Turnpike
North Chesterfield, VA 23235

Civil court records arising in the Petersburg Circuit Court or Petersburg General District Court include documents relating to contract disputes, personal injury cases, property disputes, and similar matters. To access these records, record seekers may request these records in person or by mail. In addition, the Virginia Circuit Court and General District Court Case Information Systems allow online searches by name, case number, or hearing date.

Petersburg County Marriage Records

Marriage records are vital records maintained primarily by the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), Division of Vital Records. Records from 1936 to present are available to eligible requesters, including the named individuals, immediate family members, or legal representatives. Submit a completed “Application for Certification of a Marriage and/or Divorce Record” to:

Virginia Department of Health – Office of Vital Records
2001 Maywill Street,
Suite 101
Richmond, VA 23230

Mailing Address:

P.O. Box 1000,
Richmond, VA 23218-1000

A $12.00 fee applies per certified copy. Petersburg marriage records may also be requested through the Petersburg Circuit Court Clerk’s Office if the marriage was recorded there.

Petersburg County Divorce Records

Divorce records can be obtained from the Petersburg Circuit Court Clerk’s Office where the divorce was granted. Alternatively, certified divorce records from 1918 to present can be obtained from the VDH Office of Vital Records using the “Application for Certification of a Marriage and/or Divorce Record” form (see above contact details). Eligibility rules and a $12.00 fee per certificate apply, and a valid photo ID must be provided.

Petersburg County Birth and Death Records

The VDH Office of Vital Records maintains Petersburg birth and death records. These records are available to eligible family members, authorized representatives, or the individuals named on the record (for births). Each certified copy costs $12.00. Submit a completed “Application for Certification of a Birth Record” or “Application for Certification of a Death Record” to the Office of Vital Records at the Richmond address provided above.

Petersburg County Probate Court Records

Probate matters—such as wills, estate administration, guardianships, and trusts—are handled by the Petersburg Circuit Court. The Clerk’s Office maintains all probate records. Interested parties may submit in-person or written requests to:

Petersburg Circuit Court Clerk’s Office
7 Courthouse Avenue
Petersburg, VA 23803
(804) 733-2367

The “Circuit Court Case Information” system may offer limited online docket data for probate matters.

Petersburg County Property Records

Land and property records, including deeds, mortgages, and liens, are recorded and preserved by the Petersburg Circuit Court Clerk’s Office. Interested individuals may request these records:

Petersburg Circuit Court Clerk’s Office
7 Courthouse Avenue
Petersburg, VA 23803
(804) 733-2367

Access may be granted in person, by mail, or through the Clerk’s Secure Remote Access (SRA) portal, if available. Additionally, the Petersburg Commissioner of the Revenue or Assessor’s Office may provide property assessment data and related real estate information via online search tools.

Petersburg County Court Records Online

Many third-party websites like Virginiacourtrecords.us offer searchable databases of Virginia court records, including those from Petersburg. While these platforms can be convenient for preliminary research, users should note that they are not official government repositories. The information may be outdated or incomplete. For the most accurate and up-to-date records, it is recommended to use official resources, such as the Virginia judiciary’s online case information systems or direct requests to the appropriate Petersburg court clerk’s office.