Campbell County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Campbell County?

Public records in Campbell County, Virginia, are defined under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), § 2.2-3700 et seq. of the Code of Virginia as all writings, papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, films, sound recordings, magnetic or other tapes, electronic data processing records, artifacts, or other documentary materials, 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. Campbell County, as a political subdivision of the Commonwealth of Virginia, is subject to these provisions and maintains a broad range of records accessible to the public.

The following categories of public records are currently available through various Campbell County offices and state agencies:

Court records — Civil, criminal, probate, and family court records are maintained by the Campbell Circuit Court and the Campbell General District Court
Property records — Deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and assessments are recorded with the Campbell County Circuit Court Clerk's Office
Vital records — Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates are maintained by the Virginia Department of Health's Office of Vital Records
Business records — Business licenses, permits, and fictitious name registrations are held by the Campbell County Commissioner of the Revenue
Tax records — Real property tax and assessment records are maintained by the Campbell County Treasurer and Commissioner of the Revenue
Voting and election records — Maintained by the Campbell County Electoral Board and General Registrar
Meeting minutes and agendas — Board of Supervisors meeting minutes, agendas, and related documents are available through the County Administrator's Office
Budget and financial documents — Annual budgets, audits, and financial reports are available through the Campbell County Finance Department
Law enforcement records — Arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law, are maintained by the Campbell County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records — Zoning maps, permits, and land use applications are held by the Campbell County Planning and Zoning Department

Is Campbell County an Open Records County?

Campbell County fully complies with Virginia's open records framework, which mandates broad public access to government documents. Under Virginia FOIA § 2.2-3704, all public bodies are required to respond to records requests within five working days of receipt. The statute establishes a clear presumption in favor of disclosure, stating that all public records shall be available for inspection and copying by any citizen of the Commonwealth. Virginia's FOIA also functions as the Commonwealth's sunshine law, requiring that meetings of public bodies be open to the public and that records of official business be accessible. Campbell County does not currently maintain a separate county-specific public records ordinance beyond the requirements established by state law, meaning that all requests are processed in accordance with the Commonwealth's uniform standards. The Virginia Freedom of Information Advisory Council provides guidance to both public bodies and requesters on the proper application of these provisions.

How to Find Public Records in Campbell County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Campbell County public records through several established channels. The following steps outline the standard process for submitting a records request:

Identify the custodial office — Determine which county department or agency holds the records sought. Court records are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk or the General District Court; property and land records are held by the Circuit Court Clerk; vital records are obtained through the Virginia Department of Health.
Submit a written request — Although Virginia FOIA does not require a written request, submitting one in writing creates a clear record of the transaction. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or by email to the appropriate office.
Include identifying details — Provide sufficient detail to allow the custodian to locate the records, including names, dates, case numbers, or parcel identification numbers as applicable.
Await the five-day response — Under current law, the public body must respond within five working days, either providing the records, denying the request with a written explanation, or notifying the requester that additional time is needed.
Pay applicable fees — Upon notification that records are available, the requester must pay any assessed fees before copies are released.
Appeal if denied — If a request is denied, the requester may petition the public body for reconsideration or seek relief through the Virginia Freedom of Information Advisory Council or the circuit court.

Civil and criminal court filings may be accessed through the Campbell Circuit Court or the Campbell General District Court directly.

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

Current fees for public records in Campbell County are governed by Virginia FOIA § 2.2-3704(F), which permits public bodies to charge reasonable fees that do not exceed the actual cost incurred in accessing, duplicating, supplying, or searching for the requested records. Standard fees applicable to most county offices are as follows:

Paper copies — Typically $0.10 to $0.50 per page, depending on the office and document type
Certified copies — Court-certified copies of recorded instruments generally cost $0.50 per page plus a certification fee; the Circuit Court Clerk currently charges $2.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page for recorded documents
Electronic records — Fees for electronic copies vary by office and may reflect the cost of staff time and media
Vital records — The Virginia Department of Health charges $12.00 per certified copy of a birth or death certificate; marriage and divorce records carry similar fees
Search fees — Some offices assess a search or retrieval fee when staff time is required to locate records

Accepted payment methods vary by office but generally include cash, check, money order, and credit or debit card. Fee waivers are not broadly available under Virginia law, though public bodies retain discretion to waive fees in cases where the cost of collection would exceed the fee amount or where disclosure is determined to be in the public interest.

Does Campbell County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available in Campbell County, consistent with the requirements of Virginia FOIA. Members of the public may inspect records in person at the custodial office at no charge; fees apply only when copies are requested. The following government resources currently provide free access to certain records:

In-person inspection — Any person may inspect public records at the relevant county office during regular business hours without charge
Virginia Judiciary Online Case Information System — The Virginia court system provides free online access to general district court case information and circuit court case summaries through the state's judicial portal
Land records online — The Campbell County Circuit Court Clerk's Office provides online access to recorded land records through the Virginia Circuit Court Land Records system
Virginia Department of Health — General statistical and public health data are available at no cost through the Office of Vital Records portal; fees apply only to certified copies

Who Can Request Public Records in Campbell County?

Under Virginia FOIA, any citizen of the Commonwealth of Virginia has the right to inspect and copy public records. The statute also extends access rights to representatives of newspapers and magazines with circulation in Virginia, as well as representatives of radio and television stations broadcasting in the Commonwealth. Key eligibility provisions include:

Residency — Requesters are not required to be residents of Campbell County; Virginia citizenship is sufficient under current law
Identification — Public bodies may not require a requester to provide identification as a condition of access, except where the nature of the record requires verification of eligibility (e.g., certain restricted vital records)
Statement of purpose — Requesters are generally not required to state the reason for their request; however, providing context may assist the custodian in locating responsive records
Non-residents — Individuals who are not Virginia citizens do not have a statutory right of access under Virginia FOIA, though public bodies retain discretion to fulfill such requests
Requesting your own records — Individuals seeking records pertaining to themselves may have additional access rights under other applicable laws, including the federal Privacy Act where federal agencies are involved
Restricted record types — Certain categories of records, such as adoption files, juvenile court records, and sealed court documents, require the requester to demonstrate a legal basis for access regardless of citizenship status

What Records Are Confidential in Campbell County?

Virginia law establishes specific exemptions to public disclosure, and Campbell County applies these exemptions uniformly. Under Virginia FOIA § 2.2-3705 et seq., the following categories of records are currently exempt from mandatory disclosure:

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 Virginia Code § 16.1-301
Ongoing criminal investigation records — Records compiled during active law enforcement investigations are exempt to the extent that disclosure would compromise the investigation
Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar personally identifiable information are protected from disclosure
Medical and health records — Patient medical records are protected under both Virginia law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Adoption records — Adoption files are sealed by statute and accessible only through court order
Child welfare and protective services records — Records of the Department of Social Services relating to child abuse and neglect investigations are confidential
Personnel records — Employee personnel files are exempt, with limited exceptions for certain information such as name, position, and compensation of public employees
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — Confidential commercial or financial information submitted to a public body is exempt from disclosure
Security and infrastructure plans — Documents detailing the security of public facilities or critical infrastructure are withheld in the interest of public safety

Where a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the public body is required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder, consistent with the principle of maximum disclosure.

Campbell County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Campbell County Circuit Court Clerk serves as the primary recorder of official documents, including deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, wills, and other instruments affecting real property and estates.

Campbell County Circuit Court Clerk's Office P.O. Box 7, 732 Village Highway, Rustburg, VA 24588 (434) 332-9517 Campbell Circuit Court — Virginia's Judicial System

Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding state and federal holidays.

Campbell County General District Court P.O. Box 36, 732 Village Highway, Rustburg, VA 24588 (434) 332-9560 Campbell General District Court — Virginia's Judicial System