Prince William County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Prince William County?

Public records in Prince William County are defined according to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) under § 2.2-3700 of the Code of Virginia. This statute establishes that public records include "all writings and recordings that consist of letters, words or numbers, or their equivalent... prepared or owned by, or in the possession of a public body or its officers, employees or agents in the transaction of public business."

Prince William County maintains numerous types of public records, including:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, family)
Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, assessments)
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce certificates)
Business records (licenses, permits, fictitious names)
Tax records (property tax, assessment records)
Voting and election records
Meeting minutes and agendas (Board of County Supervisors, commissions)
Budget and financial documents
Law enforcement records (arrest logs, incident reports - where allowed)
Land use and zoning records

The Prince William County Circuit Court Clerk's Office maintains court records, land records, marriage licenses, and other legal documents. Property assessment records are maintained by the Office of the Assessor, while vital records such as birth and death certificates are available through the Virginia Department of Health.

The Prince William Public Libraries also serve as repositories for historical records and provide research assistance for genealogical and historical inquiries related to the county.

Is Prince William County an Open Records County?

Prince William County adheres to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified under § 2.2-3700 through § 2.2-3714 of the Code of Virginia. This comprehensive statute establishes the framework for public access to government records throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia, including Prince William County.

The Virginia FOIA explicitly states in § 2.2-3700(B) that: "The affairs of government are not intended to be conducted in an atmosphere of secrecy since at all times the public is to be the beneficiary of any action taken at any level of government." This foundational principle guides Prince William County's approach to records access.

Prince William County has established specific procedures for handling FOIA requests in compliance with state law. The county maintains designated FOIA Officers within various departments who are responsible for processing requests and ensuring compliance with statutory requirements.

The county also adheres to Virginia's open meetings laws, often referred to as "sunshine laws," which require that most government meetings be open to the public, with limited exceptions for specific topics such as personnel matters, pending litigation, and certain security issues.

Prince William County's commitment to transparency is further demonstrated through its online resources, which provide direct access to many public records without requiring formal FOIA requests.

How to Find Public Records in Prince William County in 2026

Prince William County offers multiple methods for accessing public records. Members of the public may utilize the following procedures to locate and obtain records:

For court records, the Prince William County Circuit Court provides online access to case information through the Virginia Judiciary Online Case Information System. Cases dating back to July 1989 are available through this system. To access:

Visit the Virginia Judiciary website
Select "Prince William County Circuit"
Choose the appropriate division (Criminal or Civil)
Enter search criteria (name, case number)

For property records and land information, the county offers:

Online access through the County Mapper geographic information system
In-person inspection at the Circuit Court Clerk's Office
Certified copies available upon request with appropriate fees

For FOIA requests to specific departments:

Submit a written request to the appropriate department's FOIA Officer
Clearly describe the records sought
Provide contact information
Specify preferred format (electronic or paper)

The Police Department maintains a separate FOIA request process for police reports and related records. Requestors must complete the designated form and submit it to the Records Bureau.

For historical records and genealogical research:

Visit the Prince William Public Libraries
Access the Virginia Room for specialized historical collections
Utilize microfilm archives of historical newspapers and documents

For copies of existing court records, the Record Copy Request process requires submission of a completed form to the Circuit Court Clerk's Office, either by mail or in person.

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

Prince William County assesses fees for public records in accordance with § 2.2-3704(F) of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, which permits charging "reasonable costs not to exceed the actual cost incurred in accessing, duplicating, supplying, or searching for the requested records."

The current fee structure for common record types includes:

Standard paper copies: $0.25 per page
Certified copies of court records: $2.50 per document
Marriage licenses: $30.00
Land record copies: $0.50 per page
Police reports: $5.00 for first five pages, $0.25 for each additional page
Digital records provided electronically: Actual cost of production

Additional fees may apply for:

Staff research time (for requests requiring extensive search)
Specialized formats (large maps, blueprints, etc.)
Rush processing (when available)

Payment methods accepted include:

Cash (in-person only)
Personal checks (made payable to "Prince William County")
Money orders
Credit cards (for certain departments and online services)

The Virginia FOIA allows for fee waivers or reductions when the release of information is in the public interest. Requestors may submit a written statement explaining why a fee waiver would serve the public interest, though approval is at the discretion of the records custodian.

Standard inspection of records in person during regular business hours is provided at no charge, though fees apply for any copies requested.

Does Prince William County Have Free Public Records?

Prince William County provides several avenues for accessing public records at no cost. In accordance with Virginia law, citizens have the right to inspect public records without charge during normal business hours.

Free public records resources include:

In-person inspection of non-exempt records at the appropriate county office
Online court case information through the Virginia Judiciary system
County Mapper for property information, zoning, and land records
Board of County Supervisors meeting agendas and minutes on the county website
County budget documents and financial reports
Building permit status information

The Prince William Public Libraries offer free access to various historical records, newspapers on microfilm, and genealogical resources. Library staff can assist with research questions related to county history and records.

The Library of Virginia also maintains numerous free digital collections that include Prince William County historical records, including census data, military records, and other archival materials.

While inspection is free, fees apply when copies are requested or when extensive staff time is required to fulfill a request. Additionally, certain specialized databases may require subscription fees for full access.

Who Can Request Public Records in Prince William County?

Under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act § 2.2-3700 et seq., any person, regardless of citizenship or residency status, may request public records from Prince William County government agencies. The law specifically states that "all public records shall be open to citizens of the Commonwealth, representatives of newspapers and magazines with circulation in the Commonwealth, and representatives of radio and television stations broadcasting in or into the Commonwealth."

In 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld Virginia's citizens-only provision in McBurney v. Young, allowing Virginia to restrict FOIA rights to Virginia citizens and media. However, Prince William County typically processes requests from non-Virginia residents as a matter of practice, though not legally required to do so.

When requesting records, individuals:

Are not required to state the purpose of their request for most records
Do not need to identify themselves for inspection of records, though identification may be required for certain restricted records
May need to provide proof of identity when requesting records about themselves
Must provide sufficient information to identify the records sought

Special considerations apply to certain record types:

Criminal history records require proper identification and may have restricted access
Vital records (birth, death certificates) require proof of relationship or legal interest
Juvenile court records have significant access restrictions
Medical records require authorization from the subject or legal representative

Government agencies, law enforcement, and court officials have broader access rights to certain records for official purposes as specified in various Virginia statutes.

What Records Are Confidential in Prince William County?

Prince William County maintains certain records as confidential in accordance with exemptions provided under § 2.2-3705.1 through § 2.2-3705.7 of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. These exemptions protect sensitive information from public disclosure while balancing the public's right to information.

Records that are generally exempt from disclosure include:

Personnel records and employee information
Medical and health records protected under HIPAA
Juvenile court records and juvenile criminal records
Social services and child protective services records
Ongoing criminal investigation records
Attorney-client privileged communications
Records containing identifying information such as Social Security numbers, bank account details, and credit card numbers
Scholastic records containing personally identifiable student information (protected under FERPA)
Trade secrets and proprietary business information
Critical infrastructure and security information
Victim identity in sexual assault cases
Adoption records
Library records showing patron borrowing history
Tax information and returns
Records related to public safety telecommunications systems and radio frequencies
Certain procurement records during the negotiation process

The Virginia FOIA requires agencies to apply a balancing test for certain exemptions, weighing the public interest in disclosure against privacy interests or potential harm from release. Even when a record contains exempt information, the non-exempt portions must be released when reasonably segregable.

Confidentiality determinations are made on a case-by-case basis by the custodian of records, and denials of access may be appealed through administrative or judicial processes as outlined in the Virginia FOIA.

Prince William County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Prince William County Circuit Court Clerk's Office
9311 Lee Avenue
Manassas, VA 20110
Phone: (703) 792-6015
Prince William County Circuit Court

Public Counter Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county holidays

Land Records Division:
Phone: (703) 792-6020

Civil Records Division:
Phone: (703) 792-6029

Criminal Records Division:
Phone: (703) 792-6025

Probate Division:
Phone: (703) 792-6048

Marriage License Bureau:
Phone: (703) 792-6040

The Circuit Court Clerk serves as the recorder of deeds and maintains land records, marriage licenses, fictitious names, financing statements (UCC), judgments, and other legal documents. The office also processes passport applications by appointment.

Prince William County Office of the Assessor
4379 Ridgewood Center Drive
Prince William, VA 22192
Phone: (703) 792-6780
Real Estate Assessments

Public Counter Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county holidays

This office maintains property assessment records and tax information for real estate within Prince William County.