Alexandria Virginia Public Records

The City of Alexandria is an independent city in Northern Virginia with its own government and court system, separate from any county. Public records in Alexandria span court filings, land documents, tax records, police reports, and FOIA requests handled by city departments. This guide covers where to search, who maintains each record type, and how to get what you need from the city's offices and online systems.

Alexandria Circuit Court Records

The Alexandria Circuit Court Clerk's Office maintains the official record of all court cases filed in the city. This includes civil cases, criminal cases, land records, marriage licenses, probate records, and divorce filings. Because Alexandria is an independent city, it operates its own court system with no county court above it. The clerk's office is the central repository for these documents.

You can search Alexandria Circuit Court cases online through the Virginia Judicial System case search portal. The portal lets you look up cases by party name or case number. It shows filings, hearing dates, and case status. For full documents or certified copies, contact the clerk's office directly at 703-746-4044. The office handles requests for marriage records, divorce records, and deed copies over the phone or in person.

The Alexandria courts page has contact information and links to case search tools. Land records can also be accessed through the Virginia Secure Remote Access system, which provides electronic access to deed books and land records from the circuit court.

Under Virginia Code § 17.1-208, circuit court records are presumed open to the public unless a specific exemption applies. The clerk's office is located at the Alexandria Courthouse.

Land Records in Alexandria

Land records in Alexandria are recorded and maintained by the Alexandria Circuit Court Clerk. Deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and easements are all filed here. Virginia law under Code § 17.1-208 requires the clerk to maintain these records and make them available to the public.

The Virginia Secure Remote Access system at risweb.vacourts.gov offers remote lookup of land records without a trip to the courthouse. You can search by grantor or grantee name, book and page number, or instrument type. This is useful for title searches, property research, and verifying ownership history.

The city's GIS Division provides a separate online tool for viewing property parcels, zoning maps, aerial photos, and other spatial data. This is different from the deed records at the circuit court, but useful for property research. The Commissioner of the Revenue handles real estate and personal property assessments, while the Treasury Division manages tax payments and records.

Note: Building permits, site plans, and building plans are held by the city, not the circuit court, and can be requested through the city's FOIA process.

FOIA Requests in Alexandria

The City of Alexandria processes FOIA requests under Virginia Code § 2.2-3700 through the City Attorney's Office. The city updated its process in January 2026 to accept electronic payments through GovQA, in addition to checks by mail. You can submit a request four ways:

• Online through the GovQA portal
• Email: FOIArequests@alexandriava.gov
• Phone: 703.746.3750
• In person: City Attorney's Office, 123 N Pitt St, 5th Floor, Suite 575, Alexandria, VA 22314

The FOIA Officer is David Lanier at the City Attorney's Office, 301 King Street, Suite 1300, Alexandria, VA 22314. Under Code § 2.2-3704, the city must respond within five working days, not counting weekends or city holidays. If more time is needed, staff will notify you and the city has seven more working days. Requests must be reasonably specific so records can be identified.

The city may charge for records. If an estimate exceeds $200, a deposit may be required before processing begins. If you owe money from a prior request unpaid for more than 30 days, the city will ask for payment first. Checks go to P.O. Box 178, Alexandria, VA 22313. Electronic payment is also accepted through GovQA. Keep in mind that FOIA does not apply to court records, birth and death certificates, deeds, or criminal history. Those come from other sources covered elsewhere on this page.

For questions about your rights, contact the Virginia Freedom of Information Advisory Council.

Vital Records

Birth and death certificates for Alexandria residents are not held by the city. They are maintained by the Virginia Department of Health, Division of Vital Records at 804-662-6200. Copies cost $12 each. You can order online, by mail, or in person from VDH.

Marriage and divorce records are different. Those are held by the Alexandria Circuit Court Clerk at 703-746-4044. If you need a marriage license or a copy of a divorce decree, that office is your starting point. The clerk can tell you what forms of ID to bring and what fees apply.

Under Virginia Code § 32.1-272, vital records in Virginia are available to the person named on the record, a parent, a legal guardian, or a spouse. Others may need to show a legal basis to obtain copies.

Property and Tax Records

Alexandria maintains its own property assessment and tax records as an independent city. The Commissioner of the Revenue handles real estate assessments, personal property assessments, and business license records. You can look up current assessed values through the city's online portal.

The Treasury Division collects taxes and maintains payment records. Tax payment history and outstanding balances can be checked online. Property owners can verify payments, see due dates, and get statements through the city's revenue system.

For a visual look at parcels, zoning, and property boundaries, the city's GIS tool maps all city properties. This is useful for checking lot lines, zoning classifications, and nearby property data.

Police Records in Alexandria

The Alexandria Police Department handles arrest records and crash reports for the city. Getting an Alexandria-only arrest record requires an in-person visit. There is no mail or online option for this.

To get your Alexandria arrest record, you must currently live or work in the City of Alexandria. Bring two government-issued forms of ID, at least one with a photo. Go in person during business hours to the Alexandria Police Department at 3600 Wheeler Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22304. The fee is $10.00, payable to the City of Alexandria Treasurer. Call 703-746-6200 with questions before you visit.

Crash reports follow a different process. If you are a driver, injured person, vehicle owner, or insurance provider, you can get crash reports at crashdocs.org/va-alexandriapd. The fee is $5.00. You can also get crash reports in person at the Information Services Section of the Alexandria Police Department. FOIA is not needed for crash reports if you are a party to the incident.

Under Virginia Code § 19.2-389, criminal history records are generally restricted. The Virginia State Police maintains the statewide database at vsp.virginia.gov. For a full criminal history check, that is the right source, not the local police department.

Online Records Access

Alexandria has several online tools that make it easy to search public records without a trip to a city office. The Virginia Judicial System circuit court portal covers Alexandria court cases. The Virginia Secure Remote Access system provides land record lookups. The city's GIS tool handles property maps.

The Library of Virginia holds historical records and archives for the whole state. If you need older Alexandria records, the Library of Virginia is a good source. The OpenGovVA platform also aggregates public data from various Virginia government sources.

The city's main website at alexandriava.gov has department pages for each type of record. Most departments list their contact info, office hours, and links to online tools. Start there if you are not sure which office handles what you need.

Note: Always verify hours and availability with the specific office before you visit, as city office schedules can change.

The City of Alexandria's official website provides access to public records through multiple city departments.

The city maintains court records, land records, tax assessments, and FOIA request procedures through its various online portals.

Alexandria's FOIA office now accepts electronic payments through GovQA as of January 2026.

The city processes FOIA requests within five business days and will notify you if more time is needed.

For court records and filings, the Alexandria courts page links to the circuit court clerk and case search tools.

The circuit court clerk maintains all court records, land records, and marriage and divorce filings for the independent city.

Arlington County Records

Alexandria is an independent city but sits adjacent to Arlington County. While city records stay with city offices, Arlington County handles its own set of public records for residents and properties in unincorporated areas just outside Alexandria. For county-level records near Alexandria, see the Arlington County page.

View Arlington County Public Records

Nearby Cities

These independent cities are near Alexandria in Northern Virginia. Each maintains its own records system.