Search Craig County Public Records

Craig County public records are held by the Circuit Court Clerk and county offices in New Castle, the county seat. Court cases, land transactions, tax records, and vital records are available to the public under Virginia law. Craig County sits in the Appalachian Mountains of western Virginia, and while the county is small, its records go back well over a century. This page tells you where to search and how to get copies of the documents you need from Craig County offices.

Craig County Circuit Court Records

The Craig County Circuit Court Clerk in New Castle handles court filings, land records, and probate documents. Civil and criminal cases heard in Craig County are on file here. Most filings are public records under Virginia Code § 17.1-208, which requires the Clerk to allow inspection during normal business hours.

You can look up Craig County court cases online through the statewide Virginia CJIS system. The portal lets you search by party name or case number and shows basic case information including hearing dates and dispositions. Cases involving juveniles, adoptions, and sealed matters are not in the public index.

Land records for Craig County are accessible through the Virginia Secure Remote Access system. Deeds, deeds of trust, and plats recorded with the Craig County Circuit Court Clerk are available through this free online tool. You can view document images and search by grantor, grantee, or instrument type without traveling to New Castle.

The Craig County website also offers a MyAccount feature that lets users set up a personalized experience, sign up for notifications, and access county services online. This can be useful if you follow ongoing county government activity or want alerts about specific records.

Craig County Property and Tax Records

The Craig County Commissioner of the Revenue is the main office for property assessments. Real estate and personal property are assessed on an annual basis. The Commissioner's records show the owner, assessed value, land size, and tax classification for each parcel in the county. These records are public and can help you research ownership or verify property details.

The image below shows the Craig County government website, which is the starting point for accessing county records online.

The Craig County government site at craigcountyva.gov connects you to the Commissioner of the Revenue, the Treasurer, and other departments that maintain public records for the county.

Tax payment records are held by the Craig County Treasurer. The Treasurer collects real estate, personal property, and other local taxes. Payment history and outstanding balances on tax accounts are available to the public. If you are buying land or need to check the tax status of a property, the Treasurer's office is a good place to start.

Note: Property record information available online may not reflect the most recent changes. Always confirm current data directly with the Commissioner of the Revenue before relying on it for a real estate transaction.

Requesting Craig County Records Under FOIA

Virginia's Freedom of Information Act at § 2.2-3700 gives you the right to inspect and copy public records held by Craig County offices. The law applies to all agencies of local government, including the county administrator, sheriff, commissioner of revenue, and all other county departments. All records are presumed open unless a specific legal exemption applies.

To submit a FOIA request to Craig County, contact the specific office that holds the records you want. You do not have to explain why you want them. Under § 2.2-3704, the agency must respond within five business days. They may ask for up to seven more days if the request is complex. You can ask for records in any available format, including electronic files.

The Virginia FOIA Council offers free guidance for the public on how to use the FOIA process. If a county office denies access to records you believe should be public, the FOIA Council can provide advice on your options.

Vital Records in Craig County

Birth and death certificates for events in Craig County are issued by the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records in Richmond. You can request certified copies by mail or through the VitalChek online service. Birth records are restricted for 100 years under § 32.1-272 and death, marriage, and divorce records are restricted for 25 years. After those periods pass, the records become open to the general public.

Marriage licenses in Craig County are issued by the Circuit Court Clerk in New Castle. Once the license is returned after the ceremony, it becomes part of the permanent court record. Divorce records from cases filed in Craig County are also held at the Circuit Court Clerk's office. These are available to parties in the case and, after the 25-year restriction period, to the general public.

Criminal Case Records in Craig County

Felony and misdemeanor cases in Craig County are heard in Circuit Court and General District Court. Criminal case information is available through the Virginia CJIS portal. The system shows charges, hearing dates, and final dispositions. Under § 16.1-69.54:1, district court records are also available for public inspection.

For statewide criminal history reports, contact the Virginia State Police. They maintain the central criminal history repository for all Virginia jurisdictions. These reports are used for background checks, licensing, and official screenings. Under § 19.2-389, access to criminal history records is restricted to authorized purposes. Individuals can always request their own record.

Local arrest and incident records are handled by the Craig County Sheriff's Office. Contact the Sheriff directly for local law enforcement records. For incidents involving the state police, you submit requests through the Virginia State Police records division.

Nearby Counties

Craig County is surrounded by other western Virginia counties. Each county has its own Circuit Court Clerk and handles its own public records separately.