Fairfax County Public Records

Fairfax County public records include court filings, land documents, police reports, property tax data, and vital records held by multiple county agencies. As Virginia's most populous county, Fairfax has one of the most comprehensive public records systems in the state. Most records are available online through county-specific portals or in person at county offices. This guide explains where each type of record is kept, how to access it, and what to expect when requesting documents from Fairfax County.

Fairfax Circuit Court Records

The Fairfax Circuit Court is the largest trial court in Virginia and serves Fairfax County and the City of Fairfax as the 19th Judicial Circuit. The court handles civil cases, criminal cases including all felonies, divorce proceedings, adoptions, estate matters, and property disputes. Under Virginia Code § 17.1-208, the Clerk makes all public court records available for inspection during normal business hours.

The Fairfax Circuit Court does not use the statewide Virginia CJIS system for online case searches. Instead, case information is available directly through the court at fairfaxcounty.gov/circuit. For the most current case status, contact the Clerk's office directly or use the county's own case search portal. The court also handles appeals from General District Court and Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, which are heard de novo, meaning the entire case is tried again from the beginning.

The image below shows the Fairfax Circuit Court, the starting point for most court-related public records requests in the county.

The Fairfax Circuit Court Clerk's office is at 4110 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, VA 22030. Phone: (703) 246-4111. This is the main office for court filings, land records, marriage licenses, wills, and probate documents in Fairfax County.

Fairfax County Land Records

Fairfax County uses its own land records system separate from the statewide Virginia Secure Remote Access network. All recorded land documents for Fairfax County are available through the county's dedicated Land Records Division. The system includes deeds, deeds of trust, plats, and other instruments recorded with the Circuit Court Clerk.

The Land Records department accepts documents both over-the-counter and electronically through the court's Electronic Filing System (EFS). Attorneys and title companies can file documents without coming to the courthouse using EFS. This makes Fairfax County one of the more technologically advanced recording offices in Virginia. Property transactions involving parcels in the City of Falls Church are recorded with the Arlington County Circuit Court. Transactions in the City of Alexandria go to the Alexandria Circuit Court.

The Fairfax County GIS and Mapping Services provides an interactive mapping tool to search properties by address, parcel number, or owner name. Each property record in the GIS system includes parcel boundaries, zoning classification, flood zone data, school district, and recent sales history. This tool is free and accessible to anyone online. Historical aerial photography in the GIS system lets you see how properties and neighborhoods have changed over the years.

Note: Property transactions in the City of Fairfax are also recorded at the same Fairfax Circuit Court Clerk's office since the city and county share the 19th Judicial Circuit.

Tax and Assessment Records

The screenshot below is from the Fairfax County Department of Tax Administration, which handles real estate assessments and property tax billing for the county.

The Fairfax County Department of Tax Administration (DTA) handles all real estate and personal property assessments. Real estate assessments are conducted annually with an assessment date of January 1. Notices go out to property owners in February each year. Owners who disagree with an assessment can appeal first to the DTA, then to the Board of Equalization, and finally to the Circuit Court if needed. DTA is located at 12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 223, Fairfax, VA 22035. Phone: (703) 222-8234.

Online services from the DTA include real estate assessment lookups, personal property tax accounts, tax payment history, and online payment options. Personal property taxes cover vehicles, boats, trailers, and business equipment. Bills go out in May and October. Businesses operating in Fairfax County also need a Business, Professional and Occupational License (BPOL), which is administered by the DTA based on gross receipts.

The DTA provides online access to assessment records, and property owners can file assessment appeals through the department's portal. Appeals must be submitted by the deadline shown on the assessment notice. If the DTA review does not resolve the issue, property owners move to the Board of Equalization and then to Circuit Court if still unsatisfied.

Fairfax County Police Records

The image below is from the Fairfax County Police Department website, which handles incident reports, background checks, and other law enforcement records.

The Fairfax County Police Department maintains incident reports, accident reports, and criminal investigation records for the county. Records requests can be submitted online, by mail, or in person at the Records Management Section. The department is at 12099 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, VA 22035. Phone for the Records Management Section: (703) 246-2276.

Incident reports are available to involved parties, victims, and their insurance companies. Motor vehicle accident reports can be obtained online through the CrashDocs portal or by contacting the department. Each report includes the date, time, location, parties involved, vehicle information, and the officer's observations. Local background checks covering arrests and convictions in Fairfax County only cost $10.00. These are useful when the statewide report from the Virginia State Police is not needed. Fingerprinting services for employment or licensing purposes are also available by appointment.

For criminal history that extends beyond Fairfax County, contact the Virginia State Police, which maintains the central criminal history repository. Under § 19.2-389, access to statewide criminal history records depends on who is requesting and for what purpose. Individuals can always request their own history at any time.

FOIA in Fairfax County

Fairfax County has a dedicated FOIA portal at fairfaxcounty.gov/foia. Under Virginia Code § 2.2-3700, all Fairfax County public bodies must make their records available for inspection. You can submit FOIA requests to individual departments or to the County Attorney's Office, which can help route requests to the right agency. Requests may be submitted online, by email, by phone, or in writing.

Under § 2.2-3704, Fairfax County must respond within five business days. Complex requests involving extensive records review may take up to seven additional days. The county must explain the specific legal basis for any record it withholds. Because Fairfax County is large, requests that involve multiple departments may take coordination. Be as specific as possible about the records you need, including the date range, subject matter, and format you prefer.

Many Fairfax County records are available on the county's website without a formal FOIA request. Budget documents, Board of Supervisors meeting minutes, ordinances, and many other public records are posted online. The Virginia FOIA Council provides additional guidance if you have questions about your rights or a denial from a county office.

Vital Records in Fairfax County

Fairfax County has its own Office of Vital Records at fairfaxcounty.gov/health/vital-records, which issues certified copies of vital records for events in Virginia. This is different from most Virginia counties where residents go directly to the state office in Richmond. The Fairfax office issues:

• Birth certificates from June 1912 to present
• Marriage records from 1936 to present
• Divorce records from 1918 to present
• Death certificates from June 1912 to present

Records are available to the person named on the record and to immediate family members with valid identification. Under § 32.1-272, birth records are restricted for 100 years and death, marriage, and divorce records for 25 years from the date of the event. The state office in Richmond at vdh.virginia.gov/vital-records can also issue records if you cannot visit the Fairfax office in person.

Cities in and Near Fairfax County

Several independent cities are located within or adjacent to Fairfax County. The City of Fairfax and the City of Falls Church are independent cities surrounded by Fairfax County and share the 19th Judicial Circuit for court matters.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Fairfax County in Northern Virginia. Each has its own Circuit Court Clerk and public records system.