York County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in York County in 2026
Members of the public seeking publicly available information related to government activities, court proceedings, property transactions, and vital events in York County, Virginia may access a range of documents through official county and state channels. YorkCountyRecords.org provides a directory of resources to assist individuals in navigating the public records process. The categories of records that may be available include, but are not limited to:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and assessment records
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
- Business licenses and permits
- Law enforcement incident and arrest reports
- Land use, zoning, and planning documents
- County budget and financial documents
- Meeting minutes and board agendas
Records may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools maintained by county and state agencies.
Online Access: The York County official website provides access to a range of county services and documents. Members of the public may submit Freedom of Information Act requests electronically through the county's FOIA request portal. Court case information is searchable through the Virginia Court System's case status portal, which allows users to look up civil and criminal case records statewide without registration. Property records and assessment data are accessible through the York County Commissioner of the Revenue's online tools.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the York County Circuit Court Clerk's Office to inspect court records, deeds, and land records. The office is located at 300 Ballard Street, Yorktown, VA 23690. Business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Requestors should present a written or verbal description of the records sought; staff will assist in locating responsive documents.
Written/Mail Requests: Written FOIA requests may be submitted to the York County Administrator's Office at P.O. Box 532, Yorktown, VA 23690. Requests should include the requestor's name, contact information, and a specific description of the records sought. Under Virginia Code § 2.2-3704, public bodies must respond to FOIA requests within five working days of receipt.
Phone/Email:
- York County Administrator's Office: (757) 890-3320
- York County Circuit Court Clerk: (757) 890-3350
- FOIA requests may also be submitted via the online form available through the county's FOIA portal.
What Are Public Records in York County?
Public records in York County are defined under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act as all writings, papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, films, sound recordings, and 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. The following record types are maintained by various county and state offices:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Civil and criminal court records | York County Circuit Court Clerk |
| Property deeds and land records | York County Circuit Court Clerk |
| Vital records (birth, death, marriage) | Virginia Department of Health |
| Business licenses and permits | York County Commissioner of the Revenue |
| Property tax and assessment records | York County Commissioner of the Revenue |
| Arrest and incident reports | York County Sheriff's Office |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | York County Administrator's Office |
| Zoning and land use records | York County Planning Division |
Arrest reports, incident reports, and wanted persons information are available through the county's public information reports page. Vital records, including birth and death certificates, are maintained at the state level by the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records.
Is York County an Open Records County?
York County operates in full compliance with Virginia's open records framework. Under Virginia Code § 2.2-3700 et seq., the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) guarantees citizens of the Commonwealth and representatives of the media access to public records and public meetings. As stated in the Act, "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."
York County's FOIA policy is administered through the County Administrator's Office. The county's Freedom of Information requests page states that "The Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) guarantees citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia and representatives of the media access to public records." The county does not impose additional local ordinances that restrict access beyond the exemptions enumerated in state law. Virginia's sunshine laws also require that meetings of public bodies be open to the public, with limited exceptions for executive sessions.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in York County?
The fee structure for public records in York County is governed by Virginia FOIA and applicable state statutes. The following fees apply under current law:
- Inspection of records: No charge for inspection of records at the public office
- Paper copies: $0.50 per page (standard letter or legal size)
- Certification of records: Fees vary by office; the Circuit Court Clerk charges a standard certification fee per document
- Electronic copies: Fees may be assessed for the actual cost of producing records in electronic format, including staff time for records that require compilation or redaction
- Search fees: Under Virginia Code § 2.2-3704, public bodies may charge for the actual cost incurred in accessing, duplicating, supplying, or searching for requested records, provided the requester is notified in advance if the cost is expected to exceed $200
Accepted payment methods at the Circuit Court Clerk's Office include cash, check, and money order made payable to the Clerk of Circuit Court. Fee waivers are not mandated by Virginia FOIA for most requestors, though individual offices retain discretion to waive fees in certain circumstances.
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Record inspection | No charge |
| Paper copy (per page) | $0.50 |
| Certification (per document) | Varies by office |
| Electronic records | Actual cost |
| Search fee (if applicable) | Actual cost (notice required if >$200) |
Does York County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available to any person at the office that maintains the records, consistent with Virginia FOIA. Members of the public are not required to pay a fee to view records in person at the relevant county office. The following resources provide free access to public records:
- The York County official website provides free access to meeting agendas, minutes, budget documents, and other county publications
- The Virginia Court System's case status portal allows free online searches of court case information statewide
- The county's public information reports page provides free access to arrest reports, incident reports, and crime statistics
- Property assessment data is accessible at no cost through the York County Commissioner of the Revenue's online portal
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while inspection at a public office carries no charge, obtaining physical or electronic copies may incur fees as described above. Certain records, such as publicly posted meeting agendas and budget summaries, are available for download at no cost through the county website.
Who Can Request Public Records in York County?
Any person may request public records in York County. Under Virginia FOIA, the right of access extends to citizens of the Commonwealth and representatives of the media. Non-residents of Virginia retain the right to request records, though the statute's explicit guarantee of access is directed at Virginia citizens and media representatives. In practice, York County processes requests from individuals regardless of residency.
Requestors are not required to:
- Provide identification (for most record types)
- State the purpose of the request
- Demonstrate a personal interest in the records
Certain record types carry additional access restrictions. For example, access to sealed court records, juvenile records, and adoption records is restricted by statute and requires a court order or demonstration of legal standing. Individuals requesting their own records, such as personal criminal history or vital records, may be required to provide proof of identity. The Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records requires requestors to establish eligibility before releasing certified copies of birth or death certificates.
What Records Are Confidential in York County?
Not all government records are subject to public disclosure. Virginia FOIA enumerates specific categories of records that are exempt from mandatory disclosure. Under Virginia Code § 2.2-3705 et seq., the following categories of records are exempt from public access:
- Sealed court records and expunged criminal records
- Juvenile records and proceedings
- Records relating to ongoing criminal investigations
- Personal identifying information, including Social Security numbers and financial account data
- Medical and mental health records (also protected under federal HIPAA regulations)
- Adoption records
- Child welfare and protective services records
- Personnel records of public employees (with limited exceptions for disciplinary actions)
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information submitted to government agencies
- Security plans, emergency response procedures, and critical infrastructure details
- Attorney-client privileged communications involving public bodies
Virginia FOIA applies a balancing framework in certain circumstances, requiring public bodies to weigh the public interest in disclosure against the potential harm of release. As stated in the Act, exemptions "shall be narrowly construed" to preserve the public's right of access. Requestors who believe a record has been improperly withheld may petition the circuit court for the jurisdiction in which the public body is located.
York County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
York County Circuit Court Clerk's Office
300 Ballard Street
Yorktown, VA 23690
(757) 890-3350
York County Circuit Court Clerk
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
York County Administrator's Office (FOIA Requests)
224 Ballard Street
Yorktown, VA 23690
(757) 890-3320
York County Administrator
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
York County Sheriff's Office (Arrest and Incident Reports)
301 Goodwin Neck Road
Yorktown, VA 23692
(757) 890-3621
York County Sheriff's Office – Public Information Reports
Virginia Department of Health – Office of Vital Records
8701 Park Central Drive, Suite 100
Richmond, VA 23227
(804) 662-6200
Office of Vital Records – Virginia Department of Health
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM (walk-in customers)
Virginia Court System – Case Information
Office of the Executive Secretary, Supreme Court of Virginia
100 North Ninth Street
Richmond, VA 23219
(804) 786-6455
Virginia Court System Case Status and Information