Search Norfolk Police Records

Norfolk police records cover arrest reports, incident files, crash data, body camera video, and criminal case documents held by the Norfolk Police Department, the Norfolk Sheriff's Office, and the Norfolk Circuit Court. As an independent city, Norfolk runs its own force and court system. This page covers how to find and request police records in Norfolk, including the FOIA steps, per-copy fees, court case lookups, and contact info for each office that holds these files.

Norfolk Police Department Records

The Norfolk Police Department is the main law enforcement agency for the City of Norfolk. All FOIA requests for Norfolk police records are handled by the City of Norfolk FOIA Team. The team also processes requests for the Norfolk Fire Marshal and general city records. When filing, citizens must say if the request relates to Public Safety (police or fire) or to general public records.

The city's online FOIA portal is watched throughout the day. Requests sent there are received quickly. You can also mail in a request or drop it off at City Hall. Norfolk police records staff take calls from citizens, attorneys, and insurance companies every day. The Norfolk Commonwealth's Attorney's Office handles FOIA for its own files separately from the city team.

Types of records you can ask for include closed criminal investigative files, criminal incident info, adult arrestee photographs, and data on the identity and status of persons arrested or charged. The Commonwealth's Attorney does not keep property info, permits, inspections, or 911 call data. Send those requests to the right custodian instead.

Norfolk Police Records FOIA Process

The Virginia Freedom of Information Act gives you the right to ask for Norfolk police records. Under Virginia Code Section 2.2-3700 et seq., all public records are presumed open unless an exemption applies. You do not need to state a reason. You can file by online portal, email, mail, or in person. Put your request in writing when you can, so there is a clear paper trail.

You will get a reply within five business days. Norfolk may give one of five responses: records being held back; records being released in part; records could not be found or do not exist; more time is needed beyond five days; or the request covers criminal investigative files per Virginia Code Section 2.2-3706.1, which allows 60 business days to respond.

Certain police records are exempt under Virginia Code Section 2.2-3706. This covers criminal investigative files and the identities of witnesses and victims, including 911 callers. These parts may be held back from mandatory release. If Norfolk denies any part of your request, the city must cite the exact code section and give a reason.

Note: If the city estimates the work will cost more than $200, they may require a deposit first. If you do not respond within 30 days, the request is deemed withdrawn.

Norfolk Sheriff's Office Records

The Norfolk Sheriff's Office is a separate agency from the police department. The sheriff runs the Norfolk City Jail and court security. FOIA requests for sheriff's records go to foia@norfolk-sheriff.com. The sheriff's FOIA page also has an online form where you can upload your Virginia ID or driver's license.

You may request records by mail, fax, email, in person, or over the phone. FOIA does not require your request to be in writing, but doing so helps. You do not need to say the word "FOIA" in your request. What you must do is describe the records with "reasonable specificity." The Norfolk Sheriff's Office must respond within five business days of getting the request, with day one being the day after receipt.

Sheriff's office records available through FOIA include inmate data, jail records, policies, and body camera video tied to sheriff staff. Virginia law under Section 19.2-389 limits who can get criminal history record information. The Central Criminal Records Exchange at Virginia State Police is the keeper of record for statewide criminal histories.

Norfolk Circuit Court Records

The Norfolk Circuit Court sits in the 4th Judicial Circuit. It handles felony criminal cases, civil cases over $25,000, and family law matters. The clerk's office keeps case files with indictments, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and other criminal court papers. These are public records. You can view them at the courthouse or search online.

You can search Norfolk Circuit Court cases through the Virginia Circuit Court Case Information System. This free tool lets you look up cases by name, case number, or hearing date. It covers all Virginia circuit courts. For misdemeanor and traffic cases, use the General District Court Online Case Information System.

The Norfolk General District Court handles preliminary hearings for felonies, misdemeanor trials, traffic cases, and civil claims under $25,000. Both court systems feed into the statewide database run by the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia. The Virginia Judicial System site has links to all of these search tools.

Virginia State Police Records

For a statewide criminal history check that covers Norfolk and every other city and county in Virginia, use the Virginia State Police. Submit Form SP-167 to the Central Criminal Records Exchange. The fee is $15 per name search. The form must be notarized before mailing to Virginia State Police, CARE, 7700 Midlothian Turnpike, North Chesterfield, VA 23235. Processing takes about 15 business days.

The Virginia State Police FOIA portal takes electronic requests for state police records. This covers incident reports, investigation files, and other documents held at the state level. The Virginia Sex Offender Registry is also searchable by name or location and covers all of Virginia, including Norfolk.

Norfolk Police Records Fees

Norfolk charges for records per Title 2.2, Chapter 37 of the Code of Virginia. FOIA charges may include staff time spent searching for and redacting exempt data, copy costs, and media costs for discs or flash drives. The city charges actual cost, not a flat rate.

Per-copy charges in Norfolk are 15 cents for each black-and-white copy, 25 cents for each color copy, $1 for each CD, and $10 for each flash drive, which holds 2GB of data. If the estimated cost is more than $200, the city may require a deposit first. Background checks through Virginia State Police cost $15 per name using Form SP-167. Under Virginia Code Section 2.2-3704, public bodies may charge reasonable fees not to exceed actual cost.

The screenshot below shows the Norfolk Police Department website, which links to the city FOIA portal for police records requests.

Use the Norfolk FOIA portal to file records requests for police reports, arrest data, and criminal incident info.

Nearby Cities

These Virginia independent cities are near Norfolk. Each runs its own police department and court system for police records.