Surry County Police Records

Surry County police records are kept by the Surry County Sheriff's Office and the Circuit Court Clerk in Surry. These files include arrest reports, incident logs, and criminal case data. The county offers an online FOIA request form. This page covers how to find Surry County police records from local and state sources.

Surry County Sheriff's Office

The Surry County Sheriff's Office is the main law enforcement body for the county. The office holds arrest reports, incident logs, and accident files. For general county records, the FOIA Officer is Ms. Lola Perkins, the County Attorney. Email: foia@surrycountyva.gov. Surry County offers an online FOIA request form through the county FormCenter.

Under Virginia Code Section 2.2-3700 et seq., public records are open unless an exemption applies. Requests can be made by mail, fax, email, or in person. Written requests are suggested but not required. The office must respond within five working days from the first day after the request is received. An extension of seven more days, twelve total, is allowed if a response is practically impossible in five days. A court petition is possible for large requests that cannot be fulfilled in 12 days.

Visit the Surry County government website for current contact details. The county also offers a GIS mapping website and real estate data online.

Records Available and Fees

Surry County maintains personnel records, contracts, Land Development Records and Inspections, Performance Surety Agreements, Building Plans, Utility Plans, Site Plans, Environmental Plans, Financial Documents, and board and commission agendas and minutes. Inspection records cover building, zoning, and environmental matters.

Fees cover actual costs for staff time, copying, and other direct costs. Requesters may request a cost estimate in advance. If the cost exceeds $200, a deposit is required before work begins. Payment is due upon receipt. Past due bills must be cleared before new requests are processed.

Note: Crash reports go through the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. Form FR-300 is filed by law enforcement within 24 hours. DMV charges $8 per copy.

Surry County Police Records Exemptions

Surry County uses standard Virginia FOIA exemptions. Personnel records under § 2.2-3705.1(1), attorney-client privilege under § 2.2-3705.1(2), attorney work product under § 2.2-3705.1(3), vendor proprietary information under § 2.2-3705.1(6), and contract negotiation records prior to award under § 2.2-3705.1(12). Law enforcement exemptions also apply for ongoing investigations and investigative techniques.

Under Virginia Code Section 2.2-3706, felony criminal incident information must be released. Contact the Sheriff's Office for specific law enforcement records. Appeal denials to the Surry County Circuit Court or contact the Virginia Freedom of Information Advisory Council at (804) 698-1810.

Surry County Circuit Court Records

The Surry County Circuit Court is part of the 6th Judicial Circuit. The Clerk's Office files all felony cases, civil cases over $25,000, and family law matters. Records include indictments, plea deals, sentencing orders, and case dispositions.

You can search court records online for free. The Virginia Circuit Court Case Information System covers Surry and other circuit courts statewide. Search by name, case number, or hearing date. The General District Court Online Case Information System handles misdemeanors and traffic cases.

Court copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies add $2.00.

State Police Criminal History

For a statewide check, submit Form SP-167 to the Virginia State Police Central Criminal Records Exchange. The fee is $15 per name search. The form must be notarized. Mail it to Virginia State Police, CARE, P.O. Box 85076, Richmond, VA 23285. Processing takes 12 to 15 business days.

Form SP-266 is for the Sex Offender Registry at $15. A combined check is $20. The free Sex Offender Registry lets the public search violent offenders. Under Virginia Code Section 19.2-389, criminal history sharing is limited to certain users.

Surry County Arrest Records

Arrest records from Surry County are public under Virginia FOIA. Adult mugshots are public. Felony incident details must be released. Contact the Sheriff's Office with the person's name and any case number. The Virginia Department of Corrections Offender Locator shows current inmate data statewide.

For expungement, petition the Surry County Circuit Court under Virginia Code Section 19.2-392.2. This applies if you were acquitted or had charges dropped. The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services provides victim services and law enforcement training info.

The screenshot below shows the Surry County government website, which has links to the Sheriff's Office and the online FOIA form.

The site is the starting point for online FOIA requests and county department contact details.

Surry County Online Court Tools

The state runs a free case search tool called Online Case Information System 2.0, or OCIS 2.0. The system shows Surry County circuit, general district, and juvenile court cases. You can look up a case by name, case number, or hearing date. The data is updated each day. Sealed and juvenile files do not show up. There is no fee and no need to set up an account.

For a full state rap sheet, the Central Criminal Records Exchange, or CCRE, is the only true source. The Surry County Sheriff's Office can run a local check, but it will not show out-of-county arrests. Send the SP-167 form by mail with a notary stamp and the $15 fee. Results take 12 to 15 working days.

Surry County Juvenile and Sealed Records

Juvenile police records in Surry County are closed under Va. Code § 16.1-301. Only the courts, parents, and a few agencies may see them. The Surry County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court handles intake and disposition for cases with people under 18. Some serious felony cases for older juveniles may be open by court order, but most stay sealed.

To clear an old arrest from your file, you can ask the Surry County Circuit Court for an expungement. The rule is in Va. Code § 19.2-392.2. Only dismissed charges, nolle prosequi cases, and not-guilty findings are eligible. The Commonwealth's Attorney is told and may oppose the petition. A clean expungement removes the file from public view.

Note: A new Virginia law adds automatic sealing for some misdemeanor cases over time. Check with the clerk for the latest rules.

Surry County FOIA Help

If a Surry County agency denies your request, you have a few options. You can appeal to the Surry County Circuit Court by filing a petition. You can also contact the Virginia FOIA Advisory Council for free help. Call (804) 698-1810 or toll-free 1-866-448-4100. The council writes advisory opinions and runs free FOIA training each year.

Standard fees in rural Virginia counties run $0.10 to $0.25 per page for plain copies. Staff time may run $15 to $30 per hour. Bring exact change or a check made out to Surry County. Some offices take credit cards.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Surry County. Each has its own Sheriff's Office and Circuit Court Clerk for local police records.