About Us

Welcome to NorfolkRecords.org

NorfolkRecords.org is your trusted online resource for navigating public records in Norfolk, Virginia, and the surrounding region. Our mission is simple: to help residents, researchers, legal professionals, journalists, and community members understand, locate, and access the public records they need — quickly, accurately, and without confusion.

Who We Are

NorfolkRecords.org is an independent public information resource operated by a dedicated team of researchers, legal information specialists, and civic transparency advocates. We are passionate about open government and believe that access to public records is a fundamental right of every citizen.

Our team has years of combined experience working with local, state, and federal record systems, and we have built this site to serve as a clear, reliable, and up-to-date guide for anyone seeking public information in the Norfolk area.

We are not a government agency. We are an independent informational website committed to helping the public understand how the public records system works and where to go to obtain official documents.

What We Do

At NorfolkRecords.org, we provide:

Comprehensive Guides — Step-by-step instructions for requesting various types of public records, including court records, property records, vital records, criminal records, and more.
Agency Directory — A detailed directory of Norfolk-area government offices, courts, and agencies that maintain and release public records, complete with contact information, hours of operation, and direct links.
Virginia FOIA Information — Plain-language explanations of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and how it applies to your records requests at the local and state level.
Search Tools & Resources — Links to official online databases and search portals maintained by government agencies, helping you find records faster.
News & Updates — Timely information about changes in public records laws, new online access tools, and updates affecting records availability in Norfolk and the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Why Public Records Matter

Public records are the foundation of an open and accountable society. They allow citizens to:

Hold government officials and institutions accountable
Research property ownership and real estate history
Access court filings and legal documents
Obtain vital records such as birth, death, and marriage certificates
Conduct background research for personal or professional purposes
Investigate matters of public interest and civic concern

We believe that an informed public is an empowered public, and NorfolkRecords.org exists to make that empowerment as accessible as possible.

Our Commitment to Accuracy

We take the accuracy and reliability of our content seriously. Our team regularly reviews and updates the information on this site to reflect current laws, procedures, and agency contact details. However, because government policies and procedures can change, we always encourage users to verify information directly with the relevant agency before submitting a records request.

If you notice outdated or incorrect information on our site, we welcome your feedback. Helping us stay accurate helps everyone in the community.

A Note on Privacy

While we are strong advocates for public records access and government transparency, we also respect individual privacy. NorfolkRecords.org does not publish, sell, or distribute personal information. Our site is designed to help users navigate official channels — not to serve as a data aggregator or personal information database.

Get in Touch

Have a question about public records in Norfolk? Can't find what you're looking for? Our team is here to help. Visit our Contact Us page to send us a message, and we will do our best to point you in the right direction.

We also welcome suggestions for new content, corrections to existing information, and partnership inquiries from civic organizations, legal aid groups, and government agencies interested in improving public access to records.

Our Vision

NorfolkRecords.org envisions a community where every resident has the knowledge and tools to access the public information that affects their lives. Transparency builds trust, and trust builds stronger communities. We are proud to play a small but meaningful role in supporting civic engagement and open government in Norfolk and across the Commonwealth of Virginia.

NorfolkRecords.org — Connecting the Community to Public Information