Newkent County Public Records

How to Find Public Records in New Kent County in 2026

NewkentRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to public records maintained by government agencies in New Kent County, Virginia. Members of the public seeking court documents, property filings, vital statistics, or administrative records may find relevant data through official county and state resources. Record availability varies by document type, custodial office, and applicable state law, and not all records are accessible through a single portal.

Records available through New Kent County government offices and affiliated state agencies include:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
Property deeds, mortgages, and land transfer documents
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
Business licenses and permits
Property tax and assessment records
Voting and election records
County board meeting minutes and agendas
Budget and financial documents
Law enforcement incident reports (where permitted)
Land use, zoning, and planning records

Records may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools maintained by the Commonwealth of Virginia and New Kent County.

Online Access:

The Virginia Court Case Information System provides statewide online access to circuit court and general district court case records, including those originating in New Kent County. Members of the public may search by party name or case number without registration. The New Kent Circuit Court and the New Kent General District Court maintain separate dockets accessible through the statewide portal. Property information for neighboring jurisdictions, such as the James City County property records portal, illustrates the type of online access available across the region.

In-Person Requests:

Members of the public may inspect records in person at the New Kent County Circuit Court Clerk's Office, located at 12001 Courthouse Circle, New Kent, VA 23124. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Requestors should present a valid government-issued photo identification and specify the records sought by name, date range, or case number.

Written/Mail Requests:

Written requests may be submitted to the New Kent County Circuit Court Clerk's Office at P.O. Box 98, New Kent, VA 23124. Requests must include the requestor's full name, mailing address, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for delivery. Under Virginia Code § 2.2-3704, public bodies are required to respond to FOIA requests within five working days of receipt.

Phone/Email:

The New Kent County Circuit Court Clerk's Office may be reached by telephone at (804) 966-9520. Email inquiries may be directed through the contact information listed on the court's official page.

What Are Public Records in New Kent County?

Public records in New Kent County are defined under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act as all writings, recordings, and other documentary materials prepared or maintained by a public body in the transaction of public business. Under Virginia Code § 2.2-3701, the term "public records" encompasses a broad range of documents held by state and local government agencies.

The following record types are maintained by New Kent County offices and affiliated state agencies:

Record Type	Custodial Office
Civil and criminal court records	New Kent Circuit Court Clerk
General district civil filings	New Kent General District Court
Property deeds and land records	New Kent Circuit Court Clerk
Vital records (birth, death, marriage)	Virginia Department of Health
Business licenses and permits	New Kent County Administrator
Property tax and assessment records	New Kent County Commissioner of Revenue
Voting and election records	New Kent County Electoral Board
Meeting minutes and agendas	New Kent County Administrator
Law enforcement records	New Kent County Sheriff's Office
Historic property records	Virginia Department of Historic Resources

Historical county records, including land records, fiduciary records, and marriage records dating to the county's founding, are preserved on microfilm through the New Kent County Microfilm Collection at the Library of Virginia. Researchers conducting genealogical or historical inquiries may also consult the Library of Congress guide to Virginia courthouse records, which documents record availability by court type and date range.

Is New Kent County an Open Records County?

New Kent County operates in full compliance with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which mandates public access to government records and meetings. As stated by the Virginia FOIA Council, "The freedom of citizens to scrutinize the actions of their government is a fundamental principle of democratic society." Under Virginia Code § 2.2-3700, all public records are presumed open unless a specific statutory exemption applies, and the burden of proof for withholding any record rests with the public body.

New Kent County does not maintain a separate county-level open records ordinance; the Virginia FOIA governs all public records requests submitted to county offices, courts, and affiliated agencies. The Virginia FOIA Council provides advisory opinions and educational resources to assist both requestors and public bodies in understanding their rights and obligations under state law. Health-related records held by the Chickahominy Health District, which serves New Kent County, are subject to FOIA procedures outlined on the Chickahominy Health District FOIA requests page.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in New Kent County?

The cost of obtaining public records in New Kent County varies by record type, format, and the office maintaining the record. Under Virginia law, public bodies may charge reasonable fees for the actual cost of providing records, but may not impose fees that function as a barrier to access.

Standard Fee Schedule:

Fee Type	Amount
Paper copies (per page)	$0.50 (standard rate)
Certification of court records	$2.00 per document
Electronic copies	Actual cost of duplication
Search fees	Not permitted under Virginia FOIA
Inspection of records	No charge

The Chickahominy Health District, which administers the New Kent County Health Department, notes on its FOIA requests page that fees will be charged for the actual cost of search, retrieval, and duplication of records. Court-related fees for certified copies of civil filings are governed by the fee schedules established by the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia. General District Court civil forms and associated fee schedules are published on the Virginia Judicial System website. Payment methods accepted at the New Kent County Circuit Court Clerk's Office include cash, check, and money order made payable to the Clerk of Court.

Does New Kent County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to all members of the public under Virginia FOIA. Public bodies in New Kent County are required to permit inspection of non-exempt records at no charge during regular business hours. The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while viewing records in person carries no fee, obtaining physical or electronic copies is subject to the fee schedule described above.

Several categories of records are available at no cost through online government portals:

Court case status and docket information through the Virginia Court Case Information System
Circuit court and general district court case summaries via the statewide online search tool
Historic property listings through the Virginia Department of Historic Resources historic registers
Inmate location and custody status through the Virginia Department of Corrections inmate and supervisee locator
Microfilm records at the Library of Virginia, accessible in person at no charge

Members of the public may inspect records at the New Kent County Circuit Court Clerk's Office during regular business hours without incurring any inspection fee.

Who Can Request Public Records in New Kent County?

Any person may request public records in New Kent County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Virginia FOIA does not require requestors to be Virginia residents, to provide identification for most record types, or to explain the reason for their request. As the Virginia FOIA Council affirms, "All public records shall be open to inspection and copying by any citizens of the Commonwealth."

The following conditions apply to specific record categories:

Court records: Members of the public may access most civil and criminal court records without restriction. Sealed records require a court order for access.
Vital records: Certified copies of birth and death certificates are restricted to the registrant, immediate family members, or authorized legal representatives under Virginia Code.
Law enforcement records: Arrest logs and incident reports are accessible to the public; records related to ongoing investigations may be withheld.
Personnel records: Employee records held by New Kent County are subject to specific exemptions under Virginia FOIA.

Non-residents retain the same rights as Virginia residents when requesting records from New Kent County public bodies. Requestors seeking their own records, such as personal court filings or property records, follow the same process as any other member of the public.

What Records Are Confidential in New Kent County?

Certain records maintained by New Kent County agencies are exempt from public disclosure under Virginia law. Virginia Code § 2.2-3705 et seq. enumerates specific categories of records that public bodies may withhold from disclosure. Exemptions are permissive rather than mandatory in most cases, meaning a public body retains discretion to release exempt records unless another law prohibits disclosure.

Records that are currently exempt or restricted from public access include:

Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not accessible without a court-issued unsealing order.
Juvenile records: Records pertaining to juveniles in delinquency or dependency proceedings are confidential under Virginia law.
Ongoing criminal investigation records: Law enforcement records compiled during active investigations may be withheld to protect the integrity of the investigation.
Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are redacted from publicly released records.
Medical and health records: Records protected under HIPAA and Virginia health privacy statutes are not subject to public disclosure.
Adoption records: Adoption proceedings and related documents are sealed by statute.
Child protective services records: Records maintained by child welfare agencies are confidential.
Personnel records: Employee evaluations, disciplinary records, and similar documents are exempt, with limited exceptions for certain public officials.
Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Submitted in connection with permit or license applications, such information may be withheld.
Security and infrastructure plans: Documents detailing vulnerabilities in public infrastructure are exempt from disclosure.

The Virginia Department of Historic Resources notes that "documents associated with archaeological sites or archaeological districts may be partially redacted or unavailable for public access" to protect sensitive site locations, consistent with the exemptions framework under state law.

New Kent County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

New Kent County Circuit Court Clerk's Office
12001 Courthouse Circle
New Kent, VA 23124
(804) 966-9520
New Kent Circuit Court

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 98
New Kent, VA 23124

The Circuit Court Clerk's Office maintains land records, deeds, court orders, probate records, and civil and criminal case files. Certified copies of recorded documents may be obtained in person or by mail request.

New Kent General District Court
12001 Courthouse Circle
New Kent, VA 23124
(804) 966-9610
New Kent General District Court

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

The General District Court handles civil claims, traffic matters, and misdemeanor cases. Civil case forms are available through the Virginia General District Court civil forms portal.

New Kent County Health Department (Chickahominy Health District)
7470 New Kent Highway
New Kent, VA 23124
(804) 966-9625
Chickahominy Health District FOIA Requests

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

The New Kent County Health Department processes FOIA requests for health-related records through the Chickahominy Health District. Vital records requests for birth and death certificates are handled through the Virginia Department of Health's Division of Vital Records in Richmond.

Library of Virginia (Historical Records)
800 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219
(804) 692-3500
New Kent County Microfilm Collection

Research Hours:
Monday – Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

The Library of Virginia holds the New Kent County microfilm collection, which includes historical court records, land records, fiduciary records, marriage records, and military records. In-person access to microfilm is available at no charge during library hours.