Best Practice
Requests must be in writing to the FOIA officer; a response is required in 5 working days. Citizens-only access; out-of-state requesters may be denied.
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Virginia (VA)
Law: Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Va. Code §§ 2.2-3700–2.2-3714)
Notes: Requests must be in writing to the FOIA officer; a response is required in 5 working days. Citizens-only access; out-of-state requesters may be denied.
Generate a Request for VirginiaJurisdiction Facts
Sourced from the jurisdiction registry. Not legal advice.
Statutory Response Deadline
5 business days under Va. Code § 2.2-3704(B), extendable by 7 business days.
Observed Average Response
76 days (MuckRock observed average, not a statutory deadline).
Fee Waivers / Intake
2025 limits fees to median hourly rate. No statutory fee waiver.
Appeals
No administrative appeal; may file suit in circuit court. Prevailing parties recover attorney fees.
Primary legal sources
Direct links to the governing statute, official requester guidance, and central portal for this jurisdiction.
- Statute: Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Va. Code §§ 2.2-3700–2.2-3714)
- Official guidance: Requester guidance
Common Agencies
Albemarle County
Email: [email protected]
Fees & notes
County FOIA Officer: James Douglas. Phone: 434-972-4067 ext. 7930.
Source Reviewed 2026-04-27
Arlington County
Email: [email protected]
Mail: FOIA Officer, County Attorney's Office, 2100 Clarendon Boulevard, Suite 403, Arlington, VA 22201
Fees & notes
Fax: 703-228-7106. For Commissioner of Revenue records, contact [email protected].
Source Reviewed 2026-04-27
Christopher Newport University
Email: [email protected]
Source Reviewed 2026-05-24
City of Chesapeake
Portal: Submit online
Email: [email protected]
Fees & notes
Requests may be submitted via the Chesapeake FOIA Portal, mail, fax, email, in person, or over the phone. Central Records handles most police and general FOIA requests.
Source Reviewed 2026-04-27
City of Norfolk
Fees & notes
FOIA phone: (757) 664-4266; FOIA fax: (757) 664-4300. Sheriff's Office FOIA requests should be directed separately to the Norfolk Sheriff's Office.
Source Reviewed 2026-04-27
City of Richmond
Portal: Submit online
Email: [email protected]
Fees & notes
Richmond began piloting JustFOIA software in March 2026 for improved request management. Police records requests should be directed to [email protected] or call (804) 646-5147.
Source Reviewed 2026-04-27
City of Richmond VA
Portal: Submit online
Email: [email protected]
Mail: City of Richmond FOIA Officer, 900 E. Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23219
Fees & notes
A whistleblower suit alleged the city routinely fails to respond within the 5-day window and charges excessive fees.
City of Virginia Beach
Portal: Submit online
Email: [email protected]
Mail: FOI Office, Office of the City Attorney, 2401 Courthouse Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23456
Fees & notes
The Virginia Beach FOIA Request Center portal tracks all requests. Substitute requests may be submitted by fax: (757) 427-5931.
Source Reviewed 2026-04-27
Danville Police Department
Email: [email protected]
Mail: Danville Police Department 427 Patton Street Danville VA 24541
Fees & notes
MuckRock data indicates the department provides high cost estimates for complex requests (e.g., $1,900 for a single case file) and warns of significant redactions.
Reviewed 2026-04-27
Fairfax County
Portal: Submit online
Mail: Office of Public Affairs, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 551, Fairfax, VA 22035
Fees & notes
Online VFOIA request form is preferred. Police Department FOIA requests should be directed to [email protected].
Source Reviewed 2026-04-27
Franklin County (VA)
Portal: Submit online
Mail: Franklin County FOIA Officer, 1255 Franklin Street, Suite 112, Rocky Mount, VA 24151
Fees & notes
Franklin County launched an online NextRequest portal in November 2025 allowing 24/7 submission, status tracking, and digital records delivery. Phone: 540-483-3030.
Source Reviewed 2026-04-27
Henrico County
Email: [email protected]
Mail: Henrico Police Division, Attn: FOIA, PO Box 90775, Henrico, VA 23273
Fees & notes
Phone: (804) 501-4809. Commonwealth's Attorney FOIA requests should be directed to [email protected].
Source Reviewed 2026-04-27
James Madison University
Portal: Submit online
Email: [email protected]
Source Reviewed 2026-05-21
Loudoun County
Portal: Submit online
Mail: Commissioner of the Revenue, Loudoun County, P.O. Box 8000, Leesburg, VA 20177
Fees & notes
The fastest method to request records is through the county's online FOIA management system. Requests may also be submitted by mail, fax, email, phone, or in person.
Source Reviewed 2026-04-27
Newport News Police Department
Email: [email protected]
Source Reviewed 2026-05-24
Office of the Governor of Virginia
Email: [email protected]
Mail: Office of the Governor, Patrick Henry Building, 1111 East Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23219
Fees & notes
Include the phrase 'FOIA Request' in the subject line. Requests must be from citizens of Virginia or eligible media representatives.
Source Reviewed 2026-04-27
Old Dominion University
Email: [email protected]
Mail: Old Dominion University, 2000 Koch Hall, Norfolk, VA 23529
Source Reviewed 2026-05-24
Portsmouth City Circuit Court
Portal: Submit online
Source Reviewed 2026-05-24
Prince William County
Email: [email protected]
Fees & notes
FOIA requests are processed by individual department FOIA Liaison Officers. Tax Administration FOIA requests should be emailed to [email protected]. Other departments maintain separate FOIA contacts.
Source Reviewed 2026-04-27
University of Virginia
Source Reviewed 2026-05-24
Virginia Attorney General's Office
Email: [email protected]
Mail: Office of the Attorney General, 202 North Ninth Street, Richmond, VA 23219
Fees & notes
The Virginia Attorney General's Office has historically taken the position that it may not be fully subject to VFOIA. Contact the office directly for current FOIA procedures.
Source Reviewed 2026-04-27
Virginia Commonwealth University Health
Email: [email protected]
Source Reviewed 2026-05-24
Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS)
Mail: Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, FOIA Office, 102 Governor St., Richmond, VA 23219
Fees & notes
VDACS handles FOIA requests for records concerning agriculture development projects, grants, and consumer services. Contact the department directly for FOIA submission instructions.
Source Reviewed 2026-04-27
Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS)
Portal: Submit online
Fees & notes
All FOIA requests must be submitted through the DBHDS NextRequest Portal. The portal helps communicate with DBHDS about what documents are needed.
Source Reviewed 2026-04-27
Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC)
Mail: Virginia Department of Corrections, FOIA Officer, 6900 Atmore Drive, Richmond, VA 23225
Fees & notes
Requests should be directed to the Manager of the Unit, Warden, Superintendent, or Chief of Probation and Parole District that maintains the requested records. Prisoners are statutorily excluded from making FOIA requests.
Source Reviewed 2026-04-27
Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS)
Portal: Submit online
Email: [email protected]
Mail: Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services, 1100 Bank St, Richmond, VA 23219
Fees & notes
Requests may be submitted by mail, fax, email, in person, or over the phone. DCJS provides criminal justice training, regulatory oversight, and grant management.
Source Reviewed 2026-04-27
Virginia Department of Education (VDOE)
Portal: Submit online
Mail: Bianca Robinson, Virginia Department of Education, Policy Office, P.O. Box 2120, Richmond, VA 23218-2120
Fees & notes
VDOE requests should be submitted through the VDOE FOIA Management Portal (NextRequest). The portal is the preferred method for submitting requests.
Source Reviewed 2026-04-27
Virginia Department of Elections
Portal: Submit online
Email: [email protected]
Source Reviewed 2026-05-21
Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM)
Email: [email protected]
Mail: Virginia Department of Emergency Management, Public Affairs Office, 10501 Trade Court, Richmond, VA 23236
Fees & notes
Requests may be submitted by email, phone at (804) 897-6510, or by mail. Contact the Public Affairs Office for FOIA requests.
Source Reviewed 2026-04-27
Virginia Department Of Energy
Email: [email protected]
Mail: Washington Building / 8th Floor 1100 Bank Street Richmond, Virginia 23219
Source Reviewed 2026-05-24
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)
Portal: Submit online
Mail: Department of Environmental Quality, FOIA Officer Diana Adams, P.O. Box 3000, Richmond, VA 23218
Fees & notes
Requests should be submitted through the DEQ NextRequest Portal. DEQ may assess charges for actual costs incurred in accessing, duplicating, supplying, or searching for records.
Source Reviewed 2026-04-27
Virginia Department of Health (VDH)
Email: [email protected]
Mail: Virginia Department of Health, P.O. Box 2448, Richmond, Virginia 23218-2448
Fees & notes
Health records and vital records (birth/death certificates) are generally not public records under VFOIA and must be requested through separate processes. Contact the VDH FOIA officer for records that are publicly available.
Source Reviewed 2026-04-27
Virginia Department of Health Professions (DHP)
Email: [email protected]
Fees & notes
Media FOIA requests should be directed to Kelly Smith, Communications Director. All other FOIA requests should be directed to the specific board responsible for licensing the healthcare profession.
Source Reviewed 2026-04-27
Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ)
Mail: Edward Bunting, Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice, 600 East Main Street, 20th Floor, Richmond, VA 23218-1110
Fees & notes
Juvenile record information requires a written request and may be subject to additional restrictions under Virginia law. Phone: (804) 625-3392.
Source Reviewed 2026-04-27
Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
Mail: Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, FOIA Office, 2300 W. Broad St., Richmond, VA 23269
Fees & notes
Virginia State Police directs all accident/crash report FOIA requests to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. Contact DMV's FOIA officer for specific submission instructions. DMV maintains records including driving records and vehicle registrations, though some are restricted by law.
Source Reviewed 2026-04-27
Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS)
Email: [email protected]
Fees & notes
Requests may be submitted by mail, email, or over the phone. There is no specific form required. Health and social services records may be exempt from disclosure.
Source Reviewed 2026-04-27
Virginia Department of State Police (VSP)
Portal: Submit online
Fees & notes
The Virginia State Police recommends using the NextRequest online portal for all FOIA submissions. Accident/crash reports must be requested from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.
Source Reviewed 2026-04-27
Virginia Department of Taxation (Virginia Tax)
Email: [email protected]
Fees & notes
Tax information is generally confidential under Va. Code § 58.1-3 and is not subject to FOIA disclosure. General administrative records may be requested.
Source Reviewed 2026-04-27
Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT)
Email: [email protected]
Mail: Virginia Department of Transportation, Governance and Legislative Affairs Division, 1401 East Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23219
Fees & notes
Requests may be submitted by mail, email, in person, or over the phone. VDOT maintains a wide variety of public records including plans, permits, and contracts.
Source Reviewed 2026-04-27
Virginia Freedom of Information Advisory Council
Email: [email protected]
Mail: Freedom of Information Advisory Council, General Assembly Building, 201 North 9th Street, 4th Floor, Richmond, VA 23219
Fees & notes
The Council provides advisory opinions, training, and guidance on VFOIA compliance. Toll-free: 1-866-448-4100; Phone: (804) 698-1810. The Council is not a records custodian but can assist requesters with questions.
Source Reviewed 2026-04-27
Virginia State University
Email: [email protected]
Source Reviewed 2026-05-24