Hanover County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Hanover County?

Public records in Hanover County are defined as all writings and recordings prepared, owned, or possessed by public bodies in the transaction of public business, as established by the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) § 2.2-3701. These records document the activities and decisions of government agencies serving Hanover County residents.

Hanover County maintains numerous types of public records, including:

Court Records: Civil, criminal, traffic, and family court cases maintained by the Hanover Circuit Court and General District Court
Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and property assessments recorded by the Clerk of Circuit Court
Vital Records: Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates (maintained by the Virginia Department of Health at the state level)
Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious name filings
Tax Records: Property tax assessments and payment records available through the Commissioner of Revenue
Voting and Election Records: Voter registration and election results maintained by the Hanover County Registrar
Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of the Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission, and other public bodies
Budget and Financial Documents: County expenditures, financial reports, and audits
Law Enforcement Records: Certain police reports and incident logs (with statutory exemptions)
Land Use and Zoning Records: Building permits, zoning applications, and property information accessible through the Hanover County parcel mapping system
Probate Records: Wills and estate administration documents processed by the Circuit Court Clerk's Office

The Hanover County government maintains these records through various departments, with the Circuit Court Clerk serving as the primary custodian for many permanent records including land records, court files, marriage licenses, and probate documents.

Is Hanover County an Open Records County?

Hanover County adheres to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (VFOIA), codified under Code of Virginia § 2.2-3700 et seq., which establishes the presumption that all government records are open to public inspection unless specifically exempted by law.

The Virginia FOIA explicitly states in § 2.2-3700(B) that: "The affairs of government are not intended to be conducted in an atmosphere of secrecy since at all times the public is to be the beneficiary of any action taken at any level of government." This foundational principle guides Hanover County's approach to public records access.

Hanover County has implemented policies to ensure compliance with state transparency requirements. The county follows the Virginia FOIA's five working day response requirement for records requests, as mandated by § 2.2-3704(B), with a possible seven-day extension when necessary.

Additionally, Hanover County complies with Virginia's open meetings laws, which require that meetings of public bodies be open to the public, with limited exceptions for closed sessions as permitted under § 2.2-3711 of the Code of Virginia.

The county's commitment to transparency is further demonstrated through its online records portal and various departmental websites that provide direct access to many public records without requiring formal FOIA requests.

How to Find Public Records in Hanover County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records in Hanover County may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need:

Online Access: Many records are available through the Hanover County website. Specific resources include:
- Court case information through the Circuit Court and General District Court online portals
- Property records via the land records database
- Property assessment and tax information through the My Property portal
- Geographic information through the Hanover County parcel mapping system
In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours:
- For court records: Hanover Circuit Court Clerk's Office
- For property records: Land Records Division of the Circuit Court Clerk
- For tax records: Commissioner of Revenue's Office
- For building permits: Department of Planning
Written Requests: Submit a FOIA request in writing to the specific department that maintains the desired records. Requests should:
- Identify the records sought with reasonable specificity
- Provide contact information for response
- Indicate preferred format (electronic or paper)
Vital Records: Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates must be requested through the Virginia Department of Health's Office of Vital Records or the Circuit Court Clerk for certain marriage and divorce records.
Criminal History Information: Limited criminal history information is available through the Virginia Court System case information system, while more comprehensive background checks require contacting the Virginia State Police.
Inmate Information: Current inmate status can be verified through the Virginia Department of Corrections Inmate Locator.

For assistance with locating specific records, requestors may contact the Hanover County FOIA Officer at the County Administration Building.

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

Hanover County assesses fees for public records in accordance with Virginia FOIA § 2.2-3704(F), which permits charging for the "actual cost" of responding to records requests. Current fee structures include:

Photocopies: $0.25 per page for standard black and white copies
Color Copies: $0.50 per page
Large Format Documents (maps, plats, etc.): $3.00-$10.00 per sheet depending on size
Digital Records: No charge when records are already in electronic format and can be emailed; nominal fee for provision on CD/DVD
Staff Time: For requests requiring extensive research or redaction, fees may be assessed based on the hourly rate of the lowest-paid employee capable of performing the work
Court Records: Specific fees set by the Circuit Court Clerk pursuant to Code of Virginia § 17.1-275
Certified Copies: Additional $2.00-$5.00 per document depending on record type

Payment methods accepted by most Hanover County offices include:

Cash (in-person only)
Personal checks
Money orders
Credit cards (in-person and for certain online services)

Virginia FOIA allows agencies to request advance payment if estimated costs exceed $200. Additionally, § 2.2-3704(H) permits agencies to waive fees when doing so serves the public interest.

Requestors should note that specialized records may have statutorily-defined fees that differ from standard copying charges. For example, land records have specific fee schedules established by state law.

Does Hanover County Have Free Public Records?

Hanover County provides several options for accessing public records at no cost:

In-Person Inspection: Pursuant to Virginia FOIA § 2.2-3704(A), all public records may be inspected at no charge during normal business hours. Requestors must arrange a time with the appropriate agency to view records in person.
Online Resources: Numerous records are freely accessible through the county's digital platforms:
- Hanover County Board of Supervisors meeting minutes and agendas
- Basic property information through the online parcel viewer
- Court case status information (excluding document images)
- Public notices and announcements
Public Access Terminals: The Circuit Court Clerk's Office provides computer terminals for searching court and land records at no charge, though printing from these terminals incurs standard copy fees.
County Budget and Financial Reports: Comprehensive annual financial reports and budget documents are available for free download from the county website.
Voter Registration Verification: Voters may verify their registration status at no cost through the Virginia Department of Elections website.

The Hanover County Public Library also provides free public access to computers where residents can access many online county records and resources.

While inspection is free, requestors should be aware that fees may still apply for copies, certified documents, or requests requiring extensive staff time for research or redaction.

Who Can Request Public Records in Hanover County?

Under Virginia FOIA § 2.2-3704, public records in Hanover County are available to "citizens of the Commonwealth, representatives of newspapers and magazines with circulation in the Commonwealth, and representatives of radio and television stations broadcasting in or into the Commonwealth."

The law was expanded in 2021 to also include access for out-of-state news media with circulation or broadcasting in Virginia. However, non-Virginia residents without media affiliation do not have statutory rights under Virginia FOIA, though Hanover County may fulfill such requests at its discretion.

Key considerations regarding eligibility include:

Identification Requirements: Requestors may be asked to provide proof of Virginia citizenship or media affiliation. Acceptable forms include Virginia driver's license, voter registration card, or business credentials.
Purpose Disclosure: Generally, requestors are not required to state the purpose of their request, as established in § 2.2-3704(G), which prohibits agencies from inquiring about the purpose except in specific circumstances.
Record-Specific Restrictions: Certain records have additional eligibility requirements:
- Court case participants have greater access to sealed court records
- Property owners have expanded access to their own property records
- Individuals have special rights to access their own vital records
Authorized Representatives: Attorneys or other designated representatives may request records on behalf of eligible individuals.

For requests concerning personal information, agencies may require verification of identity to ensure compliance with privacy protections under Virginia Code § 2.2-3800 et seq. (Government Data Collection and Dissemination Practices Act).

What Records Are Confidential in Hanover County?

While Virginia's FOIA establishes a presumption of openness, Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.1 through § 2.2-3705.7 enumerate specific exemptions that protect certain records from disclosure. In Hanover County, the following record types are generally confidential:

Personal Information: Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, bank account information, and other personally identifying data as protected under § 2.2-3705.1(10)
Law Enforcement Records: Active criminal investigation files, confidential informant information, and tactical plans as exempted under § 2.2-3706
Juvenile Records: Court records involving minors, except in limited circumstances as specified in § 16.1-305
Health and Medical Records: Individual medical information protected by both HIPAA and Virginia law under § 2.2-3705.5
Personnel Records: Employee personnel information, though certain salary and position information remains public under § 2.2-3705.1(1)
Attorney-Client Privileged Communications: Legal advice and work product prepared for the county by its attorneys
Security Information: Records that would jeopardize building security, emergency response plans, or critical infrastructure as protected by § 2.2-3705.2
Proprietary Business Information: Trade secrets and confidential business data submitted to the county
Scholastic Records: Student information protected under FERPA and § 2.2-3705.4
Social Services Records: Child welfare investigations, adoption records, and client information
Certain Real Estate Records: Property appraisals for pending acquisitions until transactions are complete

When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, § 2.2-3704.01 requires that the exempt portion be redacted and the remainder released when reasonably possible.

Hanover County applies a "harm test" as required by § 2.2-3700(B), which states that exemptions must be "narrowly construed" and the public body must bear the burden of proving that an exemption applies.

Hanover County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Hanover County Circuit Court Clerk's Office
7530 County Complex Road
Hanover, VA 23069
(804) 365-6150
Hanover County Circuit Court Clerk

Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Closed on weekends and state holidays

The Circuit Court Clerk serves as the primary recorder for Hanover County, maintaining land records, court files, marriage licenses, and other permanent records. The office includes several specialized divisions:

Land Records Division
7530 County Complex Road
Hanover, VA 23069
(804) 365-6151

Probate Division
7530 County Complex Road
Hanover, VA 23069
(804) 365-6153

Additional county offices maintaining public records:

Hanover County Commissioner of Revenue
7507 Library Drive, 1st Floor
Hanover, VA 23069
(804) 365-6129
Commissioner of Revenue

Hanover County Planning Department
7516 County Complex Road
Hanover, VA 23069
(804) 365-6171
Planning Department

Hanover County Registrar
7497 County Complex Road
Hanover, VA 23069
(804) 365-6080
Voter Registration