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How to Find Public Records in Salem County in 2026

Members of the public seeking government documents in Salem County, Virginia, may access a range of publicly available information through official government channels. SalemRecords.org provides data and publicly available information related to public records maintained by government agencies in Salem County. Records that may be available through official sources include, but are not limited to, the following categories:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family court filings)
Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, and tax assessments)
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates)
Business licenses and permits
Voting and election records
Land use, zoning, and planning documents
Law enforcement records (where permitted by law)
Meeting minutes, agendas, and budget documents

Records may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools maintained by state and local agencies.

Online Access: The Virginia Courts Case Information portal provides online access to circuit and general district court case records statewide, including those originating in Salem. Members of the public may search case status, party names, and hearing dates without registration. Property and land records may be accessible through the Salem Circuit Court Clerk's land records database.

In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Salem Circuit Court Clerk's Office to inspect records at the public access terminal or submit a written request at the counter. The office is located at 2 East Calhoun Street, Salem, VA 24153. Standard business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

Written/Mail Requests: Written requests should include the requester's full name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for response. Under Virginia Code § 2.2-3704, public bodies are required to respond to requests within five working days of receipt.

Phone/Email:

Salem Circuit Court Clerk: (540) 375-3067
Salem City Hall General Line: (540) 375-3000

What Are Public Records in Salem County?

Public records in Salem County, Virginia, are defined under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (VFOIA), codified at Virginia Code § 2.2-3700 et seq., as all writings, papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, films, sound recordings, and other documentary materials prepared, owned, or retained by a public body in the transaction of public business. The following record types are maintained by various offices:

Record Type	Maintaining Office
Civil and criminal court records	Salem Circuit Court Clerk
Property deeds, mortgages, liens	Salem Circuit Court Clerk
Vital records (birth, death, marriage)	Virginia Department of Health
Business licenses and permits	Salem Commissioner of the Revenue
Property tax and assessment records	Salem Commissioner of the Revenue / Treasurer
Voting and election records	Salem General Registrar
Meeting minutes and agendas	Salem City Clerk
Law enforcement records	Salem Police Department
Land use and zoning records	Salem Department of Planning and Community Development

The Salem Circuit Court Clerk maintains land records and court filings. Vital records, including birth and death certificates, are administered at the state level by the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records, located at 8701 Park Central Drive, Suite 100, Richmond, VA 23227.

Is Salem County an Open Records County?

Salem County follows Virginia's statewide open records framework established under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. Under Virginia Code § 2.2-3700, the General Assembly declares it "the policy of the Commonwealth that the people have the right to be present at all meetings of public bodies and to have access to public records held by those bodies." This declaration establishes a presumption of openness for all government records unless a specific statutory exemption applies.

Salem, as an independent city in Virginia, operates under the same VFOIA obligations as counties and municipalities statewide. All city departments, boards, and commissions are subject to the Act's disclosure requirements. The Virginia Attorney General's Office publishes guidance on VFOIA compliance, and public bodies are required to designate a VFOIA officer to assist requesters. As stated in the Act, "all public records shall be open to inspection and copying by any citizens of the Commonwealth during the regular office hours of the custodian of such records."

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

The current fee structure for public records in Salem County is governed by Virginia Code § 2.2-3704, which permits public bodies to charge reasonable fees not to exceed the actual cost of responding to a request. Standard fees applicable to records requests include:

Paper copies: $0.50 per page (standard letter or legal size)
Certification of records: Fees vary by office; circuit court certifications are set by the Virginia Supreme Court fee schedule
Electronic records: Actual cost of duplication; no charge for records transmitted via email in many cases
Search fees: Permitted only when the actual cost of search, retrieval, and review exceeds $60.00 for the request
Inspection: No fee is charged for the inspection of public records

Accepted payment methods at the Salem Circuit Court Clerk's Office include cash, check, and money order payable to the Clerk of Court. Credit card acceptance may vary by office. Fee waivers are not expressly mandated under VFOIA, though individual offices retain discretion to waive fees in certain circumstances, such as requests from nonprofit organizations or members of the media.

Does Salem County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to any person under Virginia law. Members of the public may inspect records at the custodian's office during regular business hours at no charge. The following resources provide free access to government records:

Virginia Courts Case Information System: The Virginia court case search portal provides free online access to circuit and general district court case records, including case status, party names, and court dates.
Salem Circuit Court Clerk's Office: Public access terminals are available on-site for free inspection of land records, court filings, and related documents.
Salem City Website: Meeting minutes, agendas, adopted budgets, and ordinances are published on the City of Salem's official website at no cost.
Virginia Department of Health: Certain statistical and aggregate vital records data are available at no charge through the VDH website.

The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while inspection carries no fee, obtaining physical or certified copies is subject to the fee schedule described above.

Who Can Request Public Records in Salem County?

Any person may request public records in Salem County. Under Virginia's Freedom of Information Act, the right to inspect and copy public records extends to all citizens of the Commonwealth. Virginia courts have interpreted this provision broadly, and in practice, non-residents and organizations also submit records requests that are routinely fulfilled by local offices.

Requesters are not required to:

Be a resident of Virginia or Salem
Provide identification in most circumstances
State the purpose of the request

Certain record types carry additional access restrictions. For example, access to criminal history records through the Virginia State Police requires the subject's written consent or a qualifying legal purpose under Virginia Code § 19.2-389. Juvenile court records are restricted under Virginia Code § 16.1-305. Requesters seeking their own records may be required to provide proof of identity to prevent unauthorized disclosure of personal information. Non-residents retain the same general access rights as residents for records that are open to the public under VFOIA.

What Records Are Confidential in Salem County?

Not all government records are subject to public disclosure. Virginia Code § 2.2-3705 et seq. enumerates specific categories of records exempt from mandatory disclosure under VFOIA. The following record types are currently withheld from public access in whole or in part:

Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the public
Juvenile records: Protected under Virginia Code § 16.1-305; access is restricted to parties and authorized individuals
Ongoing criminal investigation records: Law enforcement records compiled for active investigations are exempt to protect the integrity of proceedings
Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted prior to disclosure
Medical and health records: Protected under both VFOIA exemptions and federal HIPAA regulations
Adoption records: Sealed by statute and accessible only through court order
Child welfare and protective services records: Maintained as confidential by the Virginia Department of Social Services
Personnel records: Employee records are exempt with limited exceptions for certain public officials
Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Submitted to government agencies under confidentiality agreements
Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Exempt to protect public safety

When a public body withholds records, it is required under VFOIA to provide written notice identifying the specific statutory exemption relied upon. A balancing test applies in limited circumstances where the public interest in disclosure may outweigh the interest in confidentiality.

Salem County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Salem Circuit Court Clerk's Office 2 East Calhoun Street Salem, VA 24153 (540) 375-3067 Salem Circuit Court Clerk

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

Salem Commissioner of the Revenue 2 East Calhoun Street, Room 110 Salem, VA 24153 (540) 375-3019 Salem Commissioner of the Revenue

Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Salem City Clerk's Office 114 North Broad Street Salem, VA 24153 (540) 375-3023 Salem City Clerk

Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Virginia Department of Health – Office of Vital Records 8701 Park Central Drive, Suite 100 Richmond, VA 23227 (804) 662-6200 Office of Vital Records

Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM (walk-in customers)

Salem Police Department – Records Division (For law enforcement records and incident reports) 1 East Calhoun Street Salem, VA 24153 (540) 375-3078 Salem Police Department

Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM