Albemarle County

Albemarle County is located in the Piedmont region of central Virginia, including approximately 726 square miles of rolling hills, forests, and fertile valleys. Albemarle County seat is Charlottesville, an independent city that is completely surrounded by Albemarle County but operates as a separate governmental entity. As of the 2020 Census, Albemarle County has a population of approximately 112,000 residents. Albemarle County is home to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Virginia's most visited landmarks, as well as James Monroe's Highland (Ash Lawn-Highland). The University of Virginia, founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819, sits adjacent to Albemarle County in Charlottesville and significantly influences Albemarle County's character. Albemarle County was established in 1744 and named for Willem Anne van Keppel, the second Earl of Albemarle. Albemarle County is known for its vineyards and wineries, comprising part of the Monticello Wine Trail, and its scenic beauty along the Blue Ridge Mountains. Albemarle County Office Building at 401 McIntire Road in Charlottesville houses many county offices. Albemarle County Clerk's office is located at Albemarle County Circuit Court at 501 East Jefferson Street, Charlottesville, VA 22902. Albemarle County Commissioner of the Revenue handles tax assessments, and the County Recorder functions are performed by the Circuit Court Clerk, who maintains land records, deeds, and vital records. Albemarle County's proximity to Shenandoah National Park and its well-preserved historic sites make it a unique blend of natural beauty, agricultural heritage, and cultural significance.

The Albemarle County Circuit Court serves Albemarle County and is located at 320 5th Street in Charlottesville. The court handles civil, criminal, family, and probate cases for this county. Court records and case filings can be requested in person or through the Virginia online court portal.

Albemarle County is served primarily by the Albemarle County Circuit Court. This court is responsible for civil matters such as domestic relations, custody disputes, contracts, and real estate issues. The court also hears Felony and misdemeanor criminal cases originating within the county. The County also has a General District Court located in Charlottesville, VA. This court deals with small claims, as well as traffic and criminal misdemeanors and hearings for felonies and juveniles. The General District Court is also responsible for the issuance of criminal and civil warrants.

Law Enforcement & Arrests

• Albemarle Countyal Jail is located at 160 Peregory Lane, Charlottesville, VA 22902, and provides an online inmate search tool at acrj.org where the public can look up current inmates by name or booking number.
• To request arrest records, citizens may submit a written FOIA request to Albemarle County Police Department or the Sheriff's Office.
• Mugshots and booking photos are typically included in jail records and can be accessed through the Regional Jail's inmate lookup system or by submitting a FOIA request.
• Virginia law allows law enforcement agencies to withhold certain investigative records, but basic arrest information, booking photos, and charges are generally available to the public upon request.

Arrest Records

• The process makes sure transparency while protecting the privacy rights of individuals involved.

Jail & Inmate Records

• The bond and bail process in Virginia allows for the release of detainees under certain conditions, and information on posting bail can be obtained through the jail's administrative office.
• The jail provides resources for families and attorneys to locate individuals recently arrested in Albemarle County.

Mugshots & Booking Photos

• There is no fee to search online, though certified copies of documents require a fee.
• The Circuit Court Clerk's office charges $0.50 per page for copies and $2.00 for certification.
• Land records, marriage licenses, and will books maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk can also be searched online through the Virginia Court System's portal.

• The Circuit Court Clerk's office provides a free online land records search at albemarle.org/civiclerk where users can search by name, document type, or book and page number.
• Scanned images of recorded documents are available online for recent years.
• Tax assessment information, including assessed values and tax payment history, can be searched online through Albemarle County's Real Estate Assessment portal.
• To obtain certified copies of deeds or other recorded documents, requests can be made in person or by mail to the Circuit Court Clerk's office.
• The fee for certified copies is $2.00 for certification plus $0.50 per page.

Vital records for this county include birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates issued under state vital statistics law.

• Processing time is typically same-day for in-person requests and 2-3 weeks for mail requests.
• Death certificates cost $12.00 for the first copy and $10.00 for additional copies.
• The Virginia Department of Health also offers online ordering through VitalChek at vdh.virginia.gov/vital records with an additional service fee; expedited processing is available.
• Both parties must appear in person with valid identification and pay a fee of $30.00.

Business records, licenses, and permits for this county are processed by the County Clerk and local government offices.

• Business license fees are based on gross receipts and the type of business activity.
• The SCC offers a free online business entity search at scc.virginia.gov/clk/business where users can search by business name, registered agent, or entity ID number.
• Permit records and inspection reports are public and can be requested through the department.