About Campbell County
Campbell County is located in the south-central region of Virginia, located in the scenic foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains along the James River. Campbell County Seat is Rustburg, a small historic town that is the administrative center for Campbell County's approximately 55,000 residents. Campbell County includes 504 square miles of diverse terrain, including rolling hills, agricultural lands, and waterfront areas along the James River.
Campbell County was established in 1782 and named after General William Campbell, a Revolutionary War hero who commanded Virginia militia at the Battle of Kings Mountain. Major landmarks include the Lynchburg Reservoir, Seneca area with its recreational opportunities, and portions of the Appalachian Trail corridor. Campbell County is part of the Lynchburg Metropolitan Statistical Area and shares borders with Bedford County to the west and Appomattox County to the south.
Campbell County's economy has historically been tied to agriculture, tobacco farming, and later manufacturing, with recent growth in distribution and logistics sectors. Campbell County Administration Building at 47 Courthouse Lane in Rustburg houses key offices including the County Administrator, Board of Supervisors chambers, and various administrative departments. The Commissioner of the Revenue office, located at 47 Courthouse Lane, handles property assessments and tax administration.
Campbell County Clerk's Office, situated in the historic courthouse complex, maintains official records including land deeds, court documents, and vital records. Campbell County is known for its rural character, strong agricultural heritage, outdoor recreational opportunities including Smith Mountain Lake access points, and its proximity to Lynchburg while maintaining a distinctly separate identity as a bedroom community with its own thriving local economy.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
Campbell County Sheriff's Office is responsible for maintaining law and order in Campbell County. It patrols the unincorporated areas, manages Campbell County jail, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. The office is committed to community policing and offers several programs meant to crime prevention and public safety education. Notable divisions within the sheriff's office include the Criminal Investigations Division and the School Resource Officer Program, which focuses on maintaining safety in local schools.
Police Departments
In addition to Campbell County Sheriff's Office, law enforcement in Campbell County is provided by municipal police departments, including the Altavista Police Department and the Brookneal Police Department. Each department is responsible for policing within its respective town limits, while the sheriff's office covers the broader unincorporated areas. These agencies often collaborate on major investigations and share resources to enhance public safety across Campbell County.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
Campbell County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 127 Scruggs Road in Rustburg, Virginia 24588, is the primary law enforcement agency for the unincorporated areas of Campbell County. The Sheriff's Office can be reached at and maintains a website at www.campbellcountyva.gov/sheriff. The office is responsible for operating Campbell County Detention Center, which houses inmates awaiting trial and those serving sentences.
- Citizens may request arrest records by submitting a written FOIA request to the Sheriff's Office, specifying the nature of the records sought.
- There may be a reasonable fee for copying and research time as permitted under Virginia Code § 2.2-3704.
- Booking photos and mugshots are generally available through the jail's inmate search system and may also be obtained through formal records requests.
- The Sheriff's Office processes criminal warrants, serves civil papers, provides courthouse security, and conducts criminal investigations in collaboration with the Commonwealth's Attorney's Office.
Inmates can be searched through the jail's online inmate locator system available on the Sheriff's Office website, where citizens can find current booking information, charges, bond amounts, and anticipated release dates. The Town of Altavista maintains its own police department, the Altavista Police Department, which handles law enforcement within town limits. Similarly, portions of the City of Lynchburg overlap with Campbell County boundaries, though Lynchburg operates as an independent city with its own police force.
Arrest records in Campbell County are considered public records under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Virginia Code § 2.2-3700 et seq.), which mandates that public bodies provide access to public records upon request. Virginia State Police also maintain jurisdiction throughout Campbell County and operate from nearby divisions for highway patrol and specialized investigations. Sex offender registry information is publicly accessible through the Virginia State Police Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry online database.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
The criminal records system in Campbell County includes records of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. Campbell County Sheriff's Office and local police departments maintain these records, while the Virginia State Police provide additional resources for background checks. Residents can request criminal history reports through the Virginia State Police's Central Criminal Records Exchange, which offers full background checks for employment, licensing, and other purposes.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Campbell County are maintained by Campbell County Sheriff's Office. These records are accessible to the public under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by contacting the sheriff's office directly, and these records typically include details such as the individual's name, date of arrest, charges, and booking information. The process for obtaining these records may involve submitting a formal request and paying any applicable fees.
Jail & Inmate Records
The Blue Ridge Regional Jail Authority operates Campbell County Adult Detention Center, which handles the booking and detention of individuals arrested in Campbell County. The facility provides an inmate lookup service through its website, allowing the public to search for current detainees. Visitation rules are specific to the facility and require scheduling in advance.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Campbell County are taken and retained by Campbell County Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These booking photos are part of the public record and can be accessed through the sheriff's office or third-party websites that aggregate such information. Virginia does not have specific mugshot removal laws, so individuals seeking to have their mugshots removed from online databases may need to pursue legal action or contact the website administrators directly.
Courts & Case Records
Campbell County's court system operates through Campbell County Circuit Court, located at 47 Courthouse Lane, Rustburg, Virginia 24588, phone. The Circuit Court has general jurisdiction over felony criminal cases, civil cases involving amounts over $4,500, equity matters, domestic relations including divorce and custody, and appeals from lower courts.
- Fees for certified copies are established by Virginia Code § 17.1-275 and § 17.1-276, typically $2.00 per page for copies plus a $2.00 certification fee.
- Civil case filing fees vary by case type, with Circuit Court civil filings generally requiring $88.00 plus additional fees.
- The Clerk's Office provides docket information, case status updates, and access to pleadings during regular business hours Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
Campbell County General District Court, also located at the courthouse complex at 47 Courthouse Lane (phone: 434-332-5164), handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, civil cases up to $25,000, preliminary hearings for felonies, and landlord-tenant disputes. Campbell County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court, situated at the same courthouse address (phone: 434-332-5168), has jurisdiction over juvenile delinquency matters, child abuse and neglect cases, domestic violence protective orders, and juvenile traffic offenses. Court records in Virginia are governed by Virginia Code § 17.1-208, which establishes that court records are public unless specifically exempted by statute.
The Virginia Judicial System operates an online case information system through the Supreme Court of Virginia's website, though access to certain case details may require in-person visits to the Clerk's Office. The Circuit Court Clerk's Office maintains land records, court case files, judgments, liens, and historical documents dating back to Campbell County's formation. Criminal case records are available to the public except where sealed by court order.
Property & Public Records
Property and land records for Campbell County are maintained by Campbell County Circuit Court Clerk's Office at 47 Courthouse Lane, Rustburg, Virginia 24588, phone. The Clerk is the ex-officio Register of Deeds and maintains all recorded instruments affecting real property, including deeds, deeds of trust (mortgages), releases, easements, right-of-way agreements, plat maps, subdivision records, mechanics' liens, judgment liens, and Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) financing statements.
- The Clerk's Office offers an online land records search system accessible through Campbell County website, allowing users to search by grantor/grantee name, property address, or instrument number.
- Some historical records have been digitized and are available for free viewing online, while certified copies require a fee of $2.00 per page plus $2.00 for certification under Virginia Code § 17.1-275.
- The Commissioner's office conducts property assessments, maintains tax maps, and processes business personal property tax returns.
- Campbell County Treasurer's Office, located at 47 Courthouse Lane (phone: 434-332-5161), collects property taxes and can provide payment history and current tax due information.
- Citizens requesting copies of recorded documents should contact the Circuit Court Clerk's Office during business hours or use the online land records portal for preliminary research.
Virginia law requires most real estate transactions to be recorded to establish priority and provide constructive notice to subsequent purchasers. Property tax information and assessment records are maintained by Campbell County Commissioner of the Revenue at 47 Courthouse Lane, Rustburg, Virginia 24588, phone. Campbell County offers a GIS mapping system and online property search tool through its website at www.campbellcountyva.gov, where citizens can view parcel boundaries, ownership information, assessed values, tax district information, and zoning designations.
Real estate tax bills are issued semi-annually in Virginia.
Vital Records
Vital records for Campbell County, Virginia, are maintained by both local and state agencies depending on the record type and date. Campbell County Circuit Court Clerk's Office at 47 Courthouse Lane, Rustburg, Virginia 24588, phone, issues marriage licenses for couples intending to marry in Virginia. Virginia does not have a waiting period, and marriage licenses are valid for 60 days from issuance. The fee for a marriage license is $30.00.
- Birth and death records are also available through local registrars, though most requests are processed through the state office or authorized local health departments.
- Certified copies of birth certificates cost $12.00 for the first copy and $10.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time.
- Death certificates cost the same.
- Processing time is typically 2-4 weeks by mail, though expedited service is available for an additional fee.
- Online ordering is available through VitalChek at www.vitalchek.com for an additional convenience fee.
Birth and death certificates in Virginia are maintained by the Virginia Department of Health, Division of Vital Records, 2001 Maywill Street, Richmond, Virginia 23230. Applicants must provide valid government-issued photo identification and prove eligibility under Virginia Code § 32.1-257 through § 32.1-271, which restricts access to immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with a tangible interest. Birth records less than 100 years old and death records less than 25 years old have restricted access.
Walk-in service may be available through the Central Virginia Health District office serving Campbell County. Divorce records are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk where the divorce was granted. Marriage records are also kept by the Circuit Court Clerk's Office and are generally considered public records available for search, though certified copies are issued only to authorized parties.
Historical vital records may be available through the Library of Virginia for genealogical research purposes.
Business & Licensing
Business licensing and commercial records in Campbell County are managed through multiple agencies depending on the type of business activity. Campbell County Commissioner of the Revenue at 47 Courthouse Lane, Rustburg, Virginia 24588, phone, administers business personal property taxes and handles Business, Professional and Occupational License (BPOL) tax registration for businesses operating in the unincorporated county. Most businesses with gross receipts exceeding statutory thresholds must obtain a county business license and file annual returns.
- The SCC Clerk's Office maintains articles of incorporation, registered agent information, annual reports, and business entity status.
Campbell County Circuit Court Clerk's Office maintains Doing Business As (DBA) certificates and fictitious name registrations filed by sole proprietors and partnerships operating under assumed names. For formal business entity formation and registration, the Virginia State Corporation Commission at www.scc.virginia.gov provides an online business entity search tool called the Clerk's Information System (CIS), where citizens can search for corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, and other registered entities. Business licenses for activities within the Town of Altavista are issued by the Altavista Town Office.
Building permits, land use permits, and zoning compliance for commercial construction projects are handled by Campbell County Department of Community Development, located at 47 Courthouse Lane, Rustburg, phone. This office enforces zoning ordinances, reviews site plans, issues certificates of occupancy, and manages subdivision approvals. Professional licenses (contractors, electricians, plumbers, etc.) are regulated by the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) at www.dpor.virginia.gov.
Campbell County Chamber of Commerce, located in Rustburg, promotes local businesses and economic development initiatives; their website at www.thecampbellchamber.org provides business directories and networking opportunities. Sales tax registration is handled through the Virginia Department of Taxation at www.tax.virginia.gov.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in Campbell County, Virginia, are administered by Campbell County Office of Voter Registration and Elections, located at 732 Village Highway, Rustburg, Virginia 24588, phone. The office can be reached online through Campbell County government website at www.campbellcountyva.gov, and Virginia's statewide voter services are available at www.elections.virginia.gov. Voter registration in Virginia requires U.S.
- Citizens may also register in person at the registrar's office, by mail, or at various state agencies including DMV offices.
- Campbell County registrar publishes unofficial election results on election night, with certified results following the canvass process.
- In the November 2024 general election, Campbell County experienced turnout consistent with Virginia rural counties, with approximately 67-70% of registered voters casting ballots in the presidential election.
- Absentee voting in Virginia is available to any registered voter without providing an excuse.
- Citizens may request an absentee ballot by mail through a written application submitted to the registrar's office, online through the Virginia Department of Elections citizen portal, or in person.
Citizenship, Virginia residency, age 18 or older by the next general election, and no current adjudication of mental incapacity or felony conviction (or rights restored if previously convicted). Virginia offers online voter registration through the Department of Elections website, and the registration deadline is 22 days before any election. To find your polling place in Campbell County, voters should visit the Virginia Department of Elections website and use the polling place locator tool, or contact the local registrar's office directly.
Campbell County operates multiple precincts throughout Campbell County, with polling locations in schools, community centers, and public buildings. Election records that are public in Virginia include the registered voter list (available for purchase for legitimate purposes under Virginia Code § 24.2-405), campaign finance reports filed by candidates and political action committees (accessible through the Virginia Department of Elections), statements of qualification filed by candidates, and precinct-level election results. The next major election is scheduled for November 3, 2026, featuring U.S.
House of Representatives races, one U.S. Senate seat, and Virginia House of Delegates seats. Early voting (in-person absentee voting) begins 45 days before any election at the registrar's office during specified hours, including some Saturday hours before major elections.
Virginia maintains strong election transparency through public access laws; citizens may request to observe the electoral process, review voter history (with restrictions on personal information), access campaign finance data, and obtain precinct results data. The registrar's office maintains historical election data and voter registration statistics available for public inspection under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.
Economy & Demographics
Campbell County's economy is diverse, blending traditional agricultural roots with modern manufacturing, logistics, and service sectors. Historically dependent on tobacco farming and dairy operations, Campbell County has successfully transitioned to a more balanced economic base while preserving its agricultural heritage. Major employers include BWX Technologies (formerly Babcock & Wilcox), which operates a nuclear fuel manufacturing facility employing hundreds of workers in high-skilled positions.
The logistics and distribution sector has grown significantly due to Campbell County's strategic location along major transportation corridors, including U.S. Route 29 and proximity to U.S. Route 460.
Large distribution centers and warehousing operations have established facilities in Campbell County, creating jobs in transportation, warehousing, and materials handling. According to recent census estimates, Campbell County's median household income is approximately $56,000, somewhat below the Virginia state median but reflecting Campbell County's rural character and lower cost of living. Major economic sectors include manufacturing (particularly metals, nuclear materials, and industrial components), agriculture and forestry, retail trade, healthcare and social services, and construction.
The healthcare sector is anchored by medical facilities in nearby Lynchburg that employ many Campbell County residents. Campbell County has invested in industrial park development, particularly the Altavista Industrial Park and areas along the Route 29 corridor, to attract manufacturing and distribution operations. Tourism contributes to the local economy through visitors to Smith Mountain Lake (portions of which border Campbell County), the James River, and agritourism operations including vineyards, farm markets, and outdoor recreation.
The unemployment rate in Campbell County typically tracks slightly above the Virginia state average, reflecting the rural nature of available employment. Recent economic development initiatives focus on broadband expansion to support remote work opportunities, downtown revitalization in Rustburg and Altavista, and promoting Campbell County's quality of life advantages to attract new residents and businesses. Campbell County Economic Development Authority works to recruit new businesses and support existing employers through incentives and infrastructure improvements.
Transparency Score
Court Records: Yes: Online Search Available | Property: Yes: Online GIS & Land Records | Arrest/Jail: Yes: Online Inmate Search | Vital Records: Limited: State/Local Processing Required | Business: Yes: State Online Search | Elections: Yes: Online Voter Services | Overall Score: 8/10 — Campbell County provides strong digital access to property records, court case information, and jail records, with online tools for most public record searches.