Falls Church, Virginia Public Records

The Falls Church Circuit Court Clerk's Office also houses a wide range of official records, including marriage licenses, business registrations, and civil case files dating back to the city's incorporation in 1948, preserving the community's legal and historical documentation.

The Falls Church Economic Development Authority further supports the local business community by providing resources, incentives, and assistance to both new and existing companies looking to establish or expand their presence in the area.

Residents can register to vote online through the Virginia Department of Elections at www.elections.virginia.gov/registration/how-to-register. The deadline to register is 22 days before any election. Virginia requires voters to provide a valid Virginia driver's license or DMV-issued ID number, or the last four digits of a Social Security number. First-time voters may need to provide proof of residence. Same-day registration is not available in Virginia; voters must register by the deadline. Residents can check their registration status, update their address, or request an absentee ballot online through the Virginia Department of Elections Citizen Portal at vote.elections.virginia.gov. The city holds municipal elections for City Council, School Board, and other local offices. Falls Church operates under a council-manager form of government with a seven-member City Council, including a Mayor and Vice Mayor selected from among the council members. City Council elections are held in May of odd-numbered years, with the most recent in May 2025 and the next scheduled for May 2027. School Board elections follow this same cycle. City elections are nonpartisan. Information about candidates, local ballot measures, and election results is available through the Falls Church Elections Office website and the city's official website. Voter guides and candidate forums are often organized by local civic organizations. Residents find their assigned polling place through the Virginia Department of Elections polling place locator at vote.elections.virginia.gov or by contacting the local Elections Office. The city typically operates multiple precincts with polling places at locations such as the Falls Church Community Center and local schools. Polls are open from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM on Election Day. Under Virginia law, certain election records are public, including voter registration lists with some personal information redacted, campaign finance disclosures filed with the Virginia Department of Elections at www.elections.virginia.gov/candidatepac-info/index.html, candidate filings and petitions, and precinct-level election results. The Falls Church Elections Office publishes detailed election results on its website after each election, broken down by precinct. In the November 2024 presidential election, Falls Church demonstrated strong voter participation with turnout exceeding 75% of registered voters, reflecting the city's highly engaged electorate. Local voters favored Democratic candidates by significant margins, consistent with trends in urban Northern Virginia. On November 3, 2026, Falls Church voters will participate in federal and state elections. Virginia does not hold gubernatorial elections in 2026 (the next is 2025), but all 100 seats in the Virginia House of Delegates will be on the ballot, with local voters electing their delegate representative. There is no U.S. Senate race in Virginia in 2026 (the next is 2026 for the Class 2 seat, actually up in 2026 for Senator Mark Warner's seat). Residents will also decide on one U.S. House of Representatives seat (Virginia's 8th Congressional District). Depending on local needs, there may be bond referendums or other local questions on the ballot, which will be announced by the City Council and Elections Office in advance of the election. Virginia offers absentee voting (early voting) both in-person and by mail. Any registered voter may vote absentee without providing a reason. In-person absentee voting is available at the Falls Church Elections Office starting 45 days before an election, typically Monday-Friday during business hours and extended hours closer to Election Day, plus Saturdays before the election. To vote by mail, voters must request an absentee ballot online at vote.elections.virginia.gov, by mail, or in person at the Elections Office. The deadline to request a mailed ballot is 11 days before Election Day (5:00 PM). Completed absentee ballots must be returned by mail (postmarked by Election Day and received by noon the Friday after the election) or delivered in person to the Elections Office by 7:00 PM on Election Day. Virginia also offers drop boxes for absentee ballots at secure locations, including the Falls Church City Hall.