Giles County

Giles County, Virginia is located in the southwestern portion of the Commonwealth, bordering West Virginia to the north and west. Established in 1806 from portions of Montgomery, Monroe (now in West Virginia), Tazewell, and Wythe counties, Giles County was named after William Branch Giles, a Virginia congressman and governor. Giles County Seat is Pearisburg, a town of approximately 2,800 residents situated along the New River.

• The New River, despite its name one of the oldest rivers in the world, flows through Giles County and provides exceptional recreational opportunities.

Sheriff & Law Enforcement

Giles County Sheriff's Office is responsible for maintaining law and order in Giles County, particularly in the unincorporated areas. The office oversees Giles County jail, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. The Sheriff's Office is also involved in community programs meant to crime prevention and public safety. Notable divisions within the office include patrol, investigations, and school resource officers, which work together to ensure the safety and security of residents.

Police Departments

Giles County is served by Giles County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments in towns such as Narrows and Pearisburg. The Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement in unincorporated areas, while town police departments focus on local issues within their jurisdictions. These agencies collaborate on major crimes and emergencies, making sure of full coverage and response throughout Giles County. Coordination between these agencies is crucial for maintaining public safety and effective law enforcement.

Law Enforcement & Arrests

Giles County Sheriff's Office, located at 208 Wenonah Avenue, Pearisburg, VA 24134, is the primary law enforcement agency for Giles County. The Sheriff's Office can be reached at and maintains a website at gilescounty.org where basic departmental information is available. The Sheriff's Office operates Giles County Jail, a detention facility that houses pre-trial detainees and sentenced inmates. Inmate information can be obtained by calling the jail directly at or by visiting the facility in person during business hours.

• Citizens may request arrest records by submitting a written request to the Sheriff's Office, though certain information may be withheld if it would jeopardize an ongoing investigation or compromise public safety.
• Mugshots and booking photos are generally available through public records requests to the Sheriff's Office, though processing times and potential fees may apply.
• For historical arrest records or case dispositions, requesters may need to contact the Circuit Court Clerk's office.
• Virginia State Police also patrol state highways within Giles County and maintain records of arrests made by state troopers, which can be requested through VSP headquarters.

Criminal Records

Criminal records in Giles County cover felony, misdemeanor, traffic violations, and sex offender registry information. Giles County Sheriff's Office and local police departments maintain these records, while the Virginia State Police provide statewide background checks. Residents can request background checks through the Virginia State Police, which include records of arrests, convictions, and other criminal activities. The Virginia Bureau of Investigation supports local agencies in managing and accessing criminal records.

Arrest Records

Arrest records in Giles County are maintained by Giles County Sheriff's Office. These records include details of the arrest, charges, and personal information of the individual arrested. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by contacting the Sheriff's Office, and requests are subject to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. Arrest records typically include the date of arrest, charges, and the arresting agency, providing a summary of the incident.

Jail & Inmate Records

Giles County Jail, operated by Giles County Sheriff's Office, is the primary detention facility for people arrested within Giles County. The booking process involves photographing and fingerprinting detainees, and inmate information can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office. Visitation rules are specific to the facility, with scheduled times and guidelines for visitors. In Virginia, the bond or bail process allows for the release of detainees pending trial, and information on recently arrested individuals can be obtained by contacting the jail directly.

Mugshots & Booking Photos

Mugshots in Giles County are taken and retained by Giles County Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These photos are part of the arrest records and can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office or online databases, depending on availability. Virginia does not have specific laws for the removal of mugshots from public records, but individuals may petition for removal under certain circumstances. Mugshots are often used for identification and public awareness purposes.

Giles County Circuit Court, located at 120 North Main Street, Pearisburg, VA 24134, is the court of general jurisdiction for Giles County, hearing felony criminal cases, civil cases involving amounts over $4,500, domestic relations matters including divorce, and appeals from lower courts. The Circuit Court Clerk's office can be reached at and maintains land records, court case files, and vital records. The 27th Judicial Circuit includes Giles County along with several other counties.

• Giles County General District Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, and civil cases involving $4,500 or less.
• The Circuit Court Clerk charges fees for certified copies of court documents, typically $2.00 for the first page and $0.50 for each additional page, plus a $2.00 certification fee.
• Research services may incur additional fees at $5.00 per hour when clerk staff must conduct extensive searches.

Giles County Circuit Court Clerk, serving as the Recorder of Deeds, maintains all land records for Giles County at 120 North Main Street, Pearisburg, VA 24134. The office can be contacted at and is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Available records include deeds, deeds of trust, mortgages, releases, assignments, land contracts, easements, rights-of-way, plat maps, subdivision records, mechanics' liens, judgment liens, UCC financing statements, and other instruments affecting real property.

• The Clerk's office provides public access terminals for in-person research during business hours.
• Certified copies of recorded land documents can be obtained from the Circuit Court Clerk for a fee of $2.00 for the first page and $0.50 for each additional page, plus $2.00 for certification.
• The office accepts recording of new documents during business hours, with recording fees based on the number of pages and document type as established by state statute.

Vital records for Giles County, Virginia are maintained by multiple agencies depending on the record type and date. Birth and death certificates that occurred in Giles County are available through Giles County Circuit Court Clerk's office at 120 North Main Street, Pearisburg, VA 24134, phone. Birth records less than 100 years old and death records less than 25 years old are restricted to qualified applicants under Virginia Code § 32.1-250 through § 32.1-271, which governs vital records confidentiality and access.

• Birth certificates cost $12.00 for the first copy and $10.00 for each additional copy requested at the same time.
• Death certificates cost $12.00 per copy.
• Processing time is typically 5-10 business days when requested in person or by mail.
• Marriage licenses are issued by the Circuit Court Clerk in Pearisburg, requiring both parties to appear in person with valid photo identification and payment of the $30.00 license fee.
• Requesters seeking certified vital records must provide valid photo identification and complete an application specifying their relationship to the registrant and the intended use of the certificate.

Business licensing and registration in Giles County involves both local and state agencies. Giles County Commissioner of the Revenue, located at 315 North Main Street, Pearisburg, VA 24134, phone, handles business personal property taxation and certain local business licenses. Business owners are required to file annual returns for tangible personal property used in their business operations.

• The fictitious name filing fee is typically $10.00 and must be filed in Giles County where the business operates.
• This database includes active and inactive businesses, corporate officers, registered agents, and filing history.

Elections in Giles County, Virginia are administered by Giles County General Registrar and Electoral Board, with offices located at 315 North Main Street, Pearisburg, VA 24134. The Registrar's office can be reached for voter registration information, absentee ballot requests, and polling place locations. Voter registration in Virginia can be completed online at vote.virginia.gov, the official state elections website managed by the Virginia Department of Elections, or by submitting a paper application to Giles County Registrar.

• Registered voters can verify their registration status, find their assigned polling place, and view sample ballots at vote.virginia.gov by entering their name and date of birth.
• Presidential election turnout in Giles County typically ranges from 65% to 72% of registered voters, with the 2024 general election seeing approximately 68% turnout.
• Absentee voting in Virginia is available to any registered voter without requiring an excuse under recent law changes.
• Voters may request an absentee ballot online at vote.virginia.gov, by mail, by fax, or in person at the Registrar's office.
• The deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail is 11 days before the election (5:00 PM), while in-person absentee voting is available up to the Saturday before Election Day.

Giles County's economy has traditionally been rooted in agriculture, forestry, and natural resource extraction, though it has diversified in recent decades. The median household income in Giles County is approximately $44,000, below both the Virginia state median and the national average, reflecting Giles County's rural character and limited industrial base. Agriculture remains important, with cattle farming, hay production, and timber operations constituting significant portions of the agricultural economy.

Court Records: Yes: Online Search Available | Property: Limited: In-Person Access Primarily | Arrest/Jail: Limited: Phone/In-Person Required | Vital Records: Limited: In-Person or Mail | Business: Yes: State Online Search | Elections: Yes: Online Tools | Overall Score: 6/10 — Giles County provides moderate transparency with court records searchable online through state systems, but property records and arrest logs require direct contact with county offices.

Explore public records for 9 cities and communities in Giles County, Virginia.