About Giles County

County Seat Pearisburg
Established 1806
Named After William Branch Giles
Population 16,610 residents
Area 360 square miles

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 17,000 residents situated along the New River. Giles County includes approximately 360 square miles of mountainous Appalachian terrain and has a total population of roughly 16,610 residents according to recent census estimates. Giles County is distinguished by its dramatic natural features, including Mountain Lake, one of only two natural freshwater lakes in Virginia, which gained fame as a filming location for the movie Dirty Dancing. The New River, despite its name one of the oldest rivers in the world, flows through Giles County and provides exceptional recreational opportunities. The Appalachian Trail traverses Giles County for approximately 26 miles, passing through the rugged Peters Mountain and other scenic highlands. Giles County's economy has historically centered on agriculture, timber, and mining. Giles County Courthouse, located at 120 North Main Street in Pearisburg, houses the Circuit Court Clerk's office, which is the primary repository for land records, court documents, and vital records. The Commissioner of the Revenue, located at 315 North Main Street, Pearisburg, VA 24134, handles property assessments and business licensing. Giles County Treasurer's office manages tax collections and is also located in Pearisburg. Giles County's rural character, combined with its proximity to Virginia Tech in neighboring Montgomery County, creates a unique blend of agricultural heritage and educational influence.

  • The New River, despite its name one of the oldest rivers in the world, flows through Giles County and provides exceptional recreational opportunities.
315 North Main Street, Pearisburg, VA 24134

Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement

Law Enforcement & Arrests

  • 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.
208 Wenonah Avenue, Pearisburg, VA 24134

Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records

Criminal Records

Criminal records in Giles County, VA are maintained by local law enforcement agencies and the court system. Background checks are typically obtained through state-level repositories or authorized vendors. For an authoritative source, see Criminal Records Search - Giles County, VA (Arrests, Jails & Most Wanted Records.

Arrest Records

Arrest records in Giles County, VA are public under most state public-records laws unless sealed or expunged by a court. They are maintained by the arresting agency, primarily the County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments.

Jail & Inmate Records

The Giles County jail is operated by the County Sheriff's Office and houses pretrial detainees and short-sentence inmates. Inmate locator tools allow public searches by name or booking number.

1 Taylor Avenue, Ste 3 Pearisburg, VA 24134 • Phone: (540) 921-3842

Courts & Case Records

  • 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.
120 North Main Street, Pearisburg, VA 24134
156 Wenonah Avenue, Pearisburg, VA 24134

Property & Public Records

Property records for Giles County, Virginia are maintained by the Giles County Clerk of the Circuit Court. This office maintains recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements for properties in Giles County.

🔗 https://vacourts.gov

Vital Records

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

  • 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.
120 North Main Street, Pearisburg, VA 24134

Business & Licensing

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

  • 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.
315 North Main Street, Pearisburg, VA 24134

Official Government Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I search for someone recently arrested in Giles County, Virginia?
To search for someone recently arrested in Giles County, Virginia, you can contact the New River Valley Regional Jail, which serves Giles County. They provide an inmate lookup service on their website where you can search for current detainees. You can call the jail directly at their contact number for more information about recent arrests and inmate status.
Mugshots or booking photos for people arrested in Giles County, Virginia, are typically managed by the Giles County Sheriff's Office. You can request these photos by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly. Some information may also be available through the New River Valley Regional Jail's online portal, which may include booking details and photos.
To obtain a criminal background check in Giles County, Virginia, you need to contact the Virginia State Police, which handles statewide background checks. You can request a background check through their 'Criminal History Record Check' service. Locally, you may also inquire at the Giles County Sheriff's Office for any additional information or assistance needed for the process.
You can look up sex offenders in Giles County, Virginia, by accessing the Virginia State Police's Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry. This online registry provides detailed information about registered sex offenders in the area. You can search by name, address, or proximity to a specific location within Giles County.
To register to vote in Giles County, you can complete an online application at vote.virginia.gov or submit a paper application to the Giles County General Registrar at 315 North Main Street, Pearisburg, VA 24134, phone (540) 921-2662. The registration deadline in Virginia is 22 days before any election. Virginia offers same-day registration during the early voting period at the Registrar's office, and registered voters can request absentee ballots online or in person without providing an excuse.
Property records in Giles County are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk at 120 North Main Street, Pearisburg, VA 24134, phone (540) 921-2525, where you can search deeds, mortgages, liens, and plat maps during business hours Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Property tax assessment information is available through the Commissioner of the Revenue at 315 North Main Street, phone (540) 921-1664. Giles County does not currently offer a free online property search system, so most research requires an in-person visit or telephone inquiry. Certified copies cost $2.00 for the first page and $0.50 for each additional page.
Birth and death certificates for events occurring in Giles County can be obtained from the Giles County Circuit Court Clerk at 120 North Main Street, Pearisburg, VA 24134, phone (540) 921-2525, or from the Virginia Department of Health Division of Vital Records in Richmond at (804) 662-6200. Birth certificates cost $12.00 for the first copy and $10.00 for additional copies, while death certificates are $12.00 per copy. Processing takes approximately 5-10 business days, and requesters must provide valid identification and proof of eligibility under Virginia Code § 32.1-250. Online ordering is available through vdh.virginia.gov/vital records or VitalChek with expedited processing for an additional fee.
Business license and taxation information in Giles County is handled by the Commissioner of the Revenue at 315 North Main Street, Pearisburg, VA 24134, phone (540) 921-1664. Fictitious name (DBA) filings are recorded with the Circuit Court Clerk at 120 North Main Street, phone (540) 921-2525. For formal business entity searches including corporations and LLCs, use the Virginia State Corporation Commission's online database at scc.virginia.gov/clk/begin.aspx, which provides free access to all registered businesses, their registered agents, and filing status. Professional licenses are issued by the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation at dpor.virginia.gov.

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