Loudoun County

Loudoun County, Virginia, is located in the northern part of the Commonwealth, directly west of Washington, D.C, and is part of the Washington metropolitan area. Loudoun County seat is Leesburg, a historic town established in 1758. With a 2020 Census population of approximately 420,959, Loudoun County is one of the fastest-growing and wealthiest counties in the United States. Loudoun County includes roughly 520 square miles and stretches from the Potomac River on the north to the Fairfax County border on the south, and from Fairfax and Arlington counties on the east to the Blue Ridge Mountains and Clarke County on the west. Major landmarks include Dulles International Airport (shared with Fairfax County), the historic Oatlands Plantation, Morven Park, and numerous Civil War battlefields and historic sites. Loudoun County is divided into eastern and western regions by the short hill mountain range, with the eastern portion characterized by rapid suburban development and technology corridors, while the western portion retains rural character with vineyards, horse farms, and small towns. Loudoun County's Clerk of the Circuit Court is located at 18 East Market Street, Leesburg, VA 20176. The Commissioner of the Revenue office, responsible for tax assessments, is at 1 Harrison Street SE, Leesburg, VA 20175. The Department of Finance and Procurement handles property tax collection at the same Harrison Street location. What makes Loudoun County unique is its transformation from a predominantly agricultural county to the nation's highest-income county, driven by the growth of data centers, technology companies, and its proximity to the nation's capital.

Sheriff & Law Enforcement

Loudoun County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for maintaining public safety in Loudoun County. It provides law enforcement services to unincorporated areas, operates Loudoun County Adult Detention Center, and processes arrests. Notable programs include community policing initiatives and specialized units such as the Crime Prevention Unit and the School Resource Officer Program, which aim to enhance public safety and community engagement.

Police Departments

Loudoun County is served by Loudoun County Sheriff's Office and several municipal police departments. The Leesburg Police Department provides law enforcement services within the town of Leesburg, while the Purcellville Police Department serves the town of Purcellville. Each department operates within its jurisdiction, handling local law enforcement duties, traffic control, and community policing.

Law Enforcement & Arrests

Loudoun County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 803 Sycolin Road SE, Leesburg, VA 20175 (phone: 703-777-1021), is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for operating Loudoun County Adult Detention Center, serving civil process, and providing courthouse security. The detention center houses pre-trial detainees and sentenced individuals serving time up to 12 months.

• Citizens may request arrest records by submitting a written FOIA request to the Sheriff's Office or the specific police department that made the arrest.

Criminal Records

Criminal records in Loudoun County cover felony, misdemeanor, traffic offenses, and the sex offender registry. Residents can request background checks through the Virginia State Police, which provides full criminal history reports. The Virginia State Police also helps with maintaining statewide criminal records, offering services to Loudoun residents for background checks and criminal history inquiries.

• The sex offender registry is publicly accessible, allowing residents to stay informed about registered offenders in their area.

Arrest Records

Arrest records in Loudoun County are maintained by Loudoun County Sheriff's Office. These records include details of the arrest, charges, and booking information. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records through the Sheriff's Office, either in person or via written request, in compliance with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. A Loudoun County arrest record typically contains the individual's personal information, details of the arrest, charges filed, and the arresting officer's name.

• The Virginia Freedom of Information Act ensures public access to such records, subject to certain exemptions.

Jail & Inmate Records

Loudoun County Adult Detention Center, located in Leesburg, is the main facility for housing individuals who have been arrested and are awaiting trial or serving short sentences. The booking process involves fingerprinting, photographing, and recording personal information of the detainees. Inmate lookup is available through the Sheriff's Office website, allowing family members and legal representatives to find information about current detainees. Visitation rules are specific to the facility and require prior scheduling, with guidelines available on the Sheriff's Office website.

• 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 detention center.

Mugshots & Booking Photos

Mugshots in Loudoun County are taken and retained by Loudoun County Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These booking photos are part of the arrest records and can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office. Mugshots may be available online through the Sheriff's website or by request, depending on the case and privacy laws. Virginia does not have specific laws for mugshot removal, but individuals may petition for removal or sealing of records under certain circumstances, such as expungement of charges.

Loudoun County's judicial system is served by Loudoun County Circuit Court, located at 18 East Market Street, Leesburg, VA 20176 (phone: 703-777-0270). The Circuit Court has jurisdiction over felony criminal cases, civil cases involving amounts exceeding $4,500, domestic relations matters including divorce and custody, and appeals from lower courts. Loudoun County General District Court, at the same address (phone: 703-777-0270), handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, civil cases up to $25,000, and preliminary hearings for felony charges.

• There is no fee to search online, though certified copies of court documents require payment.
• The Circuit Court Clerk's office charges $0.50 per page for copies and $2.00 for certification.

Property and land records in Loudoun County are maintained by the Clerk of the Circuit Court at 18 East Market Street, Leesburg, VA 20176 (phone: 703-777-0270; website: loudoun.gov/circuitcourt). The Clerk's office records and indexes all deeds, deeds of trust, mortgages, releases, plat maps, easements, mechanics' liens, and other instruments affecting real property in Loudoun County. Records date back to Loudoun County's formation in 1757, with some earlier records from Fairfax County.

• The office provides a free online land records search at Leesburg area.gov/landrecords where users can search by grantor, grantee, instrument type, or book and page number.
• Loudoun County Commissioner of the Revenue, at 1 Harrison Street SE, Leesburg, VA 20175 (phone: 703-777-0260), is responsible for assessing real estate, personal property, and business tangible property.
• The Department of Finance and Procurement (phone: 703-777-0280) collects property taxes and provides online payment options.
• Certified copies of recorded land instruments cost $2.00 for the first page and $0.50 for each additional page.

Vital records for events occurring in Loudoun County are available through multiple sources. Birth and death certificates for events occurring in Loudoun County can be requested from the Virginia Department of Health, Division of Vital Records, 2001 Maywill Street, Suite 101, Richmond, VA 23230 (phone: 804-662-6200). Virginia Code § 32.1-250 through § 32.1-271 governs the creation, maintenance, and release of vital records in the Commonwealth.

• Birth certificates cost $12.00 for the first copy and $10.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time; processing time is typically 4-6 weeks for mail requests.
• Expedited service is available for an additional fee.
• Death certificates cost the same amount with similar processing times.
• Marriage licenses are issued by Loudoun County Circuit Court Clerk at 18 East Market Street, Leesburg, VA 20176 (phone: 703-777-0270).
• The marriage license fee is $30.00, and the license is valid for 60 days.

Business and licensing records in Loudoun County are maintained by several agencies depending on the type of business activity. Loudoun County Department of Economic Development (phone: 703-777-0426; website: biz.loudoun.gov) is a central resource for businesses and provides information about local licensing requirements. Business licenses for companies operating in unincorporated Loudoun County are issued by the Department of Finance and Procurement, Business License Division, at 1 Harrison Street SE, Leesburg, VA 20175 (phone: 703-777-0260).

• Building permits, certificates of occupancy, and zoning approvals are handled by Loudoun County Department of Building and Development at 1 Harrison Street SE, Leesburg, VA 20175 (phone: 703-777-0397).
• Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce (loudounchamber.org) at 44035 Pipeline Plaza, Suite 310, Ashburn, VA 20147, promotes business development and provides networking opportunities for local businesses.

Explore public records for 15 cities and communities in Loudoun County, Virginia.

Loudoun County has one of the strongest and most dynamic economies in the United States, consistently ranking as the nation's highest-income county with a median household income exceeding $147,000 according to recent U.S. Census estimates. Loudoun County's economy is heavily driven by the technology sector, particularly data centers and internet infrastructure. Loudoun County is home to over 70% of the world's internet traffic, which passes through the massive concentration of data centers clustered along the Dulles Technology Corridor in Ashburn and surrounding areas.

Elections in Loudoun County are administered by Loudoun County Office of Elections, located at 750 Miller Drive SE, Suite C, Leesburg, VA 20175 (phone: 703-777-0380; website: loudoun.gov/elections). The office is responsible for voter registration, maintaining voter rolls, conducting federal, state, and local elections, and following Virginia election laws. Voter registration in Virginia can be completed online at vote.virginia.gov, the official state voter registration portal, or by submitting a paper application to Loudoun County Office of Elections.

• The deadline to register to vote is 22 days before any election in Virginia, as mandated by Virginia Code § 24.2-416.
• Absentee voting in Virginia is available to any registered voter without providing an excuse, a change implemented in 2020.
• Voters may request an absentee ballot online through the Virginia Department of Elections citizen portal, by mail, or in person at Loudoun County Office of Elections.