Richmond, Virginia Public Records

This collaborative approach ensures public safety doesn't stop at city limits, with officers from different departments regularly sharing intelligence and resources on cases that span multiple communities.

Virginia's bond and bail process permits release under certain conditions, and information on recent arrests is accessible through the Sheriff's Office or online databases maintained by Henrico County.

The Richmond City Clerk's office rounds out these resources by maintaining business licenses, marriage certificates, and other vital documents that residents frequently need for legal and personal purposes.

Registration happens through the Virginia Department of Elections online portal at vote.elections.virginia.gov, which offers same-day online voter registration up to 22 days before any election; voters need a Virginia driver's license or state ID number, or the last four digits of their Social Security number. Virginia allows in-person registration at the Office of Elections up to and including Election Day, though online and mail registration closes 22 days before. The city holds municipal elections in November of odd-numbered years; the next mayoral and city council elections are scheduled for November 2024 and November 2028, with the mayor and all nine city council members elected to four-year terms. Residents can find their assigned polling location using the Virginia Department of Elections' Citizen Portal at vote.elections.virginia.gov by entering their name and date of birth or using the address lookup tool. Virginia public records law makes voter registration lists available for purchase for political purposes, though individual voter history is confidential; campaign finance reports for city candidates are filed with the Virginia Department of Elections and searchable at elections.virginia.gov/candidatepac-info, and precinct-level election results are posted by the Richmond Office of Elections after certification. In the November 2024 presidential election, the city reported approximately 107,000 total votes cast from roughly 165,000 registered voters, representing approximately 65% turnout. Looking ahead to November 3, 2026, Richmond and Virginia voters will decide several key races: Virginia does not have U.S. Senate seats up in 2026 (next in 2024 and 2025 special), but voters will elect all 100 members of the Virginia House of Delegates, as Virginia holds state legislative elections in odd years with the next cycle in November 2025. Richmond voters in 2026 will primarily decide federal U.S. House of Representatives races (Richmond spans parts of Virginia's 4th and 7th congressional districts), and potentially local referenda or city charter amendments if placed on the ballot by council. Virginia offers no-excuse absentee voting; any registered voter may request a mail-in ballot by completing an application online at vote.elections.virginia.gov, by mail, or in person at the Office of Elections. Absentee ballot applications must be received by 5:00 PM on the Tuesday before Election Day (or the Friday before for in-person absentee voting). Early in-person voting is available at the Office of Elections beginning 45 days before any election and continuing through the Saturday before Election Day. Absentee ballots must be returned by 7:00 PM on Election Day, either by mail (postmarked by Election Day and received by noon the Friday after) or in person at the Office of Elections or an official drop box.