Open records requests in Virginia

How the Virginia Freedom of Information Act works

Virginia's Freedom of Information Act (Va. Code § 2.2-3700 et seq.) provides citizens of the Commonwealth, Virginia ties access rights to state citizenship, the right to inspect public records of public bodies. The law applies primarily to the executive branch and all local governmental entities, including counties, cities, towns, and school boards. Virginia's General Assembly and courts operate under separate transparency frameworks. Agencies must respond within five business days of receiving a written request.

Virginia's FOIA Council, housed within the Division of Legislative Services, provides formal advisory opinions and training to both requesters and agencies, and is one of the most active such bodies in the country. Noncompliance may result in civil fines up to $1,000 for a first violation and up to $2,500 for subsequent violations. Courts may award attorney's fees to prevailing requesters. Common exemptions include attorney-client communications, personnel records, certain law enforcement investigative materials, and records whose disclosure would constitute an invasion of personal privacy.