Archives and Records Management Branch
The Archives and Records Management Branch provides professional assistance and advice to county agencies on the management, retention and storage of their records. We ensure that legally mandated retention schedules, preservation standards, security measures and levels of access are followed for both permanent and non-permanent records regardless of the physical format or location of such records. County Agency inquiries/questions about record transfers, storage, disposition procedures, reformatting and other information should contact Archives directly.
Access to Public Records
It is the responsibility of each individual agency to assure that they maintain compliance with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Va. Code § 2.2-3700, et. seq.) and provide appropriate and timely access to public records. Not all county records are maintained at the Records Center. Most current records are retained by the creating agency. Some others are either created electronically or converted to a digital format for retention by the agency. Therefore, any citizen desiring access to material that may be stored in the Records Center must contact the originating agency first in order to do so.
Historical and Genealogical Records
While our jurisdiction includes public records initiated by the Board of Supervisors, committees, commissions, authorities and agencies from 1870 to the present, most such records are retained for only a short time. Persons engaged in historical or genealogical research should contact the Virginia Room, Fairfax City Regional Library for expert assistance.
General District Court Records
The Fairfax County Records Center will cease to provide the public with copies of General District Court case files, effective July 5th, 2022.
The Fairfax County Records Center is the repository for many but not all misdemeanor case records from the Fairfax County General District Court. Physical case papers are typically maintained on site at the Clerk’s Office for five years before being sent to the Records Center. Electronic copies of case files are maintained at the Clerk’s Office for 7 years. Some physical case records are never sent to the Records Center and others may be recalled by the Court for various reasons.
Beginning July 5th, customers must contact the Fairfax County General District Court to obtain copies of case files. If the case files are at the Records Center, it may take the Court 2-4 business days to obtain the requested files on your behalf.
You may request copies of your case papers by emailing the Fairfax County General District Court at GDCMail@fairfaxcounty.gov or by calling its Traffic Division (703-246-2815) or Criminal Division (703-246-3305) directly Monday – Friday between 8:00AM – 3:30PM. The Court can email you copies of case paperwork unless you request a Certified Copy. Certified Copies must be picked up in person or mailed to the requestor via USPS.