Surry County Criminal History Records
Surry County criminal history records are on file at the Circuit Court Clerk's office at 28 Colonial Trail, East in Surry and through the Virginia State Police. The county is a small rural jurisdiction in southeastern Virginia. You can search criminal case records online through the Virginia Courts Case Information System, visit the courthouse in person, or contact the Sheriff's Office to request arrest records.
Surry County Overview
Surry County Circuit Court Criminal Records
The Surry County Circuit Court Clerk's office is one of five constitutional offices in the county, elected by citizens for an eight-year term. Clerk Gail P. Clayton oversees all aspects of court records, including criminal matters. The office is at 28 Colonial Trail, East, Surry, VA 23883. Phone: (757) 294-3161. Fax: (757) 294-0471. Email: gclayton@vacourts.gov. Hours are 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Photo identification is required for in-person requests, and all requests must be put in writing.
The Clerk is responsible for a wide range of duties including recordation of land records, preparation of criminal orders, assessment and collection of fines, costs and restitution, maintaining criminal and civil court files, issuing subpoenas and summons, coordinating jury duty, and processing concealed weapons applications. As custodian of all records pertaining to people and property in Surry County, the Clerk's office preserves both historical documents and current filings. The Virginia Courts Case Information System includes Surry County Circuit Court cases -- choose "Surry County Circuit" in the drop-down list to view scheduled cases.
| Clerk | Gail P. Clayton |
|---|---|
| Address | 28 Colonial Trail, East Surry, VA 23883 |
| Phone | (757) 294-3161 |
| Fax | (757) 294-0471 |
| gclayton@vacourts.gov | |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Court Info | vacourts.gov |
The Surry County Circuit Court also has a Secure Remote Access site at surryvacocc.org. Subscribers get access to land, financing statements, judgment records, will information, and fiduciary account data. Free index information is available without a subscription, which is useful for identifying documents before paying for copies. The site covers land records back to the inception of the county and added indexing data going back to Deed Book 30 (October 15, 1903) in November 2023.
The Surry County Circuit Court page on the Virginia Judicial System website has clerk contact details and information about the court's criminal jurisdiction.
General District Court in Surry County
Surry County's General District Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic matters, and civil cases under $25,000. Records from this court are part of the county's criminal history landscape for less serious offenses. Cases involving misdemeanor convictions or guilty pleas at this level are searchable online through Virginia's case information systems. Appeals from the General District Court move to the Circuit Court for a fresh trial on the record.
Surry County Sheriff's Office
The Surry County Sheriff's Office, led by Sheriff Carlos Turner, is at 45 School Street, Surry, VA 23883. Call (757) 294-5264. The Sheriff maintains arrest records for all criminal incidents in the county. Surry County had 5 violent crimes and 21 property crimes reported in 2021. The Sheriff also maintains a list of registered sex offenders in the county, including those living, working, attending school, or incarcerated in Surry County. This register is public. To request arrest records, contact the Sheriff's Office in writing. Bring photo ID for in-person requests or include it with mail requests.
Search Criminal History in Surry County
Virginia's free online court portals give you access to Surry County criminal case records. The Online Case Information System (OCIS) covers both criminal and traffic cases statewide. For district court records, go to eapps.courts.state.va.us/gdcourts/. The Virginia Courts Case Information System lets you select "Surry County Circuit" to search circuit court criminal case information. Search criteria include party name, case number, and hearing date. These tools are free with no registration required.
For in-person searches, go to the Circuit Court Clerk's office at 28 Colonial Trail, East during business hours (9:00 AM to 5:00 PM). Standard records can be delivered by mail, email, or fax once payment is received. Official records can only be sent by mail. Plain copies cost $0.50 per page and certified copies are available for a per-document fee. Bring valid photo ID for in-person requests.
State records resources for Surry County cover the Sheriff's Office contact details, crime statistics, and how to access criminal history records.
Virginia State Police Criminal Record Checks
The Virginia State Police holds comprehensive criminal history records for all of Virginia, including Surry County, through the Central Criminal Records Exchange. Members of the public can request records by completing Form SP-167, having it notarized, and mailing it with the appropriate fee to the CARE unit: Virginia State Police, 7700 Midlothian Turnpike, North Chesterfield, VA 23235. The fee is $15.00 per name-based search. Instructions and the form are at vsp.virginia.gov/criminal-record-check/.
Under Virginia Code ยง 19.2-389, the CCRE holds criminal history data that can be accessed by the public for lawful purposes. This includes personal record reviews and certain other authorized uses.
VADOC Inmate Locator
The Virginia Department of Corrections operates a public inmate locator at vadoc.virginia.gov/general-public/inmate-locator/. Use it to find out if someone from Surry County is currently serving time in a Virginia state facility. The tool returns basic location and status data. It does not cover local jails or federal detention facilities.
Criminal Records Access in Surry County
Most court records in Surry County are public. The Virginia Freedom of Information Act and court records statutes presume that nonconfidential records are open for inspection and copying. The Clerk's office reviews requests to determine what is releasable. Restricted records include juvenile files, sealed cases, adoption records, mental health proceedings, and records protected by specific exemptions in Virginia law. Ordinary records can be delivered by mail, email, or fax. Official certified records are delivered by mail only.
To request records at the Clerk's office, go in person with photo identification or send a written request by mail. Office hours are 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Write out your request identifying the case by name, number, or approximate date. Include payment for copies. The Clerk will respond to written requests within a reasonable time. For criminal history records separate from court files, contact the Virginia State Police.
The Secure Remote Access site at surryvacocc.org gives subscription-based online access to certain court records including land, financing statements, judgments, and will records. Free index searching is available without subscribing. This is a useful starting point before requesting physical copies.
Nearby Counties
Surry County sits along the James River in southeastern Virginia. These neighboring counties each have their own courts and criminal records systems.