Virginia Freedom of Information Act
How to Request 911 Calls in Virginia
You can ask a Virginia police department for 911 call audio and computer-aided dispatch (CAD) logs under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Va. Code 2.2-3700 and following). Response timeline: The agency must respond within 5 working days, and may invoke 7 more working days. For criminal investigative files (Va. Code 2.2-3706.1), it may take 60 additional working days. Files from ongoing investigations are exempt, but closed criminal investigative files are generally available. IMPORTANT: FOIA rights belong to Virginia citizens and media that broadcast or circulate in Virginia (Va. Code 2.2-3704).. Be as specific as you can about the date, place, and people involved, and ask for electronic copies.
Last reviewed October 7, 2026. Statute: Va. Code 2.2-3700 and following (opens in a new tab).
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Frequently asked questions
- Can I get 911 calls from a Virginia police department?
- You can request 911 call audio and computer-aided dispatch (CAD) logs under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Va. Code 2.2-3700 and following). Some records may be withheld or redacted under exemptions in the law, for example for open investigations or privacy.
- What should I include in a request for 911 calls?
- Name the department, describe the records as precisely as you can (date, time, location, officer name or badge number, case number), ask for electronic copies, and ask for a fee estimate first.
- How long will it take?
- The response timeline under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Va. Code 2.2-3700 and following) is: The agency must respond within 5 working days, and may invoke 7 more working days. For criminal investigative files (Va. Code 2.2-3706.1), it may take 60 additional working days. Files from ongoing investigations are exempt, but closed criminal investigative files are generally available. IMPORTANT: FOIA rights belong to Virginia citizens and media that broadcast or circulate in Virginia (Va. Code 2.2-3704).. Large video requests can take longer if the agency needs to review or redact footage.