Health departments in Virginia are not independent county agencies. They are local offices of the Virginia Department of Health (VDH). That one fact explains most of what residents notice: similar forms, similar programs and similar standards from Fairfax in the north to Gate City in the far southwest. This page explains how the offices are organized, how city and county listings fit together, and what to do before you visit one.

How the Virginia Department of Health Organizes Local Offices

VDH is the state agency responsible for public health, and the State Health Commissioner leads it. Its powers and duties are set out mainly in Title 32.1 of the Code of Virginia. In many states each county hires its own health staff. Virginia instead delivers local services through one statewide system. Most local health department employees are state employees, and cities and counties help pay for services through cooperative agreements with the state.

The system is divided into 35 health districts. Each district has a health director, usually a physician, who oversees the local offices in that area. Some districts cover a single jurisdiction. The Alexandria Health Department, for example, serves one city. Others combine several localities. The joint office at 321 East Beech Street in Covington serves both the City of Covington and Alleghany County.

For residents, the practical result is consistency. Immunization schedules, communicable disease rules and food safety standards come from the state. What changes from place to place is the day-to-day schedule: clinic days, appointment systems, languages offered and which services are available on site. A short phone call to the office for your locality will save you a wasted trip.

Metro and Rural Virginia: How Access to Health Departments Differs

Northern Virginia offices serve dense, fast-growing populations. The Fairfax County Health Department is at 10777 Main Street in Fairfax (703-246-2411). Fairfax is also the locality with the most health department listings in our directory, and the Fairfax County page gives the full list. Nearby, the Loudoun County Health Department is at 1 Harrison Street Southeast in Leesburg (703-777-0234). The Prince William County Health Department is at 7751 Ashton Avenue in Manassas (703-792-4700), and the City of Alexandria Health Department is at 4480 King Street (703-838-4400). Larger metro offices tend to run more appointment-based clinics and to offer more interpreter support, but confirm what each site offers before you go.

Around Richmond, the directory lists several offices, and the City of Richmond County page covers them. The West Henrico County Health Department is at 8600 Dixon Powers Drive (804-501-4522). It is a useful reminder that Henrico County and the independent City of Richmond are served separately, so your home address decides which office to call. In Hampton Roads, the Norfolk Public Health Department is at 830 Southampton Avenue (757-683-2700), and the Chesapeake Health Department is at 490 Liberty Street (757-382-2651). Coastal offices also help communities prepare for hurricane season and flooding.

Rural Virginia looks different. In Scott County, the health department is at 112 Beech Street in Gate City (276-386-1312), and the Scott County page has details. Lee County's Jonesville Health Department is on Hill Street (276-346-2011). Carroll County's office is at 605 Pine Street in Hillsville (276-730-3180). Buckingham County's office is at 13360 West James Anderson Highway (434-969-4244). In places like these, one office may cover a wide territory, so a visit can mean a long drive. Ask which clinic days apply, whether a service can be handled by phone, and whether another site in the same district offers shorter waits.

Mid-sized cities fall between these two patterns. The Roanoke City Health Department is at 1502 Williamson Road NE (540-283-5050), and the Roanoke County page lists the other offices in that area. Lynchburg's office is at 1900 Thomson Drive (434-947-6777). These regional hubs often act as the main clinic for surrounding smaller localities.

Services You Can Get from a Virginia Local Health Department

Every district provides a core set of public health services. Exact offerings vary by office, but most residents come for one of the following:

Fees depend on the service. Some are free, some are charged on an income-based scale, and some are paid through insurance or Medicaid. Ask about cost when you book, and ask whether the office accepts your coverage. Environmental health permits and evaluations usually carry fees set by the state or locality, so request the current amount from the office that will handle your application.

Independent Cities, Counties and Shared Offices in Virginia Listings

Virginia has 95 counties and 38 independent cities. An independent city is not part of any county, which is rare in the United States. Our directory groups listings by locality, so you will see entries such as Manassas County and City of Alexandria County even though these are cities. The Prince William County Health Department appears under Manassas because its street address is in Manassas.

Shared offices add another layer. The Lexington/Rockbridge Health Department is at 300 White Street in Lexington (540-463-3185). The Henry/Martinsville Health Department is at 295 Commonwealth Boulevard West in Martinsville (276-638-2311). The Greensville Health Department is at 101 Spring Street in Emporia (434-348-4210), and the Hopewell Health Department is at 1501 W City Point Road (804-458-1297). Some listings carry broad names. The "Virginia State Health Department" is on South Main Street in Culpeper (540-829-7340), and the "Virginia Health Department" is on East Main Street in Abingdon (276-676-5650). Both are local offices, so use the address and phone number shown rather than the name alone.

Before You Go: Practical Steps at a Virginia Health Department

A little preparation shortens most visits. Work through this list:

Remember that a health department is not an emergency room. If someone has a life-threatening problem, call 911. For vital records such as birth or death certificates, ask the local office whether it can help, because VDH processes those requests centrally. When you are unsure which district covers your address, start with the VDH website or the nearest listing below.

The health department network in Virginia consists of the state health agency and a system of county and city health departments that together deliver public health programs, disease surveillance, and preventive services to residents statewide.

Health Departments locations are available in 126 cities across Virginia. They are spread across 119 counties.

Cities with the highest concentration include Richmond, Manassas, Alexandria, which operate full-service health departments providing comprehensive clinical and environmental health services to large urban populations.

Residents of Virginia can access their local health department for vaccinations, vital records, food inspection reports, and communicable disease information. Many services are available by appointment, and some are walk-in friendly.

Health Departments by Counties

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Residents of Virginia can order certified birth and death certificates, check restaurant inspection scores, and access free or low-cost vaccination services through their local health department. Most departments offer online appointment scheduling for clinical services.

Browse Health Departments by county across Virginia to find the nearest location.

Finding the Right Health Department Across Virginia's Regions

Virginia stretches from the Potomac River suburbs to the Appalachian coalfields and the Atlantic shore, and local health services reflect that range. In Northern Virginia, residents may choose among large offices in Fairfax, Leesburg, Manassas and Alexandria. In Central Virginia, smaller county offices such as Cumberland County at 15 Foster Road (804-492-4661), New Kent County at 12007 Courthouse Circle (804-966-9640) and King George County at 10079 Kings Highway (540-775-3111) serve quieter communities with fewer clinic days. In Southside and the Piedmont, the Chatham office in Pittsylvania County is a good example of a town-based office that serves a large rural county.

Because your address determines your district, the best starting point is always the office for the city or county where you live, work or own property. If that office is closed or has no appointment open, ask staff whether a neighboring location in the same health district can help. Districts often share clinicians and programs, even when the buildings are far apart. Keep a copy of your family's immunization records, since many services start with them. The questions below cover the issues Virginia residents ask about most.

The Virginia Department of Health runs them. Local offices are part of a statewide system organized into 35 health districts, each led by a district health director. Authority comes mainly from Title 32.1 of the Code of Virginia. Most staff are state employees, though cities and counties contribute funding through cooperative agreements. This is why services look similar across the state, while clinic hours and appointment methods are set locally. If you have a complaint or question that the local office cannot answer, VDH's central office in Richmond is the next level of contact.

Virginia's 38 independent cities are legally separate from counties, but our directory groups every listing under a county-style locality label so pages stay consistent. That is how entries such as City of Richmond County, City of Alexandria County and Manassas County appear. If you live in an independent city, look for the office with your city's name or a joint name, such as Lexington/Rockbridge or Henry/Martinsville. If you are unsure, compare the street address and phone number with the district that covers your home.

Wash the wound with soap and water for several minutes and get medical care promptly. Then report the bite to your local health department or animal control office so the animal can be located and observed or tested if needed. Virginia law requires rabies vaccination for dogs and cats, so ask the owner for vaccination records. Health department staff assess the exposure and advise whether you need rabies treatment. Do not wait for symptoms, because rabies treatment must begin quickly after a risky exposure. Bats found in a bedroom or near children should also be reported.

Yes, most local health departments offer childhood immunizations, and Virginia requires certain vaccines for school entry under the Code of Virginia. Children who qualify may receive vaccines through the federal Vaccines for Children program, which is meant for families without insurance coverage for them. Bring your child's existing immunization record, a photo ID for the parent or guardian, and any insurance or Medicaid card. Call ahead, because some offices hold immunization clinics only on certain days, and back-to-school weeks fill quickly. Ask the staff to update the school form while you are there.

The environmental health staff at your local health department handle onsite sewage evaluations and private well questions. Contact them before you buy rural land or plan a new home, because a site that cannot support a septic system may limit what you can build. In counties such as Scott, Carroll, Buckingham and Cumberland, many households depend on septic systems and wells, so this is a common reason to call. Bring the property address, parcel information and any survey or plat you have. Ask the office about current fees and timelines, as these differ by service.

Policies vary by district and by service. Some offices take walk-ins for vaccines or testing on set days, while others, especially in busy Northern Virginia, prefer appointments. Call first and ask. Bring photo identification, proof of address, your insurance or Medicaid card if you have one, and any medical or immunization records. For WIC, ask which income and identity documents the clinic wants. If you need an interpreter, request one when you book. Arrive early on clinic days, since late arrivals may be turned away.