Free Virginia Arrest & Criminal Record Check (Every VA County)

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Free Virginia Arrest Records & Criminal Records Search

Access Virginia Records: background checks, warrants, probation and parole, court records, and all criminal and arrest records.

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Check Virginia arrest records and criminal records in every VA county for free by simply following the guide below or using free online searches.

Thankfully, the Freedom of Information Act has given citizens from VA and elsewhere the right to search nearly anyone’s information through government databases.

This guide empowers searchers to learn about a person’s past and current situation by providing step-by-step instructions on how to:

• Check VA criminal and arrest records online, and the best way to request physical copies
• See if someone is on probation or parole in Virginia
• Find a Virginia inmate’s contact details and how to post bail
• Expunge or seal records in Virginia
• Locate a current state prisoner or a current or past federal prisoner
• Run a VA background check for any reason, whether it’s for personal or professional purposes
• Check for sexual offenders nearby in VA and the rest of the U.S.
• Interpret laws about public records, anti-discrimination and more

Accessibility of Virginia Criminal & Arrest Records

Criminal records for the most part are considered public records in the state of Virginia, but there are some limitations on what can and cannot be released, and who can access certain records.

Under the Virginia Open Records Act, Statute 42.1-76, public records are defined as those generated by a governmental agency in the performance of official duties and can be requested by the general public unless they have been deemed confidential, sealed or expunged, or unless the information would present a danger to the public or the individuals listed in the record.

For example, a victim’s identifying information can be removed from the record when released, and juvenile records are automatically sealed from public view). Investigative notes can also be withheld until after a case has been disposed of in court.

The Virginia’s Freedom of Information Act, Statute 2.2-3700 provides further guidance on how to release records upon request and further limits release of information from closed meetings or confidential documents.

In addition to state laws, federal statutes also provide individuals with access to governmental records, which includes criminal history, but outlines how these records can be released and utilized. For one, the Fair Credit Reporting Act prohibits disclosing non-conviction records that are more than seven years on when a commercial entity conducts a background check.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission provides guidance to employers on the use of criminal history to ensure the records are not being used in a discriminatory manner. The EEOC also enforces laws against discrimination when using a criminal history to make a hiring decision.

All in all, it’s important to know what kinds of records can be accessed, how they differ and where to find each.

Criminal vs Arrest Records in Virginia

Criminal records can cover a wide array of information, from arrest records to full criminal history, and it’s vital that searchers understand the difference between the two, as well as how to check if someone has a criminal record.

What Shows on Virginia Arrest Records

Arrest records in Virginia are considered public records and can be accessed at the local or state level.

An arrest record only shows arrests, what the person was accused of doing, and where the individual is being housed, not convictions; however, unless it has been expunged from the record, an employer can fire someone for being arrested in Virginia.¹

What Appears on Virginia Criminal History Records

Virginia criminal records are much more comprehensive than arrest records, showing information typically found on an arrest record report, court jurisdiction, and disposition of the matter.

Criminal records will also show sentencing information such as probation, prison incarceration, diversion programs or deferred prosecutions.

For example, a criminal history report will show that a person was charged with one crime, but may have been convicted of a lesser crime due to a plea bargain or diversion program. The criminal history will also show if the charges were dismissed or the person was found not guilty.

A criminal history will also show if someone has been convicted of a disqualifying offense, known as a barrier crime in Virginia, that would automatically disqualify a candidate for a position working with vulnerable populations.²

How To Find Recent Arrests in Virginia for Free (Figure Out Why Someone Is in Any VA Jail)

While most states have jails maintained by the sheriff’s office in each county, Virginia’s system is slightly different, and it can be difficult to find recent arrests. There are some counties that maintain a jail just for that county; however, most counties utilize a regional jail authority to house inmates.

People want to know who in their community has been arrested or is currently in jail.

Virginia also has independent cities that are not considered part of the surrounding county. These cities can also have a city lockup or can utilize the regional jail system to house inmates.

It’s important to know how to find recent arrests in Virginia.

In addition, searchers need to understand how to find out if someone was arrested, how to find out if someone is in jail, or where to access daily arrests, current arrests, arrest reports or how to find out how to find out someone’s charges in jail.

To begin with, the following information must be known when starting a jail inmate search in Virginia:

• Arrestee’s name
• Where the person was arrested (city or county)
• When the person was taken into custody (if the person was just arrested, the information may not show up on an online inmate locator portal or be readily available via telephone)
• Which jail serves that particular area

The next step is knowing how to find out what someone was arrested for. Once this information is gathered, the individual can then conduct a search for the arrestee using the links below.

How To Locate Virginia Jail Inmates & Mugshots (Run a County Arrest Records Search in VA)

Virginia’s jail system includes county jails, city jails and regional jail authorities that encompass multiple counties and cities. Certain counties may also utilize more than one jail authority to house inmates.

Whether a person is searching for a friend or family member or an employee who hasn’t reported to work on a given day, this guide provides the steps to find out if they are in jail.

To conduct a search for someone in a Virginia jail, simply use the table below to find the appropriate county since we took the liberty to compile each county inmate lookup tool here.

Otherwise, searchers can do the following:

1. Open a search engine on the computer and type “[the county the person was arrested in] Virginia inmate locator.”
2. Review the first 2-3 listings that appear for official government agencies (local jails or jail authorities). These sites are not always .gov or .us sites.
3. Click on the one that matches the county where the person was arrested.
4. Select the inmate information link or inmate locator link.
5. Enter the person’s first and last name.
6. Key in any validation codes if required, then click search.
7. Review the list that opens to find the offender’s arrest data.
8. If there is no online directory, call the number listed for the jail or sheriff’s department and inquire about an arrestee.

The state doesn’t maintain a central mugshot database that is searchable by the public, but local law enforcement may include mugshots in daily arrest reports or jail inmate searches.

The table lists the county and regional jails in Virginia:

County Jail Inmate Search	Counties/Cities Served	Shows Mugshots?
Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail 434-977-6981	Albemarle County Nelson County City of Charlottesville	X
Alleghany-Covington Regional Jail 540-965-1776	Allegheny County City of Covington	X
Arlington County Sheriff’s Office 703-228-4460	Arlington County City of Falls Church	✓
Blue Ridge Regional Jail Authority* 434-847-3100	Amherst County Appomattox County Bedford County Campbell County Halifax County Pittsylvania County City of Lynchburg Sheriff’s Office City of Lynchburg Police Department	✓
Central Virginia Regional Jail 540-672-3222	Fluvanna County Greene County Louisa County Madison County Orange County	X
Eastern Shore Regional Jail 757-678-0460	Accomack County Northampton County	X
Hampton Roads Regional Jail 757-335-6260	City of Chesapeake City of Hampton City of Newport News City of Norfolk City of Portsmouth	X
Henrico Regional Jail East 804-652-1120	Goochland County Henrico County New Kent County	✓
Henrico Regional Jail West 804-501-4581	Goochland County Henrico County New Kent County	✓
Meherrin River Regional Jail 434-949-6700	Brunswick County Dinwiddie County Mecklenburg County	X
Middle Peninsula Regional Jail 804-758-2338	Essex County King and Queen County King William County Mathews County Middlesex County	✓
Middle River Regional Jail 540-245-5420	Augusta County Rockingham County City of Harrisonburg City of Staunton City of Waynesboro	✓
New River Valley Regional Jail 540-643-2000	Bland County Carroll County Floyd County Giles County Grayson County Pulaski County Wythe County City of Radford	✓
Northern Neck Regional Jail 804-333-6016	Gloucester County Northumberland County Richmond County Westmoreland County Town of Warsaw	X
Northwestern Regional Adult Detention Center 540-535-3800	Clarke County Fauquier County Frederick County City of Winchester	✓
Pamunkey Regional Jail 804-365-6400	Caroline County Hanover County City of Ahlund	X
Piedmont Regional Jail 434-392-1601	Amelia County Buckingham County Cumberland County Lunenburg County Nottoway County Prince Edward County	✓
Prince William-Manassas Regional Jail 703-792-6420	Prince William County Town of Occoquan Town of Quantico Town of Triangle Town of Dumfries Town of Haymarket City of Manassas City of Manassas Park	X
Rappahannock Regional Jail 540-288-5245	King George County Spotsylvania County Stafford County City of Fredericksburg	✓
Rappahannock Shenandoah Warren Regional Jail 540622-6097	Rappahannock County Shenandoah County Warren County	X
Riverside Regional Jail 804-524-6600	Charles City County Chesterfield County Prince George County Surry County City of Colonial Heights City of Hopewell City of Petersburg	✓
Roanoke County Sheriff’s Office 540-283-3102	Roanoke County	✓
Rockbridge Regional Jail 540-464-1188	Rockbridge County City of Buena Vista Town of Goshen Town of Glasgow City of Lexington	X
Rockingham-Harrisonburg Regional Jail 540-564-3800	Rockingham County City of Harrisonburg	X
Southside Regional Jail 434-634-2254	Greenville County City of Emporia	X
Southwest Virginia Regional Jail 276-739-3520	Buckingham County Dickinson County Lee County Russell County Scott County Smyth County Tazewell County Washington County Wise County City of Bristol City of Norton	✓
Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail 757-820-3900	James City County York County City of Poquoson City of Williamsburg	✓
Western Tidewater Regional Jail 757-539-3119	Isle of Wight County City of Franklin City of Suffolk	X
Western Virginia Regional Jail 540-378-3700	Franklin County Montgomery County Roanoke County City of Roanoke City of Salem

Note that regional jails without a link do not have an online portal to search for inmates; therefore, searchers must call the number listed to inquire about an arrestee.

Some county jails do not use the regional jail system, but also do not publish an inmate roster online. For the jails listed below, follow these steps to locate an arrestee:

1. Open Google or another search engine on the computer.
2. Type “[name of the county or city] Virginia arrest search” and put in the appropriate county or city name in the brackets.
3. Click the official link for the law enforcement agency. This is usually in the top 1-4 listings on the page and will often be a .gov or .us site; however, it may be a .net or .org.
4. Contact the county sheriff’s office using the number listed on the website.
5. Provide the officer with the person’s first and last name, date taken into custody, and your relationship with the person.
6. Give any additional information requested.

The table below lists the counties that do not have online search portals:

County Without Online Jail Roster	Phone Number
Bath County Sheriff’s Office	540-839-2375
Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office	540-473-8230
Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office	276-935-2313
Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office	276-542-5141
Craig County Sheriff’s Office	540-864-5127
Culpeper County Sheriff’s Office	540-727-3434
Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office (Also service City of Fairfax)	703-246-3227
Henry County Sheriff’s Office	276-618-7158
Highland County Sheriff’s Office	540-468-2210
Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office	804-462-5111
London County Sheriff’s Office	703-777-0407
Page County Sheriff’s Office	540-742-1236
Patrick County Sheriff’s Office	276-694-3161
Powhatan County Sheriff’s Office	804-598-5656
Southampton County Sheriff’s Office	757-653-2100
Sussex County Sheriff’s Office	424-246-5000

In addition to the regional and county jails, there are some municipal facilities that also house arrestees in that city’s jurisdiction.

How To Search City Jail Arrest Records in Virginia (Look Up Recent Arrests & Mugshots)

City jail searches are similar to those for county facilities when looking for arrest records in Virginia. The regional jail system is available to cities and the table above lists the cities that are covered by the regional jail system.

To search city jails for an inmate, complete these steps:

1. Open a search engine such as Google.
2. Type “[Name of the city the person was arrested in] Virginia Inmate Search.”
3. Review the top listed results for the official agency website, typically a .gov or .us site, but sometimes these agencies have .org or .net sites.
4. From the agency website, click the inmate locator link or call the number provided to find an arrestee.
5. Search using the individual’s first and last name.

The table below shows those cities that maintain their own detention facilities to house inmates. Those with a link provided have an online search portal:

City Jail Inmate Search	Phone Number	Online Inmate Search Link?
Alexandria City Jail	703-746-5000	No
Danville City Jail	434-799-5130	Yes
Martinsville City Sheriff’s Office	276-403-5152	No
Galax City Police Department	276-236-8101	No
Richmond City Jail	804-646-4464	Yes
South Boston Police Department	434-575-4273	No
Virginia Beach City Jail	757-385-4555	Yes

For smaller towns or cities that are not considered independent cities in the state, a search for an arrestee should start with the regional jail for that county. Searches can also call the local law enforcement agency to see where a person was taken following an arrest.

How To Complete a Public Arrest Record Search in VA Through the Virginia State Police CARE

Arrest records in Virginia can be accessed through the Virginia State Police as part of an overall statewide criminal records check. The steps below provide searchers with guidance on how to find out if someone has been arrested in Virginia. To conduct a CARE search, do the following:

1. Visit the Virginia State Police government website.
2. Scroll down the page and click the link for CARE (Civil & Applicant Records Exchange).
3. Select option 1 from the list to conduct a general public search.
4. Choose the form for the search requested.
5. Fill in the search information section.
6. Complete the mail results in the box.
7. Add contact information.
8. If the person is requesting their own record, they can enter payment information here and have it notarized through the online system.
9. For those requesting records for someone else, this form must be completed and printed. Signatures for the person requesting the record and the subject of the search must be notarized.
10. Mail-in forms must be sent, along with the $15 fee) to:

CARE: Civil & Applicant Records Exchange
VSP
Post Office Box 85076
Richmond Virginia 23285

Results will be mailed within 15 business days after mailing in the form. This provides a Virginia statewide criminal history which includes all arrest reports from any county or independent city in the state.

How To Contact a Jail Inmate & Post Bail in Virginia

Locating someone in jail in Virginia is necessary for posting bail or being able to contact the individual to assist in retaining an attorney, providing funds for the inmate to use, and generally helping the person stay in contact with family and friends.

Keeping contact with an inmate in jail helps to get bail posted quicker, work on the person’s defense, or just keep their spirits up while incarcerated, and the steps below provide people with the knowledge needed to maintain contact.

In order to contact someone or post bail in Virginia you can use the tables above to find the appropriate jail and/or Sheriff’s office, but instead of navigating to the inmate locator, navigate to the contact or visitation page.

For example, if someone is incarcerated in the Northwest Regional Adult Detention Center, this link opens the inmate information page, which outlines how to contact someone who’s in jail at this facility. Each link on this page provides information pertaining to the process.³

Within the first 48 hours at this facility, a person is brought before a magistrate for the purpose of a bond hearing. Once this has taken place, family and friends can work to post bail.⁴

Posting bail can happen in a variety of ways. First, the judge or magistrate has the option of releasing an inmate on his or her written promise (signature) to appear in court at the hearing date without having to provide property or cash as bail.

Individuals can also ask family or friends to post a bond, which sometimes includes making a cash payment or pledging property against the person’s future appearance in court. When family or friends cannot afford to post bond or do not have property to apply toward bond, they can hire a bail bondsman to help with the individual’s release.

A bail bondsman only requires a percentage of the overall amount to post a bond. Bail bondsmen in Virginia can charge a 10-15% nonrefundable fee to provide bonding services for an inmate.⁵

Searchers can also hire an attorney to assist with getting an inmate released on bail or on a written promise. The attorney can also help build a defense to work on getting the charges dismissed or working toward an acquittal.

Both a bail bondsman and an attorney are not necessarily required to locate and contact an inmate, but they can both be very beneficial.

How To Look Up Criminal Records in Virginia via the Virginia Judiciary

Another resource for criminal records in Virginia is by searching through the state judicial system.

Employers, landlords and individuals can follow the guidance to obtain a criminal history report on someone for a variety of reasons. Follow the steps below to search criminal records through the Virginia Judiciary:

1. Navigate to the official website for the Virginia Judiciary.
2. Click the link for the Online Case Information System.
3. Read the terms and conditions and click accept.
4. Key in the first and last name of the search subject.
5. If a disclaimer appears about processing payments, click the button to acknowledge. There is no charge for viewing records online; this pertains to making online payments for court fines and fees.
6. Multiple records may appear on the screen. Choose the records that match the subject and click the link for each.

The information available through the Virginia Judiciary includes the defendant’s name, gender, race and partial date of birth. It also includes the charges filed, if it’s a misdemeanor or felony, whether or not the person bonded out or is still in custody. Finally, court records include disposition in the case.

Judicial records can also be accessed at the local courthouse through the clerk of court’s office.

How To Access VA Criminal Records & Use the County Clerk of Court Case Access

Court data can also be accessed at the local clerk of court’s office, and individuals can turn to the clerk’s office to get specific data on a case.

To find the local clerk of court and search criminal records, follow the steps below:

1. Open a search engine such as Bing, Google or Yahoo.
2. Type “[name of the city or county the record originated in] Virginia clerk of court.” This could be a .gov or .us site, or it may be a .org or .net.
3. Look at the return results for the official website to get the court location.
4. Go to the local clerk of court’s office.
5. Using one of the public terminals, enter the subject’s first and last name to find court records.
6. If a printout is required, check with the clerk of court’s office to see how much a printout will cost and pay the fee.

The table below lists the clerk of court for each criminal district court in Virginia. If individuals cannot find courthouse information using the steps above, they can contact the clerk’s office using the number in the table below:

Clerk of Court by County or Independent City	Address	Phone Number
Accomack	23371 Front St Accomac Virginia 23301-0276	757-787-0923
Albemarle	501 East Jefferson St, Ste 138 Charlottesville Virginia 22902-5110	434-972-4004
Alexandria	520 King St, Floor 2 Alexandria Virginia 22320-4489	703-746-4030
Alleghany	266 W Main St Covington Virginia 24426-0139	540-965-1720
Amelia	16441 Court St Amelia Virginia 23002-0024	804-561-2456
Amherst	113 Taylor St Amherst Virginia 24521	434-946-9351
Appomattox	297 Court St, Floor 2 Appomattox Virginia 24522-0187	434-352-5540
Arlington	1425 N Courthouse Rd, Ste 2400, Floor 2 Arlington Virginia 22201-2622	703-228-7900
Augusta	6 E Johnson St, Floor 2 Staunton Virginia 24401-4398	540-245-5300
Bath	County Courthouse Warm Springs Virginia 24484-0096	540-839-7241
Bedford	123 E Main St, Ste 202 Bedford Virginia 24523-2034	540-586-7637
Bedford City	123 E Main St, Ste 202 Bedford Virginia 24523-2034	540-586-7637
Bland	612 Main St, Ste 106 Bland Virginia 24315-0157	276-688-4433
Botetourt	20 East Back St, Ste A Fincastle Virginia 24090-4537	540-928-2270
Bristol	497 Cumberland St, Room 208 Bristol Virginia 24201-4393	276-645-7341
Brunswick	202 N Main St Lawrenceville Virginia 23868-1808	434-848-2315
Buchanan	1012 Walnut St, Ste 309 Grundy Virginia 24614	276-935-6526
Buckingham	County Courthouse Buckingham Virginia 23921-0127	434-969-4755
Buena Vista	2039 Sycamore Ave Buena Vista Virginia 24416	540-264-2163
Campbell	732 Village Hwy Rustburg Virginia 24588-0097	434-332-9546
Caroline	County Courthouse Bowling Green Virginia 22427-0511	804-633-5720
Carroll	605 Pine St Hillsville Virginia 24343-0698	276-730-3050
Charles City	10780 Courthouse Rd Charles City Virginia 23030-0057	804-652-2188
Charlotte	115 David Bruce Avenue Charlotte Courthouse Virginia 23923-0127	434-542-5600
Charlottesville	606 E Market St Charlottesville Virginia 22902-2677	434-970-3388
Chesapeake	307 Albemarle Dr, Civic Ctr Chesapeake Virginia 23322-5571	757-382-3100
Chesterfield	9500 Courthouse Rd Chesterfield Virginia 23832-0144	804-748-1231
Clarke	104 N Church St Berryville Virginia 22611-0612	540-955-5128
Colonial Heights	550 Blvd. Colonial Heights, Virginia 23834	804-520-9346
Craig	182 Main St, Ste 5 New Castle Virginia 24127-0232	540-864-5989
Culpeper	135 West Cameron St Culpeper Virginia 22701-3045	540-727-3417
Cumberland	1 Courthouse Cr Cumberland Virginia 23040-0024	804-492-4848
Danville	401 Patton St Danville Virginia 24543-3300	434-799-5179
Dickenson	119 Courthouse Ln Clintwood Virginia 24228-0128	276-926-1630
Dinwiddie	Dinwiddie County Courthouse Dinwiddie Virginia 23841-0280	804-469-4533
Emporia	315 S Main St Emporia Virginia 23847	434-634-5400
Essex	300 Prince St Tappahannock Virginia 22560	804-443-3744
Fairfax	4110 Chain Bridge Rd, Ste 210 Fairfax Virginia 22030-0458	703-246-3305
Fairfax City	10455 Armstrong St Fairfax Virginia 22030-3600	703-385-7866
Falls Church	300 Park Ave, Ste 151-W Falls Church Virginia 22046-3301	703-248-5096
Fauquier	6 Court St Warrenton Virginia 20186-3299	540-422-8035
Floyd	100 East Main St, Rm 208 Floyd Virginia 24091-2101	540-745-9327
Fluvanna	72 Main St, Ste B Palmyra Virginia 22963-0417	434-591-1980
Franklin	275 South Main St, Ste 111 Rocky Mount Virginia 24151-1758	540-483-3060
Franklin City	1020 Pretlow St Franklin Virginia 23851-2067	757-562-8550
Frederick/Winchester	5 N Kent St Winchester Virginia 22601-5037	540-722-7208
Fredericksburg	701 Princess Anne St, Ste 200 Fredericksburg Virginia 22401	540-372-1043
Galax	353 N Main St, Ste 204 Galax Virginia 24333-2911	276-236-8731
Giles	120 N Main St, Ste 1 Pearisburg Virginia 24134	540-921-3533
Gloucester	7400 Justice Dr, Rm 102 Gloucester Virginia 23061	804-693-4860
Goochland	2938 River Rd W Goochland Virginia 23063-0047	804-556-5309
Grayson	129 Davis Street Independence Virginia 24348-0280	276-773-2011
Greene	85 Stanard St Stanardsville Virginia 22973-0245	434-985-5224
Greensville	315 S Main St Emporia Virginia 23847-2027	434-634-5400
Halifax	8 S Main St, Ste 200 Halifax Virginia 24558-2508	434-476-3385
Hampton	236 N King St, Floor 2 Hampton Virginia 23669-3518	757-727-6260
Hanover	7530 County Complex Road, Floor 1 Hanover Virginia 23069-0176	804-365-6191
Harrisonburg/Rockingham	53 Court Sq, Rm 132 Harrisonburg Virginia 22801-3700	540-564-3130
Henrico	4309 E Parham Rd Henrico Virginia 23273-0775	804-501-4723
Henry	3160 Kings Mountain Rd, Ste A Martinsville Virginia 24112-3965	276-634-4815
Highland	165 W Main St Monterey Virginia 24465-0088	540-468-2445
Hopewell	100 E Broadway Hopewell Virginia 23860-2715	804-541-2257
Isle of Wight	County Courthouse Isle of Wight Virginia 23397	757-365-6244
King & Queen	242 Allens Cr King & Queen Virginia 23085	804-785-5982
King George	9483 Kings Hwy King George Virginia 22485-0279	540-775-2390
King William	351 Courthouse Ln, Suite 201 King William Virginia 23086	804-769-4947
Lancaster	8265 Mary Ball Rd Lancaster Virginia 22503-0129	804-462-0012
Lee	33640 Main Street, Ste 209 Jonesville Virginia 24263	276-346-7729
Lexington/Rockbridge	20 S Randolph St, Ste 200 Lexington, Virginia 24450-2552	540-463-3631
Loudoun	18 E Market St Leesburg Virginia 20176-2828	703-777-0312
Louisa	314 W Main St Louisa Virginia 23093-0452	540-967-5330
Lunenburg	160 Courthouse Sq, Ste 201 Lunenburg Virginia 23952-2223	434-696-5508
Lynchburg	905 Court St Lynchburg Virginia 24504-1603	434-455-2630
Madison	2 Main St Madison Virginia 22727-0470	540-948-4657
Martinsville	55 W Church St Martinsville Virginia 24114-1402	276-403-5125
Mathews	10622 Buckley Hall Rd Liberty Sq Mathews Virginia 23109	804-725-2242
Mecklenburg	911 Madison St Boydton Virginia 23917-0306	434-738-6260
Middlesex	73 Bowden St Saluda Virginia 23149	804-758-4312
Montgomery	55 E Main St, Floor 3 Christiansburg Virginia 24073-3073	540-394-2086
Nelson	84 Courthouse Sq Lovingston Virginia 22949-0514	434-263-7040
New Kent	12001 Courthouse Cr New Kent Virginia 23124-0127	804-966-9530
Newport News	2500 Washington Ave, Floor 2 Newport News Virginia 23607-4307	757-926-8811
Norfolk	150 Saint Paul’s Boulevard, Rm 3202 Norfolk, Virginia 23510-2747	757-664-4915
Northampton	5229 The Hornes Eastville Virginia 23347	757-678-0466
Northumberland	220 Judicial Pl Heathsville Virginia 22473-0114	804-580-4323
Nottoway	328 W Courthouse Rd Nottoway Virginia 23955	434-645-9312
Orange	110 N Madison Rd, Ste 100 Orange Virginia 22960	540-672-6164
Page	116 S Court St, Ste B Luray Virginia 22835-1200	540-743-5705
Patrick	106 Rucker St, Admin Building, Rm 318 Stuart Virginia 24171-0149	276-694-7258
Petersburg	35 E Tabb St Petersburg Virginia 23803-4518	804-733-2374
Pittsylvania	11 Bank St, Ste 201 Chatham Virginia 24531-0695	434-432-7879
Portsmouth	1345 Court St, Ste 104 Portsmouth Virginia 23705-0129	757-393-8681
Powhatan	3880 D Old Buckingham Rd Powhatan Virginia 23139-7052	804-598-5665
Prince Edward	111 South St Farmville Virginia 23901-1354	434-392-4024
Prince George	6601 Courts Dr Prince George Virginia 23875-0187	804-733-2781
Prince William	9311 Lee Ave Manassas Virginia 20110-5586	703-792-6141
Pulaski	45 3rd Street, Northwest, Ste 102 Pulaski Virginia 24301-5041	540-980-7470
Radford	619 2nd St Radford Virginia 24141-1456	540-731-3609
Rappahannock	250 Gay St Washington, Virginia 22747-0206	540-675-5356
Richmond	201 Court Cr Warsaw Virginia 22572	804-333-4616
Richmond City	400 North Ninth St Richmond Virginia 23219-1549	804-646-6431
Roanoke	305 E Main Street Salem Virginia 24153-0997	540-387-6168
Roanoke City	315 West Church Avenue Southwest, Floor 2 Roanoke Virginia 24016-5007	540-853-2767
Russell	53 East Main St Lebanon Virginia 24266-0065	276-889-8051
Salem	2 E Calhoun St Salem Virginia 24153	540-375-3044
Scott	202 W Jackson St, Ste 203 Gate City Virginia 24251-3417	276-386-7341
Shenandoah	215 Mill Rd, Ste 128 Woodstock Virginia 22664-1409	540-459-6130
Smyth	109 W Main St, Ste 1022 Marion Virginia 24354-2534	276-782-4047
Southampton	1020 Pretlow St Franklin Virginia 23851-2070	757-653-2673
Spotsylvania	9111 Courthouse Rd, Floor 1 Spotsylvania Virginia 22553-0339	540-507-7680
Stafford	1300 Courthouse Rd Stafford Virginia 22555-0940	540-658-8935
Staunton	113 East Beverley Street, Floor 1 Staunton Virginia 24401-4390	540-332-3878
Suffolk	150 N Main St Suffolk Virginia 23434-4552	757-514-4822
Surry	45 School St Surry Virginia 23883-0332	757-294-5201
Sussex	15098 Courthouse R State Rte 735 Sussex Virginia 23884	434-246-1096
Tazewell	135 Court St, Ste 300 Tazewell Virginia 24651-1081	276-385-1563
Virginia Beach	2425 Nimmo Pkwy Virginia Beach Virginia 23456-9057	757-385-8531
Warren	Courthouse Sq 1 E Main Street Front Royal Virginia 22630	540-635-2335
Washington	191 E Main St Abingdon Virginia 24210-2858	276-676-6279
Waynesboro	250 S Wayne Ave, Ste 100 Waynesboro Virginia 22980-4625	540-942-6636
Westmoreland	175 Polk St Montross Virginia 22520	804-493-0105
Williamsburg/James City	5201 Monticello Ave, Ste 2 Williamsburg Virginia 23188-8218	757-564-2400
Wise/Norton	206 E Main St Wise Virginia 24293-0829	276-328-3426
Wythe	245 S Fourth St, Ste 205 Wytheville Virginia 24382-2548	276-223-6079
York	300 Ballard St Yorktown Virginia 23690-0316	757-890-3450

The clerk of court is tasked with maintaining all the records generated in the courts in that county or city; therefore, this is an excellent source for court records.

Perform a Statewide Criminal Record Search Through the Virginia State Police

Virginia criminal records statewide can be accessed through the Virginia State Police. VSP is the official criminal record repository in the state.

Criminal records checks through the state police require notarized signatures of the person requesting the search and the subject of the search.

To complete a statewide criminal records search through the Virginia State Police, do the following:

1. Go to the Virginia State Police website.
2. Click the link for CARE, Civil and Applicant Records Exchange, which appears midway on the page.
3. Choose option one for a general public search.
4. Select the type of search requested, such as a personal record request, an official agency request, or a national check for employees or volunteers with an agency.
5. In the search information section, add the required information.
6. Add information on who will receive the record.
7. Include the searcher’s contact information.
8. If the person is requesting their own record, they can enter payment information here and have it notarized through the online system.
9. For those requesting records for another person, this form must be completed and printed. Signatures for both the searcher and the subject of the search must be notarized.
10. Take the form to the nearest notary to sign and have verified.
11. Mail notarized forms, along with the $15 fee) to:

CARE: Civil & Applicant Records Exchange
VSP
Post Office Box 85076
Richmond Virginia 23285

By following the steps above, anyone can access Virginia State Police statewide criminal records which include both arrest records and full criminal history. The Virginia State Police is the official public records repository for criminal records and background checks in the state, and are the only ones that can be used for official decisions such as hiring or leasing.

Learn How To Request a Copy of Criminal Records in Virginia

A copy of a person’s Virginia criminal record can also be obtained from the law enforcement agency in the searcher’s area. The steps below outline how a person can get a criminal record for personal or professional use from the local police.

To get a criminal record copy from local law enforcement, do the following:

1. Open a search engine of your choice or Google.
2. Type “[name of the city or county the criminal record originated in] Virginia criminal record search” and hit enter.
3. Check the first 1-3 sites on the results returned to look for the official website. Be aware that local law enforcement websites may be a .gov or .us site, but they may also be a .org, .com, or .net site.
4. Click the link for records unit or division on the website.
5. Follow the instructions listed in that section for obtaining a criminal history.

Each agency may have different methods of getting the record, and some may require a nominal fee for searching, printing and mailing or delivering the record. Records may be just for that jurisdiction or for the entire state depending on the department. Records may vary in what they reveal as well.

For example, they may show charges in that county but not if the person was placed on probation or parole.

How To Find Out Who Is on Probation or Parole in Virginia

Sometimes, defendants are convicted of crimes but not placed in prison, so individuals need to know how to conduct a probation search. Rather than incarceration the defendant is placed on supervised probation.

Also, defendants sentenced to prison can be released early on community supervision, also known as parole. In both cases, the person is still under court-ordered supervision, but they are allowed to live and work in the local community.

Supervised probation and parole are a function of the Virginia Department of Corrections, but the offender locator on the DOC website only shows individuals who are in custody (meaning currently incarcerated in a prison, work camp or jail that houses post-sentencing inmates in addition to pre-trial).

Victims are especially interested in knowing if the person who harmed them is in prison or has been placed on probation or if the person was released from prison early on parole.

To find out if someone is on a VA parolee database or check who is on probation in Virginia, do the following:

1. Visit the Virginia Department of Corrections, Community Corrections Division website.
2. Select facilities and offices at the top of the page.
3. Choose the region where the defendant resides (western, eastern or central).
4. Select probation and parole as the offender status.
5. Scroll through the section of probation and parole offices to get the phone number for that area.
6. Call the number listed and provide the full name of the individual to see if the person is on probation or parole in that area.

Individuals who are placed on probation will also have this information listed on their criminal history which can be obtained using the steps listed earlier in this article.

Victims of crimes can also be notified when the defendant is being released from prison, either on parole or because the sentence has ended, by registering with VINELink. VINELink⁶ is recognized by Virginia as an official way victims can be notified of inmate movement in the state.

A Step-by-Step Guide for Sealing or Expunging a Criminal Record in Virginia

Criminal records can follow a person for a lifetime, but Virginia does offer certain individuals the opportunity to expunge records, giving the defendant a clean start without a record holding them back.

To be eligible for expungement in Virginia, as outlined under statute 19.2-392.2, the following criteria must be met before a person can submit a petition:

• The defendant was acquitted
• Charges are dismissed or dropped
• The person was convicted based on identity theft or mistaken identity
• If a person pled guilty or no contest or was convicted following a trial, the matter is not eligible for expungement⁷

To expunge a record, the following steps must be completed:

1. Obtain a certified copy of the warrant or indictment that resulted in an acquittal, dismissal or dropped charges or were the result of identity theft or mistaken identity.
2. File these documents with the court where the matter was dismissed or the defendant was acquitted along with a petition requesting expungement.
3. The petition is sent to the Commonwealth lawyer for review, and a response must be made within 21 days.
4. The defendant must be fingerprinted by an official law enforcement agency and these prints plus two copies of the expungement petition are forwarded to the Virginia State Police.
5. The law enforcement agency that takes the defendant’s fingerprints will also submit a copy of the prints and petition to the Virginia State Police Central Criminal Records Exchange system.
6. The CCRE forwards the fingerprints, a copy of the defendant’s criminal record and the records to be expunged to the court.
7. The court rules on the petition. If approved, the expungement order is sent back to the Virginia State Police for proper destruction of the records.⁷

Expungement can be a difficult process, so it is recommended a person hire an attorney to assist with the process. An attorney can make sure the defendant’s rights are being protected and that eligibility is determined before the person petitions the courts.

How To Locate Inmates in VA State & Federal Prisons

In addition to criminal records and arrest records, many wonder who is in prison in their state. Virginia is home to three federal prisons and one federal work camp. Virginia also has 26 state prisons, so it’s important to know how to locate an incarcerated person in order to maintain contact with a loved one, find out about visitation and know where to send mail.

Steps To Find Someone in a Virginia State Prison

To locate a state prisoner in Virginia in order to stay in contact with a loved one or know if someone you know is in state prison, complete these steps:

1. Navigate to the Virginia Department of Corrections website.
2. Searchers must enter the full last name and at least the first letter of the first name of the subject.
3. Other information can be added under the additional search options section if available.
4. Click locate to perform the search.
5. Scroll through the list of records returned to see if the subject is currently incarcerated. The Virginia DOC inmate locator only shows those who are currently in DOC custody.

The individuals listed in this search are those who have been tried and convicted, not those with pending charges or warrants.

A Step-by-Step Overview of Looking Up Someone in Federal Prison

To locate federal inmates in the state and know if someone you know is in federal custody, do the following:

1. Go to the Federal Bureau of Prison inmate locator.
2. Complete the on-screen form under the find by name tab. If the searcher doesn’t have all the information, a first and last name will be enough to start the search.
3. Review the list of federal inmates to find the subject’s record. If the person is currently in custody in Virginia, the record will show the current offender location.

How To Determine Who Has a Warrant in Virginia: Run a VA Wanted Search

Another item many people are interested in is knowing who has active warrants in their area or may be asking how do I know if I have been charged with a crime or have a warrant out for their arrest. Virginia warrants are considered public record, but not every law enforcement agency in the state publishes their active warrant lists.

To check if someone is wanted by law enforcement in your area, do these steps:

1. Open a search engine such as Google on the computer.
2. Type “[name of the county or independent city] Virginia warrant search” and press enter.
3. Check the results to find the agency’s official website. For example, when typing “Virginia Newport News warrant search,” one of the first results is Newport County’s Active Warrants list.
4. Click the link on the page to view all active warrants, or enter the first and last name of the subject to see if an active warrant is outstanding.

Again, not every law enforcement agency publishes warrant lists or has an online portal to search a warrant list; however, agencies that do encourage those with active warrants to turn themselves in to resolve the issue. Results will also vary.

Some agencies may include mugshots or charges, others may just include a physical description of the person and last known location.

Federal warrants are maintained by the US Marshal’s Service in the Warrant Information System (WIN) system and are not available for public search. Therefore, individuals in Virginia subject to an active federal warrant will not know until the warrant has been executed.⁸

Determine how to search for information about anyone wanted in Virginia via the step-by-step resource; it provides helpful links, search tools, and insights to make for a quick and convenient lookup.

A Look at Virginia Background Checks & Agencies

There are several agencies in Virginia that either perform background checks or require them for certain individuals. The table below shows which official state agencies complete or require a background check:

Agency That Performs or Requires Background Checks	Screening Reasons
Virginia State Police	Employment screenings Volunteer screenings Licensure background checks Individual/Personal background checks Foster parents Adoptions Adult daycare workers Childcare workers Gaming commission certifications Security guards (armed and unarmed) Public school employees Firefighters Social workers Substance abuse counselors Mental health workers
Virginia Department of Health	Emergency Medical Service personnel
Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation	Architects Home Inspectors Athletic agents Auctioneers Barbers Body piercers Boxers Branch pilots Cemetery sales clerks Contractors Cosmetologists Electricians Elevator engineers Estheticians Geologists Hearing aid specialists HVAC contractors Interior designers Landscapers Surveyors Martial arts instructors/professionals Nail techs Sewage professionals Opticians Plumbers Polygraph operators Real estate appraisers and agents Soil scientists Tattoo artists Timeshare managers Waste management operators Well-water system providers Wax techs Wrestlers
Virginia Board of Nursing	Registered nurses Licensed professional nurses Massage therapists
Virginia Board of Medicine	Assistant behavioral analysts Athletic trainers Behavioral analysts Chiropractors Counselors Medical internships Acupuncturists Medical doctors Midwives Occupational therapists Occupational therapy assistants Osteopathic specialists Physician assistants Podiatrists Radiology techs Radiology assistants Respiratory therapists Surgical techs Surgical assistants

These screenings search for disqualifying offenses that make a person ineligible for a certain position such as violent felonies or sex offenses.

How To Use the Virginia Sex Offender Registry

Sex offenses are considered particularly serious, and convicted offenders may be required to register on the state sex offender registry. This misdemeanor and felony registry of convicted sex offenders helps law enforcement keep track of offenders and helps the public know if an offender resides in their neighborhood.

There is a national sex offender registry; however, the national registry redirects the searcher to the state website. To search the Virginia sex offender registry, do the following:

1. Go to the Virginia Sex Offender Registry.
2. Read the disclaimer, acknowledge understanding of the disclaimer and confirm the searcher is not a robot, then click accept.
3. Select the type of search to perform. Searches can be by zip code, address, name, county, city or school location.
4. Type in the information needed to perform the search and click search.
5. Review the results to see if the subject of the search is a registered sex offender or see how many sex offenders live in a geographical area.

The sex offender registry will show data from the last time the individual registered. Individuals who are non-compliant will show as wanted in the registry for failure to abide by the court’s order.

A Review of Virginia Laws Regarding Criminal & Arrest Records (VA State Statutes)

Virginia criminal records are considered public records unless they have been expunged. Virginia statutes that govern how these records can be obtained and used in making official decisions, such as hiring or leasing property, are discussed below.

Virginia Open Records Act, Statute 42.1-76 outlines what is considered a public record. This includes arrest records in Virginia and court case information, including convictions and non-convictions that have not been sealed or expunged.

Limitations to disclosure include investigative notes while the matter is still pending trial, juvenile court records, and victim information.

Virginia’s Freedom of Information Act, Statute 2.2-3700 gives agencies a framework for accepting requests from the public. The statute provides guidance on how records should be stored and disseminated to the public, how to accept requests for records, and which records are protected from disclosure.

Starting 1 July 2020, Virginia prohibited employers from inquiring about marijuana arrests, charges or convictions per Statute 19.2-389.3. Employers cannot ask about these offenses at any stage in the hiring process including initial application, interviews, or at any time after the interview process.

Limitations to this law include where federal law requires disclosure; the individual is applying for a position with local or state law enforcement, or the Virginia Code otherwise requires employers to make the disclosure.⁹

Virginia Administrative Code 22VAC40-191-20 describes background checks as the following:

• Any affirmation or statement that is sworn to by an official agency or government entity,
• Criminal history reports or screenings,
• FBI national records checks (rap sheet), and
• Central registry searches or checks.

The code also outlines what must be included in background checks and what information must be excluded (such as juvenile records or sealed matters).¹⁰

Virginia also passed its own ban the box code (Statute 15.2-1505.3), effective 1 July 2020, prohibiting employers from inquiring about criminal history on applications. Exceptions to the statute include applications to work for law enforcement agencies, local school boards, or sensitive positions.

The statute also allows for questions about criminal history to be made during or following an interview.

Federal laws that govern how background checks or people finder searches can be used in Virginia include the Fair Credit Reporting Act, which limits the lookback period to credit history and non-convictions to seven years and requires written notification to the subject when adverse action is taken based on a background check.

Federal anti-discrimination laws are enforced by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission which makes sure criminal record checks are not used in an unfair or discriminatory manner.

When wanting to learn more about a person’s past, such as if they have an arrest record in Virginia, it’s vital to know where to look and how. Understanding how to search Virginia criminal records can be complex, and this guide can help individuals conduct searches and find the information needed to make decisions.