Virginia Arrest Records Search | Public Criminal Lookup

ByArrest Guider
Virginia · Local booking, court, VSP and state-custody guide

Follow a Virginia Arrest From Jail Booking to the Final Court Result

Virginia arrest information is divided among local and regional jails, police and sheriff records units, district courts, circuit courts, Virginia State Police and the Department of Corrections. This guide shows exactly where to search, what each result means, how to verify the person, request reports, check bail, arrange jail services, correct errors and use Virginia’s new 2026 sealing process.
Search local Virginia custody Search Virginia court cases Order a formal Virginia record
VIRGINIA RECORD ROUTE ACTIVE
LOCAL JAIL
VA COURT CASE
VSP CCRE
IDENTITY + OUTCOME VERIFIED
Arrest is not conviction. A jail charge records an allegation received during arrest or intake. Prosecutors may change, reduce or decline the charge. A case may end in dismissal or acquittal. Never identify a person from a name or mugshot alone.
Recent arrestSearch the local jail and Virginia VINE.
Court outcomeCheck statewide and local court systems.
VSP recordSP-167 currently costs $15.
ProcessingApproximately 15 business days.
Official reviewProcedures checked July 16, 2026.
Choose the correct record

One Virginia arrest can create five different records

LOCAL OR REGIONAL JAIL Is the person held now?Booking date, inmate number, allegations, bond entries, holds and custody status. Start here for a recent arrest.
POLICE OR SHERIFF What allegedly happened?Incident report, arrest report, probable-cause information, photographs and supplements. Request from the creating agency.
VIRGINIA COURTS What was formally filed?Charges, hearings, warrants, pleas, judgments, sentences and disposition. Use statewide and local court searches.
VADOC Is the person under state control?State imprisonment, probation, parole, CCAP and qualifying local-jail placements. Not every pretrial detainee appears.
VIRGINIA STATE POLICE What is on the formal history?A statewide criminal-history report from the Central Criminal Records Exchange. Use SP-167 for public requests.
Best research order: Find the booking → save every identifier → identify the arresting agency → search the court case → locate the final disposition → request only the missing official document.

Go directly to the task

Official links appear where a live search, application, payment or filing must be completed.
Recent arrest workflow

How to find someone recently arrested in Virginia

Identify the arrest location Determine the county or independent city where the arrest happened—not only where the person lives.
Identify the arresting agency Look for city police, county sheriff, campus police, Virginia State Police or another agency.
Determine the receiving jail The person may be held in a city jail, county jail, regional jail or another contracted facility.
Search Virginia VINE Use the legal name to look for a local-jail custody result. Open Virginia VINE
Search the jail’s official inmate locator Begin with the last name and add the first name or identifier only when necessary.
Open every plausible match Compare the date of birth or age, booking date, agency, physical description and inmate number.
Record every official identifier Save the booking number, inmate number, arrest number, report number and court case number.
Check every charge and hold One booking can contain multiple allegations, warrants or agency holds with separate release conditions.
Search the court case The jail record shows intake information. The court record shows what was formally filed. Open Virginia court searches
Counties, cities and regional jails

Virginia booking records are maintained locally

Virginia counties and independent cities may operate their own jail or participate in a regional jail authority. The arresting agency, holding facility and court can be in different jurisdictions.
Northern Virginia Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria, Prince William, Loudoun and regional facilities
Richmond region Richmond, Henrico, Chesterfield, Hanover and regional detention systems
Hampton Roads Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Hampton and Newport News
Central and western Albemarle, Roanoke, Lynchburg, Montgomery, Augusta and surrounding regions
Southwest and valley Washington, Wise, Russell, Rockingham, Frederick and regional jail authorities

Route the record correctly

City police made the arrest Search the jail holding the person. Request the incident report from the city police department.
County sheriff made the arrest The sheriff may operate the jail and maintain arrest reports through separate divisions.
Virginia State Police made the arrest Search the receiving local or regional jail. Contact the appropriate State Police division for report questions.
Regional jail is involved Search the regional jail rather than assuming the person is held inside the arresting county.
Outside warrant caused the arrest The holding jail, arresting agency and issuing court may all be different.
State sentence began The person may move from the local jail to VADOC or remain locally under VADOC authority.
Local-jail oversight: Virginia’s Board of Local and Regional Jails establishes standards for local and regional correctional facilities. It is not a statewide public booking-search portal.
Open the Board of Local and Regional Jails Find a Virginia sheriff’s office
Local jail vs state custody

Use Virginia VINE before sentencing and NAAVI after VADOC custody

Virginia VINE

Use for people held in participating local Virginia jails.
  • Search local custody information.
  • Register for available release or custody changes.
  • Use when the case is awaiting trial or the person remains in a local jail.
  • VINE is separate from VADOC’s post-conviction system.
Search or register through VINE

NAAVI

Use for qualifying crime victims after an offender enters Virginia DOC custody.
  • Supports eligible victims and immediate family members.
  • Covers inmates serving qualifying state sentences.
  • Provides transfer, release, escape, parole and other status notices.
  • Registration information remains confidential.
Start NAAVI registration

VADOC notifications can include

Transfer to another correctional location
Advance anticipated release date
Actual release from VADOC custody
Escape and recapture
Death in custody
Legal name change
Work-release status
Parole interview or decision
Virginia VINE helpPhone: 1-800-467-4943 Use for participating local-jail notifications.
VADOC Victim ServicesPhone: 1-800-560-4292 Email: victimservices@vadoc.virginia.gov
Safety warning: Notification systems can experience delays. Call 911 for an immediate danger and maintain a separate safety plan.
Booking result decoder

What Virginia jail fields mean—and what they cannot prove

Booking fields, limitations and next actions
Field What it identifies What it does not establish Best next action
Inmate number The person inside that jail system. Guilt or the final court result. Use it for mail, visits and deposits.
Booking number A particular intake or custody event. That every allegation became a court charge. Save it for jail and records questions.
Arrest date The date associated with law-enforcement custody. The offense, booking or filing date. Use it to separate multiple events.
Arresting agency The department responsible for the arrest. Which office maintains the court case. Request the report from this agency.
Charge description An allegation entered during arrest or intake. The prosecutor’s final filed charge. Compare it with the court docket.
Statute or code The law associated with the entered allegation. That the same code remained through judgment. Verify the formal charge and disposition.
Bond or bail A current release entry tied to a charge or case. That payment clears every warrant or hold. Confirm every charge and hold.
Hold or detainer Another agency or court may control release. That the displayed bond controls the entire booking. Ask which agency controls the hold.
Release date The custody episode ended. Dismissal, acquittal or innocence. Search the court outcome.
Booking photograph An image created during intake. Identity by itself or criminal responsibility. Verify stronger identifiers.
Information can change quickly: Bail, court dates, holds, housing, transfer and release status can change after magistrate or judicial review.
Identity protection

Verify the person before relying on a Virginia record

First and last names match
Middle name, suffix or alias is consistent
Date of birth or age matches
Arrest date fits the known event
Agency matches the location
Booking number matches another record
Court case follows the same incident
Physical descriptors are consistent
Minimum rule: Match at least two independent identifiers before sending money, contacting an employer, publishing an allegation or treating a record as belonging to a particular person.
Same name, different birth date Treat the records as different people unless the record holder confirms an error.
Similar photograph, different inmate number The official identifier is more reliable than visual resemblance.
Different middle name Check aliases and former names without combining unrelated people.
Unfamiliar address Addresses may be old, incomplete or protected and should not be the only identity match.
Troubleshooting

No Virginia arrest result found? Check these causes

Booking is incomplete Transportation, fingerprints, medical screening and intake can delay publication.
The wrong jail was searched Check a regional jail, nearby independent city or facility serving several localities.
The name is entered differently Try the surname alone, former surname, suffix and alternate spelling.
The person was released quickly An active inmate list may remove released people. Ask for historical-booking procedures.
The person was transferred Check another local jail, VADOC, federal custody or another state.
No court case appears yet The prosecutor may still be reviewing the arrest or filing may not be visible.
The search has limited circuit coverage Some circuit courts use a separate local online system or require clerk contact.
The record is restricted Juvenile, sealed, expunged and other confidential records may not be public.
Missing-booking call script
I am trying to confirm the custody status of [full legal name], date of birth [date]. The arrest may have occurred on [date] through [agency] in [county or city]. Can you confirm whether the person is being booked, held, released, transferred or listed under another identifier?
Complete arrest lifecycle

What happens from a Virginia arrest to final disposition?

Incident and investigation Law enforcement may create an incident report, arrest report, probable-cause information, photographs, recordings and supplements.
Booking and identification The jail records identity, fingerprints, property, allegations, warrants and holds.
Screening and classification Medical, safety and custody factors determine housing and service access.
Magistrate bail hearing A magistrate may conduct an around-the-clock hearing to determine release conditions.
General District Court The court handles misdemeanors and preliminary hearings for felony charges.
Prosecutor decision The Commonwealth’s Attorney may file, amend, reduce, dismiss or decline a charge.
Circuit Court Felony trials, felony pleas and appeals from General District Court proceed in Circuit Court.
Disposition The case may end in dismissal, nolle prosequi, acquittal, deferred disposition, plea or conviction.
Release or supervision A sentenced person may enter VADOC custody, probation, parole, CCAP or another form of supervision.
Correction, sealing or expungement An inaccurate record may be corrected. An eligible record may later qualify for sealing or expungement.
Virginia FOIA request

How to request a Virginia arrest, incident or booking record

A Virginia FOIA request does not require special legal wording. It must identify the requested records with reasonable specificity.
Identify the record holder Request city police documents from the city police department and sheriff documents from the sheriff.
Name the exact record Ask for the incident report, arrest report, booking sheet, adult arrestee photograph or releasable investigative material.
Provide event identifiers Include the full name, date, location, agency, report number, booking number and case number.
Ask for electronic delivery Request searchable PDF or another available electronic format.
Set a cost ceiling Require written approval before search, review or duplication costs exceed your limit.
Request the public portion If part is withheld, ask the custodian to redact the exempt material and provide the remainder.
Track the five-working-day response The public body must provide records or issue an authorized written response within five working days.
Understand lawful extensions A timely notice can provide seven additional working days. Certain criminal investigative file requests can receive a longer statutory response period.

What a written response may say

Records providedThe agency supplies the responsive public material.
WithheldThe response should identify the subject and cite the legal authority.
Partially withheldThe agency supplies public portions and explains the withheld categories.
Not found or delayedThe agency explains nonexistence, another custodian or why more time is needed.
Virginia law generally requires release of adult arrestee booking photographs when requested, subject to specific exceptions such as avoiding harm to an active felony investigation.
Copy-ready Virginia records request
Under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, I request an electronic copy of the releasable incident report, arrest report, booking sheet, adult arrestee photograph and releasable supplemental records concerning [full legal name] for the incident occurring on or about [date and time] at [location]. Known identifiers are report number [number], booking number [number] and court case number [number]. If any portion is withheld, please provide the remaining nonexempt portion and identify the specific legal authority for each withholding. Please obtain my approval before costs exceed $[amount].
Review Virginia FOIA guidance Read the current response rule
Safety-first warrant check

How to investigate a possible Virginia warrant

Identify the likely issuing court Use the case number, citation, notice or booking result.
Search the court history Look for warrant issuance followed by service, recall, quashing or appearance.
Check both court levels A felony may begin in General District Court and continue in Circuit Court.
Contact the court or responsible agency Confirm current status using independently verified contact information.
Use a lawyer for your own warrant Counsel can explain appearance, surrender, bail and hearing options.
Never confront or attempt to detain anyone. Similar names, recalled warrants and delayed system updates can create dangerous mistakes.
Payment scam warning: Do not pay an unexpected warrant demand through gift cards, cryptocurrency, QR codes or a text-message link. Contact the court independently.
Magistrate and court release

How Virginia bail, bond and release conditions work

Virginia magistrates provide around-the-clock services and conduct bail hearings after many arrests to determine whether and under what conditions the accused may be released before trial.

Possible outcomes

RecognizanceRelease based on a written promise to appear and follow imposed conditions.
Unsecured bondA stated amount may become owed if the accused violates the bond.
Secured bondCash, property or an authorized surety may be required before release.
Held without releaseThe person remains detained unless a later magistrate or court order changes the status.

Before paying or signing

Verify the person and booking number Match the full name, date of birth and facility.
List every charge Record the release condition attached to each allegation or case.
Identify all holds and detainers Another court, county, state or federal agency can prevent release.
Confirm the latest order A court can modify conditions after the initial magistrate decision.
Ask where payment must be made Confirm whether payment goes to the jail, clerk, magistrate or authorized bail professional.
Read private bond terms Obtain the premium, collateral, refund and missed-court-date conditions in writing.
Keep all proof Save receipts, transaction numbers and signed agreements.
Allow release processing Payment does not bypass verification, property return, paperwork or another hold.
Bond-verification call script
I am calling about booking number [number] for [full legal name]. Please confirm every active charge, the current bond or release condition for each charge, all detainers or outside holds, accepted payment methods and whether another court or agency must act before release.
Read about Virginia magistrate services
Defense representation

How to request a public defender or find a private lawyer

Public defender or court-appointed counsel

  1. Ask for a lawyer at the first court appearance.
  2. Complete form DC-333, Financial Statement.
  3. Complete form DC-334, Request for Appointment of a Lawyer, when directed.
  4. List income, assets, dependents and obligations accurately.
  5. Submit the forms to the court handling the criminal case.
  6. Follow the court’s decision and contact the assigned office.
Open the official criminal forms

Private criminal lawyer

  1. Search for a Virginia criminal-defense lawyer.
  2. Verify the lawyer’s Virginia license.
  3. Ask who will personally handle the case.
  4. Request a complete written fee agreement.
  5. Ask whether bail, trial and appeal work are included.
  6. Do not hire someone based only on unsolicited jail contact.
Use the Virginia Lawyer Referral Service
Virginia Indigent Defense Commission Phone: 804-662-7249 Email: info@vadefenders.org 1604 Santa Rosa Road, Suite 200, Richmond, VA 23229
Find a Virginia public defender office Review lawyer-referral help
Victim and witness support

How to find a Virginia victim advocate

Identify the prosecuting office Use the court case to determine the Commonwealth’s Attorney or local prosecutor handling it.
Ask for Victim/Witness Assistance Provide the defendant’s name, case number and next hearing date.
Register for custody notifications Use VINE for local-jail custody or NAAVI for qualifying VADOC cases.
Ask about court participation Discuss hearing notices, victim-impact statements, restitution and case updates.
Discuss safety planning Ask about protective orders, address confidentiality and community resources.
Review Virginia Victims Fund eligibility Qualifying expenses may include medical care, counseling, funeral costs, lost wages, moving and temporary housing.
Virginia Victims FundPhone: 1-800-552-4007 Claims are generally filed within three years, subject to legal exceptions.
VADOC Victim ServicesPhone: 1-800-560-4292 Email: victimservices@vadoc.virginia.gov
Start a Virginia Victims Fund claim Open VADOC Victim Services
Local and regional jail visits

How to schedule a visit at a Virginia jail

Rules are facility-specific. A local or regional jail does not use the VADOC state-prison visitation application.
Confirm current custody Recheck the jail locator or Virginia VINE before creating an account.
Confirm the exact facility The person may be housed in a regional jail outside the arresting locality.
Open the jail’s official visitation instructions Determine whether visits are in-person, onsite video, remote video or professional-only.
Create the approved provider account Use only the vendor linked by the jail.
Enter the exact inmate information Use the displayed legal name and inmate number.
Complete visitor registration Provide identification, photograph, email and other required details.
Schedule the correct visit type Onsite video may be free while remote video may charge per minute.
Wait for confirmation A submitted request is not a confirmed appointment.
Recheck restrictions Court trips, lockdown, housing changes and discipline may cancel the visit.
Follow screening and conduct rules Bring approved ID and leave prohibited property outside.

Common visit rules

Adults need government-issued photo ID
Minors may require a parent or legal guardian
Visitors and property may be searched
Visits can be monitored and recorded
No weapons, drugs, alcohol or contraband
No recording, photography or livestreaming
Conservative clothing is required
Abusive or sexual conduct can terminate access

Official county and city examples

Fairfax County

  • Personal visits use video.
  • One visit per day may be available in 15- or 30-minute increments.
  • Remote video currently costs $0.10 per minute.
  • Onsite lobby-kiosk visits are free.
  • Visits should be scheduled at least 24 hours ahead.
  • Published blocks include morning, afternoon and evening periods.
Open Fairfax video-visit instructions

Virginia Beach

  • The Correctional Center offers onsite and online visitation.
  • Telephone access generally operates from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
  • Security Housing Unit and disciplinary restrictions may limit access.
  • Provider accounts are used for telephone and online services.
  • One free five-minute call per month began June 1, 2025.
Open Virginia Beach calls and visits
Local jail services

Mail, calls, money, property and attorney access

Personal mail
  • Use the exact inmate name and ID.
  • Confirm whether the jail uses a scanning center.
  • Do not send cash or original identification.
  • Use the separate legal-mail process for attorneys.
Telephone calls
  • Inmates generally call out but cannot receive normal incoming calls.
  • Use only the jail’s approved provider.
  • Calls may be monitored and recorded.
  • Verified emergency-message rules vary.
Money and commissary
  • Verify the inmate number.
  • Compare online, phone, kiosk and mail fees.
  • Keep the transaction receipt.
  • A deposit does not cause release.
Property pickup
  • The inmate may need to authorize a recipient.
  • Government identification is usually required.
  • Confirm property-room hours.
  • Ask whether clothing or money follows a separate process.
Attorney visits
  • Professional visits may use separate hours.
  • Confidential in-person or video access may be offered.
  • Out-of-state attorneys may require approval.
  • Legal calls require the facility’s verification procedure.
Medical concerns
  • Report urgent medication concerns to the facility.
  • Do not mail medication.
  • Medical privacy limits what staff can disclose.
  • Ask for the watch commander in an immediate safety concern.

Fairfax mail example

General correspondence Smart Communications/FXCOADC Inmate Name/Inmate Number P.O. Box 9128 Seminole, FL 33775-9128
Mail without an inmate number can be rejected
Cash, personal checks and money orders are excluded
Books and publications use a different process
Legal mail is sent directly under legal-mail rules
Unscannable or damaged mail may be rejected
Delivery after scanning may take several days
Scam check: Never send gift cards, cryptocurrency or money to a personal account because someone claims it will cause immediate release.
Virginia state-prison visits

Apply, receive approval and schedule a VADOC visit

These procedures apply to VADOC facilities—not local or regional jails.
Locate the inmate Record the seven-digit inmate ID and current facility.
Collect application information Prepare your photo ID, identifying information, contact details and relationship to the inmate.
Choose in-person, video or both Select the requested visit type on the application.
Complete the application in one session The online form takes approximately 20–30 minutes and cannot be saved as a draft.
Attach minor applications Every minor must be approved and linked to an adult application.
Wait for processing Published processing is approximately 45 days for Virginia residents and 90 days for out-of-state applicants.
Schedule after approval Receiving an application acknowledgment is not the same as visit approval.
Check facility-specific updates Cancellations, schedules and restrictions can differ by institution.
Bring approved identification Follow screening, clothing, search and property restrictions.
Renew before expiration Visitation approval generally expires three years after approval. Apply at least 45 days early in-state or 90 days early out-of-state.

Medical and accessibility preparation

Bring medical documentation if a scanner cannot be used
Request alternate screening when medically necessary
Obtain advance approval for medication carried inside
Contact the facility at least one week ahead when required
VADOC Central Visitation Unit Phone: 804-887-8341 Email: visitationinquiries@vadoc.virginia.gov P.O. Box 26963, Richmond, VA 23261
Submit the VADOC visitor application Check current visitation rules
VADOC correspondence

How to send personal and legal mail to a state inmate

State-prison mail rules do not apply to a person held in a local or regional jail.

Address personal mail

Inmate’s First and Last Name Seven-Digit State ID Number Facility or Institution Name Facility Address and ZIP Code
Verify the current facility and ID Use the VADOC locator before mailing.
Use the institution’s current address Obtain it from the official facility directory.
Send ordinary correspondence Letters, greeting cards, postcards and appropriate photographs may be accepted.
Expect photocopy delivery Incoming general mail is copied. Only photocopies are delivered to the inmate.
Keep original photographs Original envelopes, letters and photographs are destroyed after copying.
Observe the page limit A maximum of three black-and-white copied pages, front and back, is delivered per mailing. The envelope copy counts toward the limit.

Do not include

Cash, checks or money orders
Postage stamps
Prepaid envelopes or postcards
Nude or semi-nude images
Contraband or prohibited property
Legal correspondence through ordinary-mail procedures

Legal correspondence address

VADOC Centralized Mail Distribution Center Inmate Name, Inmate Number 3521 Woods Way State Farm, VA 23160
Attorney and court legal correspondence must include the proper return address and legal-mail identification. Civil process service follows separate procedures.
Check current VADOC mail rules Read legal-correspondence rules
State calls and deposits

VADOC telephone accounts, call limits and JPay fees

Telephone rules

The inmate controls an approved list of up to 15 numbers
Landlines and cell numbers may be approved
Calls are limited to 20 minutes
Calls are monitored except verified attorney calls
Family can use AdvancePay
Inmates can use PIN Debit accounts
Three-way transfers and call forwarding are prohibited
Abuse can cause telephone privileges to be revoked
ConnectNetwork phone account help Phone: 1-800-483-8314

JPay deposit fees

Published VADOC JPay fees by deposit amount
Deposit Online Telephone Walk-in cash
$0–$20 $2.95 $3.95 $6.95
$20.01–$100 $5.95 $6.95 $6.95
$100.01–$200 $7.95 $8.95 $6.95
$200.01–$300 $9.95 $10.95 $6.95

Deposit micro-steps

Find the seven-digit inmate ID Use the VADOC locator.
Choose online, telephone, app, MoneyGram or money order Compare the current provider fee.
Enter the inmate information exactly A transposed digit can delay the deposit.
Review possible deductions A percentage can be applied to fines, costs or restitution.
Keep the receipt Save the confirmation and deposit date.
Mailed money orders JPay P.O. Box 278170 Miramar, FL 33027
Do not mail money directly to a VADOC facility or headquarters. Money orders sent through JPay require the correct deposit slip.
Make an approved VADOC deposit Set up inmate telephone service
Virginia State Police CCRE

How to order a formal Virginia criminal-history record

Form SP-167 is available to individuals, the general public, private companies and out-of-state agencies for an authorized Virginia criminal-history name search.
SP-167 requirements and current operating details
Item Current requirement Important warning
Standard fee $15 for a standard criminal-history request Use the amount generated by the current form.
Signature The subject’s signature must be notarized An unsigned or unnotarized form can be rejected.
Third-party recipient The recipient section may also require a notarized signature Complete it when results are mailed to someone else.
Submission Generate, print and mail one form per request The public request is not an instant online search.
Processing Approximately 15 business days after receipt Mailing time is additional.
Expedited service Not available Dropping the form off does not create same-day service.
Remote online notarization Optional service currently adds $25 It is not used for fingerprint-based requests.
Juvenile records Disclosure is restricted by Virginia law Do not expect ordinary public dissemination.

SP-167 micro-steps

Open the current State Police request tool Select SP-167 for public or individual use. Start the SP-167 process
Enter the subject information accurately Verify the legal name, date of birth, identifying information and purpose.
Choose the result recipient Decide whether results return to the subject or an authorized third party.
Generate and print the form Review every field before printing.
Obtain the required notarization Complete the affidavit and recipient signature sections correctly.
Attach the correct payment Follow the payment instructions printed on the generated form.
Mail one request per person Keep a copy and note the mailing date.
Follow up only after the normal period Include the searched name, birth date and submission date in a status inquiry.
Virginia State Police CARE Civil & Applicant Records Exchange 7700 Midlothian Turnpike North Chesterfield, VA 23235 Email: Background_Checks@vsp.virginia.gov
Voluntary fingerprinting for non-criminal purposes can cost up to $10 for the first card and $5 for each additional card under Virginia law.
Open Virginia State Police forms Read the criminal-history FAQ
Error correction

Correct an inaccurate Virginia arrest or criminal-history record

Correct the error at its source
Incorrect information Office to contact Evidence to prepare
Wrong jail identity or custody field Local or regional jail records unit Photo ID, inmate number, booking number and exact mismatch.
Incorrect incident or arrest report Arresting police department, sheriff or State Police division Report number, disputed passage and official supporting documents.
Incorrect online court docket General District or Circuit Court clerk Case number, filed order and exact docket entry.
Incorrect Virginia criminal history Begin with the arresting agency that reported the information SP-167 result, certified disposition, fingerprints and identity documents.
Identity used by another person Court, arresting agency and CCRE process Fingerprints, identity documents and impersonation proof.
Private mugshot or people-search site Private publisher after official correction Corrected source record, disposition or sealing order.
Obtain the record containing the error Save the full result and request date.
Identify the exact disputed field State precisely what is wrong and what the correct information should be.
Collect official proof Obtain the booking, arrest report, fingerprints and certified court disposition.
Contact the contributing agency Virginia State Police advises contacting the arresting agency when a criminal-history entry is incorrect.
Request written confirmation Ask the agency to confirm when corrected information is sent to the repository.
Order a new record Recheck the State Police history after sufficient processing time.
Correct each separate system A State Police correction may not automatically remove incorrect information from a jail page or private website.
Major July 1, 2026 changes

Virginia expungement, automatic sealing and petition sealing

Three different processes exist. Traditional expungement, automatic sealing and petition-based sealing have different eligibility rules, forms and legal effects.

Traditional expungement

Primarily concerns qualifying arrests or charges that did not result in conviction.
  • Acquittal.
  • Nolle prosequi.
  • Other qualifying dismissal.
  • Identity used by another person.
  • Petition filed in Circuit Court.

Automatic sealing

Applies to specific outcomes and listed offenses under the July 1, 2026 framework.
  • Some misdemeanor acquittals.
  • Some dismissals with prejudice.
  • Certain listed misdemeanor convictions.
  • State Police and court systems coordinate sealing.
  • No ordinary public dissemination after sealing.

Petition-based sealing

Can apply to eligible misdemeanors, deferred dismissals and certain felony convictions.
  • Specific criminal-history requirements.
  • Seven-year misdemeanor waiting period.
  • Ten-year felony waiting period.
  • Restitution must be paid.
  • Manifest-injustice finding required.

Ineligible or restricted offenses

Numerous serious, violent, sexual, DUI, domestic-violence and other listed offenses are excluded.
  • Do not rely on offense level alone.
  • Check the exact Virginia Code section.
  • Review the complete criminal history.
  • Use the current form and statute.
  • Obtain legal advice when uncertain.

Automatic sealing after acquittal or dismissal

Current July 2026 sealing rules
Case outcome General current rule Important condition
Misdemeanor acquittal Court orders automatic sealing Traffic infractions are treated separately; the person may object.
Misdemeanor dismissal with prejudice Court orders automatic sealing The disposition must satisfy the statutory rule.
Felony acquittal Immediate oral sealing request may be made The Commonwealth’s Attorney must concur.
Felony dismissal with prejudice Immediate oral sealing request may be made The Commonwealth’s Attorney must concur.
Listed eligible conviction Automatic sealing process may apply The precise offense, date and other statutory conditions control.

Petition-based sealing eligibility screen

The offense is an eligible misdemeanor or qualifying felony
The offense date is on or after January 1, 1986
No Class 1 or 2 felony or life-punishable felony
No Class 3 or 4 felony within the last 20 years
No other felony within the last 10 years
Seven crime-free years for a misdemeanor petition
Ten crime-free years for a felony petition
All ordered restitution is paid
Rehabilitation shown when substance use is relevant
No more than two earlier separate sentencing events sealed under the section
Continued dissemination creates or may create manifest injustice
The exact offense is not on the exclusion list

Traditional expungement micro-steps

Confirm a qualifying non-conviction result Review the final dismissal, acquittal or nolle prosequi order.
Obtain the charging document when available Use the warrant, summons, indictment or other charging paper.
Identify the arrest details Prepare the arrest date, arresting agency, charge, disposition date, birth date and name used at arrest.
Use the current Circuit Court petition File in the Circuit Court of the county or city where the case was resolved.
Follow fingerprint and CCRE instructions The process may require law-enforcement fingerprints and a request for CCRE to send the criminal history to the court.
Serve the required parties Follow the current court form and clerk instructions.
Attend the hearing when required Bring certified dispositions, identity records and other evidence.
Preserve the signed order Keep certified copies before the record becomes inaccessible.

Petition-sealing micro-steps

Identify the exact Virginia Code section Eligibility depends on the actual offense, not a shortened docket description.
Calculate the waiting period Use the latest relevant date, including conviction, release or supervision-related event.
Review the complete criminal history Check felony lookback periods and prior sealing events.
Obtain proof of restitution payment Collect receipts, clerk records or satisfaction documents.
Prepare manifest-injustice evidence Document employment, housing, licensing, education or other concrete consequences.
Download the current sealing form Use forms 1201, 1201A, 1203, 1203A, 1203B or 1206 as directed by the case type.
File in the correct Circuit Court Confirm the petition type, filing fee and service requirements with the clerk.
Monitor the Commonwealth’s response The prosecutor may agree, object or request a hearing.
Present the statutory factors The judge must find that every required criterion is satisfied.
Verify sealing across systems Recheck the court search, State Police record and other named agencies after processing.
Important date: Virginia’s broad sealing framework became effective July 1, 2026. Additional expungement changes are scheduled for December 1, 2026. Do not use future December rules for a petition filed before they take effect.
Sealed and expunged records can remain accessible for specific legally authorized purposes. They are not necessarily physically destroyed, and private publishers may not automatically remove material they obtained earlier.
Download current Virginia sealing forms Read the current sealing chapter Read the current expungement law
Contacts and location

Virginia court, criminal-history, custody and victim-service contacts

Virginia State Police CARE
7700 Midlothian Turnpike North Chesterfield, VA 23235
Background_Checks@vsp.virginia.gov
Virginia Department of Corrections
P.O. Box 26963 Richmond, VA 23261
804-674-3000
VADOC Visitation804-887-8341 visitationinquiries@vadoc.virginia.gov
VADOC Victim Services1-800-560-4292 victimservices@vadoc.virginia.gov
Virginia VINE1-800-467-4943 Use for participating local-jail notifications.
Virginia Indigent Defense Commission804-662-7249 info@vadefenders.org
Virginia Victims Fund1-800-552-4007 Crime-related expense assistance.
Virginia Lawyer Referral Service1-800-552-7977 Private-attorney referral service.

Virginia State Police CARE map

Confirm before traveling: Check the current office location, public-entry rules, accepted identification, office hours and payment method.
Official-source extraction

What was brought into this Virginia guide

Virginia State PoliceSP-167 requirements, notarization, fees, processing time, mailing and correction instructions.
Virginia Court SystemStatewide and locality searches, court jurisdiction, magistrate bail, counsel forms and criminal-sealing forms.
Virginia DOCState locator coverage, visitation processing, mail limits, phone rules, deposit fees and victim notifications.
Virginia lawFOIA response periods, booking-photo access, expungement and the July 1, 2026 sealing framework.
Local jail examplesFairfax and Virginia Beach visit, mail, call and deposit procedures demonstrate local variation.
Live informationCustody, bail, warrants, court dates, transfer and release must still be verified in current official systems.
Virginia arrest-record FAQs

Questions connected directly to the search

How do I search Virginia arrest records?Search the official jail serving the arrest location, verify the person and then search the Virginia court systems for the filed charges and disposition.
Is there one statewide Virginia arrest database?No. Local jails, law-enforcement agencies, courts, VADOC and Virginia State Police maintain different parts of the record.
How do I find someone arrested today?Search the local or regional jail and Virginia VINE. Allow time for transportation, screening and intake.
Why does the jail charge differ from the court charge?The jail shows the allegation received during intake. The prosecutor may later file a different or amended charge.
How do I find the final court outcome?Search the statewide system and the individual General District or Circuit Court. Locate the dismissal, nolle prosequi, plea, judgment or acquittal.
How do I request a Virginia arrest report?Send a focused FOIA request to the police department, sheriff or agency that created the report.
How much is a Virginia State Police criminal-history check?The standard SP-167 criminal-history request currently costs $15.
How long does an SP-167 request take?Virginia State Police publishes a normal processing time of approximately 15 business days after receipt, with mailing time added.
How do I correct an inaccurate Virginia criminal record?Start with the agency responsible for the incorrect information and provide the record number, identity documents and certified court proof.
Can a Virginia arrest record be sealed or expunged?Possibly. Eligibility depends on whether the matter ended without conviction, qualifies for automatic sealing or meets petition-based sealing requirements.
Does a Virginia mugshot prove guilt?No. It documents intake and is not proof of identity by itself, prosecution or conviction.
Accuracy, identity and legal-use notice Arrest Records is an independent informational guide. It is not Virginia State Police, the Virginia Court System, Virginia Department of Corrections, Virginia VINE, a sheriff, police department, prosecutor or law firm. Custody, bail, warrants, court events, transfer and release can change after publication. Confirm the current official record before making a legal, employment, housing, financial, safety or publication decision. Every arrested person is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. This article provides general procedural information and is not legal advice.

Last official-source review: July 16, 2026.

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