Search Virginia Police Records
Virginia police records are kept by local Sheriff's Offices, police departments, and the Circuit Court Clerk in each of the state's 95 counties and 39 independent cities. These records cover arrests, criminal charges, incident reports, and court case filings. The Virginia State Police also runs a central criminal records exchange that holds statewide data. You can search for police records online through the Virginia Judicial System's case lookup tools, or you can file a request under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. Many agencies now accept FOIA requests by email, mail, or in person. This guide walks through how to find and get copies of police records in Virginia.
Virginia Police Records Overview
Where to Find Virginia Police Records
Police records in Virginia come from several sources. The main one is the local Sheriff's Office or police department where the arrest or incident took place. Each of the 95 counties has a Sheriff that keeps arrest logs, incident reports, and booking data. Virginia's 39 independent cities run their own police departments and maintain separate sets of police records. The Circuit Court Clerk in each jurisdiction holds case files for criminal matters that go to court.
The Virginia State Police runs the Central Criminal Records Exchange, which is the sole statewide criminal recordkeeping agency in the Commonwealth. It was set up in 1966 under Virginia Code Title 19.2, Chapter 23. The CCRE gets reports from every law enforcement agency in the state. It holds arrest records, pending charges, dismissals, and convictions for adults across Virginia. You can request a name search through the CCRE by filing Form SP-167 with a $15 fee.
The Virginia Judicial System also gives you free online tools to look up case data. The Online Case Information System 2.0 (OCIS 2.0) lets you search criminal and traffic cases statewide. The Circuit Court Case Information System covers felony and civil filings. The General District Court system handles misdemeanors and traffic violations. These tools show case status, hearing dates, and docket entries at no cost.
The Virginia State Police also keeps the Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry under Virginia Code § 9.1-902. Violent sex offender searches are free on the VSP website. For a full registry check, submit Form SP-266 with a $15 fee.
Note: For local police records and incident reports, contact the Sheriff's Office or police department in the county or city where the event took place. For statewide criminal history, use the Virginia State Police CCRE.
The Virginia State Police homepage is the starting point for statewide criminal background checks and police records requests.
From this site you can access forms for criminal history searches, sex offender registry lookups, and the VSP FOIA portal.
How to Search Police Records in Virginia
There are several ways to search for police records in Virginia. Online court systems give you quick access to case data. FOIA requests get you copies of actual documents like arrest reports and incident files. The method you pick depends on what you need.
For court case data, the OCIS 2.0 system is a good starting point. It covers criminal and traffic cases across the state. You can search by name, case number, or hearing date. The system also has a free Case Alert Subscription System that sends you text or email updates on case events. The Circuit Court Case Information System gives you access to felony filings and civil cases, while the General District Court system covers misdemeanors, traffic cases, and preliminary hearings.
To search Virginia police records online, you need:
- Full name of the person
- Date of birth if you have it
- The county or city where the case was filed
- Case number if known
For the actual police report or arrest file, you need to file a FOIA request with the agency that made the arrest. Under Virginia Code § 2.2-3700 et seq., all public records are presumed open. The agency must respond within five working days. If they need more time, they can take up to 12 working days total. For criminal investigative files under Virginia Code § 2.2-3706, agencies get an extra 60 working days, for a total of 65 days.
The OCIS 2.0 Case Information system lets you look up criminal and traffic cases across Virginia courts.
OCIS 2.0 is free to use and does not need an account. It pulls data from courts statewide.
Virginia Police Records and FOIA Rights
The Virginia Freedom of Information Act gives you the right to request police records from any public body in the state. FOIA applies to every Sheriff's Office, police department, and court in Virginia. You do not have to say why you want the records. You do not even have to put your request in writing, though it helps to do so.
Criminal incident information for felony offenses is a public record under Virginia law. That includes a general description of the crime, the date and location, the name of the investigating officer, and a description of injuries or property damage. Adult arrestee photographs are also public records. Agencies can charge for copies, but the cost must reflect actual expenses. Most offices charge between $0.08 and $0.50 per page. If the cost goes over $200, the agency can ask for a deposit up front.
Some police records are exempt from release. Under Virginia Code § 2.2-3706, agencies may withhold criminal investigative files, the names of confidential informants, records that could hurt an ongoing investigation, and information about investigatory techniques. Juvenile records are protected under Virginia Code § 16.1-301 and must be kept separate from adult records.
If you think an agency has violated your FOIA rights, you can file a petition in district or circuit court. You can also reach the Virginia Freedom of Information Advisory Council at 1-866-448-4100 or foiacouncil@dls.virginia.gov. The Council gives free advisory opinions on FOIA questions, though they are non-binding.
The Virginia FOIA statutes page lists the full text of the state's open records law.
This is the law that controls how police records requests work in every Virginia county and city.
Virginia Police Records Background Checks
The Virginia State Police handles statewide criminal background checks through the Central Criminal Records Exchange. The CCRE processes over 560,000 name and fingerprint-based criminal record check requests each year. The main form for a criminal history name search is Form SP-167. It costs $15 per name and needs a notarized signature. The form gives you a complete Virginia record that shows all arrests, pending charges, dismissals, and convictions.
Processing takes about 12 to 15 business days. There is no expedited service. You can mail the form to Virginia State Police, Civil and Applicant Records Exchange (CARE), P.O. Box 85076, Richmond, VA 23285. You can also drop it off in person at VSP headquarters at 7700 Midlothian Turnpike, North Chesterfield, VA 23235. Walk-in fingerprinting is available there from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM on weekdays. The first fingerprint card costs $10, and each extra card is $5. Bring two forms of ID.
For questions about criminal background checks, call the CARE section at (804) 674-2131 or email Background_Checks@vsp.virginia.gov.
The VSP Criminal Background Checks page has forms and instructions for ordering a criminal history report.
Form SP-167 is the standard form for name searches. Form SP-266 covers sex offender registry checks.
Virginia Court Records for Police Cases
When a police case goes to court in Virginia, it creates a separate set of records at the Circuit Court or General District Court. These court records are different from what the police department keeps. Court files hold the charging documents, hearing schedules, plea records, trial transcripts, sentencing orders, and final dispositions. The Circuit Court Clerk in each jurisdiction maintains these files.
You can look up court case data for free using the Virginia Judicial System's online tools. Court record copies cost about $0.50 per page. Certified copies run $2.00, and triple-seal copies cost $2.50. No case data from Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts shows up online. To get those records, you have to go through the court directly and meet the access rules under Virginia Code.
Self-help resources are available at selfhelp.vacourts.gov. The site has forms, legal information, and a free legal answers tool. Many courthouses also have a law library open to the public.
The Circuit Court Case Information System shows felony case filings across Virginia.
This system lets you search by party name, case number, or hearing date.
Expungement of Virginia Police Records
Virginia law allows people to petition for expungement of police records and court records in certain cases. Under Virginia Code § 19.2-392.2, a person who was acquitted or whose charges were dismissed can file a petition asking the court to erase those records.
The petition goes to the Circuit Court in the jurisdiction where the case was resolved. A copy must be served on the Commonwealth's Attorney, who can file an objection. The court holds a hearing and may order the expungement if it finds that keeping the records on file would cause a manifest injustice to the petitioner.
Note: Arrest records in Virginia stay on a person's record permanently unless a court grants an expungement order. Even if the charges were dropped, the arrest record remains visible until it is formally expunged.
Virginia Police Crash Reports
Police crash reports in Virginia go through the Department of Motor Vehicles. Law enforcement must send reports to DMV within 24 hours of the accident. DMV keeps these reports on file for 36 months. You can request a copy by mail using Form CRD 93 or by fax to (804) 367-0390. The cost is $8 per copy. You can also get a report in person at any DMV office.
To request a crash report, you need: your name, how you were involved in the crash, the date and time, the driver's license number if you have it, and the location. Virginia State Police crash reports go through DMV. Local police department crash reports may be available directly from that department.
The Virginia DMV handles police crash report requests statewide.
Crash reports cost $8 per copy and are kept for 36 months from the date of the accident.
Police Records and Victim Resources in Virginia
The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services provides victim assistance programs, law enforcement training oversight, and crime prevention resources. DCJS is located at 1100 Bank Street, Richmond, VA 23219. Phone: (804) 786-3414. The Victims Services Division runs the Victim Crisis Assistance and Response Team (VCART) and the Violence Against Women Program.
The Virginia Department of Corrections Offender Locator gives information about currently incarcerated inmates. You can find inmate location, incarceration dates, charges, and projected release dates. VADOC is at P.O. Box 26963, Richmond, VA 23261. Phone: (804) 674-3000. Records: (804) 674-3204. Victim Services: (804) 674-3243. Toll-free: 800-560-4292.
VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday) is available for victim notification of inmate custody status changes. Under Virginia Code § 19.2-389, criminal history records from the Central Criminal Records Exchange can be shared with criminal justice agencies, school boards, and over 50 other authorized recipients listed in the statute. Information about an arrest cannot be shared with non-criminal justice agencies if one year has passed since the arrest date with no disposition recorded and no active prosecution pending.
The DCJS homepage lists victim services, law enforcement training programs, and crime prevention resources across Virginia.
DCJS also tracks law enforcement officer certification and decertification in the Commonwealth.
You can file police records requests with the Virginia State Police online through the VSP FOIA Portal. The FOIA Officer is First Sergeant William "Kent" Shipman. Phone: 804-674-2642. Email: FOIA@vsp.virginia.gov.
The portal lets you track your request status and get updates as the agency processes it.
Browse Virginia Police Records by County
Virginia has 95 counties, each with its own Sheriff's Office and Circuit Court that handle police records. Pick a county below to find local contact info and resources for police records in that area.
Police Records in Major Virginia Cities
Virginia's independent cities run their own police departments and court systems. Pick a city below to find out where to get police records in that area.