Virginia Beach Police Records Search

Virginia Beach police records cover arrest reports, incident files, crash data, body worn camera footage, and criminal case documents held by the Virginia Beach Police Department and the city's Circuit Court. As the most populous independent city in Virginia, Virginia Beach runs its own police force and court system. Searching for police records here means working with city departments and also with state-level databases run by the Virginia State Police. This page covers how to find, request, and get copies of police records in Virginia Beach, including the FOIA process, fees, court lookups, and contact details for each office that handles these files.

Virginia Beach Police Department Records

The Virginia Beach Police Department is the main law enforcement agency in the city. Police records requests go through the department or through the city's FOIA web portal. The department keeps incident reports, arrest records, crash reports, and investigation files. Walk-in requests are accepted at police headquarters during normal business hours. You can also submit requests by mail, email, or through the online portal.

Virginia Beach police records staff handle a high volume of requests each year. The city is large, and the department fields calls from citizens, insurance companies, and attorneys on a daily basis. For crash reports, you will typically need the report number and your ID. Incident reports can be requested by the parties involved or through a formal FOIA submission.

On-duty recordings and body camera footage are also treated as police records in Virginia Beach. Department policy states that any electronic data, video, audio, or photographic images captured by on-duty officers are considered evidence. These files are discoverable in criminal and civil cases and can be requested through FOIA.

Virginia Beach Police Records FOIA Process

The Virginia Freedom of Information Act gives you the right to request police records from Virginia Beach. Under Virginia Code Section 2.2-3700 et seq., all public records are presumed open unless a specific exemption applies. You do not need to say why you want the records. You do not even need to put your request in writing, though doing so helps.

The City of Virginia Beach has a web portal for filing FOIA requests. You can create an account and track your request online. This is the fastest way to submit a request for Virginia Beach police records. You can also send your request by mail, fax, email, or in person. The city must respond within five working days. If they need more time, they can take up to seven extra working days after giving you written notice. Weekends and holidays do not count.

Common exemptions for Virginia Beach police records include criminal investigation files under Virginia Code Section 2.2-3706, witness and victim identities, and personnel records. If any part of your request is denied, the city must cite the exact code section and explain the reason. You can appeal a denial to the Virginia Freedom of Information Advisory Council or file a petition in circuit court.

Note: If the city estimates your request will cost more than $200, they can require a deposit before starting the work. You have 30 days to respond or the request is considered withdrawn.

Virginia Beach Sheriff's Office Records

The Virginia Beach Sheriff's Office is a separate agency from the police department. The sheriff runs the Virginia Beach Correctional Center and handles court security. The Professional Standards Office within the sheriff's department processes FOIA requests, subpoenas, and general information requests for sheriff's office records.

During fiscal year 2024-2025, the PSO handled 172 requests for information. That broke down to 102 FOIA requests, 33 subpoenas, and 37 general requests. Records available from the sheriff's office include body worn camera videos, facility security camera footage, tablet messages to and from inmates, inmate records, medical records, and sheriff's office policies. PSO staff works with the City Attorney's Office to review each request and decide what information can be released under Virginia law.

Virginia law under Section 19.2-389 limits who can get criminal history record information. The Central Criminal Records Exchange at the Virginia State Police is the keeper of record for statewide criminal histories. Local arrest data from Virginia Beach is part of that system.

Virginia Beach Circuit Court Records

The Virginia Beach Circuit Court sits in the 2nd Judicial Circuit. It handles felony criminal cases, civil cases over $25,000, and family law matters. The clerk's office maintains case files that include indictments, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and other criminal court documents. These are public records and can be viewed at the courthouse or searched online.

You can search Virginia Beach Circuit Court cases using the Virginia Circuit Court Case Information System. This free tool lets you look up cases by name, case number, or hearing date. It covers all Virginia circuit courts, including Virginia Beach. For misdemeanor cases and traffic offenses, use the General District Court Online Case Information System instead.

The Virginia Beach General District Court handles preliminary hearings for felonies, misdemeanor trials, traffic cases, and civil claims under $25,000. Both court systems feed into the statewide database maintained by the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia. The Virginia Judicial System website links to all of these search tools.

Virginia State Police Records

For a statewide criminal history check that includes Virginia Beach and every other city and county in Virginia, use the Virginia State Police. Submit Form SP-167 to the Central Criminal Records Exchange. The fee is $15 per search. The form must be notarized before mailing to Virginia State Police, CARE, 7700 Midlothian Turnpike, North Chesterfield, VA 23235. Processing takes about 15 business days.

The Virginia State Police FOIA portal accepts electronic requests for state police records. This covers incident reports, investigation files, and other documents held at the state level. The Virginia Sex Offender Registry is also searchable by name or location and covers all of Virginia, including Virginia Beach.

Search Virginia Beach Police Records Online

Several free tools let you search for Virginia Beach police records from home. The Virginia Courts website links to both circuit and general district court case search systems. You can look up criminal cases, check hearing dates, and see case outcomes. The city also runs an Open GIS Data Portal that gives access to public geographic data sets, which can be useful for mapping crime data or looking up property-related police activity.

The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services provides additional resources. DCJS oversees law enforcement training and standards across the state. Their website has links to victim services, crime statistics, and other data that may be relevant to a Virginia Beach police records search. The Virginia Freedom of Information Advisory Council at foiacouncil.dls.virginia.gov can answer questions if you run into problems with a records request.

Body camera footage and other video evidence can be obtained through FOIA in Virginia Beach. Department policy makes clear that all on-duty recordings are discoverable. The duty to turn over video or audio evidence depends on the officer's on-duty status, not who owns the equipment. This applies to dash cameras, body cameras, and even cell phone recordings made while on duty.

Virginia Beach Police Records Fees

Fees vary based on the type of request. FOIA requests can include charges for staff time spent searching, reviewing, and redacting records. The city charges actual costs, not a flat rate. Common charges include per-page copying fees and hourly labor for complex searches. If you ask for an estimate up front, the city must provide one before starting the work.

Crash reports typically cost $5.00 per copy. Background checks through the Virginia State Police cost $15 per name search using Form SP-167. The Virginia Beach Sheriff's Office may also charge fees for records depending on the format and volume. Electronic records delivered on a flash drive or CD may carry an extra charge for the media.

Under Virginia Code Section 2.2-3704, public bodies may charge reasonable fees not to exceed actual cost. This includes accessing, duplicating, supplying, or searching for the records you ask for. Virginia Beach follows this standard.

The screenshot below shows the Virginia Courts Case Information system, which can be used to search Virginia Beach circuit court case records online.

Use this free database to look up felony cases, civil matters, and other circuit court filings in Virginia Beach.

Below is the Virginia State Police FOIA portal where you can submit records requests for state-level police files that may relate to Virginia Beach cases.

The Virginia State Police handles statewide criminal background checks and maintains the Central Criminal Records Exchange.

Nearby Cities

These Virginia independent cities are near Virginia Beach. Each has its own police department and court system for police records.