Virginia arrest-to-court record compassVirginia Public Arrest, Court and Criminal History Lookup
Find a recent local booking, request a Virginia State Police criminal-history check, search the statewide court system, locate a VADOC inmate and move directly to bail, visitation, lawyer or victim-notification help.
Local jail bookings VSP criminal history Adult court cases Bail hearings VADOC custody Record sealing
Virginia does not use one universal arrest database. The correct source depends on whether the person is in a local jail, facing a pending court case, under VADOC custody or requesting a statewide criminal-history record.
N E S W
LOCAL
JAIL COURT VADOCJAIL → VSP → COURT → CUSTODY
Use a Different Virginia System for Each Record
Arrested todayStart with the arresting sheriff, police department or regional jail.
State criminal historyUse the Virginia State Police SP-167 public-record process.
Criminal court caseUse the Virginia Court System statewide adult case search.
State custodyUse the VADOC Inmate and Supervisee Locator.
Someone was arrested within the last few hours? Identify the arresting locality first. Search the responsible sheriff, city jail or regional jail using the surname. If no record appears, allow time for intake and call the facility before paying a bond or sending money.
An arrest does not establish guilt. A booking record may show an allegation and custody status. The court record is the better source for filed charges, hearings and the final disposition.
Task finderChoose the Virginia Record or Service You Need
This browser-only helper does not request a person’s name, date of birth, case number or other identifying information.
Recent custodyHow to Find a Recent Virginia Arrest or Local Jail Booking
Virginia counties, independent cities and regional jail authorities operate separate booking systems. A person arrested by city police may be held in a city jail or in a regional jail serving several localities.
Identify the arresting locality Use the city, county, police department, sheriff’s office or traffic-stop location connected with the arrest.
Look for the official inmate page On the locality’s website, choose Inmate Search, Jail Records, Who Is in Jail, Arrest Search or Regional Jail.
Search with the surname first Add the first name or birth year only when a common surname returns several people.
Open the possible booking Compare the complete name, age, booking date, arresting agency, charges, inmate number and facility.
Check every charge and hold A booking may contain several warrants, cases, bonds or detainers. Do not rely only on the first line.
Call after a very recent arrest Ask whether intake is complete, where the person is housed and which court or magistrate is handling bail.
Virginia search tip: When a city search fails, check the regional jail serving that city. Regional facilities may house people for several counties and independent cities.
Identity safetyConfirm That the Virginia Record Belongs to the Correct Person
Compare the complete legal name.
Check middle names, initials and aliases.
Compare age or date of birth.
Confirm the arresting locality.
Check the booking or arrest date.
Use the inmate or DOC identification number.
Match the court case number where available.
Never identify someone from a name-only match.
Common-name warning: Virginia court and jail searches may show several people with similar names. Do not publish, share or act on a result until multiple identifiers match.
Record differencesVirginia Arrest, Criminal History, Court and Inmate Records
Choose the source that answers the actual questionRecord type | What it normally shows | What it may not show | Correct starting source |
|---|
Local booking | Recent custody, intake date, charges, bonds and inmate number | Final court outcome or statewide criminal history | Sheriff, city jail or regional jail |
VSP criminal history | Virginia criminal-history information maintained through the Central Criminal Records Exchange | Every out-of-state event or a live jail location | Virginia State Police SP-167 process |
Court case | Filed charges, hearings, case status, disposition and payment information where available | Current housing unit or release processing | Virginia Court System OCIS or local court |
VADOC locator | State custody, supervision, location and available release information | Every person held only on a new local charge | VADOC Inmate and Supervisee Locator |
Police report | Releasable incident, arrest or investigative information | Protected victim, juvenile or active-investigation information | The police or sheriff’s office that created the report |
How to Request a Virginia State Police Criminal History Record
The Virginia State Police Central Criminal Records Exchange provides the general-public criminal-history process. The public route is commonly identified as Form SP-167.
Use SP-167 for A general-public Virginia criminal-history request involving yourself or another person with the required authorization.
Do not use SP-230 casually SP-230 is limited to qualifying Virginia employers and agencies with a legally authorised purpose.
Processing time Virginia State Police currently publishes a standard processing period of approximately 15 business days after receipt.
Choose the correct request form Most members of the public should select SP-167. Read the eligibility description before selecting another form.
Enter the subject’s information accurately Use the complete legal name, date of birth and any other identity fields requested by the official system.
Follow the signature and notarisation instructions Do not sign a printed form early when the form requires the signature to be witnessed or notarised.
Review the current fee Confirm the current charge and accepted payment method on the official form or submission portal before paying.
Submit through the stated route Use the official online or mailing instructions shown for the selected request. Do not mail it to an unrelated State Police office.
Save proof of submission Keep a copy of the request, payment confirmation and mailing or transaction record.
Verify disputed information If the result appears wrong, compare it with the court disposition and contact the reporting court or Virginia State Police for the proper challenge route.
Central Criminal Records Exchange contact Virginia State Police
P.O. Box 85076
Richmond, VA 23285
804-674-8530 Search-purpose warning: A public name-based criminal-history check is not the same as an FBI fingerprint check, current local-jail search or consumer-report background screening.
Court verificationHow to Search Virginia Criminal Court Cases
Virginia’s Online Case Information System provides statewide adult criminal-case information from general district courts, adult criminal matters in juvenile and domestic relations district courts and participating circuit courts.
Choose the statewide adult criminal search Select Online Case Information System-Statewide Search when you do not yet know the exact court.
Search by the defendant’s legal name Use fewer fields initially. Add the locality, court or hearing date when the result list is too broad.
Open the correct case Compare locality, court level, charge, filing date, case number and hearing history.
Review the status and disposition Look for pending, concluded, dismissed, guilty, nolle prosequi, deferred or appealed entries.
Check both district and circuit court when necessary A felony may begin in General District Court and later continue in Circuit Court.
Contact the clerk for certified records Online information is useful for routing. The court clerk handles certified copies and case-specific record questions.
Juvenile privacy: Public online information is limited for juvenile matters. A missing juvenile case should not be interpreted as proof that no case exists.
Release routeVirginia Bail Hearings, Bond Conditions and Release Checks
Virginia magistrates conduct bail hearings around the clock and decide whether an arrested person may be released before trial and under what conditions.
Arrest
Booking
Magistrate
Bail decision
Court review
Release processing
How to check the current bail situation
Confirm where the person is held Call the correct local or regional jail and record the inmate number.
Ask whether the magistrate hearing is complete A newly arrested person may still be waiting for intake or a bail determination.
Ask for every bail condition Confirm whether release is personal recognizance, unsecured, secured or denied and whether special conditions apply.
Check for separate holds Another warrant, probation matter, detainer or charge can prevent release even after one bond is satisfied.
Verify the payment route Ask the jail or magistrate which payment methods and licensed bond arrangements are accepted.
Check the next court date Use the Virginia court search and confirm the hearing with the responsible court clerk.
Allow time for release processing Bond payment does not create an exact release time. Records checks, paperwork, transportation and facility procedures can cause delays.
Bond scam warning: Do not send gift cards, cryptocurrency or wire transfers to an unsolicited caller. Verify the person’s custody, bond and payment method directly with the jail or magistrate office.
Find the correct magistrate district: Use the
Virginia Magistrate Services page and its magisterial-region directory. Administrative staff cannot provide legal advice or replace the local magistrate handling the arrest.
State custodyHow to Use the VADOC Inmate and Supervisee Locator
The VADOC locator covers people in Virginia state correctional facilities, probationers and parolees, institutional-hospital assignments, CCAP participants and some people held locally under VADOC authority.
LOCAL
JAIL
COURT
CASE
VADOC
CUSTODY
COMMUNITY
SUPERVISION
Use the seven-digit DOC ID when available A DOC identification number is more reliable than selecting from a common-name result list.
Otherwise search by name Enter at least the first three letters of the first name and the complete last name.
Add filters only when needed Location, age range, race and gender can help narrow several similar results.
Open and compare the record Confirm the DOC ID, location, supervision type and available release information.
Remember that the locator updates daily Recently transferred, released or newly received people may not appear immediately.
Contact VADOC when information remains unclear Use the VADOC contact form or call
804-674-3000.
Missing result? Check the local jail again. A person who has not yet entered VADOC authority may remain solely in county, city or regional-jail custody.
Family contactVirginia Inmate Visitation, Calls, Mail and Money
Identify the facility first. Local and regional jails create their own family-contact rules. The details below apply to VADOC state facilities unless the local jail publishes the same procedure.
Visitation Apply through the official VADOC visitor process, wait for approval and schedule the visit through the approved visitation scheduler.
Phone calls VADOC inmates place approved calls. Families may use ConnectNetwork or call
800-483-8314 for AdvancePay support.
Send money VADOC currently directs online and telephone deposits through JPay. Telephone deposits:
800-574-5729.
Send mail Use the inmate’s complete name, seven-digit DOC ID and facility mailing address. Do not include cash, checks, money orders or postage stamps.
VADOC visitation approval route
Find facility
Submit application
Wait for approval
Schedule visit
Security screening
Confirm that the person is in a VADOC facility Use the locator and facility directory before submitting a visitor application.
Wait for approval Do not schedule travel until approval is confirmed.
Register with the scheduler Approved visitors must use the official visitation scheduler for in-person or applicable video visits.
Check the facility schedule VADOC institutions commonly offer visits on weekends and state holidays, but facility schedules and closures vary.
Arrive one hour early VADOC currently advises visitors to arrive one hour before the visit for security processing.
Follow the dress and ID rules Clothing must cover from the neck to the kneecaps, appropriate underwear and footwear are required, and every visitor is subject to screening.
Check rules for minors A child must be accompanied by an approved adult. Additional notarised documentation may be required when the accompanying adult is not the parent or legal guardian.
VADOC Central Visitation Unit P.O. Box 26963
Richmond, VA 23261
804-887-8341 visitationinquiries@vadoc.virginia.gov
Call before travelling: Visitation can change because of staffing, security, facility operations or weather. Confirm the visit with the facility immediately before departure.
Legal helpFind a Virginia Public Defender or Private Criminal Lawyer
Court-appointed or Public Defender counsel Ask the court handling the criminal charge how to complete the financial-eligibility process for appointed counsel.
Use the Virginia Public Defender office directory to find an office serving the relevant locality.
Not every Virginia locality has a Public Defender office. Some courts appoint qualified private counsel instead.
Virginia Lawyer Referral Service Call 800-552-7977 statewide or 804-775-0808 in metro Richmond.
Telephone referral hours are Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
The standard referral fee provides an initial consultation of up to 30 minutes. The service currently waives that fee for qualifying criminal-record-sealing referrals through June 30, 2027.
Open the official lawyer-referral page.
Before hiring a criminal lawyer
Provide the jail, charge and court case numbers.
Ask who will personally handle the case.
Confirm whether bail work is included.
Request the fee agreement in writing.
Check the lawyer’s Virginia State Bar status.
Avoid guaranteed-release or dismissal promises.
Virginia Custody and Release Notifications
Local and regional jail notifications Use Virginia VINELink when the person is held in a participating local or regional facility.
Registration with one jail may not automatically continue after a transfer. Check the notification status again when custody changes.
Notifications are not emergency protection. Call 911 for an immediate threat and contact the local victim/witness program for case-specific safety planning.
TroubleshootingWhy a Virginia Arrest or Inmate Record May Be Missing
The booking process is not complete.
The person is in a regional rather than local jail.
The arrest occurred in a neighboring locality.
The person uses an alias or different spelling.
The person was released before the portal updated.
The person transferred into VADOC custody.
The person is held by a federal agency.
The case is juvenile, sealed or restricted.
The court has not yet received the charge.
The portal requires JavaScript or a modern browser.
Too many search fields are conflicting.
The person is under community supervision, not incarcerated.
Best search sequence: surname only → arresting locality → local or regional jail → court search → VADOC locator → federal locator → direct phone verification.
2026 record reliefVirginia Criminal Record Sealing and Expungement
Virginia’s expanded criminal-record-sealing system took effect on July 1, 2026. Some eligible records may be sealed automatically, while others require a petition. Eligibility depends on the offense, result, date, criminal history and statutory limits.
Automatic sealing Some eligible misdemeanor convictions and qualifying non-convictions can be sealed automatically after statutory conditions are satisfied.
Petition sealing Other eligible charges, deferred dispositions or convictions require a petition in the appropriate circuit court.
Traditional expungement Expungement remains relevant for qualifying acquittals, dismissals, mistaken identity and certain other non-conviction situations.
Get the exact court disposition Search the case and obtain a certified disposition from the court clerk when needed.
Find the correct circuit court Petition-based sealing and expungement are generally handled through the circuit court connected with the case or statutory filing route.
Follow fingerprint or criminal-history instructions Some petition processes require Virginia State Police record information to be forwarded to the court.
Serve the required parties Follow the form instructions for service on the Commonwealth’s Attorney and any other required office.
Keep the signed order Save certified copies and confirm that the court, Virginia State Police and other listed agencies receive the sealing or expungement order.
Sealing is not deletion. A sealed record remains available for specific legally authorised purposes. It is also separate from removing an old copy from a private website or search-engine cache.
Do not assume every dismissal is handled the same way. The result date, whether dismissal was with prejudice, the offense level and the person’s criminal history can affect whether sealing is automatic or requires court action.
Records correctionHow to Correct an Inaccurate Virginia Criminal Record
Identify which record is wrong Compare the jail booking, VSP criminal history, court case and VADOC locator.
Obtain supporting documents Get the certified disposition, release document, identity record or court order that proves the correct information.
Contact the originating agency A booking error belongs with the jail, a police-report error with the arresting agency and a docket error with the court clerk.
Contact Virginia State Police when necessary Use the criminal-history contact route when the incorrect information appears in the Central Criminal Records Exchange.
Save every reference number Keep copies of emails, certified mail, confirmation pages and the names of staff members contacted.
Run a new check after correction Allow processing time and obtain a fresh official record to confirm that the update is reflected.
Virginia State Police Address, Phone and Map
Do not visit State Police headquarters for a recent jail release time. Local booking, bond and release questions belong with the jail or magistrate handling the arrest.
Common situationsWhat to Do Next in Common Virginia Arrest Situations
Arrest happened today Identify the locality, search the sheriff or regional jail, wait for intake and call the booking desk.
No result in the city jail Check the regional jail serving the locality and search nearby jurisdictions.
Bail was set but release has not occurred Ask about additional holds, payment verification, paperwork and facility release processing.
The person disappeared from jail search Check release, transfer, VADOC custody, community supervision and federal custody.
You need the next hearing date Search OCIS, then call the correct General District or Circuit Court clerk.
An old record still appears publicly Get the disposition and review the new automatic or petition-based Virginia sealing rules.
Virginia Arrest, Court, Inmate and Legal-Help Links
QuestionsVirginia Arrest Records FAQs
Is there one free statewide Virginia arrest search?
No. Recent arrests are normally searched through the responsible sheriff, city jail or regional jail. Virginia State Police provides a statewide criminal-history process, Virginia Courts provides criminal case searches and VADOC provides a state custody and supervision locator.
How do I find someone arrested in Virginia today?
Identify the arresting city or county, locate the responsible sheriff or regional jail, search by surname and call the booking desk when the arrest is too recent to appear online.
What is the official Virginia criminal-history search?
The official general-public route is provided by the Virginia State Police Central Criminal Records Exchange. Most public requests use the SP-167 process and must follow the current identification, authorization, notarisation, fee and submission instructions.
Does a Virginia arrest record mean the person was convicted?
No. An arrest or booking means the person entered the criminal process. Search the court record to determine whether charges were filed, dismissed, deferred, amended or resulted in conviction.
How do I search a Virginia criminal court case?
Open the Virginia Court System Case Status page and choose the Online Case Information System-Statewide Search. Search by legal name and narrow by locality, court or hearing date when needed.
How can I check bail after a Virginia arrest?
Call the holding jail and ask whether the magistrate hearing is complete, what bail conditions were set and whether another hold exists. Virginia magistrates conduct bail hearings around the clock.
Can I find a local jail inmate in the VADOC locator?
Sometimes, but not always. The VADOC locator includes state inmates, supervisees and some people held locally under VADOC authority. A person held only on a new local charge may appear only in the local or regional jail system.
How do I apply to visit a Virginia state inmate?
Confirm the inmate’s VADOC facility, submit the official visitation application, wait for approval and then schedule through the approved visitation scheduler. Check the facility’s current schedule before travelling.
How do victims receive Virginia custody notifications?
Use Virginia VINELink for participating local and regional jails. Crime victims seeking VADOC state-custody notifications should register through NAAVI or call VADOC Victim Services at 800-560-4292.
Can a Virginia arrest or criminal record be sealed?
Some eligible records may be sealed automatically or through a petition under Virginia laws effective July 1, 2026. Other qualifying non-conviction records may use the expungement process. Eligibility depends on the offense, disposition, date and criminal history.
Official-resource review: August 1, 2026.
This independent guide is not affiliated with the Virginia State Police, Virginia Court System, Virginia Department of Corrections, a sheriff’s office, regional jail, Public Defender office or private records publisher.
Jail custody, court information, fees, processing times, visitation procedures, communication providers, record-sealing rules and contact details can change. Confirm time-sensitive information through the linked official source.
Responsible-use notice: An arrest is not a conviction. Do not use a name-only match to identify or harass someone, and do not use this guide as a consumer report for employment, housing, credit, insurance or another regulated decision.