Search the Correct Virginia Arrest Record and Verify the Final Criminal Case Result
Virginia does not publish every arrest, jail booking, warrant, police report, court disposition and prison record in one database. A recent booking is usually local, a statewide criminal-history check comes from Virginia State Police, court cases are maintained by individual courts and state custody is tracked by VADOC.
This guide explains which system to use, how to find an arrest made today, how to request the underlying police report, how Virginia courts are divided and what to do when a record is incorrect, dismissed, expunged or eligible for sealing.
Search the local or regional jail.
Request it through Virginia State Police.
Search general district and circuit courts.
Use the VADOC locator.
Updated July 14, 2026.
Choose the Virginia record that answers your question
Search the sheriff, city jail or regional jail serving the place of arrest. This is normally the fastest route to current custody, booking, bond and release information.
Use the current Virginia State Police criminal-history request process. This is different from a live jail roster or a complete national check.
Search the general district or circuit court for the filed charge, hearings, bond orders, dismissal, plea, judgment and disposition.
Use VADOC after transfer to a state institution or when the person is under qualifying probation, parole or other department supervision.
How to find someone arrested recently in Virginia
Virginia uses local and regional detention systems. The correct first search depends on where the arrest happened—not where the person lives.
How to identify the correct Virginia jail
| Situation | Likely record holder | What to search or ask |
|---|---|---|
| County sheriff made the arrest | County jail or regional jail serving that county | Current inmate roster, booking number, bond and release status. |
| City police made the arrest | City lockup, local jail or regional jail | Ask where city arrestees are booked after initial processing. |
| Virginia State Police made the arrest | Local or regional jail for custody; VSP for the police report | Search the jail serving the arrest location, not VSP headquarters. |
| Person was arrested on an outside warrant | Holding jail and the issuing jurisdiction | Check for transfer, extradition or another agency hold. |
| Person received a state-prison sentence | Local jail until transfer; VADOC afterward | Continue checking the jail until the VADOC transfer appears. |
| Federal arrest | Federal agency, U.S. Marshals or federal detention facility | Use federal court and Bureau of Prisons resources rather than Virginia-only searches. |
What Virginia jail and arrest fields mean
| Field | What it identifies | What it does not prove | Best next action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Booking number | A particular jail intake or custody episode. | It does not establish guilt. | Use it for jail, bond, mail, money and visit questions. |
| Arrest date | The date associated with the arrest. | It may differ from booking or court filing dates. | Use it to separate current and earlier incidents. |
| Arresting agency | The agency whose officer or deputy made the arrest. | It may not operate the jail. | Request the police report from this agency. |
| Charge description | The allegation recorded during arrest or booking. | The Commonwealth’s Attorney may file a different charge. | Review the court’s charging document and disposition. |
| Code section | The Virginia statute or local ordinance associated with the charge. | A short code entry may not explain the facts or offense level. | Read the warrant, summons, complaint or indictment. |
| Bond or bail | The release decision presently associated with the charge. | One payable bond may not resolve another case or hold. | Confirm all charges with the jail before paying. |
| No bond or held without bond | No payable release amount is presently available. | It does not explain which court or hold controls release. | Check the docket and ask about the next bond hearing. |
| Release date | The custody episode ended. | Release is not dismissal or acquittal. | Search the related criminal case. |
| Projected release date | An estimated correctional release date. | It may change because of sentence computation or supervision decisions. | Verify with the responsible jail or VADOC. |
Confirm identity before relying on a Virginia record
No Virginia arrest record found? Check these causes
Virginia State Police criminal-history checks explained
The Virginia State Police Criminal Records Exchange maintains the Commonwealth’s central criminal-history repository. The correct request depends on who is asking, the legal purpose and whether the requesting organization is authorized by statute.
The general Criminal History Record Name Search request. It is commonly used when the subject authorizes a Virginia name-based criminal-history search.
A restricted request available only to agencies or organizations specifically authorized under Virginia law.
Required for certain licensing, employment, adoption, immigration, national or identity-specific purposes.
SP-167 preparation checklist
What a name search cannot guarantee
| Risk | Why it happens | How to reduce it |
|---|---|---|
| False positive | Another person has the same or a similar name. | Use date of birth, aliases and fingerprint verification. |
| Missed record | The arrest used another name or identifying information. | Include former names and known aliases. |
| Missing disposition | The court outcome was not matched or transmitted correctly. | Obtain a certified court disposition and request correction. |
| Recent event absent | Reporting and repository updates are not instantaneous. | Search the local jail, police agency and court. |
| Federal or out-of-state gap | A Virginia-only name search is not a complete national check. | Use the fingerprint-based national process required for the purpose. |
How to request the underlying Virginia police report
The jail booking and the police report are different records. Send the request to the law-enforcement agency that created the report.
| Document needed | Likely custodian | What to provide |
|---|---|---|
| City police incident report | City or town police department | Report number, date, location and involved person. |
| Sheriff arrest report | County or city sheriff | Arrest number, deputy, date and location. |
| Virginia State Police report | Virginia State Police | Trooper, incident number, date and highway or event location. |
| Jail booking record | Local or regional jail | Name, birth date, booking number and booking date. |
| Warrant or criminal complaint | Court clerk or magistrate system, subject to access rules | Case number, name and charge date. |
| 911 or dispatch records | Local emergency communications center | Date, time, address and call description. |
Documents to identify by name
The primary report describing the reported event and initial police response.
Documentation of the arrest event and related officer information.
The charging document describing the alleged offense and legal process.
Later reports created by investigators or additional officers.
Video that may require substantial privacy, safety or evidentiary review.
A record of property collected, stored, transferred or released.
Response deadlines, fees and request protections
Generally within five working days.
Seven additional working days may be invoked.
May be required when estimated cost exceeds $200.
Requests may often be oral or written.
Use writing and keep proof of delivery.
Possible agency responses
| Response | What it means | What to do next |
|---|---|---|
| Records provided | The agency supplies the responsive non-exempt information. | Check whether every requested document was included. |
| Records withheld | The agency relies on one or more legal exemptions. | Ask for the specific exemption and release of segregable portions. |
| Records partly withheld | The agency releases a redacted or partial record. | Review the stated reason for every redaction category. |
| Records not found | The agency cannot identify responsive records in its possession. | Confirm the report number, date and correct custodian. |
| More time invoked | The agency needs the additional statutory working-day period. | Record the extended response deadline. |
Virginia requester-status issue
How to keep the request affordable
How to find the criminal case after an arrest
Virginia’s Online Case Information System can help locate public case information. Search the court that handled the charge and use the case number whenever possible.
Which Virginia court maintains the criminal record?
| Case or proceeding | Common court | What the court handles |
|---|---|---|
| Adult misdemeanor | General district court | Trial, plea, dismissal, sentence and appeal notice. |
| Traffic infraction or traffic misdemeanor | General district court | Traffic charge, hearing, judgment and appeal. |
| Initial felony proceeding | General district court | Preliminary hearing, certification or dismissal before circuit-court prosecution. |
| Felony trial | Circuit court | Indictment, trial, plea, judgment and sentencing. |
| Appeal from general district court | Circuit court | A new trial on the appealed criminal or traffic charge. |
| Juvenile charge | Juvenile and domestic relations district court | Juvenile delinquency and related restricted-access proceedings. |
| Family or household misdemeanor | Juvenile and domestic relations district court | Certain offenses involving family or household members. |
| Initial warrant and bail | Magistrate system | Warrants, criminal process and initial bail decisions. |
How to request a certified Virginia criminal disposition
The clerk of the court where the case was filed is the official record custodian. Fees, online ordering options and historical access vary by locality.
Information to prepare
Documents commonly requested
The initial criminal process identifying the alleged offense.
The circuit-court charging document returned by a grand jury.
The circuit-court order describing conviction and sentence.
The order or docket disposition confirming dismissal.
A clerk-certified record of how the charge ended.
The signed order granting qualifying record relief.
How to check an active Virginia warrant
Virginia does not publish one complete public search containing every warrant from every sheriff, police department, court and federal agency.
Virginia bond, bail and jail-release workflow
A Virginia magistrate commonly makes the first bail determination after arrest. A judge may later review or modify the conditions.
Release based on a written promise to appear and comply with conditions.
No money is paid initially, but an amount may become due after a violation.
Requires approved security, cash, property or a licensed surety.
Release requires further judicial action or resolution of another hold.
Confirm these details before paying
How to use the VADOC Inmate and Supervisee Locator
The VADOC locator provides public access to information about people in department custody or supervision. The department states that the system is updated daily, but the displayed information may still be inaccurate or outdated.
Individuals housed in VADOC correctional institutions.
Probationers and parolees supervised through district offices.
Individuals assigned to qualifying institutional hospital placements.
Certain people housed in local or regional jails under VADOC authority.
Participants in the Community Corrections Alternative Program.
Helps families, victims, attorneys and the public locate supervised individuals.
Search options
Richmond, VA 23261
Use the department contact process for case-specific questions.
How to receive Virginia custody-status notifications
VINE can provide custody-status information and notifications for participating Virginia agencies. Notifications may be available by telephone, text, email or supported digital channels.
How to correct an inaccurate Virginia criminal record
| Incorrect information | Office to contact | Evidence to prepare |
|---|---|---|
| Wrong booking identity | Local or regional jail | Government ID, fingerprints, booking number and explanation. |
| Incorrect police report field | Arresting or investigating agency | Report number, official documents and exact disputed information. |
| Missing or incorrect court disposition | General district or circuit court clerk | Case number, signed order and certified disposition. |
| Incorrect statewide criminal history | Virginia State Police Criminal Records Exchange | Fingerprint-supported identity and certified court records. |
| Incorrect VADOC information | VADOC records or time-computation process | DOC number, sentencing order and amended court orders. |
| Private background report | Consumer-reporting company | Correct official record and proof of identity. |
When a Virginia arrest may qualify for expungement
Traditional Virginia expungement is primarily designed for qualifying cases that did not result in a conviction and for certain mistaken-identity situations.
The person was found not guilty of the charge.
The Commonwealth elected not to prosecute the charge.
The proceeding ended without a qualifying conviction, subject to the statutory circumstances.
Another person used the petitioner’s name or identifying information.
The petitioner was arrested because of an identity or law-enforcement mistake.
Eligibility depends on the precise order and current Virginia statute.
Documents to collect
General petition workflow
Automatic and petition-based criminal record sealing
Virginia’s broader record-sealing framework under Chapter 23.2 of Title 19.2 expands relief beyond traditional non-conviction expungement. The rules distinguish automatic sealing from court-petition sealing and include offense, waiting-period, criminal-history and lifetime-limit requirements.
| Issue | Traditional expungement | Virginia sealing |
|---|---|---|
| Typical record | Acquittal, dismissal, nolle prosequi or mistaken identity. | Certain eligible non-convictions and convictions under automatic or petition procedures. |
| Main effect | Restricts or removes qualifying arrest and court records under the expungement order. | Restricts public access while preserving authorized access. |
| Automatic process | Traditionally petition-based. | Some eligible records may be identified for automatic sealing. |
| Court petition | Filed under the traditional expungement statute. | Required for eligible records not covered by automatic relief. |
| Government access | Access is governed by the expungement statute and order. | Courts, law enforcement and authorized entities may retain access. |
Eligibility factors to review
What to do when a private report uses Virginia arrest records
A private background report may combine court indexes, jail data, address records and data-broker information. The report can be outdated, incomplete or attached to the wrong person.
Review your records before applying
Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act workflow
An employer using a consumer-reporting company generally must provide a standalone disclosure and obtain written authorization.
Before a negative decision, the employer generally must provide the report and a Summary of Rights.
The applicant can challenge inaccurate or incomplete information with the reporting company.
The employer must identify the consumer-reporting company and explain applicable rights.
Ask the reporting company to send corrected information to recent recipients when allowed.
A pending or dismissed arrest should not be described as a conviction.
What should you do with the record you found?
Confirm the current jail or VADOC location before sending money, mail or planning a visit.
Search both court levels and obtain the actual final order.
Follow FCRA and applicable Virginia requirements and distinguish arrests from convictions.
Confirm identity, current status and disposition; use allegation language while the case is pending.
Obtain a certified disposition rather than relying on a search-result screenshot.
Correct errors and review expungement or sealing eligibility.
Use these official systems for the live action
| Task | Official action | Information to prepare |
|---|---|---|
| Search criminal court cases | Virginia Online Case Information System | Court, locality, name and case number. |
| Locate state inmate or supervisee | VADOC Locator | Name, DOC ID, age and location information. |
| Request statewide history | Virginia State Police background checks | Current form, authorization, identification, payment and signatures. |
| Register for custody alerts | Virginia VINE | Correct name, facility and notification method. |
| Find expungement or sealing forms | Virginia court forms | Case number, disposition and court information. |
How this Virginia guide was researched
Criminal-history request types, statewide repository role and form-based background-check procedures.
Online case access, court responsibilities, criminal case routing and court forms.
Daily locator updates, covered custody and supervision categories, search fields and department contact details.
Request deadlines, extensions, fees, deposits and requester-access rules.
Traditional expungement and broader automatic or petition-based sealing procedures.
Local and regional jails, sheriffs, police departments and clerks remain the final source for live records.
Virginia arrest-record questions answered
Is there a free statewide Virginia jail roster?
No single roster is guaranteed to include every local and regional jail. Search the sheriff or regional jail serving the location of arrest.
How do I find an arrest made today?
Identify the city or county, determine which jail serves that jurisdiction and search or call the facility. Very recent arrests can take time to appear.
Does the VADOC locator show every new arrest?
No. VADOC is primarily for state custody and supervision. A recent local arrest is normally found through a local or regional jail.
How often is VADOC information updated?
The department states that the locator is updated daily, but it warns that information may still be inaccurate or outdated.
How do I search a Virginia misdemeanor case?
Start with the general district court for the locality. Also check circuit court when the case was appealed.
How do I search a Virginia felony?
A felony may begin with a preliminary proceeding in general district court and continue to circuit court for indictment, trial or plea. Search both.
What is VSP form SP-167?
It is the general Virginia State Police Criminal History Record Name Search request. Use the current official form and follow its authorization, notarization, fee and mailing instructions.
Can anyone use SP-230?
No. SP-230 is limited to agencies and organizations authorized by specific Virginia law.
How do I obtain the arrest narrative?
Request the incident or arrest report from the agency whose officer created it. The jail booking is a separate record.
How long does a Virginia FOIA response take?
A public body generally must respond within five working days and may invoke an additional seven working days when necessary.
Can the agency require an advance deposit?
Yes. When the estimated charge exceeds $200, the agency may require an advance deposit before continuing.
How do I check an active Virginia warrant?
Check the likely sheriff or police agency and the issuing court. There is no complete public statewide warrant portal.
Who sets initial bail in Virginia?
A magistrate commonly makes the initial bail decision after arrest. A judge may later review the decision.
Does posting one bond guarantee release?
No. Another charge, no-bond case, warrant, probation violation or detainer can prevent release.
Does release mean the charge was dismissed?
No. Release ends the custody event. Check the court docket for the case outcome.
Can a dismissed Virginia case be expunged?
Some dismissed, acquitted or nolle-prosequi cases qualify for traditional expungement, but eligibility depends on the exact disposition and statute.
Can a Virginia conviction be expunged?
A valid conviction generally does not qualify for traditional expungement merely because the sentence was completed. It may qualify for a separate sealing process if the statutory requirements are met.
What is Virginia automatic sealing?
Virginia law provides automatic sealing for certain eligible records. Qualification and system processing depend on the offense, disposition and current implementation rules.
Can law enforcement see a sealed record?
Authorized courts, law-enforcement agencies and other entities may retain access under Virginia law even when public access is restricted.
How do I fix another person’s record appearing under my name?
Use fingerprints to establish identity and submit the correction to the jail, arresting agency, court clerk and Virginia State Police as appropriate.