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Virginia Inmate Search

Find inmates in Virginia state prisons and county jails. Search the official Virginia DOC inmate locator, county jail rosters, and custody status databases.

Virginia DOCState Agency
~29,000Est. Population
Free SearchOnline Lookup
About This Directory

Virginia judgments and liens public information. Court look up sources, e-forms and self help tools. UCC searches by an individual or attorneys. Link to information for defaults, recovery, default, cases and files that can show civil judgments.

State DOC
Virginia DOC
Prison Population
~29,000
Facility Types
State Correctional Facilities, Community Corrections
How-To Guide
How to Search for an Inmate in Virginia

Use these steps to locate someone in a Virginia state prison or county jail.

1
Use the Virginia DOC Online Locator

Visit the official Virginia DOC website and navigate to the inmate search tool. You can search by first name, last name, or DOC number. Results show facility location, custody level, and projected release date.

2
Search County Jail Rosters

If the person was recently arrested or awaiting trial, they may be held at a Virginia county jail. Most Virginia county sheriffs publish online jail rosters searchable by name. Visit the county sheriff's website for the county where the arrest occurred.

3
Search the Federal BOP Locator

For individuals sentenced to federal crimes, use the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) inmate locator at bop.gov/inmateloc. Federal inmates are held in separate facilities from state prisoners.

4
Register for Victim Notification (VINE)

The VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday) system notifies registered victims when an inmate's custody status changes. Register at VINELink.com or through the Virginia VINE program.

Frequently Asked Questions
Virginia Inmate Search FAQ
Is the Virginia inmate search free?

Yes. The Virginia DOC official inmate locator is free to use online. County jail roster searches are also typically free. Third-party aggregate sites may charge fees but are not official sources.

What information can I find in the Virginia inmate search?

The Virginia DOC locator typically shows full name, DOC ID number, current facility, custody level, offense(s), sentence length, earliest release date, and sometimes a photo. County jails may show booking date, charges, and bond amount.

What if the person isn't found in the Virginia search?

If you can't find someone, they may be: held in a county jail not linked to the state system; held in a federal facility (check BOP); recently released or transferred; or the name may be spelled differently. Try searching with partial names or alternate spellings. You can also call the Virginia DOC directly.

Search Tips
  • Use legal name, not nickname
  • Try partial last name if unsure
  • DOC ID gives most accurate result
  • Check county jail if recently arrested
  • Federal offenses: use BOP locator
NoteThis tool searches publicly available government records. Data reflects official Virginia DOC information and may have up to 24-hour delays.
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