Free Virginia Public Records, Criminal Records And Background Checks

Statewide public records directory

Virginia Official Records, Agencies & Answers

Jump into the four biggest statewide record categories, review the refreshed Virginia overview pulled from the live database, and open only direct government sources from the directory below.

Top topic Criminal Records Criminal history tools, sheriff links, and related justice records.

Top topic Court Records Civil, criminal, and court access resources.

Top topic Expungements Record-clearance and expungement guidance.

Top topic Inmate Search Custody, jail, and inmate lookup resources.

Virginia public records, redesigned

State of Virginia Most Updated Online Public and Criminal Records Portal

Updated April 29, 2026

The state of Virginia maintains and operates numerous central depositories of records which can be accessed by the public and private entities. A directory of the most common as well as lesser known record providers helps to see where to make requests and how. Individual departments can search and provide state criminal history, official vital certificates, recorded documents, licenses and more. As a major administrator of re…

Official sources 57 Direct state links currently rendered on this page

Counties County coverage 95 County-level public records coverage tied to Virginia

FAQ / Q&A 9 Live statewide answers surfaced from the database

Bonus cities 92 Standalone city record pages currently shown

About Virginia

Open the dedicated background page for a deeper history, civic overview, and statewide public records context beyond the agency directory.

Open about page

Explore cities & counties County links 🗺️ Local map

Move deeper into the state structure with the city directory, county access page, and location-specific record hubs without losing the statewide view.

Browse cities

✨ County picks County directory: open county access

Hub → sub pages

Explore every linked Virginia specialty page

The hub now links directly to every live state-topic page we found for Virginia. Use the cards below to jump straight into each specialty area.

13 sub pages linked

Criminal Records Criminal history tools, sheriff links, and related justice records.

Court Records Civil, criminal, and court access resources.

Expungements Record-clearance and expungement guidance.

Inmate Search Custody, jail, and inmate lookup resources.

Most Wanted Wanted-person and fugitive resources.

Police Police department and public-safety resources.

County Sheriff County sheriff and detention access points.

Background Checks Background screening and identity research resources.

Asset Search Asset, ownership, and locator resources.

DMV Driver, vehicle, and DMV resource links.

Vital Records Birth, death, marriage, and health-record links.

Genealogy Family-history and genealogy research tools.

Missing Children Missing-child alerts and support resources.

Fresh database content

About Virginia public records

This panel now uses the newer statewide heading content from the database instead of the old generic filler copy.

Virginia gained its independence in 1776 and was the tenth state to join the union in 1788. The state was one of the original colonies and has a long history in tobacco crops and other farming products. In early years Virginia was a pioneer in iron, coal, stone and agriculture. Present economy benefits from its many military installations, agriculture, technology and natural minerals. The headquarters for the department of defense and the CIA are located in the state of Virginia. Virginia has over 8.1 million residents in its 95 counties and 39 independent cities. It is the 35th largest state with 42,700 square…

State snapshot Did you know? In Virginia, independent cities can break the usual county pattern. If an arrest happened in a place like Richmond, Norfolk, or Virginia Beach, check the city jail and court path first, not just the county. Quick route: in independent cities, the city jail and city court path can matter more than county records.

Official source group

Virginia Court Records

Direct government links curated for the strongest virginia court records starting points in Virginia.

11 links

Supreme Court of Virginia

Calendar and case information.

Virginia Criminal and Civil Courts and Cases

Search case status and information for Virginia courts.

Virginia Records Search

Access to public information from the Circuit Court Clerk.

Virginia Circuit Court System

City and county trial courts hear felony and civil cases.

General District Court of Virginia

Courts hear misdemeanor, minor civil and traffic cases.

Virginia Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court

Juvenile criminal and traffic; custody, support and visitation cases.

Court of Appeals of Virginia

Appellate review of final circuit court cases.

Virginia Bankruptcy Records Search

Conduct a bankruptcy search through public records to find individual or corporate bankruptcy filings.

Virginia State Law Library

Statewide law libraries and publications.

Code of Virginia Searchable Database

Search Legislative Information System for code chapter and part.

Virginia Court Electronic Payments

Pay traffic tickets and other offenses online and by mail.

Official source group

General Records

Direct government links curated for the strongest general records starting points in Virginia.

46 links

Virginia Offender Criminal Records

Request criminal records for all inmates in active confinement and on active parole.

Virginia State Police Background Check

Request criminal history records from the Virginia state police.

Federal Bureau of Investigation Richmond Office

Obtain criminal background checks, crime records for Virginia.

Virginia Circuit Court Criminal and Civil Case Records

Access the criminal records indexing search system for information stored in the circuit court clerks office.

Virginia Inmates and Offenders Search

Find the location and release information of individuals incarcerated with the Virginia Dept. of Corrections.

Virginia Most Wanted

Current posting of fugitives and absconders from the Virginia State Police.

Virginia Sex Offenders

Search the Virginia State Police database of registered offenders by name or location.

Virginia Public and Criminal Record Expungements

Information and resources to assist in expunging criminal records state and nationwide.

Virginia State Police

Law enforcement, traffic, criminal investigations and more

Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries

Licenses, permits, information and more

Virginia Attorney General

Civil, criminal and appellate courts

Virginia State University Police Department

Law enforcement, investigations, reports and more

Virginia County Sheriff Arrest Reports

Directory to county Sheriff offices and reports in Virginia.

Search for State Financial Institutions

Consumer protection and complaints.

Virginia Chamber of Commerce Directory

Visitors guide and business resource for the state of Virginia.

Virginia Department of Historic Resources

Search archives and archaeological history data and more.

Virginia Census Information

Census bureau quick facts and information.

Virginia State Fire Marshal's Office

Provide fire safety to protect life and property of Virginia citizens.

Virginia Airports

Airport and flight information.

Library of Virginia

Research archival records, search catalog and find local libraries.

Virginia Education and Schools

Virginia State Department of Education.

Virginia State Parks

Locations, fees, reservations, events, camping and programs.

Virginia Department of Environmental Quality

Providing environmental information, tools and updates.

Virginia Secretary of Natural Resources

Environmental priorities to protect property and resources.

Department of Virginia Game and Inland Fisheries

Hunting, fishing, boating, wildlife watching, licenses and permits.

Virginia GIS Data Portal

Search public information from government agencies.

Virginia State Maps

Obtain geologic and topographic maps and free travel maps.

Virginia Government, Economy and Culture

Information on Virginia; economy, government and culture.

Search Virginia Law

Lookup Virginia codes and laws.

Virginia Asset Search

Search government agencies open to the public to find assets of companies, corporations, or individuals.

Virginia Business & Corporation Search

Find active and inactive corporations by name from the Virginia State Corporation Commission.

Virginia Driving Records

Access online forms from the state DMV to request a drivers license, complete registration and more.

Virginia Genealogy Records

Browse state archives, historical records, and online databases, search Virginia census records to find info about ancestors, family tree and more.

Virginia Judgments and Liens

Find judgments, liens and UCC filings of any individual in Virginia.

Virginia Lawyer Records Search

Verify an attorney's licensing status with the State Bar.

Virginia Missing Children

Search Virginia missing and exploited kids.

Virginia Unclaimed Property

Search property and claim status by individual name or business thru the state treasurer.

Virginia Vital Records

Request birth and death certificates, marriage records and divorce filings in Virginia.

Virginia State Agency Directory Search

Contact any agency statewide.

Search For Virginia State Employees

Employee directory name search.

Virginia Business Services

Free downloadable government forms for businesses.

One stop process to establishing and registering a business.

Virginia Elections and Voter Information

Voter registrations, elections and elected officials.

Virginia Statewide UCC Search

UCC filings and debtor search certificate requests.

Virginia Statewide Professional License Lookup

Search licensing records, disciplinary action and complaint history.

Virginia Parcel Records

Search Parcel data and GIS maps.

Frequently asked questions

About Virginia public records

Clearer question cards, modern spacing, and the same live statewide answers from the database.

Q What is included in a Virginia background check?

In Virginia, background checks are governed by the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (VFOIA) (Virginia Code § 2.2-3700 through § 2.2-3714). They may include criminal history, sex offender status, court filings, arrest records, and vital statistics. Agencies must respond within 5 working days to respond. The law is administered by Virginia FOIA Council, 910 Capitol St., 2nd Floor, Richmond, VA 23219; (804) 698-1810.

Q Where can I find police reports in Virginia?

Police reports in Virginia are public records under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (VFOIA). Submit your request to the agency that generated the report. Who may request: Any person - no residency requirement. Response deadline: 5 working days to respond. If access is denied, you may appeal to district or circuit court. Under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Va. Code Ann. § 2.2-3700), most incident and accident reports become public after the investigation is closed. Requests can be submitted to the records division of the reporting agency. The Virginia State Police (VSP) handles reports generated by state troopers; local police departments and county sheriff offices handle their own reports. Allow 5-10 business days for standard requests; fees typically range from $5-$25 per report.

Q What are the procedures to obtain Virginia vital records, and what is included in those records with address, not URLs?

Vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce) in Virginia are maintained by the state Department of Health or Vital Statistics. Standard fees: Actual cost of duplication; agencies may charge reasonable fees for staff time f. Certified copies carry separate fee schedules. Fee waivers may be available for journalists, nonprofits, and public-interest requesters - always ask.

Q What is the school district and performance data for Virginia?

The Virginia Department of Education provides school district performance data for all public schools in the state. The data includes information on student achievement, graduation rates, teacher quality, and school climate. The data can be accessed through the Virginia School Report Card website. Virginia Department of Education (www.doe.virginia.gov) publishes annual school and district performance reports covering graduation rates, standardized test scores, chronic absenteeism, and college/career readiness. Reports are available on the agency's official website and are updated each fall following the close of the academic year. Parents and researchers can compare district performance across Virginia using the state's school accountability portal.

Q What is the crime statistics for Virginia?

Virginia crime statistics are compiled by the Virginia State Police (VSP), Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), and published in the annual Crime in Virginia report at vsp.virginia.gov. FBI UCR data covers Virginia. In 2022, Virginia reported a violent crime rate of approximately 200 per 100,000 residents - well below the national average. The DCJS Statistical Analysis Center publishes detailed reports at dcjs.virginia.gov. Local data is available through the Arlington, Fairfax, and Virginia Beach police departments.

Q If I get arrested in Virginia where would I go to jail and court? include address.

If arrested in Virginia, you would be taken to the local county jail. Court appearances are scheduled in the county where the arrest occurred. Under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (VFOIA), arrest records and booking information are generally public. Oversight: Virginia FOIA Council, 910 Capitol St., 2nd Floor, Richmond, VA 23219; (804) 698-1810. Appeals go to district or circuit court.

Q Can I find Public records in Virginia State Library?

Yes. Virginia state and public libraries provide access to public records databases. The Virginia Freedom of Information Act (VFOIA) (Virginia Code § 2.2-3700 through § 2.2-3714) guarantees public access to government documents. Many libraries offer free access to LexisNexis, court records portals, and vital record indexes. The Library of Virginia, 800 E provides free public access to government records, genealogy databases (Ancestry.com, HeritageQuest), legal research tools (LexisNexis, Westlaw), and historical newspaper archives. Under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Va. Code Ann. § 2.2-3700), library patrons can request government documents through the library's inter-agency loan and records request services at no charge. Many local public libraries throughout Virginia also offer digital access to court records and vital statistics indexes.

Q Where is the Virginia State Library located?

The Virginia Library is located in Richmond, Virginia. The library maintains public access to government records, historical archives, genealogy databases, and legal research tools. Under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Va. Code Ann. § 2.2-3700), Virginia residents may request government documents through the state library's reference services. Collections include census records, land patents, vital statistics indexes, and digitized newspapers. Most state library services are free to Virginia residents. Contact the library by phone or visit the official VA state library website for research guides and online catalog access.

Q Virginia State fingerprinting office

Virginia fingerprinting services are provided by the Virginia State Police (VSP), State Police Headquarters, at 7700 Midlothian Turnpike, North Chesterfield, VA 23235. Phone: (804) 674-2000. IdentoGO (MorphoTrust) operates fingerprinting locations across Northern Virginia, Richmond, Hampton Roads, and Roanoke - schedule at identogo.com or call 1-888-483-4632. Virginia State Police Divisions and local police departments also offer fingerprinting for employment, licensing, and background check purposes.

Did you know?

Open the local page for focused public record links and a quicker statewide sweep into this city.

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