Virginia's criminal history system has two important features to understand before you search. First, the CCRE (Central Criminal Records Exchange) under the Virginia State Police is the sole statewide repository -- but full criminal history records including non-conviction arrest data are not available to the general public. The public gets conviction-based records; only the subject, law enforcement, and specifically authorized entities can access the full record. Second, Virginia's record relief law is in transition: expungement under Va. Code 19.2-392.2 is currently available only for non-convictions (dismissed charges, acquittals, nolle prosequi, absolute pardons). A major expansion -- automatic and petition-based sealing for most misdemeanors and many non-violent felonies -- was enacted in 2021 and amended in 2025 and is scheduled to take effect July 1, 2026. Confirm the status of this law at publish. This guide covers the full current system.
What Makes Virginia Arrest Records Public
Virginia's public records framework is governed by the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (VFOIA) at Va. Code 2.2-3700 et seq. Government records, including basic arrest and booking information, are generally public under this law.
The Central Criminal Records Exchange (CCRE), a section of the Virginia State Police, has been the sole repository for criminal records in Virginia since 1968 under Chapter 23 of Title 19.2 of the Code of Virginia. Law enforcement agencies and court clerks are statutorily required to submit arrest fingerprints and final dispositions to CCRE.
The key access limitation: full criminal history records including non-conviction arrest data may only be obtained by the individual named in the record, law enforcement, or entities specifically authorized by law such as certain employers and licensing boards. The public receives conviction-based information. Virginia State Police arrest reports are not releasable to the public under current policy.
Exemptions from public access include non-conviction arrest data for non-subject requesters, juvenile records, sealed and expunged records, and active investigation materials.
What a Virginia Arrest Record Contains
An arrest record is a booking document. It reflects the facts of an arrest at the time of booking and carries no presumption of guilt.
A CCRE criminal history record includes personal identifying information, arrest records from all jurisdictions in Virginia, prosecution data, conviction and sentencing information, and correctional records. The full record is accessible only to the subject and authorized entities. The public-facing record covers conviction information.
Local law enforcement records at county and city sheriff offices and police departments include full booking information: name, DOB, date and time of arrest, location, arresting agency, charges, bail, court date, and booking photograph. These local records are public under VFOIA and can be requested from the relevant agency.
How to Search Virginia Arrest Records
The CCRE criminal history record check has no online public portal. For subject record requests, complete form SP-167 (available at vspapps.vsp.virginia.gov), have the form notarized, and mail with payment to: Virginia State Police / CCRE, P.O. Box 85076, Richmond, VA 23285-5076. Phone: 804-674-2000. Fees: $13 for CCRE record only; $24 for FBI record only; $37 for both. Processing time: approximately 12-15 business days by mail.
The Virginia Judiciary Case Information System (JCIS) provides a free online search for court case records. Search by name, case number, or hearing date. This is the most accessible free tool for the general public searching Virginia criminal case information. Access at courts.state.va.us.
County and city sheriff offices and police departments maintain booking records for recent arrests. Virginia has 95 counties and 38 independent cities -- 133 separate local jurisdictions. Most publish online inmate rosters or booking logs.
For broader multi-source searches that aggregate public record data across Virginia's jurisdictions, TruthFinder is a practical option.
VINELink at vinelink.com connects to the Virginia DOC system and many local facilities and provides free real-time custody status and notification registration.
County Jail and Local Facility Records in Virginia
Virginia has 95 counties and 38 independent cities, each of which may operate its own jail or regional jail facility. County jails and city jails hold people recently arrested, those awaiting trial, and individuals serving shorter sentences.
When someone is convicted and sentenced to state prison, they enter the Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) system. VADOC provides a free online Offender Locator at vadoc.virginia.gov. Search by name to locate current inmates and get facility, offense, and sentence information.
Federal Arrests in Virginia
Federal arrests in Virginia are made by agencies including the FBI, the DEA, U.S. Marshals, the ATF, and Homeland Security Investigations. Virginia is home to U.S. District Courts for the Eastern District of Virginia (Alexandria, Norfolk, Richmond, Newport News) and the Western District of Virginia (Roanoke, Charlottesville, Harrisonburg, Lynchburg, Abingdon).
The BOP Inmate Locator at bop.gov/inmateloc is the official free tool for locating anyone serving a federal sentence. Search by name or BOP register number. Federal court records are available through the PACER system at pacer.gov.
Federal arrests and convictions are not part of the CCRE criminal history system.
Arrest Records Versus Conviction Records
An arrest record documents that law enforcement took someone into custody. A conviction record documents a court's finding of guilt. Virginia restricts public access to non-conviction arrest data in CCRE -- the general public can only access conviction-based records through official channels.
Dismissed charges, nolle prosequi entries, and acquittals remain in CCRE and court records until expunged. The Virginia Judiciary JCIS may show case records for dismissed cases until expungement orders are processed.
Virginia Expungement and the Coming 2026 Sealing Law
Current Law -- Expungement Under Va. Code 19.2-392.2:
As of this article's publication, Virginia's expungement law applies narrowly. Under Va. Code 19.2-392.2, expungement (which in Virginia means sealing of police and court records, not physical destruction) is available for:
- Charges that resulted in an acquittal (not guilty verdict).
- Charges that were dismissed, including by nolle prosequi or accord and satisfaction.
- Cases where the Governor granted an absolute pardon based on innocence.
First-offender program dispositions and deferred dispositions that do not result in outright dismissal are generally not eligible for expungement under current case law. Conviction records are not currently eligible for expungement unless connected to an absolute pardon.
The petition is filed with the Circuit Court where the charge was brought. If granted, the order is sealed and CCRE restricts the record from public access.
Coming Change -- Sealing Law Effective July 1, 2026:
Virginia enacted HB 2113/SB 1339 in 2021, later amended by SB 1466/HB 2723 in 2025, creating a significant expansion of record relief. Under these laws, most misdemeanor convictions and many non-violent felony convictions will be eligible for automatic or petition-based sealing. This law is scheduled to take effect July 1, 2026. Verify the effective status at publish -- as of this writing the effective date had not yet occurred.
InmateAid's guides on expungement cover Virginia's framework in more detail. Mugshot removal from third-party sites after expungement is addressed in InmateAid's resources on that topic.
Frequently asked questions
Are Virginia arrest records public?
Basic arrest and booking information is public under the Virginia FOIA (Va. Code 2.2-3700). However, CCRE full criminal history records -- including non-conviction arrest data -- are not available to the general public; only the subject, law enforcement, and specifically authorized entities can access the full record. The public may access conviction-based records and court case information. Juvenile, sealed, and expunged records are not publicly accessible.
How do I search Virginia arrest records?
For your own full criminal history, complete SP-167 (available at vspapps.vsp.virginia.gov), have it notarized, and mail with a money order or certified check ($13 CCRE only, $24 FBI only, $37 both) to CCRE, P.O. Box 85076, Richmond, VA 23285-5076, phone 804-674-2000. For free court case records, use the Virginia Judiciary JCIS at courts.state.va.us. For recent arrests, contact the relevant county or city sheriff's office or police department. For multi-source results, TruthFinder aggregates public record data. For custody notifications, VINELink at vinelink.com is free. For VADOC state inmates, search at vadoc.virginia.gov.
What does a Virginia arrest record contain?
A CCRE criminal history record includes personal identifying information, all arrest records from Virginia jurisdictions, prosecution data, conviction and sentencing information, and correctional records. The full record is restricted to the subject and authorized entities. Local law enforcement records -- publicly available under VFOIA -- include name, DOB, arrest date/time/location, charges, bail, and booking photograph.
Is an arrest the same as a conviction in Virginia?
No. An arrest documents that someone was taken into custody. A conviction reflects a court's finding of guilt. Virginia restricts public access to non-conviction arrest data in CCRE. Dismissed charges, acquittals, and nolle prosequi entries remain in CCRE and court records until expunged under Va. Code 19.2-392.2. There is no automatic removal of non-conviction records.
How do I find someone in a Virginia jail?
Check the relevant county or city sheriff's office or jail website. Virginia has 95 counties and 38 independent cities, each of which may operate its own jail or participate in a regional jail. Most publish online inmate rosters. VINELink at vinelink.com connects to many Virginia facilities and provides free notification registration. For someone in state prison, use the VADOC Offender Locator at vadoc.virginia.gov.
Can I search federal arrest records in Virginia?
Federal court records are available through PACER at pacer.gov. For someone serving a federal sentence, the BOP Inmate Locator at bop.gov/inmateloc is the free official tool. Federal arrests and convictions are not part of the CCRE system.
How long does an arrest stay on record in Virginia?
Virginia arrest records remain in CCRE and court records indefinitely unless expunged. Non-conviction arrests (dismissed charges, acquittals) can be expunged by petition under Va. Code 19.2-392.2. Conviction records currently have no general expungement pathway -- the major sealing expansion for convictions is scheduled to take effect July 1, 2026.
Who qualifies for expungement in Virginia?
Under current Va. Code 19.2-392.2: acquittals, dismissed charges, nolle prosequi entries, and absolute pardons based on innocence qualify. First-offender program dispositions that did not result in outright dismissal are generally not eligible under current case law. Conviction records are not currently eligible unless tied to an absolute pardon for innocence. The July 2026 sealing expansion will change this substantially for most misdemeanors and many non-violent felonies -- verify the law's effective status at publish.
What is Virginia's new sealing law taking effect in 2026?
Virginia enacted HB 2113/SB 1339 (2021) and amended it in 2025 via SB 1466/HB 2723, creating automatic and petition-based sealing for most misdemeanor convictions and many non-violent felony convictions. This is a major expansion beyond the current non-conviction-only expungement system. The effective date is scheduled for July 1, 2026. Sealing under this law will restrict public access to qualifying conviction records while allowing law enforcement, courts, and authorized entities to retain access. Verify the law's current status at publish.
Why does my record show an arrest but no conviction?
Virginia does not automatically remove non-conviction arrests. Even if charges were dismissed or you were acquitted, those records remain in CCRE and court records until expunged. Under Va. Code 19.2-392.2, dismissed charges and acquittals qualify for expungement by petition to the Circuit Court where the charge was brought. There is no waiting period for non-conviction expungement petitions. ---
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