Criminal-history-check-virginia steps involve getting a list of past law breaks from the state police or local courts. This record shows if a person was caught, charged, or found guilty of a crime. People use these facts for jobs, house rentals, or getting a license to work. The Virginia State Police keeps most of these files in a big computer system. You can ask for these details online or through the mail. Each way has its own rules and costs. Knowing the right way to ask saves time and helps you get the exact results you need for your goal.
Topical Authority Improvement Plan
- Legal Definitions: Explain terms like “Nolle Prosequi” and “Deferred Adjudication” so people know what their results mean.
- The Clean Slate Act: Add details on how Virginia is changing laws to hide some old crimes automatically starting in 2025.
- Juvenile Records: Explain why kids’ records are usually hidden and who can see them.
- Out-of-State Records: Detail how to get a full check if a person lived in other states before Virginia.
- Fingerprint Accuracy: Talk about why fingerprints are better than just using a name to find the right person.
Intent Map
- Informational Intent: Solve the need for data on how long a check takes and what laws protect the person being checked.
- Transactional Intent: Provide clear paths to the SP-167 form and the CARE online system for immediate use.
- Navigational Intent: Point users to the Virginia State Police and Department of Criminal Justice Services sites.
- Trust Intent: Use facts from the Code of Virginia and official agency rules to build belief in the data.
The CARE System for State Police Records
The Civil and Applicant Records Exchange is the main office for a criminal-history-check-virginia. This office is part of the state police. They look through the Central Criminal Records Exchange to see if you have a file. You can go to their website to start the request. The online system is fast for some, but not everyone can use it. Some jobs require you to send a paper form. This paper is called the SP-167. You must fill it out with your full name, when you were born, and your social security number. You also have to say why you want the records. A person called a notary must watch you sign the paper to prove you are who you say you are.
When the state police get your request, they check it against their big list. This list includes fingerprints and names from every city in the state. Usually, it takes about fifteen days to get an answer. Sometimes it takes twenty-one days if many people are asking at the same time. The result will come in the mail or show up on your computer screen. It will show the day you were arrested, what the police think you did, and what the judge decided in court. If you have no crimes, the paper will say “no record found.”
https://vsp.virginia.gov/services/criminal-background/
State Records and Contact Details
StateRecords.org is a place that shows where to send your papers. You must mail your SP-167 form to P.O. Box 85076 in Richmond. The zip code is 23285. If you have questions, you can call them at (804) 674-2131. They do not have a way to make the check go faster for more money. You should plan ahead and send your papers at least three weeks before you need them. If you are starting a new job, tell your boss that the state police take time to finish the work. Always include a copy of your photo ID from the government. This helps the police make sure they are looking for the right person and not someone else with the same name.
Using Private Portals for Fast Results
Some websites say they can do a criminal-history-check-virginia in just a few minutes. These sites charge between $19.95 and $29.99. They look at many different lists at once. They check court sites and police lists that are open to the public. You just type in a name and a birth date. Sometimes a driver’s license number helps too. The site then gives you a PDF file. This file lists arrests, codes for the crimes, and what the jail time was. These sites are good for looking up yourself or a friend. But most bosses will not accept these for a real job check. They want the official paper from the state police.
https://criminal-history-records-check-virginia.recordslookupvg.com/
Rules for Private Security Jobs
The Department of Criminal Justice Services has strict rules for people who want to be security guards. Law 9.1-139K says that some crimes stop you from getting a license. If you have a violent felony or a sex crime, you will be told no. You also cannot have crimes that involved a gun. These jobs require a fingerprint-based check. This is more sure than a name check. The results look back ten years for most crimes. If you went to prison for five years or more, they will see that no matter how long ago it was. If you think the record is wrong, you can ask to fix it under the Public Records Act.
https://www.dcjs.virginia.gov/faq/criminal-history
Searching Court Cases Online
The Virginia Judiciary has a search tool for court cases. This tool lets you look at the General District Courts and Circuit Courts. You can search by a person’s name or a case number. This shows what is happening in court right now. It shows hearing dates and what the judge decided. This is free to use on your computer. But this is not the same as a formal criminal-history-check-virginia from the police. The court site only shows what happened in that specific court. The police record shows everything in the whole state. You can also see things like marriage licenses and property deeds on this site. If you need a certified copy of a court paper, you must go to the courthouse and pay the clerk.
http://vacourts.gov/caseinfo/home.html
Express Reports and Daily Updates
Some rapid services update their data every night. They try to have the newest facts from the courts. They offer an express choice for $24.95. This gives you a report in thirty minutes. It combines facts from the state police list and local county systems. It lists each arrest and the final result like “guilty” or “dismissed.” If you use this for a job, the law called the FCRA says the boss must ask you first. You must give them permission in writing. If they decide not to hire you because of the report, they must give you a copy of it. This lets you see if the data is true.
https://virginia-criminal-records.recordsfindhj.com/
Background Checks for Professionals
The Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation looks at criminal pasts for many licenses. This includes builders, barbers, and real estate agents. They follow law 54.1-204.B. They do not just say no because of one crime. They look at how long ago it happened. They look to see if you have changed your life and stayed out of trouble. They also check if the crime has anything to do with the job. For example, a theft crime might matter more for a real estate agent than for a barber. They write down their reasons for every choice. You can ask to see this writing if they turn you down.
https://www.dpor.virginia.gov/Criminal_History_IFF
The NCJI Portal for Agencies
The New Criminal Justice Information portal is for groups and agencies. They use three main forms. The SP-167 is for the general public. The SP-230 is for state agencies only. The SP-266 is to look for crimes against kids. These forms are sent through a safe web link. They require the same details like name and social security number. The system gives a digital result in about fifteen days. This way is better for big groups that need to check many people at once. It keeps all the records in one place where the agency can see them easily. They must follow strict privacy laws to keep this data safe from others.
https://vspapps.vsp.virginia.gov/catspublic/public/publicHome.html
Detailed Review of Costs
Getting a criminal-history-check-virginia costs money. The state police charge a fee for each search. If you use the SP-167 form, the fee is usually $15 for a basic name search. If you need fingerprints, the cost is higher. You can pay with a money order or a check made out to the Virginia State Police. Do not send cash in the mail. Online sites have different prices. Some charge $29.99 for a very deep search. This might include sex offender lists and wanted lists from other states. Always check what you are buying before you pay. Some sites sign you up for a monthly bill that you might not want. Read the small print on the screen carefully.
https://virginia-criminal-records-check.recordslookupvg.com/
Common Terms in Virginia Records
When you get your results, you might see words that are hard to know. “Felony” means a serious crime that can lead to prison for more than a year. “Misdemeanor” is a less serious crime. “Disposition” is the final word from the court. “Guilty” means the judge says you did it. “Not Guilty” means you are free. “Dismissed” means the court stopped the case. “Nolle Prosequi” means the lawyer for the state decided not to finish the case right now. If you see “Deferred Disposition,” it means the judge is waiting to see if you stay out of trouble before making a final choice. Knowing these words helps you explain your past to a boss or a landlord.
| Term | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Arraignment | The first time you go to court to hear the charges. |
| Capias | An order from a judge to arrest a person. |
| Expungement | Removing a crime from your record so most people can’t see it. |
| Plea Bargain | Making a deal to admit to a smaller crime for a lighter punishment. |
Official Contact Data
Virginia State Police Headquarters
7700 Midlothian Turnpike
North Chesterfield, VA 23235
Mailing Address:
Civil and Applicant Records Exchange (CARE)
P.O. Box 85076
Richmond, VA 23285-5076
Phone: (804) 674-2131
Visiting Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:15 AM to 4:30 PM (Closed on state holidays)
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about looking up law break history in Virginia. These answers give you the facts you need to move forward with your request or job application. We cover how long things stay on your list, how to fix mistakes, and who is allowed to look at your past. Read these carefully to save time and avoid common errors when dealing with the state police or local courts.
Can a crime be removed from my Virginia record?
In Virginia, you can ask for an expungement if you were found not guilty or if the case was dismissed. You cannot usually remove a crime if you were found guilty. To start this, you must file a petition in the circuit court where the case happened. You will have to get your fingerprints taken again at a police station. A judge will look at your request and decide if keeping the record is unfair to you. If the judge agrees, they will sign an order. This order goes to the state police, and they hide the record from public view. Starting in 2025, a new law called the Clean Slate Act will hide some minor crimes automatically after a few years of staying out of trouble. This will help people get jobs more easily without having to pay for a lawyer. Until then, you must follow the old petition steps to clear your name. It can take several months for the whole thing to finish. It is not a fast or easy thing to do, but it can change your life if you succeed. Always keep a copy of the judge’s order for your own files just in case the police computer does not update correctly.
Who is allowed to see my official state police record?
Most of the time, only you or someone you give permission to can see your full record from the state police. When you apply for a job, the boss will ask you to sign a paper. This paper says they have your okay to do a criminal-history-check-virginia. If you do not sign it, they might not hire you. Some jobs like teaching, nursing, or working with kids are required by law to check everyone. They do not need your extra permission because the law says they must do it for safety. Private people can sometimes see court records by going to the courthouse or using the court’s website. But that is not the same as the official state police report. The state police report is private and protected by law. If a company looks at your record without your okay, they could get in big trouble with the law. Always read every paper you sign when you apply for a job. Look for words like “background screen” or “consumer report.” These words mean they are going to look at your past. You have the right to know what they find and to get a copy of the report if they use it against you.
What should I do if my record shows a crime I did not do?
Mistakes can happen if someone else has the same name as you or if the court clerk types the wrong thing. If you see a mistake, you must act fast to fix it. First, get a copy of your full record from the Virginia State Police. If the error is from the police, you can fill out a form to challenge the data. They might ask you to give your fingerprints to prove you are not the person who committed the crime. If the mistake started in the court, you must go to that specific court clerk. Show them the truth and ask them to fix the computer file. Once the court fixes it, they will tell the state police to update their big list too. This can take a few weeks to show up. It is very important to have papers like court orders or release papers to show the truth. If you have been a victim of identity theft, you might need to file a police report first. Fixing a record is your right under the Virginia Public Records Act. Do not let a mistake stop you from getting a job or a house. Be polite but firm when talking to the clerks and police officers about the error.
How far back does a Virginia check go?
A criminal-history-check-virginia through the state police usually goes back all the way to your first arrest as an adult. Unlike some other states, Virginia does not have a 7-year limit for what the state police can show. If you were arrested in 1980, it might still show up today if you were found guilty. However, many bosses only care about the last 7 to 10 years. They follow rules from the Fair Credit Reporting Act. If a job pays less than a certain amount of money, the reporting company might not show very old crimes. But the state police will still list them if the job asks for a full official report. For very sensitive jobs like working in a bank or a hospital, they will look at your whole life. If you have a crime from a long time ago, it is often best to tell the truth about it before they find it. Most bosses like it when you are honest about your past. They might see that you have grown up and changed since you were young. Only juvenile records are usually hidden after you turn 19 or once a certain amount of time has passed, but even those can be seen for some serious crimes.
Is an online name check as good as a fingerprint check?
A name check is fast but it can make mistakes. It looks at your name and your birthday. If someone else has your name and was born on the same day, their crimes might show up on your list. This is why many high-level jobs want a fingerprint check. Fingerprints are unique to you. No two people have the same ones. When the state police use fingerprints, they are 100% sure the record belongs to you. This is called a “Gold Seal” check in some places. For a basic job like working in a store, a name check is usually enough. But for a job where you carry a gun, look after kids, or handle lots of money, they will almost always ask for your prints. You can get your fingerprints taken at many local sheriff offices or police stations. You might have to pay a small fee for the person who takes the prints. They will then send them to the state police or the FBI. If you are worried about someone having the same name as you, asking for a fingerprint-based criminal-history-check-virginia is the best way to keep your record clean and accurate. It takes longer but it is much safer for your reputation.
Can I get a check for someone else without their permission?
In Virginia, you cannot get an official signed state police record for another person unless you are their legal boss or they have signed a form giving you the right. The law protects people’s private facts. However, you can look at “public records.” Public records are things that anyone can see. You can go to a courthouse and use their computer to search for any name. This will show you any cases that person has in that specific court. You do not need their permission to look at court files because they are open to the public. You can also use private websites that search for public data. These sites can tell you if someone was in jail or has a court case. But remember, this data might not be perfect. It might be old or missing facts from other cities. To get the real, official document that a bank or a government office would trust, you must have the person’s written consent. If you try to fake someone’s signature on an SP-167 form, you are breaking the law and could go to jail. Always follow the rules when looking into someone else’s past to stay out of trouble yourself.
How do I pay for the state police request?
Paying for your criminal-history-check-virginia must be done exactly how the state police ask. If you are mailing the SP-167 form, you should use a certified check, a cashier’s check, or a money order. Make it payable to “Virginia State Police.” They do not accept personal checks from people they do not know. If you send a personal check, they will mail your whole package back to you without doing the search. This will waste your time. If you use the online CARE system, you can pay with a credit card like Visa or Mastercard. This is the fastest way to pay. For companies that do many checks, they can set up a special account to pay once a month. Never send cash through the mail. It is not safe and the police will not take it. If you go to the headquarters in person, they might take cash, but it is better to call first and ask. The cost is usually $15 for a basic search and more if you need it to be notarized or if you are doing it for a specific type of license. Always double-check the current price on the VSP website before you send your money to make sure you have the right amount. If you send too little money, they will not do the work.