How to View Commonwealth Criminal Records

Retrieving criminal history record information from the Commonwealth of Virginia provides access to data collected by Virginia's criminal justice agencies. This information consists of descriptions and notations of arrests, detentions, indictments or other formal charges, and any disposition resulting from these actions. The records do not include juvenile record information, criminal justice intelligence information, criminal justice investigative information, or correctional status-related information.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

1. Make sure you meet the eligibility requirements of Virginia law in order to apply for and receive permission to review a criminal history record report. These eligibility requirements are set forth in the Code of Virginia Section 19.2-389. This section of law contains 39 paragraphs detailing who is eligible to request a criminal background check. Subsection A, paragraph 11 states an individual is entitled to request a copy of his own criminal background report and, pursuant to certain provisions, may request the report without charge.

2. Visit the Virginia State Police website to place a request for form SP-167 or SP-230. The form that must be used to request a background check will vary depending on your role as a requesting agent. For instance, if you wish to perform a check on your own record, you will need to use form SP-167.

3. Complete the background request form and return it to the state police. The online interface should allow you to pre-populate the form with information regarding the person about whom you are requesting a report. A copy of this form should be sent to your mailing address. You will need to return the form with a $15 payment for each record requested. Whether or not you are required to receive a notarization of the form depends on which form you have requested. SP-167 requires a notarization while SP-230 does not.

References

• "Commonwealth of Virginia"; Legal Description of Criminal Records;
• "Virginia State Police"; SP-167 Request Form;
• "Virginia State Police"; Instructions for Requesting Background Check;