Find Manassas Arrest Records

Arrest records for the City of Manassas are held by the Manassas Police Department, which is the sole law enforcement agency for this independent Virginia city. Manassas operates apart from Prince William County, with its own courts and police. You can search court cases free at vacourts.gov, or get certified criminal history records through the Virginia State Police CARE system.

Manassas Police Department

The Manassas Police Department handles all law enforcement within the city and maintains local arrest records. Because Manassas is an independent city, Prince William County law enforcement has no jurisdiction here. The police department is the right place to contact for local arrest records, incident reports, and booking information.

To ask for a specific arrest record, contact the department in person or by mail. Provide the name of the person, the approximate arrest date, and a case number if you have one. Some requests may need to be formal FOIA submissions. The department can walk you through the paperwork and any associated fees. Images captured from the department's online systems show a dedicated Records Division that processes these requests.

For criminal history checks covering all of Virginia, the Virginia State Police CARE system is separate from the local police department. The department can give you guidance on which option fits your needs.

Searching for Manassas Criminal Records

The Virginia Courts Case Information System at vacourts.gov is the best free tool for finding court case records. You can search by name or case number and see Manassas city court results alongside all other Virginia courts. Results show charge information, hearing dates, and case status. No account is needed and no fee is charged for online lookups.

For certified criminal history, the Virginia State Police runs the CARE system. Submit form SP-167 with a notarized signature and a $15 fee. This gives you a name-based record check covering all Virginia jurisdictions. Mail the form and payment to the VSP. You can find the forms and mailing address at vsp.virginia.gov. Processing typically takes about 15 business days.

Employers use form SP-230 for background checks on job applicants. This provides conviction data only and does not require notarization. The fee is higher than the SP-167. Always check the current VSP fee schedule before submitting.

You can also visit the Manassas Circuit Court or General District Court in person. Staff at the clerk's office can pull records during business hours. Bring photo ID and any details about the case you are searching. Public access terminals are available in the courthouse.

Manassas City Court Records

The City of Manassas has its own Circuit Court and General District Court. These courts serve the independent city and are not shared with Prince William County. Manassas Park, a neighboring independent city, also has its own separate courts.

The Circuit Court handles felony cases and appeals from the General District Court. If someone in Manassas was charged with a felony, the case record is at the Manassas Circuit Court. You can search it online through the Virginia Judiciary system or visit the clerk's office. Certified copies carry a per-page fee.

The General District Court handles misdemeanor cases, traffic matters, and preliminary felony hearings. This court processes most criminal filings in the city. Both courts are in the Manassas Judicial Center. Virginia Code § 19.2-389 establishes that criminal history records are centrally maintained by the Virginia State Police, so a statewide CARE search will capture Manassas cases along with every other jurisdiction in the Commonwealth.

Manassas Police Department Records

The Manassas Police Department maintains a Records Division that handles public requests for arrest records and incident reports. The screenshot below shows the department's online portal.

FOIA Requests for Manassas Records

Virginia's Freedom of Information Act at § 2.2-3704 gives you the right to request public records from the City of Manassas. Arrest records, incident reports, and police logs fall under this law. Agencies must respond within five working days. The law assumes all records are open unless an exemption applies.

Write a request that describes the records you need. Include the person's name, the dates involved, and the record type. You do not need to give a reason for the request. The agency can only charge actual costs for staff time and copying. If fees will exceed $200, the agency may ask for a deposit. Send your written request to the Manassas Police Department Records Division or to the city's FOIA officer depending on the record type.

Arrest identities, charges, and case status are public in Virginia. Active investigation files are exempt. Juvenile records are confidential. For help with FOIA, the Virginia FOIA Advisory Council offers free guidance at (804) 698-1810.

Expungement of Manassas Arrest Records

Under § 19.2-392.2, Virginia allows expungement of arrest records when you were acquitted, charges were dismissed, or you were arrested but never charged. Standard Virginia law does not allow expungement of convictions. New sealing laws that took effect in July 2025 allow some misdemeanor and felony convictions to be sealed after specific waiting periods, but details depend on the offense type.

To file for expungement in Manassas, petition the Manassas Circuit Court. The petition must describe the arrest and explain why you qualify. You will need to submit fingerprints through the Virginia State Police. Filing fees apply at the clerk's office. The Commonwealth's Attorney receives a copy of your petition. If they oppose it, the judge schedules a hearing. If they do not oppose, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

Because of the complexity of the new sealing laws, speaking with a private attorney or contacting legal aid before you file is a good idea. Loudoun County and Prince William County both have legal aid offices that may serve Manassas residents.

Nearby Independent Cities

Manassas sits in Northern Virginia. The cities below are other independent Virginia cities with separate arrest record systems.