Portsmouth Arrest Records Lookup

Arrest records for the City of Portsmouth are maintained by the Portsmouth Police Department, the primary law enforcement agency for this independent Virginia city. Portsmouth is part of the Hampton Roads region and operates its own courts and police completely separate from any county. Search court records free at vacourts.gov, or request certified criminal history through the Virginia State Police CARE system.

Portsmouth Police Department

The Portsmouth Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency in the city and maintains all arrest records, booking information, and incident reports. Portsmouth is an independent city, so no county sheriff operates within city limits. If you need a local arrest record, the police department is the right place to start.

Contact the department in person or by mail. When asking for a specific record, include the full name of the person, the approximate arrest date, and a case number if you have it. Some requests will need to be formal FOIA submissions. Staff can explain the forms required and any fees that apply. The department headquarters is on Crawford Street near downtown Portsmouth.

For statewide criminal history, use the Virginia State Police CARE system. A local Portsmouth check only covers incidents in the city. The CARE system covers all of Virginia.

How to Search Portsmouth Arrest Records

Start at the Virginia Courts Case Information System at vacourts.gov. This free tool lets you search by name or case number. You will see Portsmouth Circuit Court and General District Court results alongside all other Virginia courts. Charge details, hearing dates, and case dispositions are visible without any fee or account.

For certified criminal history, use the Virginia State Police CARE program. Form SP-167 is for individuals and requires a notarized signature and $15 fee. Mail the form to the VSP. Processing takes about 15 business days. Forms are at vsp.virginia.gov. Employers use form SP-230 for job applicant checks, which costs $27 and provides conviction data only.

If someone you are looking for may be in state prison, check the VADOC Offender Locator. For people in the Portsmouth City Jail, contact the Portsmouth Police Department or the Sheriff's Office.

In-person searches at the Portsmouth Circuit Court or General District Court are also available. Bring photo ID and any case details. Public terminals at the courthouse allow name and case number searches during business hours.

Portsmouth Court Records

Portsmouth has its own Circuit Court and General District Court. All criminal cases from the city go through these courts, not any county court system. Portsmouth also has a Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court that handles cases involving minors and family matters.

The Circuit Court handles felony charges, trials, and sentencing. Felony records are kept at the clerk's office and are searchable online. Certified copies carry a per-page fee set by state law.

The General District Court handles misdemeanor cases, traffic violations, and preliminary felony hearings. Both courts are in downtown Portsmouth. The Virginia Judiciary's case search system covers both courts. Under Virginia Code § 19.2-389, all Virginia criminal history records, including Portsmouth cases, are maintained centrally by the Virginia State Police Central Criminal Records Exchange.

FOIA Requests in Portsmouth

Virginia's FOIA law at § 2.2-3704 gives you the right to request public records from Portsmouth city agencies. Police incident reports, arrest logs, and related records are covered. Agencies must respond within five working days. Records are presumed open unless an exemption applies.

Write a FOIA request to the Portsmouth Police Department Records Division. Describe what you need clearly: the subject's name, dates, and record type. No reason is needed. Fees are limited to actual costs. If estimated costs exceed $200, a deposit may be required before work begins.

Arrest identities and charges are public in Virginia. Active investigations and juvenile records are exempt from disclosure. For free help with FOIA, contact the Virginia FOIA Advisory Council at (804) 698-1810.

Expungement of Portsmouth Records

Under § 19.2-392.2, you may petition for expungement for dismissed charges, acquittals, and arrests that never resulted in charges. Virginia does not typically allow expungement of convictions, though new laws effective July 2025 allow sealing of some misdemeanor and felony convictions after applicable waiting periods.

File your expungement petition at the Portsmouth Circuit Court. Include details about the arrest and state your legal basis. Fingerprints through the Virginia State Police are required. Filing fees apply. The Commonwealth's Attorney receives notice and may oppose. A hearing is scheduled if there is an objection.

Hampton Roads Legal Aid serves the Portsmouth area and can help you determine if you qualify and how to file.

Nearby Independent Cities

Portsmouth is one of several independent cities in the Hampton Roads region. Each city maintains its own separate arrest record system.