Richmond City Arrest Records

Arrest records for the City of Richmond are maintained by the Richmond Police Department, which serves as the primary law enforcement agency for Virginia's capital. Richmond is an independent city with no county affiliation, operating its own courts and police entirely. Court case records are searchable free at vacourts.gov, and the Richmond Police Department also provides a Crime Incident Information system for public access to founded crime data.

Richmond Police Department

The Richmond Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency for Virginia's capital city. The department maintains all arrest records, booking information, and incident reports for activity within city limits. Richmond is an independent city, so Henrico County, Chesterfield County, and other surrounding jurisdictions have no law enforcement role inside city boundaries.

To request a local arrest record, contact the Central Records Unit in person or by mail. Include the full name of the person, the arrest date, and a case number if you have one. The fee for a Richmond-only background check at the police information desk is $5. You must visit in person and bring two forms of identification, one with a photo. The Central Records Unit is located on West Grace Street.

Note that this page covers the City of Richmond, which is an independent city. Richmond County is a separate, much smaller jurisdiction in eastern Virginia. If you need records from Richmond County, that is a different court and sheriff's office entirely.

Richmond Crime Incident Information System

The Richmond Police Department provides a public Crime Incident Information system online. This tool lets you query the department's database of founded crimes reported since January 1, 2000. The database uses Incident Based Reporting rules and includes arrest-related information and crime data for the city.

Keep in mind that data in this system is based on preliminary reports and may reflect information not yet verified by further investigation. Crime classifications in the database may change as cases develop. All arrested persons listed in any report are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The system is a general public resource and not a substitute for official certified records.

For certified records, use the Richmond Police Department Central Records Unit or the Virginia State Police CARE system. The Crime Incident Information system is useful for general research but does not produce certified documents.

How to Search Richmond Arrest Records

The Virginia Courts Case Information System at vacourts.gov is the free way to search Richmond court cases. Enter a name or case number to find Circuit Court and General District Court results. You will see charges, hearing dates, and dispositions without paying a fee or creating an account.

For certified criminal history, the Virginia State Police CARE system is the official statewide source. Individuals submit form SP-167 with a notarized signature and $15 fee. Mail the form and payment to the VSP. Processing takes about 15 business days. Forms are at vsp.virginia.gov. Employers use form SP-230 for job applicant background checks. The SP-230 costs $27 total (VSP search plus FBI file check) and provides conviction data only.

For a Richmond-only local background check, visit the Central Records Unit at 200 West Grace Street. You need two forms of ID and pay $5 in person. This check covers only Richmond city incidents, not statewide history.

For state prison inmates, use the VADOC Offender Locator. For people held at the Richmond City Jail, contact the Richmond Sheriff's Office, which runs the jail.

Richmond City Court Records

Richmond has its own Circuit Court and General District Court. All criminal cases from the city go through these courts. Richmond also has a Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court. None of these courts are shared with surrounding counties.

The Circuit Court handles felony cases, jury trials, and sentencing. It also hears appeals from the General District Court. Records are at the clerk's office and searchable online. Certified copies carry a per-page fee.

The General District Court handles misdemeanors, traffic violations, and preliminary felony hearings. This court processes the bulk of criminal filings for the city. Both courts are in the Richmond Courts Building downtown. Under Virginia Code § 19.2-389, criminal history records for Richmond are part of the statewide Central Criminal Records Exchange at the Virginia State Police. A CARE search covers Richmond along with every other Virginia jurisdiction.

Richmond Police Department Records

The screenshot below shows the Richmond Police Department's records and contact page, where you can learn about arrest record request procedures and the Central Records Unit.

FOIA Requests in Richmond

Virginia's Freedom of Information Act at § 2.2-3704 gives you the right to request public records from Richmond city agencies. Police incident reports, arrest logs, and related documents fall under this law. Agencies must respond within five working days. Records are presumed open unless a specific exemption applies.

Submit a written FOIA request to the Richmond Police Department or the city's FOIA officer. Describe the records clearly, including the subject's name, dates, and type of record. You do not need to explain why you want the records. Fees are limited to actual costs only. If estimated fees exceed $200, a deposit may be required. Requests can be submitted by mail, email, or in person.

Arrest identities, charges, and case status are public in Virginia. Active investigations are exempt. Juvenile records are confidential. For guidance, contact the Virginia FOIA Advisory Council at (804) 698-1810.

Expungement in Richmond

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

To file for expungement in Richmond, petition the Richmond Circuit Court. Describe the arrest and state your legal basis. Fingerprints through the Virginia State Police are required. Filing fees apply at the clerk's office. The Commonwealth's Attorney receives notice and may oppose. A hearing is held if there is an objection.

Central Virginia Legal Aid Society and the Richmond Legal Aid Justice Center both serve Richmond residents and can help with expungement eligibility and paperwork.

Nearby Independent Cities

Richmond is surrounded by Henrico and Chesterfield counties, but as an independent city it has no county affiliation. Other nearby independent cities are listed below.