Norfolk Criminal Records and Background Checks

Norfolk background check records come from the city's Central Records Division, the Norfolk Circuit Court, and the Virginia State Police. Norfolk is one of Virginia's largest independent cities, and it runs a full records infrastructure that includes criminal histories, fingerprinting, warrant data, and open data tools. Whether you want to search court cases online, request a police report, or get a certified copy of a criminal record, this page covers how the system works and where to go. Records in Norfolk date back centuries in some cases, though digital access is more limited for older files.

Norfolk Police Central Records Division

The Norfolk Police Department's Central Records Division is at the Police Operations Center, 3661 East Virginia Beach Blvd., Norfolk, VA 23502. Phone is 757-664-7012. Hours are 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. This office is the main contact point for criminal histories, fingerprinting, background checks, incident reports, accident reports, and arrest warrant processing. It also oversees the False Alarm Section and the Property and Evidence Unit.

To get a criminal history or background check through the Central Records Division, you need two forms of identification. The primary ID must be a government-issued photo document: driver's license, federal ID, state ID, or military ID. The secondary ID can be a birth certificate, passport, Social Security card, or voter registration card. Staff will verify both before pulling any records. Walk-in visits during posted hours are accepted, and some requests can be handled by mail with proper documentation.

Incident and accident reports are also available through this office. If you were involved in a crash or reported an incident to Norfolk police, you can request a copy here. Processing times may vary depending on how recently the incident occurred and whether any investigation is ongoing.

Norfolk Circuit Court Criminal Case Records

The Norfolk Circuit Court is at 150 St. Pauls Blvd., Norfolk, VA 23510. The clerk can be reached at (757) 664-4580. Court records here go back to 1682, making this one of the oldest continuous court records collections in the country. Modern records from 1988 forward are also available through the online case search portals. In-person requests are the best way to access older records or get certified copies of specific documents.

Circuit court records in Norfolk include felony case files, civil judgments, probate records, land records, and appeals from general district court. The land record division is at the same address. For criminal background purposes, the most relevant records are felony indictments, pleas, trial records, and sentencing orders. All of these are public unless a judge has sealed them or expunged them under Virginia law.

The Norfolk General District Court handles misdemeanor cases and smaller civil matters. Online case information for the general district court is searchable at eapps.courts.state.va.us/gdcourts. Circuit court records are available at the Virginia Judiciary Online Case Information System.

Norfolk Open Data and Background Check Resources

Norfolk operates a public open data portal at data.norfolk.gov. One of the most useful datasets for background research is the Police Active Warrants dataset, which lists individuals with active arrest warrants in the city. This data is updated regularly and searchable by name. It does not replace a formal background check but is a fast way to verify warrant status for someone in Norfolk.

The Norfolk Sheriff's Office at 811 East City Hall Ave., Norfolk, VA 23510, phone 757-664-4700, also handles certain public records requests. Their FOIA email is foia@norfolk-sheriff.com. The sheriff's office has its own FOIA Rights and Responsibilities document explaining what records are available and how to request them. If your request involves jail records, inmate status, or sheriff's office operations, start there rather than with the police department.

Property records in Norfolk are managed by the Real Estate Assessor at 810 Union St Room 402, Norfolk VA 23510, phone 757-664-4732. The NorfolkAIR property search at norfolkair.norfolk.gov lets you look up property ownership and assessment data online. The City Clerk is at 810 Union St., Suite 1006, Norfolk, VA 23510, phone 757-664-4253, for administrative city records.

Note: FOIA requests for city records should be directed to the relevant department. The Virginia FOIA Council at foiacouncil@dls.virginia.gov or 804-698-1810 can help if you have questions about your rights.

Norfolk Background Check Law and CCRE

Virginia's criminal background check law is built around the Central Criminal Records Exchange. Under Virginia Code Title 19.2, Chapter 23, the State Police run the CCRE as the central repository for all criminal history records in the state. Norfolk law enforcement reports every arrest that results in a charge, and every court disposition is recorded there as well. This means a statewide check will capture Norfolk criminal history alongside records from any other Virginia jurisdiction.

Individuals can request their own records through the Virginia State Police criminal background check portal. The personal request form is SP-167 and must be notarized. The cost is $15. You can also add a fingerprint-based search for $27 more, which covers both Virginia and federal records. Download the forms at vsp.virginia.gov/services/forms and mail them to CARE, P.O. Box 85076, Richmond, VA 23285.

Virginia Code section 19.2-392.12 addresses record sealing. Qualifying individuals can petition to have records sealed, removing them from most background check results. The petition goes to the circuit court where the original case was heard. For Norfolk cases, that is the Norfolk Circuit Court at 150 St. Pauls Blvd.

The Virginia Sex Offender Registry is a free public tool that covers all registered offenders statewide including Norfolk residents. Search by name, city, or ZIP code. The registry is maintained by the State Police and updated continuously as offenders report changes to their local law enforcement agencies.

The Norfolk Central Records Division handles criminal histories, fingerprinting, incident reports, and background check requests for the city.

The division is open from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM and requires two forms of identification for most records requests.

The Norfolk Open Data Portal provides public access to warrant data, police incidents, and other public safety information for Norfolk.

The open data portal includes active warrant data searchable by name and is updated regularly by city departments.

Nearby Virginia Cities

These Hampton Roads cities are near Norfolk and each maintains its own criminal records system.