Richmond Background Check Records

Richmond background check records come from the Richmond Police Department and the Richmond Circuit Court Clerk for Virginia's state capital, which operates as an independent city separate from Henrico and Chesterfield counties.

Richmond Police Department Records

The Richmond Police Department is located at 200 W Grace Street, Richmond, VA 23220. The non-emergency line is (804) 646-5100. The records unit can be reached at (804) 646-5587. The department website is at richmondgov.com/police. Richmond Police handles police incident reports, accident reports, and local criminal history information for incidents that occurred within the city.

The Central Records Unit processes requests for police incident reports and local background checks. Richmond is an independent city separate from Henrico County and Chesterfield County. Records from the Richmond Police Department cover only the city jurisdiction, not the surrounding counties. For incidents involving state police or other agencies, records may be held by those agencies directly.

Richmond maintains an open data portal at data.richmondgov.com, which includes some police data and crime statistics. For formal records requests, submit a FOIA request to the Richmond City Attorney's Office or the police department records unit. Virginia Code § 2.2-3700 requires a response within five working days. Active investigations, juvenile records, and personnel files are exempt from public disclosure.

For inmate custody status, VINELink provides free name searches and custody notification registration for people held in the Richmond city jail or transferred to state corrections. The Virginia Department of Corrections offender search covers state facilities. For a complete Virginia criminal history, use the Virginia State Police CCRE.

Richmond Circuit Court Criminal Records

The Richmond Circuit Court is located at 400 N. 9th Street, Richmond, VA 23219. The Clerk's office can be reached at (804) 646-6505. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Richmond is part of the 13th Judicial Circuit. The Circuit Court handles all felony criminal cases, civil matters, appeals from district court, and maintains land records, marriage licenses, and probate records for the city. For certified copies, contact the Clerk directly. Standard copies are $0.50 per page plus a certification fee.

Case information for the Richmond Circuit Court is available at no cost through the statewide Virginia Judiciary Case Information system. Search by name or case number to see case status, charges, hearing dates, and docket entries. No registration needed.

The Richmond General District Court is located at 920 E. Main Street, Richmond, VA 23219. The phone is (804) 646-6733. The General District Court handles misdemeanor cases, traffic violations, and civil claims under $25,000. The Richmond Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court is at 4200 E. Parham Road, Richmond, VA 23228, phone (804) 646-6560, for family and juvenile matters.

The Richmond City Clerk is located at 900 E. Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23219. For FOIA requests directed at city government, contact the City Attorney's Office. Marriage records, deed recordings, and probate files are maintained at the Circuit Court Clerk's office at 400 N. 9th Street.

Online Resources for Richmond Background Checks

The free starting point is the Virginia Judiciary Case Information system. Search Circuit and General District Court cases by name or case number at no cost. No login required.

Richmond's open data portal at data.richmondgov.com includes police calls, crime statistics, and other public safety data. This is a good resource for general crime information before submitting a formal records request.

For full statewide criminal history, use Form SP-167 from the VSP forms page for a $15 name-based CCRE check. Mail to CARE at 7700 Midlothian Turnpike, North Chesterfield, VA 23235. This covers all Virginia counties and cities in one search.

The Virginia State Police Sex Offender Registry is free and searchable by name, zip code, or address. Results include photos, current addresses, and conviction details for registered offenders in Richmond and across Virginia.

The Virginia Department of Health Division of Vital Records is located at 2001 Maywill Street, Suite 101, Richmond, VA 23230 and handles birth, death, marriage, and divorce records for the state. The phone is (804) 662-6200. Certified copies cost $12 each.

Virginia FOIA and Background Check Laws

Virginia FOIA at Title 2.2, Chapter 37 governs public records access in Richmond. Criminal history statutes at Title 19.2, Chapter 23 govern the CCRE. Virginia's record sealing law at § 19.2-392.12 takes effect July 1, 2026. Contact the FOIA Advisory Council at (804) 698-1810 with questions. As the state capital, Richmond also hosts the Virginia State Police headquarters at 7700 Midlothian Turnpike, North Chesterfield, VA 23235.

The Richmond City Open Data portal at data.richmondgov.com provides public access to police data, crime statistics, and other public safety information for Virginia's state capital.

Use the open data portal for a free look at crime statistics and police data before submitting a formal records request through the Richmond Police Department records unit.

Nearby Virginia Cities

These independent Virginia cities are near Richmond in the Central Virginia metro area.