Dinwiddie County Criminal Records and Background Checks

Dinwiddie County background check records come from the Sheriff's Office in Dinwiddie and the Circuit Court Clerk, both located near the county seat of Dinwiddie. Like most Virginia counties south of Richmond, Dinwiddie handles criminal history through the local Sheriff, the Circuit Court, and the Virginia State Police's statewide CCRE database. This page covers how to contact the right office, what records each one keeps, and how to use the state's online tools to search for background information.

Dinwiddie County Sheriff Records

The Dinwiddie County Sheriff's Office is the county's primary law enforcement agency and the main source for arrest records in unincorporated Dinwiddie. The Sheriff handles criminal investigations, civil process, and court security. Arrest records and incident reports are maintained by the Sheriff and can be requested under Virginia's Freedom of Information Act. For FOIA submissions, contact the Sheriff's office in writing. Virginia agencies have five working days to respond to records requests, with possible extensions of up to seven additional days.

Dinwiddie County sits south of Petersburg and borders Chesterfield, Prince George, Sussex, and Brunswick counties. The county covers a mix of rural land and suburban communities. The Sheriff's jurisdiction covers unincorporated areas; the city of Petersburg has its own separate police department and records system.

For criminal history records that go beyond a single county, use the Virginia State Police Central Criminal Records Exchange. The CCRE compiles criminal history from all Virginia counties and cities into one database. A name-based search costs $15. You can also request a combined Virginia and FBI check for $37.

Dinwiddie County Circuit Court Case Records

The Circuit Court Clerk in Dinwiddie County keeps all court case records for the county, including felony criminal files, civil judgments, and family law matters. The courthouse is located in the town of Dinwiddie. Court records from the circuit court level are public except for sealed matters, juvenile files, and adoption records. You can visit the courthouse during business hours to view records or request copies.

Online access is available through the free Virginia Courts Case Information portal. Search by name or case number without creating an account. The portal covers circuit court, general district court, and in some cases juvenile court records from across Virginia, including Dinwiddie. Copy fees at the courthouse are $0.50 per page for plain copies and $2.00 per document for certified copies. Mail requests typically add $2.00 for postage and handling.

The General District Court handles misdemeanor cases, traffic offenses, and civil matters under $25,000. These records are also searchable through the Virginia Courts portal. The Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court records have more restrictions on public access due to privacy laws protecting minors.

Online Background Check Resources for Dinwiddie County

The Virginia State Police offers two main tools for online background searches. The CCRE page explains the criminal history request process, fees, and required forms. The sex offender registry is free and searchable by name, ZIP code, or map. Both are maintained by State Police and cover Dinwiddie County along with all other Virginia jurisdictions.

To submit a name-based criminal history request to the CCRE, download form SP-167 from vsp.virginia.gov/services/forms. The form must be signed by both the requester and the subject of the record, and both signatures need to be notarized. Mail the completed form with your $15 payment to: Virginia State Police, 7700 Midlothian Turnpike, North Chesterfield, VA 23235. If you want a more accurate search using fingerprints, visit any State Police office in Virginia. The first fingerprint card is $10.

Virginia FOIA requests for public records from Dinwiddie County agencies can be filed with any county office. The Virginia FOIA Council provides templates and guidance for submitting proper requests. If you have a dispute about a denied request, the FOIA Council can advise on your options.

Virginia Background Check Laws

Virginia's criminal history records are governed by Title 19.2, Chapter 23 of the Virginia Code, which establishes the CCRE as the central keeper of criminal records for the Commonwealth. This system captures data from all Virginia courts and law enforcement agencies, including Dinwiddie County. The CCRE shares this data with authorized requesters according to rules set by statute rather than individual agency policies.

Under Virginia Code § 19.2-392.12, record sealing will become available starting July 1, 2026. Qualifying individuals will be able to petition to have certain convictions sealed from public view. Until that date, most criminal convictions remain in the public court record. Sealed records under existing expungement law are already removed from public access. Juvenile records are not available through routine background check requests.

Dinwiddie County Records Resources

The Virginia Courts Case Information portal provides free access to Dinwiddie County court records including criminal cases, civil filings, and traffic matters at no cost.

The case information portal is the fastest free way to search Dinwiddie County court records from a desktop or mobile device.

Nearby Counties

These Virginia counties border Dinwiddie County south of the Richmond metro area.