Highland County Background Check and Criminal Records

Highland County background check records are maintained through the Circuit Court and the Sheriff's Office. The Circuit Court, part of the 25th Judicial Circuit of Virginia, holds land records going back to 1847 along with criminal, civil, and chancery matters. Some older birth and death records from the mid to late 1800s are kept at the Clerk's office. If you need to search Highland County criminal records or find case files, the Circuit Court and the Virginia Judicial System online portal are your primary resources.

Highland County Sheriff's Office Records

The Highland County Sheriff's Office serves the county's small and rural population. Online records information for the Sheriff is limited. For records requests related to law enforcement activity, incident reports, or arrest records, contact the Sheriff's Office directly in Monterey. Virginia's Freedom of Information Act allows you to request these records, and the county must respond within 5 working days.

Because Highland is one of Virginia's smallest and most rural counties, the volume of records is lower than in larger jurisdictions. Staff can typically respond quickly to records requests. However, if you need records from a specific case or incident, having as much detail as possible, such as the date, names involved, and type of incident, will help staff find the file faster.

For a full statewide criminal background check, the Virginia State Police is the right place to go. Their service covers all Virginia jurisdictions, not just Highland County. You submit fingerprints and a request form, then wait for results.

Highland County Circuit Court Criminal Records

The Highland County Circuit Court is part of the 25th Judicial Circuit and is presided over by Judge Edward K. Stein. Court terms run on the 3rd Tuesday of March, June, September, and December. The Clerk's office at highlandcova.org/circuit-court provides information on available records and services.

The Circuit Court Clerk's records go back to 1847 for land records. The Clerk also maintains fiduciary and estate records, criminal case files, civil matters, chancery records, marriage licenses, and military records. Some birth and death records from the mid to late 1800s are also on file here. Copy fees are $0.50 per page for documents requested from the Clerk's office.

You can search for Highland County court cases online at vacourts.gov using the Virginia Judicial System case information tool. This covers both circuit court and general district court records. Search by party name or case number to find what you need. For older records or certified copies, an in-person visit to the Clerk's office in Monterey may be necessary.

Historical note: Some birth and death records from the mid to late 1800s survived and are available at the Clerk's office. Records after 1965 are held by the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records. The Virginia State Police and Library of Virginia can help with older records that are not at the county level.

FOIA and Records Access in Highland County

Highland County follows Virginia's Freedom of Information Act for public records requests. If you want records from any Highland County department, you submit a FOIA request to the specific department that holds those records. For law enforcement records, that is the Sheriff's Office. For court records, contact the Circuit Court Clerk.

The standard FOIA response time is 5 working days. The county can extend this by 7 more days if they cannot respond in time, bringing the total to 12 working days. Criminal investigative files have a longer extension. Fees cannot exceed the actual cost of duplication. There is no set per-page fee for FOIA copies from county departments; it is based on what the copy actually costs.

You do not have to explain why you want the records. Simply describe what you are looking for with enough detail for staff to find the file. If a record is exempt, the county must tell you which exemption applies. The Virginia FOIA Council handles disputes and provides guidance on the law.

Virginia Background Check Laws and Highland County

Virginia's criminal records laws under Title 19.2, Chapter 23 govern how criminal history information is handled across the state. The Central Criminal Records Exchange at the Virginia State Police stores arrest and conviction data from all Virginia jurisdictions, including Highland County. Law enforcement agencies must report to this system, and the data is used for official background checks.

Expungement of criminal records in Virginia is governed by Virginia Code § 19.2-392.12. If a Highland County arrest or charge was expunged by court order, it should not appear in public records searches. Virginia law expanded expungement options in recent years, making it easier for people with older charges to seek relief. An expunged record is sealed, not erased, and law enforcement agencies may still access it with proper authority.

The Virginia Sex Offender Registry is searchable at sex-offender.vsp.virginia.gov. You can look up registered offenders in Highland County by name or address. The registry is public and maintained by the Virginia State Police with current photos and offense details.

Highland County Court and Government Portals

The Highland County Circuit Court page provides direct access to court information, term dates, and clerk contact details for criminal records requests.

The Highland County Circuit Court portal shows court term dates, clerk information, and links to the types of records maintained at this courthouse for the 25th Judicial Circuit.

The Highland County Government website serves as the central hub for contacting county offices and finding services in this small rural county.

The Highland County Government site links to county departments, including the Sheriff's Office and Circuit Court, where background check and criminal record requests are handled.

Nearby Counties

Highland County borders these Virginia counties. Each has its own court system and records offices.