Search Northumberland County Background Check Records
Northumberland County background check records are available through the Sheriff's Office and the Circuit Court Clerk in Heathsville. The county has a dedicated criminal history records system and a formal FOIA process for law enforcement records. Whether you need an arrest record, court case history, or a statewide criminal background check, this page explains where to look and how to ask for records in Northumberland County, Virginia.
Northumberland County Overview
Northumberland County Sheriff Criminal History Records
The Northumberland County Sheriff's Office, led by Sheriff John A. "Johnny" Beauchamp, runs a dedicated records system for the county. The office maintains a master name index, incident type index, and an automated records system that allows searches by name, address, and Social Security number. Criminal History Record Request Forms are available for those who need a formal records check. The CCRE search is available through this office as well.
The FOIA contact for law enforcement records is Chief Deputy Allen Garland. You can email requests to foia@northumberlandsheriff.net or visit the FOIA page at northumberlandsheriff.net/foia. The Criminal History Record Request Form must be completed to get records. Local records are retained for 3 years in the county system. For older records or statewide history, use the Virginia State Police CCRE.
| Sheriff | John A. "Johnny" Beauchamp |
|---|---|
| Address | 195 Judicial Place, Heathsville, VA 22473 |
| Mailing | P.O. Box 310, Heathsville, VA 22473 |
| Phone | (804) 580-5221 |
| FOIA Contact | Chief Deputy Allen Garland |
| FOIA Email | foia@northumberlandsheriff.net |
| Website | northumberlandsheriff.net |
Northumberland County Circuit Court Records
The Circuit Court Clerk's office in Heathsville holds all court records for Northumberland County, including land records, marriage licenses, probate files, and civil and criminal case records. Clerk Mrs. Deborah Bingham manages the office at 220 Judicial Place. Virginia's Circuit Court is described as a trial court with the broadest powers in the state, and its records are public for most case types.
Marriage licenses issued from this office are valid for 60 days anywhere in Virginia. Both parties must appear in person, and the fee is $30 (plus a $2 convenience fee if paying by credit card). Hours for recordation are 8:30 AM to 4:45 PM, but you should arrive by 3:45 PM to complete forms. The clerk's office website is at ncccva.org. For online case searches, use the statewide Virginia Courts Case Information system.
| Clerk | Mrs. Deborah Bingham |
|---|---|
| Address | 220 Judicial Place, Heathsville, VA 22473 |
| Mailing | P.O. Box 217, Heathsville, VA 22473 |
| Phone | (804) 580-3700 |
| dbingham@vacourts.gov | |
| Website | ncccva.org |
FOIA Requests and Online Record Access
Northumberland County has a clear FOIA process for law enforcement records. The Sheriff's Office contact page is at vccaonline.org. All FOIA requests should go through Chief Deputy Garland by email or by mail to the Sheriff's Office at P.O. Box 310, Heathsville, VA 22473. Virginia law requires a response within 5 working days. For large or complex requests, up to 7 more days may be taken. Criminal investigative files can take up to 65 working days.
Fees for copies follow Virginia's standard schedule: $0.50 per page, with certification costs on top of that. Staff time is billed by the hour, based on the employee's annual salary divided by 2,080 hours. You can request a cost estimate before the office starts pulling records. A deposit is required for requests where costs are expected to top $200.
The Virginia FOIA Council can help you understand your rights if you encounter problems getting records. You can reach them at (804) 698-1810 or toll-free at (866) 448-4100.
Virginia Background Check Law in Northumberland County
Criminal records in Northumberland County are governed by Virginia state law under Title 19.2, Chapter 23. The Virginia State Police Central Criminal Records Exchange collects criminal history from courts and law enforcement across the state, including Northumberland County. Anyone can request their own CCRE record from the Virginia State Police. Request forms are also available on the VSP forms page.
Virginia's record sealing law under Virginia Code section 19.2-392.12 allows certain dismissed charges, acquittals, and some deferred dispositions to be hidden from public searches. Once sealed, those records do not appear in general background checks. The Northumberland County Circuit Court handles sealing requests for county cases. Law enforcement can still see sealed records.
The Virginia Sex Offender Registry is publicly searchable. It includes all registered offenders in Northumberland County. Searches can be done by name or by address area. This registry is updated by the Virginia State Police and is a required part of any complete background check.
Northumberland County Court Records
Court records for criminal cases and civil filings in Northumberland County are maintained by the clerk at ncccva.org, which serves as the official Circuit Court website.
The Northumberland County Circuit Court Clerk's office in Heathsville holds land records, probate files, marriage licenses, and criminal case records for the county.
Nearby Counties
These counties are near Northumberland County in Virginia's Northern Neck region. Each has its own sheriff and court system for criminal records.