Pittsylvania County Background Check Records
Pittsylvania County background check records are held by the Sheriff's Office and the Circuit Court Clerk in Chatham, Virginia. This large Southside Virginia county is part of the 22nd Judicial Circuit. To find criminal history, arrest records, or court case files tied to Pittsylvania County, this page covers the local offices, the free online tools available, and how to submit a FOIA request. Pittsylvania County connects to the Virginia State Police CCRE for statewide criminal history searches.
Pittsylvania County Overview
Pittsylvania County Sheriff Background Check Requests
The Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Office is led by Sheriff Michael W. "Mike" Taylor, with the mailing address at P.O. Box 407, Chatham, VA 24531. The main office number is (434) 432-7800. The office also has a dedicated criminal records line at (434) 432-7997, staffed by Tricia Waller. You can reach Tricia Waller by email at twaller@pittsylvaniacountyva.gov for records-related questions. The jail is located at 11 Bank Street, Chatham, VA 24531.
To request public records, submit a written FOIA request to the Sheriff's Office. Virginia Code § 2.2-3700 et seq. requires the office to respond within five working days. Complex requests may extend to twelve days total. Active criminal investigations, juvenile records, personnel files, and other exempt categories are not subject to disclosure. For past arrests and resolved cases, basic incident information is generally available with a written request and copy fees at actual cost.
For inmate status, VINELink provides free online searches for anyone currently held in Pittsylvania County. You can register for custody change notifications at no cost. For statewide criminal history that goes beyond local records, the Virginia State Police CCRE is the proper channel. The CCRE covers all Virginia jurisdictions and provides a more complete picture of criminal history than any single county office.
| Office | Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Office |
|---|---|
| Sheriff | Michael W. Taylor |
| Address | P.O. Box 407, Chatham, VA 24531 |
| Phone | (434) 432-7800 |
| Criminal Records | (434) 432-7997 (Tricia Waller) |
Pittsylvania County Circuit Court Criminal Records
The Pittsylvania County Circuit Court Clerk is "Angie" Reece Harris, at 1 Main Street, P.O. Drawer 31, Chatham, VA 24531, reachable at (434) 432-7879. Court records in Pittsylvania County go back to 1767, making this one of the longer continuous court record histories in Southside Virginia. The Clerk's office holds land records, marriage licenses, probate records, court case files, wills, and judgments. For certified copies of court documents, contact the Clerk directly.
Case information for the Pittsylvania County Circuit Court is available online 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. The General District Court also has case information searchable through the same portal. The 22nd Judicial Circuit includes Pittsylvania County and the City of Danville. The Circuit Court is the primary office for felony criminal records and appeals from the General District Court.
County government records for Pittsylvania County are available through the county's website at pittsylvaniacountyva.gov. The county administrator handles FOIA requests for non-court records. Standard copy fees are $0.50 per page, with an additional certification fee for certified copies. For older historical records, the county has maintained records since its founding in 1767, making the Clerk's office a useful resource for genealogical and property chain research as well as current court cases.
| Office | Pittsylvania County Clerk of Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Angie Reece Harris |
| Address | 1 Main Street, Chatham, VA 24531 |
| Phone | (434) 432-7879 |
| Circuit Portal | vacourts.gov |
Pittsylvania County Government Records
The Pittsylvania County government website at pittsylvaniacountyva.gov provides contact information for county departments, FOIA procedures, and links to the Sheriff's Office criminal records contact.
Through the county website you can find the Sheriff's Office directory, contact information for Tricia Waller who handles criminal records, and general public records request information.
Online Resources for Pittsylvania County 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 registration needed.
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.
The Virginia State Police Sex Offender Registry is free and searchable by name, zip code, or address. Community notification alerts are available at no charge.
Virginia FOIA and Background Check Laws
Virginia FOIA at Title 2.2, Chapter 37 governs public records access in Pittsylvania County. Five-day response required. 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.
Nearby Counties
Pittsylvania County surrounds the City of Danville and borders North Carolina to the south.