York County Background Check Records
York County background check records are maintained by the York-Poquoson Sheriff's Office and the Circuit Court Clerk in Yorktown, Virginia. This historic Peninsula county is part of the 9th Judicial Circuit. To find criminal history, arrest records, or court case files tied to York County, this page explains the local offices, the free online tools available, and how Virginia FOIA applies. York County connects to the Virginia State Police CCRE for statewide criminal history searches.
York County Overview
York County Sheriff Background Check Requests
The York-Poquoson Sheriff's Office serves both York County and the City of Poquoson. The mailing address is P.O. Box 532, Yorktown, VA 23690, and the office can be reached at (757) 890-3600. The fax number is (757) 890-4112. The county website is at yorkcounty.gov. 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, with a possible extension to twelve days for complex requests.
Active criminal investigations, juvenile records, and personnel files are exempt from public disclosure under Virginia FOIA. For resolved cases and past arrests, basic incident information is available through a written request with copy fees based on actual cost. York County is a suburban county near Williamsburg and Hampton Roads, so the office handles a higher volume of records requests than smaller rural counties. The first 30 minutes of staff time is typically free.
For inmate status, VINELink provides free online searches for anyone currently held in York County by name or offender ID. You can register for custody change notifications at no cost. For people transferred to state custody, the Virginia Department of Corrections offender search is a free resource. For statewide criminal history covering all Virginia jurisdictions, use the Virginia State Police CCRE rather than the local Sheriff's Office.
| Office | York-Poquoson Sheriff's Office |
|---|---|
| Address | P.O. Box 532, Yorktown, VA 23690 |
| Phone | (757) 890-3600 |
| Fax | (757) 890-4112 |
| Website | yorkcounty.gov |
York County Circuit Court Criminal Records
The York County Circuit Court Clerk is located at 1500 George Washington Memorial Highway, Yorktown, VA 23693, reachable at (757) 890-3350. The Circuit Court holds all official court records for criminal and civil cases in the county, including land records, marriage licenses, probate records, court case files, and judgments. York County is one of Virginia's oldest counties, founded in 1634, giving it one of the longest court record histories in the state. The fax for the Clerk's office is (757) 890-3894. For certified copies of court documents, contact the Clerk directly. Standard copies are $0.50 per page with a certification fee on top.
Case information for the York 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 9th Judicial Circuit, which includes York, also covers Gloucester, Mathews, and Middlesex counties. The General District Court handles misdemeanors, traffic violations, and civil matters under $25,000, with case information also searchable through the same statewide portal.
For FOIA requests directed at York County government, contact the county administrator. The county has a well-developed records process on its website at yorkcounty.gov. Marriage records, probate records, and land records are maintained at the Clerk's office. Yorktown is home to the Yorktown Battlefield, where the American Revolution effectively ended, giving the county significant historical archives accessible through various state and federal repositories as well. For the most complete statewide criminal history, use the Virginia State Police CCRE.
| Office | York County Clerk of Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 1500 George Washington Memorial Highway, Yorktown, VA 23693 |
| Phone | (757) 890-3350 |
| Fax | (757) 890-3894 |
| Case Search | vacourts.gov |
York County Government and Records Resources
The York County government website at yorkcounty.gov provides information on county services, the York-Poquoson Sheriff's Office, Circuit Court records, and FOIA procedures for public records requests.
Through the county website you can find contact information for the Sheriff's Office, Circuit Court Clerk, and other county departments that maintain public records accessible under Virginia FOIA.
Online Resources for York 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. Results include photos, current addresses, and conviction details for registered offenders in the York County area.
Virginia FOIA and Background Check Laws
Virginia FOIA at Title 2.2, Chapter 37 governs public records access in York 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
York County is on the Virginia Peninsula between the York River and the James River.