How to View Commonwealth Criminal Records
- 1). Make sure you meet the eligibility requirements of Virginia law in order to apply for and receive permission to review a criminal history record report. These eligibility requirements are set forth in the Code of Virginia Section 19.2-389. This section of law contains 39 paragraphs detailing who is eligible to request a criminal background check. Subsection A, paragraph 11 states an individual is entitled to request a copy of his own criminal background report and, pursuant to certain provisions, may request the report without charge.
- 2). Visit the Virginia State Police website to place a request for form SP-167 or SP-230. The form that must be used to request a background check will vary depending on your role as a requesting agent. For instance, if you wish to perform a check on your own record, you will need to use form SP-167.
- 3). Complete the background request form and return it to the state police. The online interface should allow you to pre-populate the form with information regarding the person about whom you are requesting a report. A copy of this form should be sent to your mailing address. You will need to return the form with a $15 payment for each record requested. Whether or not you are required to receive a notarization of the form depends on which form you have requested. SP-167 requires a notarization while SP-230 does not.
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