Criminal records of Prince William County, Virginia, are available through several official channels. PrinceWilliamCourt.us allows quick access to public information about criminal cases. Additionally, data can be obtained through the state's judicial system online portals, county law enforcement agencies, and the Clerk of Circuit Court's office at 1 County Complex Ct., Prince William, VA 22192.
How to Search Criminal Records in Prince William
There are several ways to search for criminal records — online, in person, and by mail. To start, you will need at least one of the following:
- Full name of the person (last name and first name)
- Case number
- Hearing date
- Date of birth (for criminal history check through the police)
Online Search
- PrinceWilliamCourt.us — allows you to find publicly available information about county criminal cases.
- Circuit Court Portal — on the Court Case Information page, follow the link to the CJIS system. Select "Prince William County Circuit," click "Begin," choose the "Criminal" section, and search by name, case number, or hearing date. Case data is available starting from July 1, 1989. Juvenile, adoption, and sealed cases are not displayed.
- Statewide Virginia Portal — Case Status and Information on the Virginia judicial system website provides searches for criminal cases in General District Courts and Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Courts.
- Police Reports — the Adult Arrest Report of the police department publishes information about adult arrests for the last four weeks. Juvenile arrest records are protected by Virginia law.
- Inmate Records — Inmate Records of the Prince William–Manassas Regional Adult Detention Center maintain data on individuals sentenced by county courts. To search for inmates transferred to state facilities, use the Inmate Locator of the Virginia Department of Corrections.
In-Person Visit
The Clerk of Circuit Court's office provides access to public records through terminals in the courthouse. Contact the clerk with valid identification.
Mail Request
You can send a written request to the Clerk of Circuit Court's office. Fill out the form available on the Record Copy Requests page and mail it or bring it in person to the Judicial Center. For a local Criminal History Check, contact the Police Records & Reports section of the police department.
A statewide criminal history record can be requested through the Virginia State Police by submitting fingerprints and the appropriate application.
Search Prince William Criminal Cases by Case Number
Each case in the Virginia judicial system is assigned a unique number. The case number format in Circuit Court typically looks like this:
CR00012345-00
- CR — prefix indicating the type of case (CR — criminal, FE — felony in some systems)
- 00012345 — sequential number assigned by the court clerk's office
- -00 — suffix indicating the main charge or additional counts. If there are multiple charges in one case, the suffix changes: -01, -02, etc.
In General District Court, the format is slightly different and may include the filing year and a letter code for the type of case. Enter the case number exactly as it appears on the court document — even an extra space can hinder the search.
Searching by case number is the fastest way to find a specific case. It returns the exact record without the need to filter results by name.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Prince William
Charges
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to a specific section of the Virginia Code, such as § 18.2-95 (grand larceny) |
| Severity | Felony (serious crime), Misdemeanor (less serious crime), Infraction (violation, mainly traffic-related) |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may change the initial charge to a lesser or more serious one during proceedings |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, and a decision has not yet been made
- Active — proceedings are ongoing, hearings are scheduled
- Disposed — the court has made a final decision
- Closed — the case is completed, all procedures are finished
Types of Hearings
- Arraignment — initial presentation of charges; the defendant pleads guilty or not guilty
- Preliminary Hearing — the judge determines if there is enough evidence to send the case to Circuit Court (applies to felonies)
- Pre-trial — procedural hearing before the main trial
- Trial / Sentencing — substantive hearing and sentencing
- Review — checking compliance with conditions (e.g., probation)
Court Results
- Guilty — found guilty
- Not Guilty — acquitted
- Dismissed — case closed without a verdict
- Nolle Prosequi — the prosecutor declined to pursue the charge
- Deferred Disposition — decision postponed with conditions (often for first-time offenses)
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Prince William
Certified copies of criminal records are issued by the Clerk of Circuit Court's office. These are official documents with the court's seal, accepted by employers, attorneys, and government agencies.
How to Submit a Request
- In Person — visit the Judicial Center with valid identification (state ID or driver's license)
- By Mail — download the form from the Record Copy Requests page, fill it out, and send it along with payment to the clerk's office
For the request, provide the full name of the party, case number (if known), and the type of document needed.
Police Criminal History Check
The Police Records section of the Prince William police department conducts a local Criminal History Check. Visit the department in person or submit a request through their page.
To obtain a statewide criminal history, submit a request to the Virginia State Police with fingerprints and payment. Requests for public records of the Virginia judicial system are governed by Part 11 of the Rules of the Supreme Court of Virginia.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Prince William
Fees for copies and certification are established by Virginia law (Virginia Code § 17.1-275 and related articles). Below are approximate rates:
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $0.50 |
| Document certification | $2.00 per document |
| Local criminal history check (Police Records) | Check with the Police Records section |
| Statewide criminal check (Virginia State Police) | From $15.00 (without fingerprints) to $30+ (with fingerprints, depending on the type of request) |
Processing Times
- Copies of court documents — usually ready within a few business days for in-person requests; mail requests may take 1–2 weeks
- Local criminal check — times vary depending on the department's workload
- Statewide check through VSP — from 5 to 15 business days
Payment is usually accepted by check or money order made payable to the Clerk of Circuit Court. Cash and credit cards may be accepted for in-person requests — confirm in advance by calling (703) 792-6015. It is recommended to verify exact fee amounts directly with the clerk's office, as they may change.