Fairfax City Criminal Records
Fairfax City criminal records are kept by an independent city court system, separate from Fairfax County even though the two share the 19th Judicial Circuit. The Circuit Court Clerk at 10455 Main Street holds all felony case files. Misdemeanor and traffic records sit with the General District Court. You can search both courts through the Virginia Online Case Information System at no charge. For a certified background check, submit the SP-167 form to the Virginia State Police Central Criminal Records Exchange. This page walks you through every step and every office that handles Fairfax City criminal case records.
Fairfax City Overview
Fairfax City Circuit Court Criminal Records
The Fairfax City Circuit Court Clerk holds all felony criminal case records for the City of Fairfax. This is an independent city court, not part of Fairfax County. The office is at 10455 Main Street and keeps indictments, orders, jury verdicts, sentencing records, and full case files going back many years. If you need a certified copy of a criminal judgment or a court order from a felony case, this is the right place to go.
Walk-in access is available during normal business hours. Staff can search by name or case number and pull files on request. Copies cost $0.50 per page under Virginia Code § 17.1-275. Certified copies cost more. Call ahead if you have a large order or need records from a case that may be in storage.
| Office | Fairfax City Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 10455 Main Street Fairfax, VA 22030 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | fairfaxva.gov/government/courts/circuit-court-clerk |
The 19th Judicial Circuit covers both the City of Fairfax and Fairfax County, but each jurisdiction keeps its own separate docket. Make sure you search the city court records and not the county court if the arrest or case happened inside the city limits.
Misdemeanor Records and Online Case Search
Misdemeanor cases in Fairfax City go through the General District Court, part of the 17th Judicial District. This court handles Class 1 and Class 2 misdemeanors, traffic charges, and preliminary hearings for felony cases before they move up to Circuit Court. Case records here include the charge, disposition, and any fines or conditions imposed.
The Virginia OCIS system at eapps.courts.state.va.us provides free online access to Fairfax City criminal case records. You can search by name or case number and see basic case details, hearing dates, and dispositions for both the Circuit Court and the General District Court. You do not need an account to use the free search.
Fairfax City Circuit Court and General District Court records can be searched by name or case number through OCIS.
The General District Court for Fairfax City is separate from the county's district court. If someone received a misdemeanor charge inside city limits, their case record will show up under the city court, not the county. Search the correct jurisdiction to get accurate results. Online records go back several years but may not include older paper-only files.
Note: OCIS provides index-level information. Full case files, exhibits, and transcripts must be obtained from the clerk's office in person or by written request.
Fairfax City Police and Arrest Records
The Fairfax City Police Department handles law enforcement inside city limits. The department keeps arrest records, incident reports, and booking records for arrests made by city officers. You can submit a FOIA request to the Records Division to get copies of incident reports or arrest logs. Under Virginia Code § 2.2-3704, the city must respond within five business days.
The Virginia FOIA Council at foiacouncil.dls.virginia.gov governs how Fairfax City responds to public records requests. The Council's guidance helps both requesters and public agencies understand what must be released and what can be withheld, such as records related to ongoing investigations or confidential informants.
Fairfax City offices must respond to FOIA requests within five business days under § 2.2-3704.
For a complete and official criminal history, submit the SP-167 form to the Virginia State Police CCRE. You can get the form at vsp.virginia.gov/forms. A name search costs $15. A combined name search plus sex offender check costs $20. These checks cover statewide records, not just Fairfax City. The CCRE is the only way to get a certified background check for Virginia. Arrest records held by local police are not the same as a certified criminal history report.
If a person was arrested in Fairfax City and later booked into jail, you can check current inmate status through the VADOC offender locator for state-sentenced individuals or contact the Fairfax City jail directly for those held locally. Victim notification is available through VINE for registered users.
Expungement in Fairfax City
Virginia Code § 19.2-392.2 allows people to petition for expungement of certain criminal records. If you were acquitted, had a charge dismissed, or received a nolle prosequi in Fairfax City, you may be eligible. The petition goes to the Fairfax City Circuit Court, which is the court that handled the original case.
The petition must include the date of arrest, the arresting agency, the specific charge, the final disposition date, and your date of birth. A copy of the warrant, summons, or indictment should be attached if you have it. The Commonwealth's Attorney's office gets served a copy and has 21 days to respond or object. After that, the court holds a hearing and decides whether expungement is appropriate.
If you have no prior criminal record and the charge was a misdemeanor or a civil offense, the court must grant the expungement unless the Commonwealth can show good cause against it. For felony charges, the court looks at whether the continued existence of the record creates a manifest injustice. Getting legal help for an expungement petition is recommended. The process involves specific filings and deadlines.
Note: Expungement in Virginia removes the record from public view but does not destroy records held by law enforcement agencies for their internal use.
Legal Help in Fairfax City
Several free and low-cost legal resources serve Fairfax City residents who need help with criminal records, expungements, or related matters. The Northern Virginia area has strong legal aid coverage. Start with one of these options if you need guidance and can't afford a private attorney.
LawHelpVirginia has guides on expungement, FOIA requests, and criminal record access written in plain language. The site connects users with local legal aid offices and self-help resources. Virginia Free Legal Answers lets you post a legal question and get a response from a licensed Virginia attorney at no cost. Both sites are good starting points for people who aren't sure where to begin.
The Virginia State Bar runs a lawyer referral line at 1-800-552-7977. Operators can connect you with attorneys who handle criminal record matters in Fairfax City. Many offer a reduced-fee first consultation. The city's proximity to a large metro legal market means there are many attorneys familiar with local courts and procedures.
Fairfax County Criminal Records
The City of Fairfax is surrounded by Fairfax County but operates as a fully independent jurisdiction. County criminal records are maintained separately. If you need records for arrests or cases that happened in unincorporated Fairfax County or in county-incorporated towns, check the Fairfax County page. Both jurisdictions share the 19th Judicial Circuit for circuit court matters.
Nearby Cities
These Virginia independent cities are near Fairfax City. Each one maintains its own criminal court records.