Frequently Asked Questions

To complete a Virginia criminal record background check on someone, a SP-167 form must be completed. Each individual must sign and have your signatures notarized. Please click on the following link to take you to the SP-167 form.

The processing time to complete a Criminal Record background check is approximately 15 business days after mail-in. If it has passed that time frame and your confirmed payment has been cleared, please email us at Background_Checks@vsp.virginia.gov. Please include the name and date of birth of the individual being searched, the date you submitted it and whether it was a $15 or $20 background check.

You must complete an SP-167 form. Please go to vspapps.vsp.virginia.gov, and where you see “form” please choose the correct form (either SP-167 for individual requests or SP-230 for acceptable businesses). After typing in the correct information, click “confirm.” After you confirm all information is correct, click on submit. This will generate the form, which you will need to print. Have your signature notarized under “affidavit for release of information” and agency or individual receiving the results (mail reply to section) must also have signature notarized under “signature of person making request” (SP-167) and mail the form to us with payment. We recommend making a copy for yourself.

No, there is no same day or expedited service. If you live in the Richmond, Virginia, area, you may drop your form off at Virginia State Police Headquarters at 7700 Midlothian Turnpike, North Chesterfield, VA 23235. You must show two forms of ID and bring the exact amount for payment, either cash or money order. You may also mail your form in by next day air (at your cost) and include a next day air return envelope (at your cost). Processing credit card payments takes a little longer, so you may want to pay with a money order, certified check or business check.

You may complete and drop off your form at the Virginia Department of State Police Headquarters at 7700 Midlothian Turnpike, North Chesterfield, VA 23235, but your form will not be processed the same day. The processing time to complete a background check is approximately 15 business days. You may choose to put your phone number along with a note on your form for us to call you to pick-up your form when completed.

How long will it take to get my background check?

The usual processing time takes about 15 to 20 business days from time of receipt after mail-in.

Please contact the arresting agency.

A fee is charged on all background checks to cover processing costs.

You must complete an SP-167 form. Please go to vspapps.vsp.virginia.gov and, where you see “form,” please choose the SP-167. Choose “VISA” as the purpose (this will ensure you receive a notarized letter along with your background check). Please ensure that you choose the correct address and country code from the dropdown box. After typing in the correct information, click on “confirm.” After you confirm all information is correct, click on “submit.” This will generate the form, which you will need to print. Have your signature and agency signatures notarized (SP-167) and mail the form to us with payment. We recommend making a copy for yourself. If you cannot access a notary, www.notarycam.com provides online notaries.

No. Please contact the arresting agency. Virginia State Police arrest reports are not releasable to the public.

The following link will take you to the form that must be generated and printed online: vspapps.vsp.virginia.gov

The SP-167 will return a complete Virginia criminal history record.

You must complete an SP-167 form. Please go to vspapps.vsp.virginia.gov and, where you see “form,” please choose the SP-167. After typing in the correct information, click on “confirm.” After you confirm all information is correct, click on “submit.” This will generate the form, which you will need to print. Have your signature notarized under “affidavit for release of information” and agency or individual receiving the results (mail reply to section) must also have signature notarized under “signature of person making request” and mail the form to us with payment. We recommend making a copy for yourself. A certified letter will be sent along with your completed request.

Please go to the following link for a national background check through the FBI.

If you are hiring prospective employees or volunteers who will have access to children, elderly, or individuals with disabilities and want to request a national fingerprint-based background check under the National Child Protection Act, please contact our accounts section to set up a tracking number by emailing: ncjihelp@
vsp.virginia.gov.

Please click on the following link to generate and print the form: vspapps.vsp.virginia.gov. Please make sure you are an approved Virginia agency before submitting the form.

Clean out your temporary internet files and cookies. Try using a different browser. On a Windows desktop, click on my computer, then downloads and open the downloads file. You should see an Adobe icon for the form if it generated properly.