Search Northumberland County Criminal History
Northumberland County criminal history records are kept at the Circuit Court Clerk's Office in Heathsville and by the Northumberland County Sheriff's Office. You can search case records online using Virginia's statewide court databases or visit the courthouse at 220 Judicial Place. This page covers the courts, the Sheriff's Office, search tools, and public access rules.
Northumberland County Overview
Northumberland County Circuit Court Criminal Records
The Northumberland County Circuit Court is part of the 15th Judicial Circuit of Virginia. Hon. Deborah Bingham serves as Clerk. Phone is (804) 580-3700 and fax is (804) 580-2261. Hours run from 8:30 AM to 4:45 PM, slightly longer than the standard 4:30 PM closing time at many Virginia circuit courts. This gives people a bit more time to access records or file documents late in the day.
The Circuit Court maintains all felony criminal records for Northumberland County. Case files cover the full record from arrest through sentencing. The court also receives misdemeanor appeals from the General District Court. The 15th Judicial Circuit includes several counties in the Northern Neck region. Court records from felony prosecutions, civil cases over $25,000, and family matters are all on file at the Clerk's Office in Heathsville. Certified copies are available at the standard fee. Bring your ID when you visit.
| Office | Northumberland County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Hon. Deborah Bingham |
| Phone | (804) 580-3700 |
| Fax | (804) 580-2261 |
| Hours | 8:30 AM - 4:45 PM, Monday through Friday |
| Judicial Circuit | 15th Judicial Circuit of Virginia |
| Website | vacourts.gov - Northumberland Circuit Court |
The Northumberland County Circuit Court page on vacourts.gov lists Clerk contact information and provides links to court services. The slightly extended hours make it more accessible for late-day visits.
General District Court in Northumberland County
The Northumberland General District Court is at 220 Judicial Place, P.O. Box 114, Heathsville, VA 22473. Angela W. Tadlock serves as Clerk and can be reached by email at atadlock@vacourts.gov. Phone is (804) 580-4323 and fax is (804) 580-6702. Hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The email contact makes it easier to reach the Clerk's Office with preliminary questions about cases or records.
The General District Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, and civil filings under $25,000. Preliminary hearings for felony charges are also held here before cases move up to the Circuit Court. Misdemeanor convictions can be appealed for a fresh trial at the Circuit Court level. Records from both courts are separate and maintained by the respective Clerk's Offices. For General District Court records, contact Angela Tadlock's office directly or search the statewide online systems.
The Northumberland General District Court page on vacourts.gov lists the Clerk's contact information including the email address for Angela W. Tadlock.
Northumberland County Sheriff's Office
The Northumberland County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records and serves warrants for multiple jurisdictions. The office has reported coordinating with agencies including the Virginia State Police, Norfolk Sheriff's Office, Norfolk Police Department, Lancaster County Sheriff's Office, Richmond County Sheriff's Office, Virginia Beach Police Department, Stafford County Circuit Court, and Westmoreland County Circuit Court on various criminal matters. This cross-jurisdictional work means some arrest records may originate from agencies outside the county.
Criminal cases in Northumberland County include felony charges like strangulation, assault and battery on family members, possession of firearms by convicted felons, and capias for failure to comply with court orders. Misdemeanor charges include failure to appear in court and capias for child support violations. The Sheriff's Office serves warrants issued by multiple courts throughout the region, not just Northumberland County courts. If you are looking for arrest records tied to a specific warrant or agency, contact the relevant office directly.
Arrest records maintained by the Sheriff's Office are accessible to the public under Virginia's Freedom of Information Act. Written FOIA requests may be required for older records or large document sets. The office processes arrests and books individuals into the local jail facility.
Search Criminal History in Northumberland County
Virginia's Online Case Information System at eapps.courts.state.va.us/ocis/search is the main tool for searching Northumberland County Circuit Court criminal records. Enter a name or case number to see charges, hearing dates, case status, and disposition. The system updates in real time as courts process cases.
For General District Court records, use the system at eapps.courts.state.va.us/gdcourts/. Accept the disclaimer before searching. This covers misdemeanor criminal and traffic cases from all Virginia general district courts. The unified case search at vacourts.gov/caseinfo/home.html covers both levels and is a good option when you are not certain which court handled a case. All three systems are free and do not require registration.
Note: Court records in Northumberland County go back many years. Older records may not be digitized. In-person requests at the Clerk's Office are the best approach for historical records.
Virginia State Police Criminal Record Checks
Official criminal history checks for Northumberland County run through the Virginia State Police Central Criminal Records Exchange. Individuals can request their own records using form SP-167, which requires fingerprints and a fee. Get started at vsp.virginia.gov/criminal-record-check/. Authorized agencies use the CARE system. Virginia Code § 19.2-389 governs access to criminal history records and who may receive them.
VADOC Inmate Locator
For people convicted in Northumberland County who are serving sentences in Virginia state correctional facilities, use the VADOC inmate locator at vadoc.virginia.gov/general-public/inmate-locator/. Enter the person's name to find the current facility, sentence information, and projected release date. This system only covers state-managed prisons. For local jail information, contact the Northumberland County Sheriff's Office.
Criminal Records Access in Northumberland County
Criminal court records in Northumberland County are public under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. You can walk into either court at 220 Judicial Place in Heathsville and ask to see case records during business hours. You do not need a lawyer or a specific reason to view most criminal case files. Staff can search by name or case number. Plain copies and certified copies are available at the standard fee schedule.
Virginia Code § 19.2-389 limits who may receive comprehensive criminal history reports. Law enforcement, courts, and authorized entities get access to complete records from all Virginia jurisdictions. The general public can access individual court records at the courthouse or through online searches. A full statewide history requires a State Police request and is not available through court portals alone.
Records not available to the public include juvenile court files, expunged cases, and records sealed by a judge. Grand jury materials are confidential. If you believe records are being improperly withheld, you can file a formal FOIA request and appeal any denial to the Virginia FOIA Advisory Council. The email address for the General District Court Clerk provides a convenient way to start the process without a phone call.
Nearby Counties
Northumberland County is on the Northern Neck peninsula. These counties are neighbors or are closely connected through shared court circuits in the region.