Shenandoah County Criminal Records
Shenandoah County criminal history records are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk in Woodstock and by the Virginia State Police through their statewide database. You can search court cases online through Virginia's judicial portal, visit the courthouse in person, or contact the Sheriff's Office for arrest records. The county is part of the 26th Judicial Circuit of Virginia, which also covers Warren County.
Shenandoah County Overview
Shenandoah County Circuit Court Criminal Records
The Shenandoah County Circuit Court handles all felony criminal cases along with misdemeanor appeals in the county. The Clerk of Court is Hon. Karla S. Ortts. Her office is located at 112 South Main Street, Woodstock, VA 22664, and can be reached at (540) 459-6150. Office hours are 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. The circuit court is the official custodian of felony case records, criminal orders, indictments, and sentencing documents for Shenandoah County.
As part of the 26th Judicial Circuit, the court has broad powers over serious criminal matters. It hears cases appealed from the General District Court and the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court. Circuit Court judges are elected by the General Assembly to serve eight-year terms. The Clerk's office files all case paperwork, maintains the docket, and issues subpoenas and court processes related to criminal matters.
| Office | Shenandoah County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | P.O. Box 406, 112 South Main Street Woodstock, VA 22664 |
| Phone | (540) 459-6150 |
| Fax | (540) 459-6155 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Court Info | vacourts.gov |
The Shenandoah County Circuit Court page on the Virginia Judicial System website lists clerk contact details and court schedule information.
General District Court in Shenandoah County
The Shenandoah County General District Court is also located at 112 S Main Street, Woodstock, VA 22664. It handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, and civil matters under $25,000. Criminal records from this court -- including misdemeanor convictions and guilty pleas -- make up a significant part of the county's criminal history data. Cases that go to appeal from here move up to the Circuit Court. The General District Court clerk maintains all records for these proceedings.
District court cases in Shenandoah County are searchable online at no cost through eapps.courts.state.va.us/gdcourts/. You can search by party name, case number, or hearing date.
The Shenandoah General District Court page shows contact information and covers the court's limited criminal jurisdiction over misdemeanor offenses.
Shenandoah County Sheriff's Office
The Shenandoah County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated areas of the county. It maintains arrest records for all crimes within its jurisdiction. To access arrest records, you can contact the Sheriff's Office directly or visit their office. The Sheriff also maintains an up-to-date list of registered sex offenders in Shenandoah County. This register is available to the public and includes individuals living, working, going to school, or incarcerated within the county. Contact information for the Sheriff's Office is available through the Shenandoah County government website.
Search Criminal History in Shenandoah County
Virginia provides free online access to court case information for Shenandoah County through its statewide judicial portals. Start with the Online Case Information System (OCIS) for a broad search across courts. The General District Court system is accessible at eapps.courts.state.va.us/gdcourts/, and the Virginia Courts Case Information System covers circuit court filings as well.
For in-person searches, go to the Clerk's office at 112 South Main Street during regular hours. You can inspect public case files and request copies. Fees are $0.50 per plain page and $2.00 per certified document. Mail requests are also accepted with a written request identifying the case and payment for copies.
Criminal records held by the Virginia State Police are separate from court records. These come from the Central Criminal Records Exchange (CCRE). To get a criminal history report from the VSP, you submit Form SP-167 by mail. Full instructions are at vsp.virginia.gov/criminal-record-check/.
Virginia State Police Criminal Record Checks
For a comprehensive criminal history record on any individual tied to Shenandoah County, the Virginia State Police is the primary source. The CCRE holds statewide criminal history data compiled from courts and law enforcement agencies across Virginia. Members of the public use Form SP-167, which must be notarized and mailed with a $15.00 fee to the CARE unit. Visit vsp.virginia.gov/criminal-record-check/ to download the form and review instructions.
Under Virginia Code ยง 19.2-389, criminal history records from the CCRE are accessible to the public for lawful purposes, including personal record review. Fingerprint-based checks may also be requested for greater accuracy. The Virginia State Police website at vsp.virginia.gov has full guidance on which form to use based on your request type.
VADOC Inmate Locator
The Virginia Department of Corrections offers a public inmate locator at vadoc.virginia.gov/general-public/inmate-locator/. Use this to find out if someone from Shenandoah County is currently serving time in a state correctional facility. Search by name to get basic location and status information. This tool covers state-level incarceration only. People held in local jails, federal facilities, or out-of-state prisons are not listed here.
Criminal Records Access in Shenandoah County
Virginia law treats most court records as public. The Freedom of Information Act allows anyone to request public records from government bodies. For court records specifically, the Virginia Code provides that nonconfidential records maintained by the Clerk are open for inspection and copying. This covers criminal case files, docket entries, orders, and judgments in Shenandoah County. You do not need to be a party to a case to request copies of public court records.
Certain records are not public. Juvenile records are sealed. Expunged records are blocked from public view. Records from mental health proceedings, adoption cases, and sealed matters are restricted. Family law cases involving child abuse or domestic violence may also have limited access. According to Virginia's FOIA framework, most Shenandoah County court records are accessible upon request unless a specific exemption applies.
When making a request, provide as much detail as possible -- party name, case number, approximate date, and type of case. Office hours are 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Bring valid photo ID for in-person requests. Written requests may be submitted by mail to the Clerk's office at P.O. Box 406, Woodstock, VA 22664. Include payment for copies with your request.
Nearby Counties
Shenandoah County is in the Shenandoah Valley region of Virginia and borders these counties. Each county has its own court and criminal records system.