- Safety & Security
- Services
- Police
- Records, Reports, & Complaints
- Obtaining Police Records
Obtaining Police Records
Effective July 1, 2021, Chesterfield County Police Department will charge for responding to FOIA requests. Charges are based on the lowest possible hourly rate for an employee qualified to complete the work. An estimate will be provided to the requestor prior to the department's response. In accordance with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, Va. Code § 2.2-3704(H), when it is determined that charges for producing the requested records are likely to exceed $200, the requester will be required to pay a deposit of half with the balance due upon delivery of the response. Understanding that there are instances in which the time and resources expended to collect and process a payment may exceed the value of a payment received, a cost threshold of $20 has been set, and costs below that amount are waived. Charges for victims of crimes will be waived.
Virginia law is quite specific about who may obtain copies of certain police records, accident reports, record checks, fingerprinting services and photographs. If you are eligible to receive such reports under VA Code 2.2-3706, they are normally available from the Chesterfield County Police Records Section. View the Chesterfield County Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests for more information.
For more information, please contact the Records Section by email.
- Accident Reports
- Criminal History Record Checks
- Fingerprints
- Request for Offense Verification Reports
- Request for Photographs
Accident Reports
Copies of motor vehicle accident reports completed by a police officer at the time of an accident may be requested by mail, email or in person. Reports are normally available approximately five business days after the accident. The quickest way to receive your report is by emailing the Records Section.
The following people are authorized to receive a copy of an accident report:
- Attorney or investigator representing an involved party
- Driver(s) of the vehicle(s) involved
- Parent or guardian of a minor involved in the accident
- Person(s) injured as a result of the accident
- Person(s) listed with property damage
- Registered owner(s) of the vehicle(s) involved (with proper identification and vehicle registration)
- Representative of an insurance carrier covering an involved party
Fees & Payment
If you are requesting a copy of an accident report by mail, please include $8 for a charge for a copy of an accident report. Send your request along with check or money order made payable to the Treasurer, Chesterfield County. Send it to:
Chesterfield County Police Department
ATTN: Police Records
P. O. Box 148
Chesterfield, VA 23832
Criminal History Record Checks
An individual may request a check of their Chesterfield County Police record by appearing in person by appointment at the Records Section during business hours. This record check covers Chesterfield County only and can only be released to the person requesting the record check.
You must be 18 years of age or older and have a valid photo ID. Reports are normally available within three to five business days
Note: If you are under 18 years of age, you should contact the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court Service Section by calling 804-748-1379. Your record check must be picked up within 10 business days by appointment following notification that it is ready. If you are unable to pick up your record check within 10 business days, it will be destroyed and you must begin the process again and pay another processing fee.
Fees & Payments
This service requires a $10 processing fee. This fee must be paid to the Records Section at the time of request.
For questions about making a record check request from out of state or from other jurisdictions, please call 804-748-1260. If a state record check is needed, contact the Virginia State Police at 804-674-2000.
Fingerprints
The Records Section will provide limited fingerprinting services under certain conditions. The individual requesting these services must have two valid forms of identification, at least one of which must include a photo.
Valid Forms of Identification
Acceptable photo identification includes:
- Current DMV-issued photo identification card
- Military identification card
- U.S. passport
- Valid state-issued driver's license
You may use one of the forms of identification listed, plus one of the following:
- Birth certificate
- Current immigration naturalization card
- Social security card
- Vehicle registration/title
- Voter registration card
Fees & Payment
The fingerprinting processing fee is $10 for the first card and $5 for each additional card. This fee must be paid by cash or check at the Records Section prior to fingerprinting.
Persons petitioning for a court-ordered expungement of their criminal record must have their fingerprints taken by the Records Section after they have filed their petition and received a copy of their charge and disposition.
Offense Verification Reports
Each report will include:
- Date the offense was reported
- Description of any stolen/damaged property and its disposition
- Location of the offense
- Officer assigned
- Police department's file number
- Type of offense
Fees & Payment
There is a $10 processing fee, payable by cash or check, for each offense verification report.
Under certain circumstances, victims of domestic violence may be entitled to a copy of the offense report free of charge.
Photographs
Photographs of accidents may be requested by the party or parties involved in the accident by contacting the Records Section by phone or appearing in person by appointment. All photographs must be picked up, as we do not normally mail them.
Fees & Payments
There is normally a fee associated with each request and it varies based on the size and printing quality of the photograph(s).