Find Your Records
Find the Records You May Need
These resources can help you locate records that may be requested later if you retain the firm. You do not need every document before completing the preliminary eligibility screening.
You do not upload documents on this page. This is an optional resource — you may start the preliminary screening at any time, with or without every document.
Locating records in advance is helpful but not required to start the preliminary screening or to request attorney review.
What Are You Missing?
What Are You Missing?
Choose the item you are trying to find.
I do not know my case number
Start with Virginia court search tools. You may be able to search by name, locality, case number, or hearing date.
I do not know how the case ended
Look for the final disposition, court order, or case disposition showing whether the case was dismissed, nolle prosequi, not guilty, deferred, or convicted.
I do not know which court handled it
Use the court search tools or clerk directory to identify the court and clerk's office.
I need the charge paperwork
Ask for the warrant, summons, indictment, or charging document if available.
I am not sure what is on my record
You may need to request a Virginia criminal history record.
I have multiple charges
Each charge may have a different case number or disposition. You may need records for each charge.
The Process
How to Get Started
Search Online First
Use Virginia court search tools to look for your case number, court, charge, and disposition.
Open the Case Details
Click the case number and review the case/charge information and disposition information.
Contact the Clerk If Needed
If you cannot find what you need online, contact the clerk of the court where the case was handled.
Return to the Eligibility Check
Once you have your case number and final disposition, return to the screening.
The eligibility check requires the case number and final disposition to consider a submission review-ready.
Section 4
How to Search for Your Case Number
Start with Virginia court search tools. If you know the city or county, search by locality. If you are unsure where the case happened, use the statewide search option.
Go to Virginia court search
Search by name, case number, hearing date, or locality if available
Look for the court, case number, charge, and case information
Click the case number and review case/charge information
Scroll to disposition information to see how the case ended
Write down or save the case number, charge, court, and final disposition
If the case type is an infraction, it may not follow the same expungement path. If you are unsure, choose "Not sure" in the eligibility check.
Section 5
What Is a Final Disposition?
A final disposition is paperwork or court information showing how the case ended. It may show whether the case was dismissed, nolle prosequi, not guilty, deferred, convicted, or otherwise resolved.
Examples of final outcome language:
Stan's office needs to know how the case ended before deciding whether the case may be ready for review.
Section 6
What to Ask the Clerk's Office For
If the court search does not give you enough information, contact the clerk of the court where the case was handled.
When contacting the clerk, ask for records showing:
Script to use when calling the clerk:
"Hello, I am trying to locate records for a Virginia criminal or traffic case. I need the case number, charge, final disposition, and any available warrant, summons, indictment, or charging document. Can you tell me how to request copies?"
Some clerks may charge copy or certification fees. Ask about the cost before requesting copies.
Section 7
What If I Have More Than One Charge?
If there is more than one charge, there may be separate case numbers, separate dispositions, and separate documents. Try to gather information for each charge you want reviewed.
For each charge, try to gather:
Missing records for one charge may slow down review of that charge.
Section 8
What If I'm Not Sure What Is on My Record?
If you are unsure what appears on your Virginia criminal record, you may need to request a Virginia criminal history record.
A criminal history report may be helpful, but the eligibility check still relies on case-specific information such as case number, court, and final disposition.
Ready to Continue?
When to Return to the Eligibility Check
Once you have the basics below, you may be ready to restart the screening.
If you still do not know, you can choose "Not sure" in the eligibility check. The app may send you back here if more information is needed.
What Comes Next?
What Comes Later If You Move Forward?
This page is only to help you gather records before review. If your screening is approved for next steps, Stan's office may later request additional information or documents through the appropriate intake process.
Do not upload documents in this app.
Official Guides
Official Guides and References
These resources can help you understand the record-gathering process. They are educational and do not replace attorney review.
Expungement How-To Guide
Explains how to look up charges, identify case numbers, gather paperwork, and understand common expungement forms.
Open GuideExpungement and Sealing Flowcharts
Shows how expungement and sealing questions are commonly organized.
View FlowchartsVirginia Record Sealing FAQs
Official FAQs about automatic sealing, petition-based sealing, and implementation.
Read FAQs