How to Conduct a Background Check in Virginia: Expert Tips

Lily Evans - May 8, 2025

Running a background check in Virginia is an easy process that can provide peace of mind in personal, social, and professional situations. These checks can include a wide range of information, including criminal records, court documents, employment and education verification, and even civil judgments. 

There are several reasons you might need to conduct a background check on someone. This guide will walk you through how to perform the check, outline why you might need to do it, and cover the legal details involved. We’ll also share helpful tips to avoid scams during the process.

Ways to Conduct a Background Check in Virginia

There are several methods you can use to run a background check in Virginia. Your choice will be influenced by the purpose of the check and the level of detail you’ll need. Below are the most common and effective methods we recommend:

1. Submitting a Criminal Record Request

The Virginia State Police (VSP) can provide official criminal background information through their Virginia Criminal History Record Check portal. To request a report, complete a form and mail it to the VSP with your signature notarized.

If you’re providing care to children, senior citizens, or individuals with disabilities, you can also access national fingerprint-based criminal searches. However, you must be living and working in Virginia to submit these checks.

When This Works Best:

1. An employer needs official state-verified criminal history.
2. Verifying criminal background for childcare providers.
3. Legal and government applications, such as adoption.  

2. Checking the Courts Case Information System

If you want specific court-related information, you can consult the Virginia Court System’s Case Status and Information website. It provides online access to civil, criminal, and traffic cases. You can sort through these using the name, case number, and hearing date of your subject. 

When This Works Best:

1. Checking someone’s involvement in civil lawsuits.
2. Small claims and judgment research.
3. Confirming legal disputes in business vetting.
4. Screening for past eviction filings as a landlord.

3. Searching the State’s Sex Offender Registry

The Virginia State Police also maintains an online Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry. You can search the registry by adding the relevant name, registration number, street address, city, county, and ZIP code. 

You can also run a Neighborhood Map Search to define a particular region. You will be able to see all offenders registered within that postal area. If you have any concerns, you can contact customer support and tell them your specific request.

When This Works Best:

1. Moving into a new neighborhood.
2. Hiring someone to work with children.
3. Personal safety for dating or getting roommates.

4. Using a Reverse Lookup Tool

If you want to get a broader picture without navigating multiple state systems, your best bet is to use a reverse lookup tool. CheckPeople.com is an excellent option that can provide you with a detailed background check without you having to wait for days (or weeks) for the results of your search.

How This Works: 

To get started, simply provide the person’s first and last name. You can then add any additional information you might know about them, such as their city, state, age, or professional background. 

The tool will automatically search through available public records. Here are some of the sources of data it will examine:

• Criminal Records: This includes any convictions and charges against the person in question. 
• Civil Records: Any non-criminal court cases, such as child custody, personal injury, or restraining orders. 
• Sexual Offender Registry: Whether a person has been involved in committing a sexual offense.
• Bankruptcies: Details about their financial situation and possible past bankruptcies that are publicly recorded.
• Liens: Information about whether a person has had their property or vehicle seized because of their inability to pay off their debts.
• Lawsuits: Public lawsuits that have been filed against them.
• Phone Book Listings: Matching their first and last name against a specific contact number. 
• Arrest Reports: Arrest reports for (alleged) drunk driving, burglary, drug possession, disorderly conduct, repeat offenses, or aggravated assault.
• Traffic Reports: Any collisions or traffic violations like DUIs or speeding tickets.

Once the tool goes through all this data, it’ll compile a complete background check report that will help you find all relevant information about a person. This will include full names, current and past residences, contact information, relatives, criminal and traffic records, sexual offender status, social media accounts, and dating profiles.

When This Works Best:

1. Checking the background of someone you’ve just met.
2. Finding out if criminal charges have been filed against someone. 
3. Getting an overview of someone before a deeper investigation.

Why Run a Background Check in Virginia?

There are multiple reasons why someone might need to conduct background checks in Virginia. Employers frequently conduct background checks to confirm a candidate’s education, professional experience, and potential criminal history. This process is particularly common for positions involving vulnerable groups, such as children or senior citizens, in Virginia.

Landlords also want to understand the background of potential tenants to make sure they are financially stable and law-abiding. If a landlord finds issues such as previous evictions, criminal activities, or past lawsuits, they may reconsider offering the tenancy.

Business people would also want to do a background check on someone before getting into a joint venture with them or hiring them as a contractor. Doing business can cost a lot of valuable time, money, and effort. If you do a proper background check, you’ll be protecting your assets and reputation down the line.

Some people might also run a background check on themselves to see what comes up. This way, you can spot any errors, outdated information, or discrepancies in your data. 

These things might seem insignificant at first, but they can easily impact your job applications, rental opportunities, and other important life events over time. If you find any inaccuracies, contact the relevant parties right away to request corrections and provide any necessary supporting documentation.

Is It Legal to Conduct a Background Check in Virginia?

Conducting a background check in Virginia is legal, but there are specific restrictions and requirements you should be aware of. If you are an employer or landlord, you must obtain written consent from the person before performing a background check. 

However, if you’re conducting a check for personal reasons, such as dating or out of curiosity, written consent is not required. Regardless of the purpose, it’s important to use the information responsibly and within legal boundaries.

Violating the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a serious offense. Using a background check for discriminatory reasons or stalking can lead to significant legal consequences. Keep in mind that Virginia’s privacy laws may differ from those of other states. To avoid potential legal issues, it’s a good idea to consult an attorney or legal expert if you’re uncertain about the regulations.

How to Avoid Scams When Doing a Background Check

To protect yourself from scams while conducting a background check, it’s important to follow these essential steps:

1. Stick to reliable and trustworthy tools like CheckPeople.com or government resources. There are many shady websites out there that promise “free unlimited access” to personal information that is often illegally sourced or inaccurate.
2. Avoid giving too much personal information to anyone. You should especially keep your Social Security Number and financial details private to prevent fraud and identity theft.
3. Be wary of impersonators. Many scam artists imitate government agencies in their website design and marketing. Look for web addresses ending in .gov, as this use is restricted to government agencies and official services.
4. Keep an eye out for hidden fees on shady sites. These tools advertise “free” checks at first glance, but require you to sign up for a hefty fee before showing you the results of your background check.

Do Your Background Check in Virginia With Ease

Background checks are important for keeping you, your family, and your business safe. They help you make informed decisions and avoid potential issues down the road. In Virginia, you have access to a range of official and private resources to look into someone’s background. This article has covered various tools and methods, including the Virginia State Police’s website and easy-to-use platforms like CheckPeople.com.

While background checks are important in many situations, it’s important to use them responsibly. Understand your reasons for conducting the check and always stay mindful of the law and ethical considerations. When done correctly, a well-executed background check can provide you with valuable clarity and confidence.