How to Find Someone in Custody in Virginia

Finding someone in custody in Virginia means knowing which system holds them: the Virginia Department of Corrections for state sentences, the county jail for pretrial and short stays, or the federal Bureau of Prisons. All three have free official lookups — this page collects them.

  • State custody: start with the Virginia Department of Corrections locator (vadoc.virginia.gov) — name or ID number searches, current facility, and in most cases projected release dates.
  • County jails: 21 Virginia counties post their own jail rosters, linked below — that's where you'll find anyone arrested recently or serving under a year.
  • Federal custody: the Bureau of Prisons locator (bop.gov) covers federal defendants and anyone sentenced in US District Court — a separate population people forget to check.
  • Stay notified: VINELink sends automatic alerts when someone's custody status changes — transfer, release, or escape — in nearly every state.

VADOC's locator covers state custody; Virginia's regional jails — shared by several counties each — run their own lookups, which surprises people expecting one per county. Content reviewed July 29, 2026 by the SearchSystems editorial team.

Official Virginia Custody Lookups

Virginia Department of Corrections — Inmate Locator
Official Free
The official Virginia state-custody search. Current facility, custody status, and release information for people serving state sentences.
🌐 vadoc.virginia.gov
VINELink — Virginia Custody Alerts
Official Free
Search custody status and register for automatic notification when someone is moved or released. Free, run for victims but open to anyone.
🌐 vinelink.com
Federal Bureau of Prisons — Inmate Locator
Official Free
Everyone in federal custody since 1982, searchable by name or register number. Covers federal sentences, which no state system lists.
🌐 bop.gov

Virginia Counties With Online Jail Rosters

These counties publish their own booking or in-custody lists — click through for each county records page.

Accomack Bedford Dinwiddie Fairfax Fauquier Fluvanna Franklin Goochland Henrico James City Loudoun Montgomery Nelson Pittsylvania Powhatan Prince George Richmond Roanoke Rockingham Tazewell York

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Virginia inmate locator free?
Yes. Every official source on this page is free to search. Sites that charge for 'inmate reports' are reselling public data.
Why can't I find someone arrested yesterday?
Fresh arrests appear in the county jail's booking system first, sometimes hours later. State locators only list people after sentencing and transfer to state custody.
Does a locator listing mean the person was convicted?
No. Jail rosters include people awaiting trial who are presumed innocent. Check the court docket for the case outcome.
How do I send money or arrange a visit?
Each facility sets its own rules — the Virginia Department of Corrections site covers state facilities, and each county sheriff posts local jail policies.

Related Virginia Records

Custody is one piece: the Virginia criminal records page covers official background checks, wants & warrants lists who's being looked for, and Virginia court records hold the cases behind every custody entry.