Riley & Wells
1518 Willow Lawn Dr Suite 200
Phone: (804) 673-7111
Northern Virginia Criminal Defense Group
9073 Center St Second floor #5
Phone: (202) 937-0858
Nova Defenders, S&R Law Firm
4120 Leonard Dr A
Phone: (703) 273-6431
Virginia Defense Group
1011 E Main St Suite 203
Phone: (804) 495-2295
Robinson Law, PLLC
10486 Armstrong St
Phone: (703) 844-3746
Patrick N. Anderson & Associates
333 N Fairfax St #310
Phone: (703) 997-1046
Jon Katz, P.C.
10509 Judicial Dr #101
Phone: (703) 884-2194
Stephen P. Pfeiffer
4417 Corporation Ln
Phone: (757) 901-0808
Virginia Criminal Attorney
4015 Chain Bridge Rd
Phone: (703) 582-8119
Karin Riley Porter
10505 Judicial Dr #203
Phone: (703) 570-1418
The Gordon Law Firm
10509 Judicial Dr Suite 102
Phone: (703) 496-1094
Alexander Law Office, P.C.
1000 Greenway Ln
Phone: (804) 814-1489
Dorsk Law Office, PLC
409 Duke St Suite 100
Phone: (757) 423-0271
Carmichael Ellis & Brock, PLLC
108 N Alfred St 1st floor
Phone: (703) 684-7908
Ann Thayer, PLLC
4101 Chain Bridge Rd Suite 106
Phone: (703) 940-0001
MEDVIN LAW FIRM
277 S Washington St Suite 210
Phone: (703) 870-3300
Wilfred W. Yeargan
11350 Random Hills Rd Suite 800
Phone: (703) 352-9044
Battlefield Law Group, PLLC
9214 Center St Fl 2
Phone: (571) 364-0500
Scott C. Nolan
10304 Eaton Pl Suite 100
Phone: (703) 589-9309
Clean Slate Virginia
14321 Winter Breeze Dr
Phone: (804) 248-0400
David A. C. Long
5600 Grove Ave
Phone: (804) 285-3888
David Deane Law
1100 N Glebe Rd #1010
Phone: (703) 596-9946
JRLaw, PLC
1 Columbus Ctr Suite 635
Phone: (757) 447-0080
Weiland Button, PLC
3437 W Cary St
Phone: (804) 355-8037
Cody Villalon
100 W Franklin St #301
Phone: (804) 316-0765
Driving Defense Law
101 Granby St #200
Phone: (757) 929-0335
Nichols & Green
10615 Judicial Dr #203
Phone: (571) 215-4718
Andrew Flusche
10468 Investors Pl A
Phone: (540) 701-5284
Michael Lee
4124 E Parham Rd STE D
Phone: (804) 325-1977
Welch & Wright, PLLC
716 W 20th St
Phone: (757) 707-8803
Jon Sheldon
10621 Jones St #301A
Phone: (703) 691-8410
The Pickett Law Group, PLLC
3607 Chain Bridge Rd Unit D
Phone: (703) 218-8467
NovaLegalGroup, P.C.
1507 King St
Phone: (703) 313-2727
Paul C. Galanides, P.C.
1561 E Main St
Phone: (804) 716-4299
Matthew Barbero
3640 S Plaza Trail STE 202
Phone: (757) 424-5434
Jad Sarsour
10521 Judicial Dr STE 300
Phone: (703) 385-6868
Invictus Law
1240 Perimeter Pkwy Suite 404
Phone: (757) 337-2727
Whitestone Young, PC
10513 Judicial Dr #300
Phone: (703) 591-0200
Curcione Law, PLC
999 Waterside Dr #2525
Phone: (757) 777-3700
Crowley Peritz Law
10560 Main St STE 501
Phone: (703) 337-3773
Jurach, Tacey & Quitiquit, PLC
3951 Westerre Pkwy Suite 370
Phone: (804) 728-2274
Rudolphi Law, PLLC
1751 Pinnacle Dr #600
Phone: (703) 596-9566
The Wilson Law Firm
9300 Grant Ave STE 301
Phone: (703) 361-6100
Cornick Ndlovu, PLC
910 Littlepage St Suite B
Phone: (540) 386-0204
Darren Meyer
660 Cambridge St
Phone: (540) 840-8470
Roanoke Valley Criminal Defense
401 Campbell Ave SW #302
Phone: (540) 585-1776
Matthew Kensky
10505 Judicial Dr PH Suite 400
Phone: (703) 459-9597
Shawn M. Cline, PC
38 Wine St
Phone: (757) 209-2328
Stanton Law
4932 Dominion Blvd
Phone: (804) 626-9335
Greenspun Shapiro Ginsberg & Yang PC
3955 Chain Bridge Rd fl 2
Phone: (703) 352-0100
Hampton Roads Criminal Defense Lawyers
2628 Barrett St Suite 200
Phone: (757) 276-6555
Dischley Law, PLLC
9255 Center St Ste 300B
Phone: (703) 215-9337
Krum, Gergely & Oates
4103 Chain Bridge Rd #401
Phone: (703) 988-3711
Alex Taylor Law, PLC
1622 W Main St
Phone: (804) 500-5000
Ervin Law PLLC
4023 Chain Bridge Rd #5
Phone: (703) 962-7790
Letnick Law Firm, PLC
11211 Waples Mill Rd Suite 320
Phone: (703) 273-4100
Larry King Law
11747 Jefferson Ave Suite 3-E
Phone: (757) 595-8100
Tom Barbour, Esq.
100 W Franklin St Ste 303
Phone: (804) 629-1034
Westendorf & Khalaf, PLLC
1 Columbus Ctr #600
Phone: (757) 961-3311
Calinger Law
2124 Richmond Hwy Suite 303B
Phone: (540) 841-0370
Anton Karpov
2400 Princess Anne Rd
Phone: (757) 907-9075
Cosby & Calhoun
1904 Byrd Ave Ste 301
Phone: (804) 780-0311
Thomas M. Wilson
435 Park St
Phone: (434) 979-0308
Bississo Law, P.C.
5673 Columbia Pike Unit 201
Phone: (703) 495-3020
George L. Freeman, IV
10605 Judicial Dr STE A6
Phone: (571) 407-7084
Virginia expungement removes police and court records from public view when a case ends in acquittal, dismissal, nolle prosequi, identity theft, or an absolute pardon. You must file in the circuit court and follow the required steps, including fingerprints sent to the Virginia State Police and service on the Commonwealth. A broader record sealing system for some convictions is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026, so petition based expungement for convictions is still limited until that date.
Do I need a lawyer for expungement in Virginia?
You can file on your own using the Supreme Court forms and the statute. The process includes a petition, fingerprints, service on the Commonwealth, and sometimes a hearing, so mistakes will slow things down. Many people hire a lawyer because eligibility rules and local practice differ across courts and a clean file gets fewer delays.
How much does expungement cost in Virginia?
Court filing fees vary by circuit and you will also pay for fingerprints and certified copies if needed. If you use the State Police SP 167 service or other record checks, there are separate fees. Attorney fees are separate and depend on the facts and number of cases filed.
How long does it take to get a record expunged in Virginia?
Simple petitions with complete paperwork often finish in a few months. Timelines depend on how fast the clerk processes the filing, how quickly the State Police returns the background check, and whether the Commonwealth objects. A court hearing and a crowded docket add more time.
What crimes can be expunged in Virginia right now?
Current expungement law covers non conviction outcomes like acquittal, nolle prosequi, and dismissals that qualify under the statute. It also covers identity theft cases and absolute pardons for crimes not committed. Convictions generally are not expunged until the new sealing system starts in 2026 unless you have an absolute pardon or a writ that vacates the conviction.
What is the new record sealing law in Virginia?
Virginia created a separate chapter for sealing criminal history record information. Parts of that law add automatic sealing for some non convictions and create a petition process for some convictions, but the effective date is July 1, 2026. Courts cannot grant sealing under that chapter before that date.
Is there a Clean Slate program in Virginia today?
The General Assembly approved record sealing reforms that include automatic relief for some records, but the start date was pushed to July 1, 2026. Until then you must use the existing expungement statute for non conviction relief. Anyone asking to seal a conviction before 2026 will be turned away because the authority is not active yet.
Do I have to disclose an expunged case to private employers in Virginia?
Once a record is expunged, it is removed from public access and you can answer no to most private employment questions about that charge. Courts, law enforcement, and certain agencies can still see the record if the law allows it. Keep a certified copy of your order so you can prove the outcome if you are asked for documentation.
How do I apply for expungement in Virginia?
File a Petition for Expungement in the circuit court using Form CC 1473 along with required attachments. Get fingerprinted so the State Police can run a background check tied to your petition. Serve the Commonwealth and be ready for a hearing if the prosecutor objects or the judge wants testimony.
What forms do I need for expungement in Virginia?
Use Petition for Expungement Form CC 1473 for acquittals and dismissals that qualify. If the court grants relief it will enter an Expungement Order using Form CC 1474. The courts also publish instructions and an access form if a sealed record must be viewed later by court order.
Can I expunge a conviction in Virginia in 2025?
In almost all cases the answer is no. The expungement statute mainly covers non convictions and identity theft, and the record sealing law for convictions is not in force until 2026. A conviction can leave public view sooner only if you have an absolute pardon or a writ that vacates the case under the innocence statutes.
How far back do standard background checks go in Virginia?
Private background checks are limited by federal and state consumer reporting rules and by what the court makes public. An expunged record is removed from public access and should not appear on routine commercial reports. Government checks and law enforcement databases have deeper access when the law allows it.
Will my expunged record show on fingerprint based checks?
State Police and FBI checks can still reflect the existence of the case with a notation that the court ordered expungement. That access is limited to authorized purposes like law enforcement and certain licenses. Private employers usually do not receive that level of data.
What is an absolute pardon and how does it affect expungement?
An absolute pardon says you did not commit the offense and it triggers expungement when the court receives the order. The process runs through the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth and it is separate from the court petition. A simple pardon does not erase the case and does not create expungement by itself.
Do I need fingerprints for a Virginia expungement?
Yes. The clerk or the order will direct that a complete set of fingerprints be sent to the State Police with a copy of the petition. The State Police use that to match your identity and return the background results to the court.
Can police and prosecutors still see an expunged Virginia record?
Yes for limited legal purposes. The record is sealed from public view, but criminal justice agencies keep access as defined by statute. Courts can also grant access by order if a legal standard is met.
How do I check my Virginia criminal history before filing?
Use the Virginia State Police criminal history services and request the correct form for a name search. Many people use the SP 167 Criminal History Record request so they can verify how the case appears. Reviewing your court dockets and getting certified copies helps you build a clean file.
How do I get an unlawful detainer expunged in Virginia?
If your eviction case ended in your favor or was dismissed, you can petition to expunge it. The self help site explains the process and the district court has a specific form for juvenile and certain civil records. Landlord tenant expungement is separate from criminal expungement so use the correct venue and form.
What happens after the judge signs the expungement order?
The clerk sends the order and your fingerprints to the State Police so the Central Criminal Records Exchange can update databases. The clerk removes the case from public access on the local system as required. Keep copies because third party screeners need time to refresh old data.
Can I travel or get a passport after expungement?
Expungement does not restrict travel and does not block a U.S. passport. Passport eligibility depends on federal rules like unpaid child support or unresolved warrants. If your case was dismissed and expunged, you avoid many of the private screening problems that cause delays.
What if my name was used by someone else in a criminal case?
Virginia allows expungement when your identity was used without consent and you were not the person charged. You still file a petition and include details that show the error, and the court can grant relief. This fixes a lingering record that would misidentify you in future checks.
Official Sources
- Virginia Code — Chapter 23.1 Expungement of Criminal Records
- Virginia Code — Chapter 23.2 Sealing of Criminal History Record Information (effective July 1, 2026)
- Virginia Courts — Circuit Court Civil Forms (CC 1473, CC 1474 and related)
- Form CC 1473 — Petition for Expungement
- Fairfax County Circuit Court — Expungements Overview
- Virginia State Police — Criminal History Record Check
- Secretary of the Commonwealth — Pardons
- Form CC 1474(A) — Petition and Order to Access Expunged Record