Arlington County Inmate Population
The Arlington County inmate population is held at the Arlington County Detention Facility, operated by the Sheriff's Office in this dense urban county just outside Washington, D.C. The facility offers an online inmate search and participates in Virginia VINE. This page covers how to find someone at the Arlington County Detention Facility, what information the jail provides online, how court records connect, and how to make a FOIA request. Arlington processes a high volume of bookings, so the online tools here are especially useful for getting quick answers.
Arlington County Quick Facts
Arlington County Detention Facility
The Arlington County Sheriff's Office runs the Arlington County Detention Facility. The ACDF holds people awaiting trial, serving misdemeanor sentences, and waiting for transfer to VADOC state prisons after sentencing. The Sheriff is the legal custodian of all inmate records under Virginia Code § 53.1-31. The facility processes more bookings per year than most Virginia counties because of its dense urban population and proximity to D.C.
The Arlington County Sheriff's Office has a dedicated website at sheriff.arlingtonva.us. From there you can get to the inmate information system and check custody status. The detention facility page at sheriff.arlingtonva.us/detention-facility covers inmate lookup, visiting hours, phone access, and how to send mail. These tools are available at any hour, not just during business hours.
For someone recently arrested in Arlington, the online inmate search returns booking date, charges, bond amount, and scheduled court dates. The system is maintained by the Sheriff's Office and reflects current custody status.
The Arlington County Sheriff's Office website is the primary tool for searching the county's inmate population in real time.
The Sheriff's site links to inmate search, visiting rules, facility news, and how to reach ACDF staff directly.
Note: Arlington County is one of the most densely populated counties in Virginia, so the online inmate search is updated frequently throughout the day.
Search the Arlington Inmate Population Online
The ACDF inmate information system is available through the detention facility page at sheriff.arlingtonva.us/detention-facility. Search by full or partial name. Results show the inmate's booking date, current charges, bond status, and court dates. The system also shows whether the person has been transferred or released. This is often faster than calling during busy periods.
The Arlington County Detention Facility also participates in Virginia VINE. You can search at vavine.org or vinelink.com by picking Arlington County Detention Facility as the facility. VINE returns custody status and lets you register for free alerts. Notifications go out when someone is released, transferred, escapes, or has another status change. Call 1-800-467-4943 to access VINE by phone.
The ACDF facility page provides direct access to inmate data and detention policies for the Arlington County population.
From this page you can run an inmate search, find contact numbers for the jail, and access visiting policies for the Arlington County Detention Facility.
Arlington County Court Records
Criminal court records for Arlington are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk. The Circuit Court handles felony cases and appeals from the General District Court. The Clerk's office at arlingtonva.us/courts/circuit-court holds the case file including charges, pleas, dispositions, and sentencing orders. Those records are public. You can access them in person at the courthouse or through the Virginia Judiciary Online Case Information System for free online lookups.
Court files tell you the legal basis for custody. Jail records tell you where the person is right now. In Arlington, with its high case volume, both tools are important. Someone may appear in the court system as sentenced but have already transferred to VADOC if their sentence exceeded twelve months. Check both systems to confirm current status.
The Virginia State Police Central Criminal Records Exchange handles criminal history requests under § 19.2-389. Use the Virginia State Police records page for forms and mailing instructions. Mail to P.O. Box 85076, Richmond, VA 23261-5076.
Note: Arlington County is in VADOC's Eastern Region. State-sentenced inmates from Arlington transfer to Eastern Region facilities after twelve months.
FOIA Requests for Arlington Inmate Records
Virginia residents can request jail records under the Freedom of Information Act at § 2.2-3700 et seq. Booking sheets, mug shots, charges, and basic custody information are all public records. Send a written request to the Arlington County Sheriff's Office FOIA Officer naming the person, dates, and type of record. Agencies respond within five business days, with up to seven more for complex requests.
Some records are off-limits. Active investigation files, personnel records, and attorney-client materials are exempt. Inmates cannot use FOIA for their own records under § 2.2-3703(C). For help with a denied request or to understand what's exempt, contact the Virginia FOIA Advisory Council at foiacouncil@dls.virginia.gov or (804) 698-1810, toll-free 1-866-448-4100.
For VADOC state-level records, contact VADOC Central Records at 6900 Atmore Drive, Richmond, VA 23225, phone (804) 674-3000.
Victim Notification for Arlington County Inmates
If you're a crime victim seeking custody alerts for someone held at ACDF, register with VINE at vavine.org or call 1-800-467-4943. You'll get notified when the person is released, transferred, or has any status change. The service is free and your identity stays private.
Once someone transfers to a VADOC state prison, register separately with the VADOC NAAVI service through the VADOC Victim Services page or call 1-804-674-3243. VADOC sends 30-day advance notice of release for qualifying cases and updates on parole hearings. The two systems each require their own registration and operate independently.
Cities in and Near Arlington County
Arlington County does not have independent cities within its borders, but it borders the independent city of Alexandria to the south. Alexandria operates its own sheriff, jail, and court system separate from Arlington. For Alexandria inmate population records, visit the city page: Alexandria. Falls Church is another independent city close to Arlington: Falls Church.
Neighboring Counties
Arlington County is in Northern Virginia, surrounded by Fairfax County and the District of Columbia border. For inmate records in neighboring jurisdictions, visit their pages.