How to resolve a warrant in Virginia

The path to resolving a warrant in Virginia

You do not have to wait to be caught off guard. This is the ordered, on-your-own-terms way to handle it — each step points to an official source.

Step 1

Confirm the warrant and identify the issuing court

Contact the clerk of the General District or Circuit Court in the city or county where charges are pending, or the city or county sheriff, or use the statewide Online Case Information System (OCIS) to locate your case, to confirm a warrant and get the case or warrant number, the charge, and any court date. Provide your full name and date of birth.
Official source
Step 2

Ask the court about recalling a bench / failure-to-appear warrant

For a warrant issued because a court date was missed, ask the clerk how that court re-sets the matter and how the warrant can be recalled; filing a motion to recall the warrant is one available procedural option. This is noted only as an option, not as a recommended strategy. In Virginia, the warrant this applies to is typically a bench warrant (issued by a judge, commonly for failure to appear or failure to comply with a court order), and only the court that issued it can recall or re-set it.
Official source
Step 3

Arrange to appear or self-surrender on scheduled terms

Depending on the warrant and the court's instructions, you may resolve it by appearing in court on a re-set date or by surrendering at the regional or local jail through the sheriff. Call ahead to confirm the correct location, hours, and procedure before going. In Virginia, this is a matter of timing, not a legal outcome. Unresolved failure-to-appear matters can lead to additional charges and added court costs.
Official source
Step 4

Magistrate and bond decision follow

After being taken into custody and booked, you are brought before a magistrate who addresses release under Code of Virginia section 19.2-120: personal recognizance, an unsecured bond, cash posted with the court, or a surety or property bond through a licensed bail bondsman for a fee.
Official source

Turning yourself in on your own terms in Virginia

Surrendering on your own terms means you choose the timing and location within the court's or jail's procedures, typically during regular business hours, rather than being taken into custody unexpectedly during a traffic stop or at home or work. This is a logistical consideration only and does not predict any legal result.

What to bring

A valid government-issued photo ID
Any court paperwork or the case or warrant number you have
Funds or arrangements for a bond, since commercial bail exists in Virginia (cash posted with the court, or a licensed surety or property bondsman's fee)
A written list of any medications you take
Contact information for a family member or friend who can help
Do not bring weapons, drugs, or other prohibited items into a court or jail

What to expect

Expect booking (fingerprints, photograph, and a records check) and an appearance before a magistrate, who addresses release conditions or a bond under Code of Virginia section 19.2-120.

Processing times vary by locality.

This is logistical information only.

In Virginia, the matter being addressed is generally a bench warrant.

How bail and release work in Virginia

Commercial bail available

In Virginia, commercial bail exists. If a judge sets money bail, it can be posted in cash with the court or through a licensed bail agent for a fee — and a judge may also release you on your own recognizance or on conditions.

Virginia uses money bail alongside non-monetary release, and commercial bail is common.

After arrest a person is taken before a magistrate, who may release them on personal recognizance or an unsecured bond, or set a secured bond (Code of Virginia section 19.2-120).

A secured bond can be satisfied by cash posted with the court, by a property bail bondsman, or by a surety bond through a licensed commercial bail bondsman for a fee; many localities also use Pretrial Services for supervision.

Both surety and property bail bondsmen legally operate statewide and are licensed and regulated by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) under the Code of Virginia (Title 9.1, Chapter 1.1, Article 11).

A surety bond carries a non-refundable premium, commonly around 10 to 15 percent of the bond amount. Cash bail posted directly with the court is refundable (less fees) if you make all required appearances, and a magistrate may release you on recognizance or an unsecured bond with no money down. Ask about recognizance and local Pretrial Services supervision as alternatives to paying a bondsman.

Your rights. You have the right to talk to a lawyer about your situation, and if you cannot afford one, you can ask the court about a public defender.

A few cautions before you go

Confirm the warrant directly with the General District or Circuit Court clerk or the sheriff before acting; do not rely on unofficial third-party 'warrant lookup' or bail-lead websites.
Ask the magistrate or court about recognizance release, an unsecured bond, and posting a cash bond with the court, which are alternatives to paying a bondsman.
A warrant does not expire on its own; ignoring it leaves you subject to arrest at any law-enforcement contact, and a failure to appear can lead to additional charges and, in some traffic matters, a license suspension.
Call the court or jail ahead of time to confirm the correct location, intake hours, and surrender procedure, which vary by locality.

Contact the issuing court or county sheriff in Virginia

A warrant is issued by a court and served by the county sheriff — they are who can confirm it and tell you the exact way to resolve it. Start with these official Virginia sources.

Not sure you actually have a warrant?

Before you act, confirm whether one exists. warrant.guru walks through exactly how to check in Virginia.

Check for a warrant in Virginia Looking for someone in jail or prison? Find them

Common questions about resolving a warrant in Virginia

How do I resolve a warrant in Virginia?

Confirm the warrant with the court that issued it or the county sheriff, then work through these steps: Confirm the warrant and identify the issuing court; Ask the court about recalling a bench / failure-to-appear warrant; Arrange to appear or self-surrender on scheduled terms; Magistrate and bond decision follow.

How do I turn myself in in Virginia?

Surrendering on your own terms means you choose the timing and location within the court's or jail's procedures, typically during regular business hours, rather than being taken into custody unexpectedly during a traffic stop or at home or work. This is a logistical consideration only and does not predict any legal result.

Does Virginia have commercial bail bondsmen?

Yes. Commercial bail exists in Virginia: licensed bail agents operate here, and if a judge sets money bail it can be posted in cash with the court or through a licensed bail agent for a fee. A judge may also grant own-recognizance or conditional release.

What should I bring if I turn myself in in Virginia?

A valid government-issued photo ID; Any court paperwork or the case or warrant number you have; Funds or arrangements for a bond, since commercial bail exists in Virginia (cash posted with the court, or a licensed surety or property bondsman's fee); A written list of any medications you take; Contact information for a family member or friend who can help; Do not bring weapons, drugs, or other prohibited items into a court or jail.

Sources & last verified

Everything here links out to official government or public-reference sources. We don't store or republish records.

Last verified 2026-07-23 · 6 sources

How do I resolve a warrant and turn myself in in Virginia?