Colonial Heights Sex Offender Registry

The Virginia State Police maintains the sex offender registry for Colonial Heights, a free public database that any resident can search without an account. Colonial Heights has roughly 40 to 50 registered sex offenders on file, covering everyone required to register who lives, works, or attends school in the city. This page covers how to search the registry, how the Colonial Heights Police Department handles local enforcement, and what Virginia law requires of all registered offenders.

Search Colonial Heights Sex Offender Records

Go to sex-offender.vsp.virginia.gov/sor or the alternate portal at vspsor.com to search the registry. Both link to the same Virginia State Police database. For Colonial Heights, search by zip code 23834 or enter a street address with a radius. City name search also works. The registry updates each business day.

Each result shows the offender's registered address, a current photo, date of birth, physical description, and details on the conviction. You can also sign up for email alerts tied to a specific offender or address so you are notified of any changes.

For multi-state searches, use the National Sex Offender Public Website. This Department of Justice tool searches all state registries at once and is useful for checking prior registrations in other states before someone moves to Colonial Heights.

The Colonial Heights Police Department at 100 A Highland Avenue is a VALEPSC-accredited agency that actively monitors registered sex offenders within the city and coordinates with VSP.

Colonial Heights Police Department

The Colonial Heights Police Department is at 100 A Highland Avenue (or 100 Taylor Street depending on the reference), Colonial Heights, VA 23834. The main phone is (804) 520-9300. Chief William Anspach leads the department, which has an authorized strength of 53 sworn officers. The department holds VALEPSC accreditation and was re-accredited in 2017, 2021, and May 2025.

The department's Criminal Investigations Unit handles rape, robbery, homicide, burglary, sex offenses, and missing persons. Detectives are trained in complex investigations, child sexual abuse, and human trafficking. The Operations Division provides 24/7 police protection across four squads working 12-hour shifts. The department coordinates with Petersburg Police and Prince George County on cases that cross jurisdictional lines.

For records requests, call option 1 on the main line. For police dispatch, press option 7. Animal Control is at option 3. Fax is (804) 520-9226. To report a suspected registry violation in Colonial Heights, contact the department directly or reach VSP at (804) 674-2825.

City of Colonial Heights government services and public safety information are available at colonialheightsva.gov, including department contacts and the police organizational chart.

Registration Tiers and Compliance

Virginia's registration framework is governed by Virginia Code Title 9.1, Chapter 9. Three tiers are assigned based on the nature of the offense. Tier I requires annual verification for 15 years. Tier II requires annual verification for 25 years. Tier III requires quarterly in-person verification for life.

Every offender must register within three days of sentencing or release from incarceration. Address changes must be reported within three days. Internet identifier changes, including new email addresses or social media handles, must be reported within 30 minutes. These rules apply without exception to all offenders in Colonial Heights.

Failure to register or update is a Class 1 misdemeanor for Tier I and II offenders. For Tier III, the same violation is a Class 6 felony. Residency restrictions apply statewide, including in Colonial Heights. Offenders may not live or work within 500 feet of schools, daycares, or parks.

Note: Tier II offenders can petition for removal after their 25-year period, but Tier III offenders have no option for removal under current Virginia law.

State Resources for Colonial Heights Residents

The Virginia State Police Sex Offender Registry unit at (804) 674-2825 handles reports of suspected non-compliance. Email goes to sor.vsp@vsp.virginia.gov. VSP conducts periodic address verification for all registered offenders, including those in Colonial Heights.

The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services oversees community notification programs and statewide policy for sex offender enforcement. DCJS resources are available to Colonial Heights residents who want to understand how the notification system works in their area.

Colonial Heights Court System

Colonial Heights has its own Circuit Court that handles felony sex offense cases arising within city limits. For court records and contact information, you can reach the court system through the Virginia Case Information System online or call the court clerk's office directly. Felony convictions for qualifying offenses trigger mandatory registration with the Virginia State Police registry.

The Circuit Court also handles protective orders and removal petitions filed by Tier I and II offenders after their registration period ends. Tier III offenders cannot petition for removal. Copy fees for court records are $0.50 per page and $2.00 for certified copies. Photo ID is required for in-person records requests.

The Colonial Heights General District Court handles misdemeanor cases and preliminary hearings. If a registry violation occurs in Colonial Heights, any resulting criminal charges are prosecuted through the city court system. For court-related questions, contact the Colonial Heights circuit court clerk or call (804) 520-9300 through the police department for routing assistance.

Compliance Monitoring in Colonial Heights

Registry enforcement in Colonial Heights involves the Police Department, the local court system, and the Virginia State Police. VSP conducts statewide periodic address verification, and local officers monitor registered addresses within the city. The Colonial Heights Police Department's Criminal Investigations Unit works closely with VSP on any non-compliance cases that arise.

Colonial Heights is a smaller city with a relatively compact area, which helps the police maintain close familiarity with registered offenders in the community. When an offender is found to be out of compliance, local police and VSP coordinate the follow-up. Community members who notice suspected violations can call the police at (804) 520-9300 or reach VSP at (804) 674-2825.

Residency restrictions prohibit offenders from living within 500 feet of schools, daycares, and parks throughout Virginia. These restrictions are enforced in Colonial Heights. Violations of residency rules are treated as separate offenses and can result in new criminal charges on top of the original registration failure.

County Information

Colonial Heights is an independent Virginia city that borders Prince George County to the south and east. For registry information covering the surrounding region, see Prince George County. The Prince George County Sheriff's Office and Colonial Heights Police coordinate on cases that cross the city boundary.

Nearby Virginia Cities

Other Central Virginia cities with sex offender registry information are listed below.

Registry Use and Public Safety

Virginia law makes sex offender registry information available to the public to help protect communities. You can use the registry to check if an offender lives near your home, school, or workplace. The National Sex Offender Public Website at nsopw.gov also lets you search across all states at once. This is useful when checking on someone who may have moved to Virginia from out of state. The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services at dcjs.virginia.gov has more information about the registry program and community safety resources available to local agencies.

Note: Registry information is for public safety purposes only. Using it to harass or intimidate an offender is prohibited under Virginia law and can result in criminal charges.