FAQ
In this section we will be covering:
HOW DO I OBTAIN A CONCEALED HANDGUN PERMIT?
HOW DO I OBTAIN AN EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION?
EMPLOYER REQUIRED FINGERPRINTING
INTRODUCTION TO CITIZEN CONNECT
REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION (FOIA)
RAPPAHANNOCK-SHENANDOAH-WARREN (RSW) REGIONAL JAIL
CALLING 911
When calling 911, please try to stay calm. We understand that you are calling because something bad has happened, but staying calm allows the dispatcher to hear you and understand you better. The dispatcher will ask you a series of questions to include ‘What is your name?’, ‘Where is this occurring?’, and ‘What is a call back number for you’. Other questions will be specific to the situation you are calling about.
Dispatchers are trained to ask questions related to the incident they are sending first responders to. They have not delayed sending you help by asking these questions, but these questions help ensure that they have sent the correct assistance, and level of assistance to you or your loved ones.
EVICTION PROCEDURES
Eviction is the process by which a landlord obtains possession of the rental property by entering a lawsuit against the tenant(s) and receiving judgment from the court directing the tenant(s) to leave the property and pay back any rent, damage claims and costs of the court process. Following are the steps a landlord must take in the eviction process. Click to download this information as well as sample 5 and 30 Day Notice forms.
Step 1: Notice to Tenant(s)
(Referred to herein as “Tenant” whether singular or plural)
5‑day letter (Nonpayment Notice) for money-related issues. This notice is used for failure to pay rent. The landlord gives the tenant written notice that rent must be paid within fourteen days of service date or tenant must vacate the premises. Tenant has 5 days after receipt of notice to respond.
OR
Material Noncompliance Notice for failure to follow the terms of the lease or failure to follow the terms of the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (VRLTA). Code of Virginia §§55.1–1200 to 55.1–1262. With this type of notice the landlord gives the tenant written notice to vacate the premises within 30 days of service.
If a landlord requests Sheriff’s Service for Notice to Tenant, the notice must include:
The name of the individual(s) to be served and the address of the rental property. The original notice for return to landlord, plus a copy for each individual being served. Self-addressed, stamped envelope to send back landlord’s proof of service. A $12.00 service fee for each individual being served.
Step 2: Summons for Unlawful Detainer
VA Code § 8.01–126
- If the tenant does not comply with the notice, the landlord brings proof of the notice to the General District Court to obtain a Summons for Unlawful Detainer, which is a civil claim for eviction.
- The court issues a Summons for Unlawful Detainer and assigns a date when the landlord and tenant have an opportunity to appear.
- If the Judge rules in favor of the landlord (Plaintiff), the tenant (Defendant) is granted a 10-day appeal period.
Step 3: Writ of Eviction in Unlawful Detainer Proceedings
VA Code § 8.01–471, 8.01–470, 8.01–472
- After the 10-day appeal period, the plaintiff files a Request for Writ of Eviction in Unlawful Detainer Proceedings with the clerk of the General District Court.
- The court sends the Writ of Eviction for the plaintiff to the Sheriff’s Office.
- The Sheriff’s Office has 30 days from the court’s signing to execute the document. The Sheriff’s Office contacts the plaintiff with the scheduled date and time of the eviction.
- The defendant is given a minimum of 72 hours’ notice prior to the scheduled eviction.
Step 4: Eviction
There are two types of Eviction:
- Full Eviction – The defendant’s property, in its entirety, is placed on the nearest public right of way. The plaintiff must provide a locksmith and enough adults deemed necessary by the Sheriff’s Office to execute the eviction. The Sheriff’s Office is responsible for protecting the interests of both parties. Depending on the particular circumstances, the Sheriff’s Office may require the plaintiff to provide a moving truck, boxes and bags, and/or special equipment. In cases of inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances, the Sheriff’s Office reserves the right to postpone the eviction to the next available date.
OR - 24-Hour Lock Change Eviction – This is the most commonly used eviction because it is far less costly than a Full Eviction. Possession of the dwelling is granted to the plaintiff within 24 hours after the scheduled eviction date and time. On eviction day, the plaintiff must provide a locksmith to change all of the locks on exterior entrances to the dwelling. The dwelling becomes a storage facility for the defendant’s property for the next 24 hours. The plaintiff must grant the defendant reasonable access to remove his or her property during that 24 hour period. The defendant cannot stay in the dwelling overnight. At the end of the 24 hour period, any property left in the dwelling goes into the possession of the plaintiff who must sell or destroy it. If the defendant remains on the property or returns to the property after the 24 hour period expires, the defendant is trespassing.
For more information about filling fees at the Warren County General District Court please contact them at 540–635-2335.
All eviction information is subject to change. The Warren County Sheriff’s Office will follow the guidelines from local, state, and federal orders. These orders may include but not limited to the President of the United States, Governor of Virginia, and/or any judge (Federal or Virginia). We will also follow the guidance of the Commonwealth Attorney.
HOW DO I HANDLE BEARS?
Have a friendly neighborhood bear problem? We know part of the benefit of living in an environment so close to a nature reserve such as the Shenandoah National Park is the beautiful wildlife, but for both your safety and your furry neighbors, Be Bear Aware!

Don’t feed the bears!
By taking away food sources like trash cans left out or unsecured, bird feeders or even your pets food, you minimize the appeal for a bear to near your home. Feeding of bears is a violation of law, see Code of Virginia sections 4VAC15-40–286 and 4VAC5-30–422.
Please take a moment to review the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (formerly known as Virginia Game Warden or Virginia Game and Inland Fisheries — DGIF) policies and information. You’ll find facts and informational tips on how to deter bears near your home, how to bear-proof your trash containers and the plans and policies for bear management.
HOW DO I OBTAIN A CONCEALED HANDGUN PERMIT?
PROCESS FOR OBTAINING A CONCEALED HANDGUN PERMIT
The applicant must obtain and complete an Application for Concealed Handgun Permit. Applications are located at the Warren County Sheriff’s Office and at the Warren County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office or it can be downloaded here.
The applicant must be at least 21 years of age and provide documentation that he/she has demonstrated competence with a handgun.
Once the application has been completed, the application along with payment to the Warren County Circuit Court may be submitted by mail or in person to the Warren County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office, 1 E. Main Street, Front Royal, VA 22630. If you have any questions please direct them to the Warren County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office, (540) 635‑4107.
A background check will then be performed by the Warren County Sheriff’s Office and information obtained from the background check is forwarded to the Warren County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office.
The application will then be reviewed by the Circuit Court Judge. The Judge will make a decision to approve or deny the permit.
Once the process has been completed, the applicant will be contacted by the Warren County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office. For more information visit the Virginia State Police website.
HOW DO I OBTAIN AN EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION?
To view a list of current open positions, visit the Warren County Government Employment Opportunities Page. Please make sure that you are looking at the Sheriff’s Office positions and not all County positions. Applicants for Communications must be 18 years of age and have a high school diploma and valid driver’s license. Applicants for Deputy positions must be 21 years of age and have a minimum of a high school diploma and a valid driver’s license.
To apply to the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, please complete and notarize our Employment Application Packet and return
Warren County Sheriff’s Office
Attn: Administrative Services Manager
200 Skyline Vista Drive
Front Royal, VA 22630
We do not accept applications by email. Our packet requires your signature and the signature of a notary for the release, and we must have the original signature. Also, it is important that you provide the documentation outlined in the instructions which include your diploma or transcript of your grades, a DD 214 if you are or have been in the military and any certificates you may have.
If you click on the application and it allows you to “submit” online you are not using the correct application. There is a different application for the County than there is for the Sheriff’s Office. Please make sure you are using the correct application. If you have any questions or need assistance you can pick up the application in person at the Warren County Sheriff’s Office or you can call 540–635-7243.
EMPLOYER REQUIRED FINGERPRINTING
The Warren County Sheriff’s Office provides fingerprinting services Monday through Friday from 8:30 am – 3:30 pm excluding holidays. Fingerprinting is done at the old Warren County Jail at 8 East Jackson Street. The entrance is located at the rear of the Courthouse. A government issued photo ID is required to obtain prints. There is no charge for the fingerprinting service.
For any additional assistance please contact Warren County Court Hold at 540–635-3100.
BURN LAWS AND INFORMATION

Spring Wildfire Season begins February 15th each year and continues through April 30th.
As a safety precaution, open air burning is restricted to only the hours of 4pm-12 midnight. Once wildfire season concludes, open air burning is no longer restricted and you may burn at any time (unless otherwise posted). For more information on what you are allowed to burn, please visit http://www.dof.virginia.gov/
Please contact the Warren County Sheriff’s Office prior to starting your burn and with any further questions.
SCAMS
Do not provide your personal information to a stranger over the phone or internet. Contact this office, at 540–635-4128, opt 0, if you believe you are the victim or target of a scam.
There are currently several scams in circulation throughout the area. The most popular scams tend to focus on jobs, government imposters, puppies, cryptocurrency, fake checks, and sweepstakes/lottery/prizes. If immediate action needs to be taken, there is a profound since of urgency, or a request for money to be transferred to a gift card or cryptocurrency, it is probably a scam.
The following links allow for the search and/or reporting of scams, as well as obtaining a scam risk report:
Scam Tracker — https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker
BBB scam risk report — https://bbbfoundation.images.worldnow.com/library/8923baa8-e503-45c9-9f2c-c57995ed4a2e.pdf
BBB Spotting a scam — https://www.bbb.org/all/spot-a-scam
Federal Trade Commission — https://consumer.ftc.gov/
INTRODUCTION TO CITIZEN CONNECT
Welcome to Citizen Connect! Citizen Connect is the place to go when you are looking for information regarding incidents, accidents, missing and wanted persons, and more. Please be aware that some information is redacted or has not been made available to the public.
Information is updated every 24 hrs. This does not mean that your incident or accident will be available that quickly. There is a process that all reports must go through before they are able to be loaded to Citizen Connect.
To find a copy of a crash report, please go to the section labeled Accident Search. For an incident report, please go to the section labeled incident search.
For the Daily Reports function, please go to the section labeled Daily Report. Daily Report is an option to view all reported activity over the previous 5 days. You can see Incidents, arrests, Missing Persons, and accidents.
REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION (FOIA)
When making a request for records from the Warren County Sherriff’s Office the following applies:
• You may request records by U.S. Mail, fax, e‑mail, in person, or over the phone. FOIA does not require your request to be in writing, and you do not need to use the term FOIA. However, it is helpful to have the request in writing. This provides a clear understanding of the requested records so there is no misunderstanding.
• Your request must identify the records with “reasonable specificity”. The more specific the request the better. If there is a question regarding your request, we will contact you for clarification.
• Your request must be for existing records or documents. FOIA gives the requestor the right to inspect or copy records. We are not required to create a record that does not exist.
• The Warren County Sheriff’s Office can charge a reasonable fee for the actual cost to provide the requested records. You may request an estimate for the cost.
• The Warren County Sheriff’s Office has 5 business days to respond to your request after it has been received by the FOIA Officer. The 5 business days do not include weekends or holidays.
• All requests are reviewed on an individual basis and are not released at the time of the request.
• You may choose to receive the requested records by the following means: pick-up, mail, email, or fax.
Requests can be made through one of the following:
FOIA@warrencountysheriff.org;
phone (540) 636‑5914 or (540) 635‑2074; fax (540) 622‑6819
Communications Officers, phone (540) 635‑4128, option 0
Mail:
Warren County Sheriff’s Office
Attn: FOIA Officer
200 Skyline Vista Drive
Front Royal, VA 22630
Link to Freedom of Information Act Request Packet
Link to Rights & Responsibilities (currently part of the FOIA request link pages 3–8)
Link to FOIA Public Comment Form
ACCIDENT / INCIDENT REPORTS
Accident reports can be requested through the Warren County Sheriff’s Office or can be accessed using Citizen Connect or CrashDocs.
For a CrashDocs report, please go to http://www.crashdocs.org/ to get your report.
Accident reports are not immediately available on CrashDocs. To utilize CrashDocs, you will need to know the accident date, report number and last name of the driver.
Accident reports are only released upon supervisor approval.

BACKGROUND CHECKS
The Warren County Sheriff’s Office does not complete background checks or criminal history checks for the public.
We can complete an in-house, local background check for other law enforcement and government entities with a signed release.
Citizens may request a background check (criminal history) check through Virginia State Police. You can visit Civil and Applicant Records Exchange (CARE) — Virginia State Police for more information on obtaining a background check through VSP.
Why doesn’t the Sheriff’s Office allow comments on Facebook? Facebook is a social media outlet that allows the sharing of information from the Sheriff’s Office to the public. However, frequently people will send in tips, complaints, comments, information, etc. requesting law enforcement response. To prevent these comments, tips, information, etc. from being overlooked or lost we have decided it is in the best interest of the public and community we serve to turn the comment portion off.
Why can’t you send a Facebook Message to the Sheriff’s Office? Again, people were using messenger instead of calling 911 or utilizing the tip line. Facebook cannot be monitored 24/7 by a Deputy and to continue to bring the best possible response to our community we had to turn off the messenger ability. Additionally, most of our comments, tips, complaints, etc. did not relate to our office, but to multiple Warren County Sheriff’s Office’s up and down the east coast.
RAPPAHANNOCK-SHENANDOAH-WARREN (RSW) REGIONAL JAIL
The Warren County Sheriff’s Office does not have their own jail. All our inmates are housed at the Rappahannock-Shenandoah-Warren (RSW) Regional Jail. RSW is its own entity and therefore the Warren County Sheriff’s Office has no authority over the facility. To file a complaint on RSW or its staff, please contact one of the numbers below:
Main Number
(540) 622‑6097 or
(540) 622‑8678
Inmate Accounts
(540) 622‑5015
Administration Fax
(540) 622‑2846
Booking
(540) 622‑8620 or
(540) 622‑8683
Booking Fax
(540) 636‑3342
Records Department
(540) 622‑5024
Records Fax
(540) 631‑0704
Medical Department
(540) 622‑5038
Medical Fax
(540) 636‑3358
Community Custody
(540) 622‑5032
Community Custody Fax
(540) 631‑0933
INMATE LOOKUP
The Warren County Sheriff’s Office does not have their own jail. All our inmates are housed at the Rappahannock-Shenandoah-Warren (RSW) Regional Jail. For more information on the Regional Jail please see the Rappahannock-Shenandoah-Warren Regional Jail Section below.
To see the status of or to look up inmates of RSW Regional Jail you may go to RSW Regional Jail — RSW Inmate Locator.
MAGISTRATE
What is a Magistrate?
Many of the day-to-day functions of the criminal justice system involve a magistrate. A magistrate is a judicial officer appointed by the Commonwealth of Virginia to provide an extra check and balance in our justice system before a case goes to court.
Magistrates are involved in issuing many different legal processes, including but not limited to arrest warrants, search warrants, Protective Orders (also commonly known as “restraining orders”), Emergency Custody Orders and Temporary Detention Orders (both of which are used in mental health and medical situations).
Warren County is located in the 4th Region of Virginia’s 26th Magisterial District along with Rockingham, Page, Shenandoah, Clarke, and Frederick Counties, and the Cities of Harrisonburg and Winchester.
How is a Magistrate Useful to a Citizen?
While a magistrate’s daily interactions consist of mostly law enforcement and regional jail officers, private citizens can also use the magistrate for a variety of reasons, mainly the following:
- To issue a warrant for the arrest of another person
- This is common in situations where a law enforcement officer is not present at the time of the offense. For example, if your neighbor has trespassed on your property but left before law enforcement can arrive on scene, you can still have them charged criminally by going before the magistrate and swearing under oath to the facts at hand.
- To issue an Emergency Protective Order
- If someone has made you fearful of death or great bodily harm, one of the ways you can protect yourself from that person is by obtaining a protective order against them. A magistrate can issue an Emergency Protective Order (EPO), which is valid for 72 hours, in emergency situations or outside the normal business hours of the courthouse.
- To issue an Emergency Custody Order
- An Emergency Custody Order (ECO) is an order issued by a magistrate that allows law enforcement to take custody of an individual who is a danger to themselves or someone else due to a mental illness. If, for example, you have a family member who is experiencing suicidal thoughts but refuses to get help, an ECO can be issued by a magistrate allowing the Sheriff’s Office to take them to the hospital and receive treatment.
MENTAL HEALTH ORDERS
Law enforcement have a very specific involvement when it comes to individuals suffering from the effects of a mental illness. Aside from attempting to de-escalate or negotiate with a person in crisis, law enforcement officers are called upon to execute Emergency Custody Orders and Temporary Detention Orders.
Emergency Custody Orders
Pursuant to Virginia Code §37.2–808, an Emergency Custody Order can be issued when an individual:
(i) has a mental illness and that there exists a substantial likelihood that, as a result of mental illness, the person will, in the near future,
(a) cause serious physical harm to himself or others as evidenced by recent behavior causing, attempting, or threatening harm and other relevant information, if any, or
(b) suffer serious harm due to his lack of capacity to protect himself from harm or to provide for his basic human needs,
(ii) is in need of hospitalization or treatment, and
(iii) is unwilling to volunteer or incapable of volunteering for hospitalization or treatment.
An Emergency Custody Order directs law enforcement officers to take that person into custody and transport them to a location where they can be evaluated by mental health professionals to assess the need for hospitalization or treatment. The duration of an Emergency Custody Order is eight (8) hours.
What Happens After the 8 Hour Mark?
Once eight hours have elapsed, the mental health professionals conducting the assessment will have reached a conclusion about whether or not additional hospitalization and/or treatment are needed. The two most likely outcomes are: the patient is released from the hospital with a Safety Plan and referred to additional resources that can help them, or more treatment is necessary. If more treatment is necessary and the patient refuses to voluntarily undertake the treatment, a Temporary Detention Order (TDO) can be issued. A Temporary Detention Order is an extension of an Emergency Custody Order, and it can last up to 72 hours before there is a court hearing to determine if additional care is necessary. Throughout this time, the patient remains in the custody and care of a mental health facility specifically designated for these situations.
How Does All This Happen?
The Code of Virginia allows for a law enforcement officer to take a person into custody on an officer-initiated (also referred to as “paperless”) Emergency Custody Order. This exists for situations where a clear and present danger exists that requires a person to be taken into custody and receive treatment immediately – in the event of an attempted suicide, for example.
If you have a friend, acquaintance, or family member who is exhibiting the symptoms described above (a danger to themselves, a danger to others, or incapable of caring for themselves due to mental illness and unwilling/unable to voluntarily receive treatment), you can obtain an Emergency Custody Order for them from the magistrate – see the section on Accessing the Magistrate on our website for more information.
If you have any questions at all about whether an Emergency Custody Order would be appropriate in a specific situation, please don’t hesitate to call our Office at (540) 645‑4128 to speak to a Deputy on duty.
PROTECTIVE ORDERS
Protective Orders aim to keep aggressors away from their victims or would be victims. There are three levels of Protective Orders:
Emergency Protective Orders (EPO) are only good for 72 hours from the time of issuance. EPO’s are issued by the Magistrate.
Preliminary Protective Order (PPO) is good until the issuance of an Order of Protection or denial or Denial of Protective Order. PPO’s can be obtained through Juvenile and Domestic Relations or General District Court depending on the circumstances.
Order of Protection (OOP) is generally good for 2 years unless otherwise indicated by the issuing judge. An Order of Protection-Child Order is good until the 18th birthday of the protected juvenile.
A Protective Order can be denied (Denial Protective Order) for several reasons or dismissed (Dismissal Protective Orders) by order of the court with no exceptions.
To obtain an Emergency Protective Order you will need to go before the Magistrate or to obtain a Preliminary Protective Order you will need to go to the courthouse.
WHAT IS A THREAT?
Here is a link to the Code of Virginia on the definition of a threat against a person and the requirements to break that law. Link
NO TRESPASSING
How to trespass someone from your property?
Option 1 – The property that you are requesting someone not enter upon can be properly posted. This means posting a sign, giving notice to any person not to trespass upon your property. This method is a blanket trespass and not specific to a specific person. This sign must be posted in a conspicuous place so that the sign can be easily seen by all. If you have a large area of property, multiple signs may be needed.
Option 2 – You may send someone a notice of no trespassing through the mail. This notice must include at a minimum; the date issued, who is being trespassed, the address of the property you are requesting they not trespass upon, that you are requesting them not to enter upon or trespass on this property, and who the no trespass notice is from. To ensure the intended recipient receives this notice and to prove service, this no trespass notice should be mailed certified through the Post Office, signature upon delivery. You should also keep a duplicate copy of the notice sent for your records and keep the certified signature receipt with to no trespass notice.
Sample – No Trespassing Notice
CHILD CUSTODY
If custody has not been established: You will need to schedule an intake appointment with the Court Service Unit at 540–636-4189 between the hours of 8:00 A.M – 4:30 P.M. The Court Service Unit is located at 1 E. Main St, Front Royal, VA 22630.
Once a court order of custody and visitation is entered, the custody and visitation arrangement CANNOT be changed without further order from the court. Any party may seek enforcement of the court order if another party fails to follow the court order.
Violation of a Child Custody Order: A Child Custody and Visitation Order is a Civil matter unless a crime has occurred in accordance with the Code of Virginia 18.2–49.1.