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Register to Vote Online in Virginia
To complete the application process online, citizens must provide their DMV customer identifier number, which appears on driver's licenses or DMV-issued identification cards. Residents who don't have either of those documents can still apply online but will be required to print and return the completed application to their local voter registrar's office.  Please click on the links below to register to vote or update or view your registration.


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Automatic Rights Restoration (Non-Violent)
New Criteria for Non-Violent Felon Restoration (effective May 29, 2013):
  • Have been convicted of a non-violent felony in a Virginia court, or convicted in a U.S. District Court, military court or a court of another state or territory
  • Have completed serving the prison sentence and been released from probation or parole; and
  • Have paid all court costs, fines to the Commonwealth and restitution to the victims, satisfied all court-ordered conditions, and have no pending felony charges.
Please click on the button below to file for automatic rights restoration:
Examples of Crimes Considered "Non-Violent" for Purposes of Automatic Restoration of Rights

**Please note this list is a guideline only. If you have specific questions about whether your felony conviction would be considered non-violent please contact the Restoration of Rights Division at 1-855-575-9177**

  • Bank Fraud
  • Breaking & Entering under VA Code 18.2-92: Sentencing Commission Code BUR2219-F6 (Unless committed with a deadly weapon)
  • Credit Card Theft/Credit Card Fraud/Credit Card Forgery
  • Driving Under the Influence or Driving While Intoxicated, 3rd or Subsequent Offense
  • Drug Possession (must not be Drug Possession with the Intent to Distribute)
  • Embezzlement
  • False Statement on Firearm Transaction Record
  • Felonious Shoplifting/Concealment/Price Altering
  • Felony Eluding Police
  • Forgery
  • Grand Larceny
  • Habitual Offender
  • Identity Theft
  • Issuing Bad Checks/Worthless Checks
  • Mail Theft/Mail Fraud
  • Obtain Money by False Pretenses
  • Perjury
  • Petit Larceny, 3rd or Subsequent Offense
  • Possession of burglary tools
  • Prescription Fraud/Obtain Drugs by Fraud
  • Statutory Burglary under VA Code 18.2-91; Sentencing Commission Code BUR2213-F9 or BUR2216-F9 (Unless committed with a deadly weapon)
  • Unlawful Possession of a Concealed Weapon
  • Uttering
  • Welfare Fraud

Restoration of Rights for those with Violent/More Serious Felonies:

In order to be eligible for restoration of rights by the Governor, an applicant who has been convicted of a violent felony must:

  • Must be a resident of Virginia, and/or have been convicted of a felony in a Virginia court, a U.S. District court or a military court
  • Be free from any sentence served or supervised probation and parole for a minimum of five years for a violent felony or drug distribution, drug manufacturing offense, any crimes against a minor, or an election law offense.
  • Have paid all court costs, fines, penalties and restitution and have no felony or misdemeanor charges pending. 
  • Not have had a DWI in the five years immediately preceding the application. 
  • Not have any misdemeanor convictions and/or pending criminal charges for five years for a violent felony or drug distribution, drug manufacturing offense,  any crimes against a minor, or an election law offense.
Examples of Crimes Considered “Violent/More Serious” which Requires a 5 Year Application for Restoration of Rights

**Please note this list is a guideline only. If you have specific questions about whether your felony conviction would be considered non-violent please contact the Restoration of Rights Division at 1-855-575-9177**

  • Accommodation Sale of a Controlled Substance
  • Arson of an Occupied Vehicle or Building
  • Breaking and Entering with Intent to commit a Felony/Larceny (with or without a deadly weapon)
  • Breaking and Entering with Intent to Commit Rape, Murder, Robbery, or Arson
  • Breaking and Entering Dwelling House with Intent to Commit other Misdemeanor (when committed with a  deadly weapon)
  • Burglary
  • Carnal Knowledge of a Minor
  • Carnal Knowledge of an Inmate by Correctional or Law Enforcement Officer
  • Child Abuse/Neglect
  • Election Fraud
  • Felonious Assault
  • Forcible Sodomy/Sodomy of a Minor
  • Drug Distribution
  • Drug Manufacturing
  • Drug Possession with the Intent to Distribute
  • Hit & Run/Leaving the Scene of an Accident with Injury
  • Maiming
  • Malicious/Unlawful Wounding
  • Manslaughter - Involuntary or Voluntary
  • Murder
  • Production, publication, sale, financing, etc., of child pornography
  • Rape
  • Robbery
  • Shooting into an Occupied Vehicle or Building
  • Statutory Burglary with Intent to Commit Murder, Rape, Robbery or Arson
  • Statutory Burglary under VA Code 18.2-91 (when committed with a deadly weapon)
You can download the 5 year application below.  On your application, be sure to provide the specific offense(s) and the exact date(s) of sentencing.  If you do not have this information, you can get it by requesting a Criminal History Record through the Virginia State Police at (804)674-2000 or online at their website, www.vsp.state.va.us.

The restoration of civil rights:

  • Does not restore the right to possess a firearm,
  • Will not expunge a criminal conviction, Virginia does not have an expungement process for felony or misdemeanor convictions.
  • Is not a pardon.
A person who has been convicted of a felony must first have his or her rights restored in order to be considered for a pardon.

To regain state firearms privileges, a convicted felon must apply to the circuit court of his or her jurisdiction of residence for a permit to possess or carry a firearm. Circuit courts may consider the restoration of firearms privileges only after civil rights are restored. (Va. Code §18.2-308.2)

Please feel free to contact the Restoration of Rights Division toll-free at 1-855-575-9177 if you have any questions and/or would like to request an application be mailed to you.