July 24, 2026
VLRS Waives Fees for Record Sealing Referrals Through June 2027
Virginians seeking legal guidance on record sealing can now access the Virginia Lawyer Referral Service (VLRS) without paying the program's standard $35 administrative fee. The fee waiver, available through June 30, 2027, is intended to make it easier for individuals to obtain legal advice about record sealing under Virginia's new law.
The VLRS connects the public with licensed Virginia attorneys for a 30-minute consultation and, if agreed by the referred lawyer and client, paid legal representation across a wide range of legal matters. While the referral service typically charges a $35 fee to arrange an attorney consultation, that fee has been eliminated for record sealing inquiries during the waiver period.
To prepare for increased demand, VLRS is actively recruiting attorneys to accept record sealing referrals. The VLRS is also waiving the 10 percent remittance fee — the portion of net fees VLRS attorneys are typically required to remit back to the service — for any record sealing matters referred to panelists through June 30, 2027. Because the panel is still expanding, some individuals may not be able to obtain a referral immediately. Those who are unsuccessful on their first referral request are encouraged to contact the service again at a later date as additional attorneys join the referral panel.
Low-income Virginians who need assistance with petition-based record sealing cases but cannot afford attorney fees may qualify for free legal help through their local legal aid program. Individuals can call the statewide legal aid line at (866) 534-5243 to connect with their local program and determine their eligibility.
Income-qualified Virginians can also receive free legal advice through the Virginia Free Legal Answers pro bono portal. Additional information about legal assistance programs and links to legal aid providers are available on the Virginia State Bar's Legal Help webpage. If you’re interested in providing record sealing legal assistance to Virginians in need, join the VLRS program by emailing [email protected] for more information.