Henry County Court Records Search

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    Henry County sits in southern Virginia’s Piedmont region, bordered by Patrick County, Franklin County, and Pittsylvania County, with the independent city of Martinsville nestled within its boundaries. The county’s judicial operations fall under the 21st Judicial Circuit and the 21st Judicial District, both of which serve Henry County and Martinsville jointly. Three trial courts handle the county’s caseload: the Circuit Court, the General District Court, and the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court. All three are housed in the Henry County Courthouse complex at 3160 Kings Mountain Road in Martinsville.

    Court records generated by these tribunals span a broad range of proceedings — criminal prosecutions, civil lawsuits, domestic relations disputes, juvenile matters, probate of estates, and the recording of land instruments. The Circuit Court Clerk’s Office, currently led by Clerk Katherine Minter Salgado, serves as the primary custodian for permanent case files, land records, wills, and marriage licenses, with documents preserved on site dating back to the 1700s.

    Virginia’s court system provides several avenues for locating case information. The Virginia Judicial System’s online case information tools offer statewide search capability for circuit, general district, and juvenile and domestic relations courts. VirginiaStateCourts.us can also assist users in identifying publicly available court data across the Commonwealth. Beyond these digital resources, the public may visit any clerk’s office during business hours, use courthouse public-access terminals, or submit written requests for specific records.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Henry County?

    Searching for a Henry County court case can be accomplished through online databases, in-person visits to the clerk’s office, or written requests submitted by mail. The approach depends on the court that handled the case and the type of record being sought.

    Online Case Search Tools

    Virginia operates separate online systems for each level of trial court:

    In-Person Access

    All three Henry County courts share a single courthouse campus:

    CourtSuitePhoneFax
    Henry County Circuit CourtSuite B, 3160 Kings Mountain Rd., Martinsville, VA 24112(276) 634-4880(276) 634-4898
    Henry County General District CourtSuite A, 3160 Kings Mountain Rd., Martinsville, VA 24112(276) 634-4815(276) 634-4825
    Henry County JDR District CourtSuite C, 3160 Kings Mountain Rd., Martinsville, VA 24112(276) 634-4830(276) 634-4836

    The Circuit Court Clerk’s Office is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Deed recording is accepted until 4:30 p.m. The office closes on all state and local holidays. Public-access computer terminals inside the courthouse allow visitors to search case indexes at no charge. Copies of court documents can be requested at the counter; Virginia Code § 17.1-275 sets the fee at $0.50 per page or image.

    Land Records and Secure Remote Access

    Deeds, deeds of trust, liens, plats, and other recorded instruments are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk. These records can be searched remotely through Virginia’s Secure Remote Access (SRA) program, which requires an online subscription of up to $50 per month. To apply for Henry County SRA access, review the SRA Requirements and Application and subscribe through the SRA website. Electronic recording is also available through Simplifile, CSC, and ePN. The Virginia Judiciary provides a Deed Calculation tool to estimate recordation taxes and fees before filing.

    Are Court Records Public in Henry County?

    Virginia law establishes a strong presumption of public access to court records. Under Virginia Code § 17.1-208, records maintained by circuit court clerks “shall be open to inspection” during regular office hours, except where another statute provides otherwise. The Virginia Public Records Act further reinforces the public’s right to examine government records, including those generated by the courts.

    Henry County residents and the general public can inspect most case files — including civil complaints, criminal dockets, land instruments, probate filings, and court orders — by visiting the clerk’s office or using the online case information systems described above. The Virginia Judiciary maintains a dedicated page on requesting public records that outlines the procedures applicable to all state courts.

    Records That Are Not Publicly Accessible

    Certain categories of records are confidential or sealed under Virginia law:

    • Juvenile case records, which are generally closed to the public under Title 16.1 of the Code of Virginia
    • Adoption files
    • Mental health evaluation records and medical records submitted in court proceedings
    • Records containing Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, or other personally identifiable information (courts may require redaction before public release)
    • Records sealed by specific court order
    • Active financial details in certain domestic relations matters
    • Trade secrets and proprietary information designated confidential by the court

    Virginia Code Title 17.1, Chapter 2, Article 8 defines “confidential court records” for purposes of the Secure Remote Access system and sets out the framework for what may be made available electronically versus what requires in-person review. The Virginia Supreme Court’s Part Eleven rules on access to judicial records provide additional guidance on sealing procedures and the standard courts must apply before restricting access.

    Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests for Henry County government records — separate from court records — can be directed to the county FOIA officer at bmartin@henrycountyva.gov or by calling (276) 634-2573.

    Henry County Criminal Court Records

    Criminal matters in Henry County are divided between two courts based on the severity of the offense.

    Circuit Court — Hears all felony trials, misdemeanors brought by grand jury indictment, and criminal appeals from General District Court. Grand juries convene on the first day of each term. Terms begin on the third Monday of January (Tuesday after the third Monday), March, May, July, September, and November at 9:00 a.m.

    General District Court — Handles misdemeanors, traffic infractions, ordinance violations, and preliminary hearings for felony charges. The criminal and traffic docket runs Monday, Thursday, and Friday (general traffic at 9:00 a.m., scheduled cases at 10:00 a.m.), with arraignments Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday beginning at 8:30 a.m.

    Criminal case records from both courts — including charges, hearing dates, dispositions, and sentencing information — can be searched through the online systems listed in the previous section. The Circuit Court system provides access to both criminal and civil cases, while the General District Court portal covers criminal, traffic, and civil matters.

    Sheriff’s Office Records

    The Henry County Sheriff’s Office generates arrest reports, incident reports, and booking records through its law enforcement operations. The Sheriff’s Office is located at:

    Henry County Sheriff’s Office
    3300 Kings Mountain Road
    Martinsville, VA 24112
    Phone: (276) 634-4600
    Non-emergency: (276) 638-8751

    Requests for incident reports or arrest records from the Sheriff’s Office are processed through Virginia’s FOIA framework. Contact the office directly or submit a written request specifying the records sought.

    Virginia State Police Criminal History Check

    A statewide criminal history search is available from the Virginia State Police through the Criminal History Record Check process. The steps are:

    1. Generate a completed SP-167 form online and print it.
    2. Have your signature notarized in Section 1. If results should go to a third party, that person must also sign and have Section 2 notarized.
    3. Include payment of $15.00 per name search (money order, certified check, business check, or credit card).
    4. Mail the form and payment to:

    Virginia State Police — CARE
    7700 Midlothian Turnpike
    North Chesterfield, VA 23235

    Processing takes approximately 15 business days. There is no expedited or same-day service. For fingerprint-based searches (state and FBI), the combined fee is $27.00 ($13.75 VSP plus $13.25 FBI). Criminal history dissemination is governed by Virginia Code § 19.2-389. Juvenile record information is not included in standard reports, per Virginia Code § 19.2-389.1.

    Henry County Civil Court Records

    Civil litigation in Henry County is split between the Circuit Court and the General District Court based on the amount in controversy and the nature of the claim.

    Jurisdictional Breakdown

    The Circuit Court has exclusive original jurisdiction over civil claims exceeding $25,000 and may hear cases with amounts above $4,500. It also handles equity matters, appeals from lower courts, and cases involving real property disputes. The General District Court adjudicates civil claims up to $25,000, including warrants in debt, unlawful detainer (eviction) actions, and small claims. Unlawful detainer suits for commercial or agricultural rent may exceed the $25,000 threshold and still be heard in General District Court.

    General District Court Civil Schedule

    • Wednesdays at 9:00 a.m. — general civil docket
    • Warrants in debt — 9:30 a.m.
    • Unlawful detainers and warrants in detinue — 10:30 a.m.
    • Small claims — 11:30 a.m.
    • Contested civil matters — third Wednesday of each month at 9:00 a.m.

    Searching Civil Records

    Active and resolved civil cases can be looked up through the Circuit Court Case Information portal and the General District Court Online Case Information System. Both platforms allow searches by party name and case number at no charge. The Virginia Judiciary also provides a General District Court civil fee calculator for estimating filing costs.

    Filing Fees

    Virginia’s circuit court civil filing fees are calculated based on the amount of the claim. The statewide fee schedule, published as Appendix C to the Circuit Court Clerk’s Manual, outlines fees for every type of instrument and proceeding. Use the Circuit Court Civil Filing Fee Calculator for case-specific estimates.

    Property Records

    Land records, including deeds, deeds of trust, liens, easements, and plats, are recorded by the Circuit Court Clerk. Recording fees are governed by Virginia Code § 17.1-275(A)(2): $14.50 for documents of 10 pages or fewer, $28.50 for 11–30 pages, and $48.50 for 31 or more pages, plus applicable recordation taxes and a $5.00 Technology Trust Fund fee. Property assessment and tax records are separately maintained by the Henry County Commissioner of Revenue and can be searched using the county’s Real Estate lookup tool. The Commissioner’s Office is located at 3300 Kings Mountain Road, Martinsville, VA 24112, Phone: (276) 634-4690

    Henry County Family Court Records

    Family law matters in Henry County are handled by two courts depending on the nature of the proceeding.

    Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court — This court has jurisdiction over most domestic relations disputes, including child custody, visitation, child and spousal support, protective orders, cases involving family abuse, and juvenile delinquency or status offenses. The court is located in Suite C of the courthouse complex at 3160 Kings Mountain Road, Martinsville, VA 24112, and can be reached at (276) 634-4830.

    The JDR Court’s schedule, as reported by the City of Martinsville’s court page, includes:

    • Civil support matters — Tuesdays, 9:00 a.m. to noon
    • Custody, visitation, and support — Tuesdays, 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.; second, third, and fourth Fridays, 9:00 a.m. to noon

    Circuit Court — Divorce suits, annulments, adoptions, and appeals from JDR Court are heard by the Circuit Court. Divorce decrees and related orders become part of the permanent Circuit Court record.

    Confidentiality of Family and Juvenile Records

    Juvenile proceedings are generally closed to the public under Virginia Code Title 16.1, and access to JDR case files is limited to parties, their attorneys, and persons with statutory authorization. Adoption records are sealed. Domestic violence protective order filings may contain restricted personal information.

    Marriage Records

    The Circuit Court Clerk issues marriage licenses in Henry County. The clerk’s office has maintained marriage records for the county since its founding, with documents dating to the 1700s available for in-person review during office hours. Under Virginia law, marriage records are confidential for the first 25 years after the ceremony. After 25 years they become open to public inspection.

    Vital Records: Birth, Death, and Divorce Certificates

    The Circuit Court Clerk’s Office does not issue birth or death certificates. These records are maintained by the Virginia Department of Health, Office of Vital Records. The fee is $12.00 per certificate search, with no refund if the record is not found. Applications can be submitted through the online vital records system, by mail, or in person at the Office of Vital Records:

    Office of Vital Records
    8701 Park Central Drive, Suite 100
    Richmond, VA 23227
    Phone: (804) 662-6200
    Walk-in hours: Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
    Customer Care Center: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

    Under Virginia Code § 32.1-271, birth records are confidential for 100 years, death records for 25 years, and divorce records for 25 years. Before those periods expire, access is restricted to the persons named on the record, their immediate family, or their authorized legal representatives.

    Henry County Probate Court Records

    Virginia does not operate a separate probate court. Probate matters — including the admission of wills, appointment of executors and administrators, qualification of guardians and conservators, and oversight of estate administration — are handled by the Circuit Court Clerk under authority granted by the Code of Virginia.

    Services Provided by the Probate Department

    The Henry County Circuit Court Clerk’s probate department manages the following:

    • Probate of wills (testate estates) and administration of intestate estates
    • Appointment and qualification of executors and administrators
    • Qualification of testamentary trustees
    • Appointment and qualification of guardians and conservators for incapacitated adults
    • Qualification of guardians for minors’ persons or estates

    An individual has no legal authority to act as an executor, administrator, trustee, guardian, or conservator until formally appointed and qualified before the Clerk. Jurisdiction belongs to the Circuit Court of the locality where the decedent resided at the time of death.

    How to Begin the Probate Process

    1. Complete the Application for Probate Appointment (PDF).
    2. Submit the application by email to henryprobate@vacourts.gov, by U.S. Mail, or by in-person delivery to the Clerk’s Office at 3160 Kings Mountain Road, Suite B, Martinsville, VA 24112.
    3. The probate department will schedule a qualification appointment.
    4. At the appointment, the personal representative takes an oath and posts any required bond.

    For probate questions, call (276) 634-4880 and select option 4.

    Probate Fees

    Probate fees in Virginia are based on the value of the decedent’s estate. Under Virginia Code § 58.1-1712, a state probate tax of $0.10 per $100 applies to estates valued above $15,000. An additional state fee of $25.00 applies when the additional tax exceeds $25, per § 58.1-1717.1. If Henry County has adopted the local probate tax ordinance under § 58.1-1718, the local tax equals one-third of the state probate tax. Qualification fees are set by Virginia Code § 17.1-275(A)(3): $20.00 for estates up to $50,000, $25.00 for estates up to $100,000, and $30.00 for estates exceeding $100,000. Will recording and indexing fees follow the same page-based schedule as other recorded documents ($14.50 for up to 10 pages, $28.50 for 11–30 pages, $48.50 for 31+ pages), plus $3.50 designated for the Virginia State Library.

    Additional Probate Resources

    The Virginia Supreme Court publishes a Probate in Virginia brochure (PDF) answering frequently asked questions about the probate process. For guardianship and conservatorship matters, the Judiciary offers a Guardianship and Conservatorship FAQ (PDF) and a comprehensive pamphlet titled You’ve Been Appointed: Information for Virginia Guardians and Conservators (PDF). The Virginia Judiciary’s Guardianship and Conservatorship portal also provides monitoring tools and annual reporting guidance for appointed fiduciaries.

    Probate records, once filed, are generally available for public inspection at the clerk’s office. Estate inventories, accountings, and qualification orders can be reviewed in person during regular hours or, for subscribers, through the Secure Remote Access system when land-related instruments are involved. The Clerk’s staff cannot provide legal advice regarding probate matters, but the Virginia Court Self-Help website offers guidance and form libraries for self-represented individuals navigating the process.