Roanoke County Court Records

Roanoke County sits in southwestern Virginia's Roanoke Valley, with its county seat and courthouse located in the independent City of Salem. The county's judicial system runs through three distinct courts: the Circuit Court, the General District Court, and the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court. A Magistrate's Office provides around-the-clock emergency judicial services. All three courts share a courthouse complex on East Main Street in Salem, making it the central hub for filings, case lookups, and record requests across criminal, civil, family, and estate matters.

If you're searching for court records in Virginia, several tools can help you find what you need. Clerk offices in each court maintain physical files and welcome in-person and phone inquiries. The Virginia court system also offers online tools, including the statewide Online Case Information System (OCIS) and the General District Court case information portal, which let you search criminal, traffic, and civil case data by name, case number, or hearing date. VirginiaStateCourts.us can also help you locate publicly available court records. Roanoke County additionally maintains its own Search Court Cases Online page that points users to the right search tool based on case type.

How to Look Up a Court Case in Roanoke County?

Several methods are available for finding a case filed in Roanoke County, depending on the court and the type of record you need.

Online Searches

For most users, the fastest starting point is one of Virginia's state-operated search systems:

OCIS (Online Case Information System) — Available at the Virginia Judiciary OCIS landing page, this tool covers adult criminal case information in Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts, as well as criminal and traffic data in General District Courts and participating Circuit Courts. You can search by locality, party name, or case number.
General District Court Portal — The GDC case information system lets you search civil, criminal, and traffic records for the Roanoke County General District Court. You can also calculate fees and make payments through this portal.
Secure Remote Access (SRA) — For land records and real-estate-related documents filed in the Circuit Court, Virginia offers a Secure Remote Access system. Roanoke County residents and professionals can apply through the Circuit Court Clerk's SRA application.

In-Person Searches

The Circuit Court Clerk's Office maintains a Public Records Room on the second floor of the courthouse where you can inspect case files, deed books, wills, and other recorded documents. Copies cost $0.50 per page, with an additional $2.00 per document for certification. Appointments are recommended — call (540) 387-6213 before visiting to confirm that the file you need is on-site.

Contact Information for Record Requests

Court / Office	Address	Phone	Fax
Circuit Court Clerk	305 East Main St., Salem, VA 24153-1126	(540) 387-6205	(540) 387-6145
General District Court Clerk	305 East Main St., Salem, VA 24153-0997	(540) 387-6168	(540) 387-6066
Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court	305 East Main St., Salem, VA 24153-4347	(540) 387-6160
Magistrate's Office	401 East Main St., Salem, VA 24153	(540) 387-6092

The Circuit Court Clerk, W. Michael Galliher, oversees criminal, civil, chancery, law, and estate records. The General District Court Clerk, Gretchen S. Preston, manages misdemeanor, traffic, and lower-jurisdiction civil files.

FOIA Requests

For records that aren't available through online portals or walk-in inspection, you can submit a formal request under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) through the county's JustFOIA online portal. Roanoke County's FOIA Officer can be reached at awhittaker@roanokecountyva.gov or (540) 772-2010. The county must respond within five working days.

Are Court Records Public in Roanoke County?

Most court records in Roanoke County are open to the public. The Virginia Freedom of Information Act (§ 2.2-3700 et seq. of the Code of Virginia) establishes a strong presumption that government records — including court files — are accessible for inspection and copying. The statute requires that FOIA be interpreted liberally in favor of access, and any exemption must be construed narrowly.

That said, certain records are confidential or may be withheld under Virginia law:

Sealed and expunged records — Criminal cases that have been sealed or expunged by court order are no longer accessible to the public.
Juvenile records — Files in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court are generally confidential, with limited exceptions.
Adoption records — These are sealed upon entry of the final order of adoption.
Mental health records — Proceedings related to involuntary civil commitments and emergency custody orders are restricted.
Attorney-client privilege and work product — Materials protected by § 2.2-3705.1 (2) and (3) of the Code of Virginia are exempt.
Criminal investigation files — Under § 2.2-3706, complaints, memoranda, correspondence, and evidence related to active criminal investigations may be withheld.
Personnel records — Under § 2.2-3705.1 (1), personnel records of government employees are exempt.
Vendor proprietary information — Confidential business information submitted to the county is exempt under § 2.2-3705.1 (6).

When requesting copies from the county government (rather than the courts directly), Roanoke County charges for FOIA requests as follows: $0.10 per one-sided black-and-white page, $0.16 per one-sided color page, $15.00 per USB flash drive, and $5.00 per CD/DVD. Hourly staff-time charges may also apply for extensive searches. Requests totaling $5.00 or less are waived entirely.

Roanoke County Criminal Court Records

Criminal jurisdiction in Roanoke County is divided between two courts. The Circuit Court has original jurisdiction over all felony offenses where a penitentiary sentence is possible. The General District Court handles misdemeanors, traffic violations, and local ordinance infractions, and also conducts preliminary hearings in felony cases before they move to the Circuit Court for trial.

How to Search Criminal Records

OCIS — The statewide Online Case Information System provides criminal and traffic case data for both the General District Court and the Circuit Court.
General District Court Portal — The GDC online system lets you search misdemeanor and traffic cases by defendant name, case number, or hearing date.
In-Person at the Circuit Court — Criminal case files are viewable in the Public Records Room. Call (540) 387-6213 to verify file availability before you visit.
Roanoke County Police Department — For police reports and arrest records (as opposed to court records), contact the Police Records Division at (540) 777-8605 through the Roanoke County Police Department.

Court Schedule for Criminal Matters

The General District Court hears criminal and traffic arraignments on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 8:30 a.m., with trials at 9:00, 10:00, and 11:00 a.m. Special-set criminal cases are heard on the third Friday at 9:00 a.m. A Therapeutic Docket runs on the second and fourth Fridays at 2:00 p.m.

Statewide Criminal Background Checks

For a formal Virginia criminal history record, submit a completed SP-167 form to the Virginia State Police. The total fee is $27.00 (a $13.25 processing fee plus a $13.75 cost). You can file the request by mail or in person at a Virginia State Police office.

Online Payments

The Circuit Court Clerk accepts online payments for criminal fines and court costs through the Virginia court system's payment portal. A convenience fee of $2.00 or 4% — whichever is greater — applies to credit card transactions.

Roanoke County Civil Court Records

Civil cases in Roanoke County are divided between the Circuit Court and the General District Court based on the dollar amount in dispute.

Jurisdictional Thresholds

General District Court — Exclusive jurisdiction over claims of $4,500 or less, including recovery of personal property and landlord-tenant possession cases. Concurrent jurisdiction with the Circuit Court for claims between $4,500 and $15,000.
Circuit Court — Exclusive jurisdiction over civil claims exceeding $15,000. Also handles appeals from the General District Court, which are tried entirely fresh with jury trial rights.

Searching Civil Records

Civil case information from the General District Court is available through the GDC online portal. Circuit Court civil records can be reviewed in person in the Public Records Room at the courthouse. If you can't visit in person, contact the Circuit Court Clerk's Office at (540) 387-6205 or email mgalliher@roanokecountyva.gov to ask about record availability.

Court Schedule for Civil Matters

At the General District Court, the civil docket runs on Mondays at 2:00 p.m. High-volume civil matters are heard on the first through third Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m. Contested hearings take place on the second through fourth Mondays, the first through third Wednesdays, and Thursdays — all at 2:00 p.m. Small claims cases are scheduled on the first and second Wednesdays at 3:00 p.m.

Available Court Forms

The Virginia Judicial System provides district court forms online, covering civil complaints, warrants in debt, detainer actions, and garnishments. The Virginia Access to Justice Self-Help portal also offers guided interview tools that help you generate completed forms.

Clerk's Office Hours

The General District Court Clerk's Office is open 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Civil forms, protective orders, and restricted-license applications must be filed by 3:30 p.m. All cases in the General District Court are heard by a judge without a jury — parties who want a jury trial must appeal to the Circuit Court.

Roanoke County Family Court Records

Family matters in Roanoke County are handled primarily by the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court, though divorce and adoption proceedings fall within the Circuit Court's jurisdiction.

Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court

This court has jurisdiction over nearly all family matters outside of divorce and adoption, including:

Child custody, visitation, and support
Abuse and neglect proceedings
Domestic violence protective orders
Juvenile criminal charges
Paternity determinations

The court runs a Family Violence Program for adults charged with certain domestic violence offenses. Contact the Clerk of the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court at (540) 387-6160 for case inquiries or record requests.

Juvenile and domestic-relations records are generally confidential under Virginia law. Access is typically limited to the parties themselves, their attorneys, and individuals authorized by statute or court order.

Divorce Records

Divorce proceedings are filed in the Circuit Court. The Circuit Court Clerk's Office handles all divorce petitions, name changes, and related filings. Records from finalized divorce cases can be reviewed in the Public Records Room. To obtain a copy, contact the Clerk at (540) 387-6205.

Marriage Licenses and Records

The Circuit Court Clerk's Office issues marriage licenses to any couple, including non-residents of the county. Both parties must appear in person with valid photo identification. Key details:

Fee: $30.00 (cash, check, or debit/credit card accepted)
Office hours for marriage licenses: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday (no appointment needed)
Validity: The marriage must be performed within 60 days of issuance; the license is valid anywhere in Virginia
Certified copies: $2.50 each, available from the Clerk's Office or from the Virginia Department of Health Vital Records division at (804) 662-6200

Birth and Death Certificates

Birth and death records are maintained by the Virginia Department of Health, not the courts. Certified copies cost $12.00 each and can be requested through the Roanoke Vital Records office or by calling (804) 662-6200.

Guardianship and Conservatorship

The Virginia court system maintains a dedicated Guardianship and Conservatorship portal with information on filing requirements, annual reporting, and court procedures. Guardianship matters involving minors may originate in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court, while adult guardianships and conservatorships are typically handled in Circuit Court.

Roanoke County Probate Court Records

Virginia does not have a separate probate court. In Roanoke County, all estate and probate matters fall within the jurisdiction of the Circuit Court. The Clerk of the Circuit Court also serves as the probate clerk, handling the qualification of personal representatives, admission of wills to probate, and supervision of estate administration.

Accessing Probate Records

Wills that have been probated through the Roanoke County Circuit Court are fully searchable in the Public Records Room on the courthouse's second floor. Estate files, inventories, annual accountings, and related documents are all held by the Clerk's Office. For case-specific questions, contact the Estates Division directly at (540) 387-6206.

Appointments are required for probate proceedings. The Clerk's Office schedules qualification appointments and can answer procedural questions over the phone. For questions about interpreting Virginia estate statutes, consult a licensed attorney — the Code of Virginia contains over 200 sections dealing with estate administration.

Probate Taxes and Fees

Estate qualification involves several taxes and fees due at the time of the appointment:

State probate tax: $1.00 per $1,000 and $0.10 per $100 of the estate value at the time of death
Local probate tax: 3.33 cents (one-third of $0.10) per $100 of the estate value at the time of death
Qualification (filing) fee: Based on the value of the estate
Recording fee: $16.00 for the first 10 pages of the will; $16.00 for the list of heirs; $67.00 for the Real Estate Affidavit; $16.00 for the Affidavit of Notice

What to Bring to a Probate Appointment

If the decedent died with a will, bring the following documents and information to your appointment:

The original will
A death certificate
The approximate dollar value of solely-owned assets (personal property such as stocks, bank accounts, and automobiles, plus the fair market value of any Virginia real estate that must pass through probate)
The names, ages, and addresses of all heirs-at-law
A notarized renunciation letter if the named executor declines to serve, or a death certificate if the named executor is deceased

Qualification of a personal representative is necessary whenever assets are held in the decedent's name alone. Estates that don't require full probate — such as small estates or transfers through beneficiary designations — may follow different procedures. The Clerk's Office can advise on the right approach based on the specifics of the estate.

For broader guidance, the Virginia Rules of the Supreme Court and the requesting public records page maintained by the Virginia court system outline the general framework for accessing judicial records statewide.