Botetourt County Court Records
Botetourt County court records are maintained by the Clerk of Circuit Court at the courthouse in Fincastle, Virginia. You can search court cases online through the Virginia statewide case lookup system or go in person to the Clerk's office to pull files and get copies. Botetourt County is part of the 25th Judicial Circuit. Civil and criminal case records, land documents, probate files, and marriage licenses are all held at the clerk's office and open to the public under Virginia law.
Botetourt County Overview
Botetourt County Circuit Court Clerk
The Clerk of Circuit Court is the official record keeper for Botetourt County. The office maintains civil and criminal case files, land records, wills, probate documents, and marriage licenses. Staff at the front counter can help you find a case, pull a file, and process copy requests. The office is open to the public Monday through Friday.
The current Clerk of Court is Hon. Tommy L. Moore. The courthouse is located on Main Street in Fincastle. Mail can be sent to P.O. Box 219, Fincastle, VA 24090. The phone number is (540) 473-8274 and the fax is (540) 473-8209. Office hours are 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. If you're unsure whether the record you need is held by the circuit court or the district court, calling ahead can save you a trip.
| Office | Botetourt County Clerk of Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| Address | P.O. Box 219, Courthouse, Main Street, Fincastle, VA 24090 |
| Phone | (540) 473-8274 |
| Fax | (540) 473-8209 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Clerk | Hon. Tommy L. Moore |
| Website | vacourts.gov - Botetourt Circuit Court |
The Botetourt Circuit Court page on vacourts.gov provides current contact details and links to the online case search system for this county.
This screenshot shows the Botetourt Circuit Court page on the Virginia courts website, where you can find clerk contact information and access case search links.
Searching Botetourt County Court Records Online
The main online tool for Botetourt County circuit court records is the Circuit Court Case Information System. Select "Botetourt County Circuit" from the dropdown and search by name, case number, or hearing date. The system pulls real-time data directly from the clerk's office. You can view party names, docket entries, motions, orders, and final dispositions. No account or fee is required.
For General District Court matters in Botetourt County, including traffic violations, misdemeanors, and small civil claims, use the General District Court Online Case Information system. You can also visit the Botetourt General District Court page on vacourts.gov for contact details and session information. Both search tools are free to use.
In-person access at the clerk's office in Fincastle gives you the full paper record, including older case files and land documents that may not be fully indexed online. Staff can run a name search if you don't have a case number.
This screenshot shows a court records resource page for Botetourt County, listing available online search tools and links to official court portals.
Botetourt County General District Court
The Botetourt County General District Court is part of the 25th Judicial District. It handles traffic violations, misdemeanor criminal cases, civil claims up to $25,000, and preliminary hearings for felonies. Small claims disputes up to $5,000 can also be filed here. The court operates out of Fincastle at the same courthouse as the Circuit Court.
Case records from the General District Court are searchable through the GDC Online Case Information portal. Visit the Botetourt General District Court page for contact information and court schedules. Appeals from district court decisions go to the Circuit Court and must be filed within ten days of the ruling.
This screenshot shows the Botetourt General District Court page on the Virginia courts website, where you can find contact details and links for district-level case records.
Types of Court Records in Botetourt County
Botetourt County court records held at the Circuit Court Clerk's office span several case types. Civil records include lawsuits, motions, orders, judgments, divorce decrees, and custody orders. Criminal records show charges filed, warrants, indictments, plea agreements, and sentencing orders. Probate records include wills admitted to the court, estate inventories, and administration orders. Land records kept by the clerk include deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and easements.
Each case file contains the initial complaint or petition, all documents filed by both parties, hearing notices, orders entered by the judge, and the final disposition. The clerk's office also handles marriage licenses and other document filings that require official recording. Some records go back many years, depending on the case type.
Most Botetourt County court records are public under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, Va. Code § 2.2-3700. Sealed cases, juvenile records, and adoption files are not open without a court order. Certain financial documents submitted in civil cases may also be restricted.
Getting Copies of Botetourt Court Records
Copies of court documents from the Botetourt County Clerk's office cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies carry an additional fee of $2.00 per document, which includes the deputy clerk's signature and the court seal. Triple-seal copies that carry the signatures of both the Clerk and a judge cost an extra $2.50. These fees apply to case records, land documents, and other official files maintained by the clerk.
Mail requests are accepted. Include the case number or the year the case was filed and the full names of all parties. Send a certified check or money order made payable to the Clerk of the Botetourt Circuit Court. Call (540) 473-8274 to confirm the exact fee before sending your payment. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope so the office can return your copies. In-person requests are usually handled the same day. Mail requests may take several business days to process.
Note: For older land records that predate online indexing, an in-person visit or a detailed written request is the most effective approach.
Public Records Access and FOIA in Botetourt County
Virginia's Freedom of Information Act, at Va. Code § 2.2-3700, gives citizens the right to inspect and copy public records. Court records in Botetourt County are covered by this law, and the Clerk is required to respond to any public records request within five business days. You do not need to give a reason for requesting records.
Exempt records include sealed cases, active criminal investigation materials, juvenile court files, adoption records, and certain mental health documents. Virginia's FOIA law applies to state residents and qualifying media. More information about the law and how to submit a request is available at nfoic.org/virginia-foia-laws.
Legal Resources in Botetourt County
If you need help finding records or working through a court matter in Botetourt County, free resources are available. The Virginia Courts Self-Help website has guides on how to find a case, file in small claims court, and respond to a civil lawsuit. The site also explains what different types of court documents contain and how to request copies.
The Virginia State Bar offers a lawyer referral service for those who need legal help. Legal aid organizations serving the Roanoke Valley and surrounding areas may assist low-income residents with civil legal matters at little or no cost. Contact your nearest legal aid office to ask about services and eligibility.
Nearby Counties
Botetourt County is located in the Roanoke Valley region of Virginia and borders several neighboring counties.