Roanoke County Public Records
Roanoke County public records are kept by the Circuit Court Clerk and other county offices in the Roanoke Valley region of western Virginia. This page covers Roanoke County, a separate jurisdiction from the City of Roanoke. The county surrounds the independent city but has its own government, courts, and records. Court cases, land documents, property assessments, and vital records are all part of the public record here. Read on to find out which offices keep what records and how to access them in Roanoke County.
Roanoke County Overview
Note: Roanoke County and the City of Roanoke are separate jurisdictions. Roanoke County records are held at the county courthouse in Salem. The City of Roanoke has its own Circuit Court and court records system. If you are looking for records from the city, contact the Roanoke City Circuit Court.
Roanoke County Circuit Court Records
The Circuit Court Clerk for Roanoke County is located in Salem, which serves as the county seat. Salem is an independent city, so it has its own city government, but the county courthouse for Roanoke County is there. The clerk's office holds all circuit court records for the county, including civil case files, criminal case files, land records, and fiduciary documents.
Court cases for Roanoke County are searchable through the Virginia Circuit Court Case Information System. You can search by party name, case number, or hearing date. Results show case details, hearings, and dispositions. Juvenile and sealed cases are not public. The system is free to use and covers cases going back several decades.
Land records including deeds, deed of trust documents, plats, and other instruments are accessible through the Virginia Secure Remote Access system. Free index searches are available. Document images carry a per-image fee. The county's website at roanokecountyva.gov has contact information for all county offices.
| Office | Roanoke County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Courthouse Location | Salem, Virginia (county seat) |
| County Website | roanokecountyva.gov |
| Court Case Search | Virginia Circuit Court Search |
Land Records in Roanoke County
All land records for Roanoke County are recorded at the Circuit Court Clerk's office in Salem. These cover deeds, deeds of trust, releases, plats, subdivision plans, and other instruments affecting real property in the county. The clerk indexes all recorded documents and maintains the official record.
The state's online access system lets you search deed indexes for free. To view or download document images, you pay a fee per image. For high-volume users like title companies, annual subscription access may be more cost-effective. The state portal at risweb.vacourts.gov handles both the index search and document purchase functions.
Property ownership changes recorded through the clerk's office reflect actual real estate transactions. Assessed property values, on the other hand, come from the Commissioner of the Revenue. Both are useful for different purposes. A full title search requires checking both the deed records and lien indexes at the clerk's office.
The Library of Virginia holds older Roanoke County land records that predate the county's digital systems. Historical deed books and plat records from earlier periods are in their collections.
The Virginia court system provides a unified structure for all county and city courts in the state, with Roanoke County courts part of the 23rd Judicial Circuit.
The state court website lets you find local court locations, look up case information, and understand how the circuit court system works for Roanoke County and neighboring jurisdictions.
Property Assessments and Tax Records
The Commissioner of the Revenue for Roanoke County maintains real estate and personal property assessments. These records show parcel descriptions, assessed values, and ownership data. Roanoke County conducts regular reassessments of real property. The commissioner's office can tell you the current assessed value for any parcel in the county.
Tax payment records are kept by the Treasurer's Office. These show whether taxes are current or delinquent on a given parcel. Both the commissioner and treasurer offices are part of county government at roanokecountyva.gov. Assessment and tax records are public and available for inspection during normal business hours.
GIS mapping tools let you view parcel boundaries and aerial photos for properties in Roanoke County. The county's online portal may have a mapping viewer. The Virginia Geographic Information Network also hosts statewide GIS data that covers Roanoke County parcels.
Public Access and FOIA
Virginia's Freedom of Information Act applies to all Roanoke County government agencies. Under Code of Virginia § 2.2-3700, government records are presumed open unless a specific exemption applies. Under § 2.2-3704, the county must respond to a written FOIA request within five working days.
Court records and land records are already open by statute and do not require a FOIA request. For other county records, submit a written request to the relevant department. The Virginia FOIA Council has model forms and detailed guidance on how to make a proper request and what to do if the request is denied.
The Open Government Virginia project monitors FOIA compliance across Virginia counties and cities, including Roanoke County. Their resources can help you understand your rights and how to navigate the records request process if you run into trouble.
Under § 16.1-69.54:1, general district court records are also public. Roanoke County General District Court handles traffic cases, small claims, and misdemeanors. Those records can be searched through the state court online portal.
Vital Records for Roanoke County
Birth and death records for events in Roanoke County are maintained at the state level by the Virginia Department of Health Vital Records office. Certified copies require a written request and proof of identity. Records go back to 1912 for births and deaths.
Marriage licenses are issued by the Circuit Court Clerk in each county. The Roanoke County clerk's office in Salem holds marriage license records for the county. Divorce records are part of the circuit court civil case file. The state vital records office also holds divorce data going back to 1918.
Under Code of Virginia § 32.1-272, vital records are restricted to certain requesters. You must show a qualifying relationship to the person named in the record to get a certified copy. The VDH website explains who qualifies and what documents you need to submit with your request.
Cities Near Roanoke County
Roanoke County surrounds two independent cities. Both have their own governments and separate court systems but are closely tied to the county for many services.
Other communities in Roanoke County include Vinton, Cave Spring, Hollins, and Back Creek. Residents of unincorporated Roanoke County file all court cases with the Roanoke County Circuit Court in Salem.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Roanoke County in the western Virginia region. Each has its own Circuit Court and public records offices.