Botetourt County Civil Court Records

Botetourt County civil court records are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk in Fincastle, Virginia, as part of the 25th Judicial Circuit. The clerk's office holds civil case filings, judgments, land records dating from 1770, and other official documents for the county. You can search Botetourt civil court records through the statewide CJISWeb system online or visit the clerk's office at the Fincastle courthouse. This page explains how to find records, use search tools, and obtain copies.

Botetourt County Circuit Court Clerk

Tommy L. Moore is the Circuit Court Clerk for Botetourt County. The office is at 1 West Main Street in Fincastle and is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Call (540) 473-8274 for general questions. The fax number is (540) 473-8209. Mail can be sent to P.O. Box 219, Fincastle, VA 24090.

The Botetourt County government website at botetourtva.gov provides additional county-level information. Use the state court page at vacourts.gov as your first stop for clerk contact details and any changes to office schedules.

Search Botetourt Civil Court Records Online

The Circuit Court Case Information System (CJISWeb) is the primary online tool for Botetourt County civil court records. Select Botetourt County from the locality list and enter a party name or case number. The system returns filing dates, case type, party names, and current status. It is free, requires no account, and is available at any hour.

For civil matters handled by the general district court in Botetourt County, the GDC online system covers civil claims up to $25,000 and unlawful detainer cases. Both systems draw data directly from the Virginia Judicial System and update in real time. If a case was recently filed or recently decided, changes should appear in the system promptly.

Under Virginia Code § 17.1-208, all Botetourt County civil court records are presumed public. Walk-in access to case files at the clerk's office during business hours costs nothing. No reason is required, and you do not need to be a party to the case to inspect a public court record.

Civil Court Filings and Fees

Civil cases in Botetourt County are filed at the Fincastle courthouse. Filing fees are governed by Virginia Code § 17.1-275. The base fee for claims up to $3,000 is $100. Cases from $3,000 to $10,000 cost $200. Suits from $10,000 to $25,000 run $300. Claims over $25,000 carry a $400 base fee. Local courthouse surcharges may be added on top of state base fees.

Civil forms are available at courts.state.va.us/forms/circuit. Attorneys may use VJEFS to e-file. Self-represented parties file paper documents in person at the clerk's office during business hours.

Botetourt County has civil court records with deep historical roots. Marriage, probate, and land records date from 1770. This means some of the county's civil court history spans over 250 years. Older materials may require special handling and additional retrieval time. Contact the clerk at (540) 473-8274 before submitting a request for records from before modern case management systems were in use.

Note: Standard copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $2.00 each. Send mail requests with case information and payment to P.O. Box 219, Fincastle, VA 24090.

Cities Near Botetourt County

The cities of Roanoke and Salem are independent cities in the adjacent 23rd Judicial Circuit. Civil court records for those cities are held by their own circuit court clerks. See the Roanoke civil court records page and the Salem civil court records page for details specific to those jurisdictions.

Nearby Counties

Botetourt County is in the Shenandoah Valley region of western Virginia. Roanoke County borders to the south and southwest. Bedford County lies to the southeast. Alleghany County is to the west and northwest. Craig County borders to the west. Rockbridge County lies to the north. Each has its own circuit court clerk managing civil court records.