Botetourt County Arrest, Court, and Public Records

The Virginia Freedom of Information Act defines Botetourt County public records information that details activities pertaining to official government functions or its citizenry, which is accessible to members of the public. Most records are public if created, collected, received, or maintained under the law or in connection with the performance of government business. Interested persons can obtain Botetourt County public records regardless of physical form or characteristics. These records may be handwritten documents, photocopies, photographs, maps, video and audio recordings, and computer files. However, some records are not open to public access. Examples of exempted records include the following:

Proprietary information
Trade secrets and other commercial information provided by a private business to a government body under a promise of confidentiality
Written advice of legal counsel and information protected by the provisions of attorney-client privilege
Any test or examination material, including scoring keys used to administer tests or exams for licensing, certification, or educational purposes. This includes any additional material which may jeopardize the security and fairness of the test

In addition to government agencies, county public records can also be obtained from third-party websites. These non-government platforms feature intuitive tools that allow for expansive searches. Record seekers may either opt to use these tools to search for a specific record or multiple records. Users can search third-party websites remotely for multiple records at a time with just the name of the record subject and their last known location including the city, county, or state. Third-party sites are not sponsored by government agencies. Because of this record availability and results may vary.

Botetourt County Crime Statistics

The Botetourt County Sheriff's Office collects and compiles yearly crime data for the county. According to the 2020 report, Botetourt County recorded a total of 930 offenses, including 3 rapes, 23 aggravated assaults, and 229 cases of simple assault. There were also 13 burglaries, 24 vehicle thefts, 152 drug violations, 6 robberies, and 1 arson.

A comparison between 2019 and 2020 reveals reductions in rape (40%), arson (66.7%), burglary (72.3%), and drug violations (41.5%). In contrast, increases were noted in kidnapping (400%), simple assaults (3.6%), vehicle theft (26.3%), and robbery (500%). Overall, going by the offenses recorded, the county's crime rate was found to have declined by 12.3%.

Are Botetourt County Criminal Records Public?

Botetourt County criminal records are not public by default. Virginia law states that requestors seeking third-party records must obtain consent from the subjects of the records. Interested record seekers may complete the online Criminal History Records Check (SP-167) to generate a PDF copy that requires the subject's notarized signature.

Parties can also attach fingerprint cards to the form if required. Persons who need fingerprinting services may book appointments at the Botetourt Regional Jail by calling (540) 928-2314. The service costs $10.00 for the first fingerprint card and $5.00 for each subsequent card. All requests for Botetourt criminal records should be submitted to:

Virginia State Police
Civil & Applicants Records Exchange(CARE)
P.O. Box 85076
Richmond, VA 23285

Each request costs $15.00, payable by a check, certified check, or money order made out to the Virginia State Police (VSP). Requestors can also pay with credit cards by completing the provided space on the form. The VSP usually processes requests within 15 business days from the date of receipt.

How to Obtain Police Reports and Arrest Records

Botetourt County arrest records, police reports, and other public records are available at the Botetourt County Sheriff's Office. Requests for public records are possible by mail, email, fax, phone, or in person. Although optional, requestors may submit written requests containing details of the desired records. All parties should direct requests for Botetourt arrest records and police reports to the Freedom of Information Officer at:

FOIA Officer Botetourt County Sheriff's Office
205 N. Roanoke Street
P.O. Box 18
Fincastle, VA 24090
Phone: (540) 928-2235
Fax: (540) 473-2263

How to Find Sex Offender Information in Botetourt County

Botetourt County sex offender information can be obtained from the Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry operated by the Virginia State Police. Anyone can search the online form by name, zip code, city, county, and address. The details available on the registry include a physical description of the offender, their photograph, tier, registration information, and conviction details.

How to Find Botetourt County Inmate Records

The Botetourt County Sheriff's Office maintains records of all persons incarcerated in the county. Interested parties can request by completing an online contact form, calling the Botetourt County Jail at (540) 473-8202, visiting the Sheriff's Office, or submitting a mail-in request

Botetourt County Court Records

The Botetourt County court system comprises the county's Circuit Court, General District Court, and a Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court. The Circuit Court has general jurisdiction over all criminal and civil cases, while the General District Court's jurisdiction is limited to matters such as misdemeanors, traffic infractions, and ordinance violations. The Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court hears juvenile cases, some criminal matters, and domestic relations cases except for divorce. Interested persons can submit requests for Botetourt court records to the overseeing court in each case.

Locations of Courts in Botetourt County

Botetourt County Circuit Court - 25th Judicial Circuit
Botetourt County Courthouse
1 W Main St
P.O. Box 219
Fincastle, VA 24090-0219
Phone: (540) 473-8274
Fax: (540) 473-8209

Botetourt County General District Court - 25th Judicial District
20 E Back St, Suite A
P.O. Box 858
Fincastle, VA 24090-4537
Phone: (540) 473-2270
Fax: (540) 473-8344

Botetourt County Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court
20 E Back Street
P.O. Box 858
Fincastle, VA 24090
Phone: (540) 928-2280
Fax: (540) 473-1023

Are Botetourt County Court Records Public?

Under Virginia's Freedom of Information Act, most Botetourt County court records are public records and can be accessed by any member of the public. Court records that are not public records are usually exempt by state or federal law or sealed by a judge. Examples of such records include court cases involving juveniles and adoption cases involving minors. Certain law enforcement information involved in criminal cases may also be exempt from public view.

How to Obtain Botetourt County Civil Court Case Records

Botetourt County civil court records can be obtained by contacting the Clerk of the Botetourt County Circuit Court. Record seekers can visit the courthouse in person or send written requests to the courthouse by mail. Each request must provide enough details to identify and locate the desired civil court records. The information required to facilitate the record search includes:

Names of parties to the case
A case number if available
The specific type of civil case record
Location of the court case

Requestors must note that while physical inspection is free, the Clerk of Court's Office may charge request fees before providing copies. In-person and mail-in requests may be made to:

Botetourt County Courthouse
1 W Main Street
P.O. Box 219
Fincastle, VA 24090-0219

Botetourt County civil court case records are also accessible online via the Virginia Court Case Information Database. Interested persons can find records using search criteria such as names, hearing dates, and case numbers.

How to Obtain Botetourt County Criminal Court Records

Botetourt County criminal court records are obtainable from the Botetourt County Clerk of Court's Office. Each request must include relevant identifiers, such as case numbers, names of parties, criminal record type, and the date and location of the case or hearing. Record seekers can submit requests in person or by mail to the county clerk's office.

Requestors inspecting records at the courthouse may do so for free. However, persons who need physical copies may incur copy fees. The Clerk's Office may also request a deposit before providing requested copies. Criminal court case records are also searchable online on the Virginia Court Case Information Database. The requesting party can search by case numbers, names, or dates.

What are Botetourt County Vital Records?

Botetourt County vital records are government-owned records containing information regarding life events of residents in the county. Vital records in Botetourt County include birth, death, divorce, and marriage records. Interested persons can obtain vital records for Botetourt County from the Clerk of the Circuit Court or the Virginia Department of Health, Division of Vital Records. Parties should note that some Botetourt vital records are not open to public access.

Botetourt County Divorce Records

Botetourt County divorce records are accessible from the Botetourt County Clerk of the Circuit Court. However, for 25 years from the date of divorce, access is restricted to certain eligible persons such as the individuals named on the record.

Parties can obtain Botetourt County divorce records from the Clerk of Court's Office. To obtain the record of interest, the requestor will need to provide the names of the divorced parties, the case number, divorce date, and the location of the divorce hearing. Applicants should submit mail or in-person requests to the Botetourt County Circuit Court at:

Botetourt County Courthouse
1 W Main St
P.O. Box 219
Fincastle, VA 24090-0219
Phone: (540) 473-8274

Botetourt County Marriage Records

Botetourt County marriage records are restricted for 25 years, except requested by either married party or their immediate family members. Interested parties can obtain Botetourt County marriage certificates to the Clerk of Court.

Requestors will be required to provide information to facilitate the record search, including:

The names of the couple on the record, including maiden names
Date and location of marriage

Botetourt County Birth Records

Botetourt County birth records are available at the Virginia Department of Health, Division of Vital Records. Until after 100 years from the date of birth, only the following requestors are eligible to obtain Botetourt County birth certificates:

The registrant named on the record
The parents named on the record
The registrant's immediate family members (current spouse, siblings, children, and grandparents)
Legal custodian or guardian (must provide proof of custody papers)

Applicants must submit completed and signed copies of the Birth Certificate Application to the Division of Vital records in person or by mail. All parties must provide valid identification and payment along with each request. A Botetourt County birth certificate costs $12.00, payable by money orders or checks made out to the Virginia Department of Health. Interested persons may submit in-person or mail requests as follows:

In-Person Requests
Botetourt County Health Department
21 Academy Street
Fincastle, VA 24090
Phone: (540) 473-8240

Mail Requests
Office of Vital Records
P.O. Box 1000
Richmond, VA 23218-1000

Alternatively, applicants may use the Virginia Department of Health's online application to submit requests. For further details, requestors should call the Division of Vital Records at (804) 662-6200.

Botetourt County Death Records

Botetourt County death records can be obtained from the Division of Vital Records at the Virginia Department of Health. Death records in Virginia are restricted to the following persons for 25 years from the death date:

The decedent's parents
The decedent's immediate family members (current spouse, adult siblings, adult children, grandchildren)
A legal representative with documentation
Funeral service representative with documentation

Eligible persons may submit requests for Botetourt County death certificates by providing completed and signed copies of the Death Record Application. Requestors can also submit requests using the online application.

All applicants must provide valid identification with mailed requests. Each Botetourt death certificate costs $12.00 per copy, payable by check or money order made out to the Virginia Department of Health. Mail requests may require up to 8 weeks of processing time. All applicants should submit requests to the vital records office.