Henrico County Court Records

Court records in Henrico County, Virginia, are maintained by the clerks of the Circuit Court and General District Court and can be accessed through online tools, official court portals, and the clerk's office. HenricoCourt.us can help find publicly available court record information for Henrico County. Additional access points include the Virginia Court System's case information portal, the Circuit Court Clerk's Office, and other county and state government resources described below.

Henrico Court System Overview

Henrico County is part of Virginia's 14th Judicial Circuit. The county's court system includes the Circuit Court, the General District Court, and the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court, all housed in or near the Henrico County Courts Building. Virginia's magistrate system operates separately from the courts, providing around-the-clock services such as issuing arrest warrants, search warrants, and setting bail. The Circuit Court Clerk serves as the official court administrator for civil and criminal cases in the Circuit Court and also acts as recorder of deeds and probate judge. The General District Court handles lower-level civil, criminal, and traffic matters.

Courts Serving Henrico

Federal cases involving Henrico County residents are filed in the Eastern District of Virginia, Richmond Division. Federal court records are available through PACER.

What Types of Cases Henrico Courts Hear

Henrico's state courts handle a broad range of case types across three trial courts:

• Criminal: Felonies, misdemeanors, infractions
• Traffic: Moving violations, DUI/DWI
• Civil litigation: Contract disputes, personal injury, property disputes
• Small claims: Civil claims up to $5,000
• Family law: Divorce, custody, child support, protective orders, paternity
• Probate: Decedent estates, wills, guardianships, conservatorships
• Juvenile: Delinquency, child protective proceedings, adoptions

The sections below explain which court handles each category.

District Court Cases in Henrico

In Virginia's court structure, the Circuit Court functions as the trial court of general jurisdiction. The Criminal Division of the Henrico Circuit Court handles all felony cases, misdemeanor cases originating by grand jury action, and misdemeanor appeals from General District Court. Civil cases with amounts in controversy exceeding $4,500 (exclusive General District Court jurisdiction caps at $4,500; concurrent jurisdiction exists between $4,500 and $25,000) can be filed in Circuit Court. The Circuit Court also hears appeals from the General District Court and the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court. Cases are assigned to Circuit Court judges who sit in the 14th Judicial Circuit. Felony cases typically arrive after a preliminary hearing in General District Court, where a judge certifies the matter to the grand jury.

Magistrate Court Cases in Henrico

Virginia does not use a traditional "magistrate court" in the same way as some states. Instead, the Henrico General District Court handles misdemeanors, traffic infractions, and civil cases with claims up to $25,000. Small claims cases — civil disputes involving $5,000 or less — are also heard in General District Court under simplified procedures. Virginia magistrates operate independently of the courts; they issue arrest and search warrants, conduct bail hearings, and issue emergency protective orders around the clock. Magistrates do not preside over trials. DUI arraignments and preliminary hearings for felonies begin in General District Court before a judge. If caseload volume warrants it, multiple judges may sit simultaneously in Henrico's General District Court.

Family Law, Probate, and Juvenile Matters in Henrico

Family Law

Divorce, custody, child support, spousal support, civil protective orders, and paternity cases in Henrico are handled by the Circuit Court (for divorce and equitable distribution) and the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court (for custody, support, and protective orders). Certified copies of a Final Divorce Decree can be requested from the Circuit Court Clerk's Office. The Virginia Department of Health issues divorce verification letters for statistical purposes.

Probate

The Circuit Court Clerk serves as the probate clerk in Henrico, overseeing the administration of decedent estates, qualification of executors and administrators, and filing of wills. Guardianship and conservatorship petitions are also filed through the Clerk's Office. Call (804) 501-4249 for probate questions.

Juvenile

The Henrico Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court handles delinquency proceedings, child protective cases, and adoptions. Juvenile court records are confidential under Virginia law and are not available to the general public. Contact the court directly at (804) 501-4689 for procedural questions.

How Cases Move Through the Henrico Court System

1. Filing / Initiation: Criminal cases begin with an arrest or the issuance of a warrant through a magistrate. Civil cases start with filing a complaint or petition with the appropriate clerk's office.
2. Assignment: Cases are assigned to a judge. In Circuit Court, felony cases are presented to the grand jury for indictment.
3. Initial Hearing: Criminal defendants are arraigned; civil parties attend a scheduling or return-date hearing.
4. Pre-Trial Phase: Parties exchange discovery, file motions, and may engage in plea negotiations (criminal) or settlement discussions (civil).
5. Trial or Resolution: Cases proceed to bench or jury trial, or are resolved by plea agreement, settlement, or default judgment.
6. Post-Judgment: Criminal cases move to sentencing. Civil judgments may be enforced or appealed. Appeals from General District Court go to Circuit Court; appeals from Circuit Court go to the Court of Appeals of Virginia.

Henrico Community Corrections provides supervision and progress reports to the court for defendants placed on community-based supervision.

Court Administration, Local Rules, and Public Access in Henrico

The Henrico Circuit Court operates within the 14th Judicial Circuit. Day-to-day court administration is managed by the Circuit Court Clerk's Office and the chief judge of the circuit. The Virginia Judicial Branch website publishes statewide court rules, forms, and administrative orders that apply to Henrico's courts.

Public Access to Records

• Most court records in Virginia are open to the public. The Virginia Public Records Act and Virginia court administrative policies govern access.
• Certain records are restricted — including juvenile records, sealed cases, and adoption files.
• Copies of public records such as deeds, wills, judgments, court orders, and marriage licenses are available from the Circuit Court Clerk's Office. By law, copies cost $0.50 per page.

Attending Hearings

Court hearings in Henrico are generally open to the public. Some proceedings may be conducted remotely; check with the specific court for current policies on virtual participation.

Contact

Court Records and Related Court Resources in Henrico

• Court Case Search: The Virginia Courts Case Information portal provides online access to criminal, traffic, and civil case data for General District Courts and select Circuit Courts statewide, including Henrico.
• Land Records: The Circuit Court Clerk's land records office is open 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., Monday–Friday. Mailed copies can be purchased by calling (804) 501-4249.
• Court Forms and Self-Help: The Virginia Courts Self-Help Center offers forms, instructions, and guides for individuals handling legal matters without an attorney.
• Clerk Services: The Clerk's services page covers concealed handgun permits, copy requests, fictitious name filings, and other public filings.
• Inmate Search: The Henrico County Sheriff's Office provides an inmate information lookup. The Virginia Department of Corrections inmate locator covers state facilities, including Henrico County Jail – West and Henrico Regional Jail – East.
• Sex Offender Registry: Virginia's Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry is maintained by the Virginia State Police at sex-offender.vsp.virginia.gov.
• Arrest Reports and Crime Data: Henrico County arrest reports and public crime data are available online through the county's public data portal.
• Police Reports and FOIA Requests: Requests for police reports and records can be submitted to the Henrico County Police Division's Criminal Records Unit.
• Vital Records: Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates are available through the Henrico County Health Department or the Virginia Department of Health.
• Property and Tax Records: The Henrico real estate database provides assessment, sales, and ownership data. Online tax bills are also available.