logo
HenricoRecords.org
Search Public Records
Henrico Public Records /Henrico County Court Records

Henrico County Court Records

What Is Henrico County Court Records

Henrico County court records are official documents created and maintained by the courts in Henrico County, Virginia. These records document legal proceedings, including criminal cases, civil disputes, traffic violations, and family matters. Court records typically contain information about the parties involved, case details, hearing dates, and judicial decisions.

The Henrico County Circuit Court, General District Court, and Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court all generate and maintain these records. They serve as a historical account of legal proceedings and are essential for transparency in the judicial system.

Are Court Records Public In Henrico County

Yes, most court records in Henrico County are public information according to Virginia's Freedom of Information Act and the common law right of access to judicial records. This means that any person can request to view or obtain copies of these records, with some exceptions.

Certain records may be sealed or restricted by court order, particularly those involving:

  • Juvenile cases
  • Adoption proceedings
  • Mental health commitments
  • Cases involving sexual assault victims
  • Records sealed by judicial order for specific reasons

The Henrico County Clerk of Circuit Court maintains public records and makes them available for inspection during regular business hours at 4301 E. Parham Road, Richmond, VA 23228.

How To Find Court Records in Henrico County in 2025

To find court records in Henrico County in 2025, you have several options:

  1. Visit the appropriate courthouse in person:

    • Henrico County Circuit Court: 4301 E. Parham Road, Richmond, VA 23228
    • Henrico General District Court: 4301 E. Parham Road, Richmond, VA 23228
    • Henrico Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court: 4201 E. Parham Road, Richmond, VA 23228

  2. Use online resources:

    • Virginia Judiciary Case Information System
    • Henrico County's official website

  3. Submit a written request to the Clerk of the appropriate court

  4. Hire a professional records search service

When searching for records, you'll need specific information such as the case number, names of parties involved, or the approximate date of the case filing.

How To Look Up Court Records in Henrico County Online?

Looking up court records in Henrico County online is straightforward through these methods:

  1. Virginia Judiciary Online Case Information System (https://eapps.courts.state.va.us/ocis/):

    • Select Henrico County from the dropdown menu
    • Search by name, case number, or hearing date
    • Access case information for Circuit Court, General District Court, and Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court cases

  2. Henrico County Circuit Court Clerk's Office website (https://henrico.us/clerk/):

    • Access information about available records
    • Find instructions for requesting copies

  3. Virginia Supreme Court's Online Case Information System:

    • Access case status information
    • View hearing dates and times
    • See case outcomes and judgment information

Note that while basic case information is available online, complete court records or documents may require an in-person visit or formal request to the Henrico County Clerk's Office, 4301 E. Parham Road, Richmond, VA 23228.

Can You Search Henrico County Court Records for Free?

Yes, you can search Henrico County court records for free through several methods:

  1. In-person searches at the courthouse are free, though you may need to pay for copies of documents. Visit the Henrico County Courthouse at 4301 E. Parham Road, Richmond, VA 23228.

  2. The Virginia Judiciary Case Information System (https://eapps.courts.state.va.us/ocis/) offers free basic case information searches.

  3. The Henrico County website provides free access to court information and directions for obtaining records.

While searching is free, there are typically fees for:

  • Printed copies of documents (usually $0.50 per page)
  • Certified copies (additional fee)
  • Records that require extensive staff time to locate

For specific fee information, contact the Henrico County Circuit Court Clerk's Office at 4301 E. Parham Road, Richmond, VA 23228 or call (804) 501-4202.

What's Included in a Henrico County Court Record?

A typical Henrico County court record includes:

  1. Case Information:

    • Case number
    • Filing date
    • Case type (criminal, civil, family, etc.)
    • Names of all parties involved
    • Names of attorneys representing the parties

  2. Docket Information:

    • Chronological list of all court events
    • Hearing dates and times
    • Continuances
    • Filing of motions and other documents

  3. Legal Documents:

    • Complaints or petitions
    • Answers or responses
    • Motions filed by either party
    • Court orders and judgments
    • Exhibits admitted into evidence

  4. Outcome Information:

    • Court decisions or verdicts
    • Sentencing information (in criminal cases)
    • Judgment amounts (in civil cases)
    • Settlement agreements (if not sealed)

  5. Additional Information:

    • Transcripts (if requested and prepared)
    • Appeal information (if applicable)

The specific content varies depending on the type of case and the court handling the matter.

How Long Does Henrico County Keep Court Records?

Henrico County retains court records according to the retention schedules established by the Library of Virginia and the Virginia Supreme Court:

  1. Circuit Court Records:

    • Felony cases: Permanently maintained
    • Civil cases: Typically kept for 20 years after final disposition
    • Divorce records: Permanently maintained
    • Property and deed records: Permanently maintained
    • Wills and estate matters: Permanently maintained

  2. General District Court Records:

    • Criminal cases: 10 years for most misdemeanors
    • Civil cases: 10 years after final disposition
    • Traffic cases: 10 years for DUI, 3 years for most other traffic offenses

  3. Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court:

    • Most records are kept until the juvenile reaches 19 years of age
    • Serious offenses may be kept longer
    • Some records may be destroyed earlier if the juvenile meets certain criteria

Historic court records from Henrico County dating back to the county's founding are preserved by the Library of Virginia at 800 East Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23219.

Types of Courts In Henrico County

Henrico County has a three-tiered court system:

  1. Circuit Court (4301 E. Parham Road, Richmond, VA 23228):

    • The highest trial court in the county
    • Handles serious criminal cases, larger civil disputes, appeals from lower courts
    • Has jurisdiction over felonies, civil claims exceeding $25,000, divorce proceedings
    • Maintains land records and handles probate matters

  2. General District Court (4301 E. Parham Road, Richmond, VA 23228):

    • Handles misdemeanor criminal cases
    • Civil disputes involving claims up to $25,000
    • Traffic violations
    • Preliminary hearings for felony cases

  3. Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court (4201 E. Parham Road, Richmond, VA 23228):

    • Cases involving juveniles
    • Family matters including custody, support, and visitation
    • Domestic violence cases
    • Child abuse and neglect proceedings

Each court has specific jurisdiction and procedures for handling different types of legal matters.

What Types of Cases Do Henrico County Courts Hear?

Henrico County courts hear a wide variety of cases:

  1. Circuit Court:

    • Felony criminal cases
    • Civil lawsuits exceeding $25,000
    • Divorce and annulment proceedings
    • Property disputes
    • Appeals from lower courts
    • Probate and estate matters
    • Land records and property transactions

  2. General District Court:

    • Misdemeanor criminal offenses
    • Traffic violations
    • Civil claims up to $25,000
    • Landlord-tenant disputes
    • Protective orders (non-family members)
    • Preliminary hearings for felony cases

  3. Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court:

    • Juvenile delinquency cases
    • Child custody and visitation
    • Child and spousal support
    • Family abuse protective orders
    • Child abuse and neglect
    • Termination of parental rights
    • Cases involving minors

The courts work together to ensure all legal matters are addressed appropriately based on their nature and severity.

How To Find a Court Docket In Henrico County

Finding a court docket in Henrico County can be done through several methods:

  1. Online Access:

    • Visit the Virginia Judiciary Case Information System (https://eapps.courts.state.va.us/ocis/)
    • Select Henrico County and the appropriate court
    • Search by case number, name, or hearing date
    • View docket information including scheduled hearings

  2. In-Person at the Courthouse:

    • Visit the clerk's office of the relevant court at the Henrico County Courthouse, 4301 E. Parham Road, Richmond, VA 23228
    • Request to view the daily or weekly docket
    • Public terminals may be available for searching case information

  3. By Phone:

    • Circuit Court: (804) 501-4202
    • General District Court: (804) 501-4723
    • Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court: (804) 501-4688

  4. By Email or Written Request:

    • Contact the clerk's office of the appropriate court
    • Provide specific information about the case you're interested in

Court dockets are typically updated daily and show all cases scheduled for a particular day or week.

Which Courts in Henrico County Are Not Courts of Record?

In Henrico County, the following courts are not courts of record:

  1. General District Court (4301 E. Parham Road, Richmond, VA 23228):

    • Handles misdemeanors, traffic violations, and civil cases up to $25,000
    • Proceedings are not recorded verbatim
    • Appeals from this court are heard de novo (completely new trial) in Circuit Court

  2. Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court (4201 E. Parham Road, Richmond, VA 23228):

    • Handles cases involving juveniles and family matters
    • Proceedings are not recorded verbatim
    • Appeals are heard de novo in Circuit Court

These courts do maintain case files and docket information, but they do not create official transcripts of proceedings unless specifically requested and arranged in advance. Any appeal from these courts to the Circuit Court results in a completely new trial, rather than a review of the lower court proceedings.

The Henrico County Circuit Court is the only court of record in the county, meaning it maintains verbatim records of proceedings and appeals from this court are based on the record created during the original trial.

Lookup Court Records in Henrico County

Virginia Judiciary Case Information System

Henrico County Circuit Court Clerk's Office

Virginia Court Case Information

Henrico County Government Website

Library of Virginia Digital Collections

Other Categories in Virginia
Criminal Records Court Records Inmate Records Arrest records Warrant Search Property Records Divorce Records