Botetourt County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Botetourt County?

Public records in Botetourt County are defined under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act as all writings, recordings, and other documentary materials prepared or owned by any public body or public official in the transaction of public business. The Botetourt County government maintains a broad range of records that members of the public may inspect or obtain copies of upon request. The following categories of records are currently available through various county and state offices:

Court records — Civil, criminal, probate, and family court records are maintained by the Botetourt County Circuit Court Clerk's Office. Members of the public may also access case status and court information through the Virginia Court System's online portal.
Property records — Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments are recorded with the Circuit Court Clerk and the Commissioner of the Revenue. The county's real estate assessment records are accessible through the Botetourt County website.
Vital records — Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates are maintained by the Virginia Department of Health's Division of Vital Records, with historical records also available through the Botetourt County microfilm collection at the Library of Virginia.
Business records — Business licenses, permits, and fictitious name registrations are administered through the Commissioner of the Revenue.
Tax records — Property tax records and assessment data are maintained by the Treasurer's Office and the Commissioner of the Revenue.
Voting and election records — Voter registration data and election results are maintained by the Botetourt County General Registrar.
Meeting minutes and agendas — Board of Supervisors meeting minutes, agendas, and related documents are maintained by the County Administrator's Office.
Budget and financial documents — Annual budgets, audits, and financial reports are available through the County Administrator's Office and the Finance Department.
Law enforcement records — Arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law, are maintained by the Botetourt County Sheriff's Office.
Land use and zoning records — Zoning maps, permits, and land use applications are maintained by the Department of Community Development.

Is Botetourt County an Open Records County?

Botetourt County fully complies with Virginia's open records framework, which mandates broad public access to government documents. Under Virginia Code § 2.2-3700, the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (VFOIA) establishes that "the affairs of government are not intended to be conducted in an atmosphere of secrecy since at all times the public is to be the beneficiary of any action taken at any level of government." This foundational principle governs all public records activity within Botetourt County.

The county's Freedom of Information Act policy affirms that any public record prepared, owned, or in the possession of a county agency is presumptively open to inspection and copying. Under current law, public bodies must respond to FOIA requests within five working days of receipt. Failure to respond within that period is deemed a denial, which may be challenged through the Virginia Freedom of Information Advisory Council or the courts. The county does not impose any additional local ordinances that restrict access beyond the exemptions already established under state law.

How to Find Public Records in Botetourt County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Botetourt County records through several channels, depending on the record type sought. The following steps outline the standard process for submitting a public records request:

Identify the custodial office. Determine which county department or agency maintains the record being sought. Property records are held by the Circuit Court Clerk; tax records by the Treasurer or Commissioner of the Revenue; law enforcement records by the Sheriff's Office; and general administrative records by the County Administrator's Office.
Submit a FOIA request. Requests may be submitted in writing by mail, email, or in person to the designated FOIA officer at the Botetourt County Administration Building. The county's FOIA request portal provides guidance on how to submit requests and what information to include.
Access court records online. Civil and criminal case information may be searched through the Virginia Court System's case lookup tool without submitting a formal request.
Search property records online. Current real estate assessment data is accessible through the county's GIS portal, linked from the Botetourt County real estate page.
Access historical records. Older records, including land records, marriage records, and court documents, are available through the Botetourt County microfilm collection maintained by the Library of Virginia.
Locate inmate records. Individuals seeking information about persons held at the Botetourt County Jail or Botetourt-Craig Regional Jail may use the Virginia Department of Corrections inmate locator for state-supervised offenders.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Botetourt County?

Current fees for public records in Botetourt County are governed by Virginia Code § 2.2-3704, which permits public bodies to charge reasonable fees not to exceed the actual cost of responding to a request. Standard fees currently applicable include:

Paper copies: Typically $0.10 to $0.50 per page, depending on the office and document type.
Certified copies: Fees for certified copies of court documents, deeds, and vital records vary by record type and are set by the Circuit Court Clerk's Office.
Electronic records: Agencies may charge for the actual cost of producing electronic copies, including staff time for retrieval and redaction where applicable.
Research fees: Where a request requires more than one hour of staff time to fulfill, the county may charge for the actual time spent at the hourly rate of the lowest-paid employee capable of fulfilling the request.
Payment methods: Accepted payment methods generally include cash, check, and money order payable to the relevant county office. Individual offices may also accept credit or debit card payments.

Fee waivers may be available in limited circumstances, particularly where disclosure is determined to be in the public interest and not primarily for commercial purposes. Requestors seeking a fee waiver should submit a written explanation with their request.

Does Botetourt County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to all members of the public under Virginia law. Pursuant to § 2.2-3704, public bodies must provide access to records for inspection during regular office hours at no charge; fees apply only when copies are requested. The following government resources currently provide free access to Botetourt County records:

Botetourt County official website — The county's online portal provides free access to meeting agendas, minutes, budgets, and other administrative documents.
Virginia Court System — The Virginia courts case information system allows free online searches of civil and criminal case records.
Library of Virginia — The Botetourt County microfilm collection provides free access to historical county records, including land, court, and vital records.
Virginia Department of Corrections — The inmate locator tool is available at no cost for locating individuals in state custody.

Who Can Request Public Records in Botetourt County?

Any person may request public records in Botetourt County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, the right of access is not limited to Virginia residents, and requestors are not required to provide identification or explain the reason for their request when seeking non-restricted records. The following provisions apply under current law:

Residency: Residency in Botetourt County or the Commonwealth of Virginia is not a prerequisite for submitting a public records request.
Identification: Requestors are generally not required to provide identification unless seeking records that contain personal information about themselves or records subject to restricted access.
Purpose: Public bodies may not condition the release of records on the requestor's stated purpose, except in limited circumstances involving certain law enforcement or personnel records.
Requesting your own records: Individuals seeking records about themselves may be entitled to access records that would otherwise be withheld from third parties, such as certain personnel or law enforcement records.
Restrictions for specific record types: Certain records, including juvenile records, sealed court files, and adoption records, are subject to statutory restrictions regardless of who is requesting them.

What Records Are Confidential in Botetourt County?

Not all government records in Botetourt County are subject to public disclosure. Virginia Code § 2.2-3705 et seq. enumerates specific categories of records that are exempt from mandatory disclosure under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. The following record types are currently exempt from public access:

Sealed court records — Records sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection.
Juvenile records — Records pertaining to juveniles in the court system are confidential under Virginia law.
Ongoing investigation records — Law enforcement records related to active criminal investigations may be withheld to protect the integrity of the investigation.
Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar personally identifiable information are redacted from disclosed records.
Medical records — Health and medical records are protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Adoption records — Records related to adoption proceedings are sealed and not available to the general public.
Child welfare and protective services records — Records maintained by child protective services agencies are confidential under state and federal law.
Personnel records — Employee personnel files are generally exempt, with limited exceptions for certain information about public officials.
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — Confidential commercial or financial information submitted to the county in connection with permits or contracts may be withheld.
Security plans and infrastructure details — Documents related to the security of public facilities or critical infrastructure are exempt from disclosure.

Where a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the public body is required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder.

Botetourt County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Botetourt County Circuit Court Clerk's Office serves as the primary recorder of official documents, including deeds, mortgages, liens, court orders, and other instruments affecting real property and legal proceedings. Members of the public may inspect records at the public counter during regular business hours.

Botetourt County Circuit Court Clerk's Office One West Main Street, Suite 220, Fincastle, VA 24090 (540) 473-8274 Virginia Court System Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Botetourt County Administration — FOIA Officer 1 West Main Street, Fincastle, VA 24090 (540) 473-8220 Botetourt County, VA | Official Website Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Botetourt County Commissioner of the Revenue 1 West Main Street, Suite 103, Fincastle, VA 24090 (540) 473-8230 Botetourt County, VA | Official Website Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Botetourt County Treasurer's Office 1 West Main Street, Suite 104, Fincastle, VA 24090 (540) 473-8336 Botetourt County, VA | Official Website Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.