Roanoke County Family Court Records

Roanoke County family court records are filed with the Circuit Court and the J&DR Court. The Circuit Court handles divorce and property matters; the J&DR Court handles custody, support, and protective orders.

Roanoke County Circuit Court Family Records

The Roanoke County Circuit Court is located at 305 E Main St in Salem, which serves as the county seat. Note that Roanoke County and the independent City of Roanoke are separate jurisdictions with their own courts; residents of Roanoke County file at the Salem courthouse, not at the city's courthouse. The Clerk of Circuit Court maintains the complete case file for all family law matters and makes most records available to the public under § 17.1-208.

Divorce cases in Roanoke County follow Chapter 6 of Title 20 of the Virginia Code. Under § 20-91, no-fault divorce requires one year of separation, reduced to six months when there are no minor children and a signed separation agreement is in place. Fault grounds including adultery, cruelty, and desertion remain available and can affect property and support awards.

Property division under § 20-107.3 requires the court to classify, value, and divide all marital assets and debts. The Clerk handles public records requests during business hours and maintains an index of all cases filed in the 23rd Circuit.

J&DR Court: Custody, Support, and Protective Orders

The Roanoke County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court is also located at 305 E Main St in Salem. It handles custody and visitation petitions, child support cases, paternity determinations, juvenile delinquency, and family abuse protective orders under Chapter 11 of Title 16.1.

Under § 16.1-241, this court has exclusive original jurisdiction over custody, support, and protective order matters involving children and family members who reside in the county. Parents who need to establish or modify custody outside of a pending divorce case file their petition here. The court also handles abuse, neglect, and juvenile delinquency matters.

Child support amounts are determined using the guidelines in § 20-108.2. The calculation uses both parents' gross incomes, the custody arrangement, health insurance costs, and work-related childcare expenses. Support can extend past age 18 for children still enrolled in high school full-time, up to age 19.

How to Request Roanoke County Family Court Records

Family court records in Roanoke County are public with limited exceptions. You can access them in person at the courthouse in Salem, by mail, or through Virginia's free online case search portal.

The Virginia Judicial System's online tool lets you search statewide by name or case number. It shows case status, filing dates, and hearing schedules. It does not provide document images. To get copies of filed documents, contact the clerk directly at (540) 387-6205.

For in-person requests, go to 305 E Main St in Salem during business hours. Bring the name of at least one party and the approximate filing year. The clerk will find the case and quote a copy fee under § 17.1-275. Fees cannot exceed actual duplication costs. Certified copies require a written request and cost more.

Mail requests should include the party name, case year, return address, and payment or a fee estimate request. The clerk has up to 30 days to respond under § 17.1-208(F), though requests are typically handled faster. Records are kept for a minimum of 20 years under § 17.1-213.

Types of Family Court Records in Roanoke County

Circuit Court divorce files typically include the complaint, financial disclosure statements, separation and property settlement agreements, and the final decree. Contested cases may also include deposition transcripts, appraisal reports, and hearing exhibits. J&DR files cover custody petitions, support orders, protective order applications, and modification requests.

• Divorce decrees and final orders
• Property settlement and separation agreements
• Custody and visitation orders
• Child support orders and wage withholding notices
• Spousal support orders
• Protective orders under § 16.1-253.2
• Paternity orders and voluntary acknowledgments
• Modification orders for custody and support

Adoption files and juvenile delinquency records are sealed by law. To access a sealed record, you must file a motion showing good cause. The judge decides whether to grant access.

Child Custody Standards in Roanoke County

Custody in Roanoke County follows the best interests of the child standard under § 20-124.2 and § 20-124.3. Virginia courts give primary weight to the child's health and welfare, not to the preferences of either parent based on gender or other protected characteristics.

The ten statutory factors courts weigh include the child's age and physical needs, each parent's age and health, the parent-child relationship for each parent, the child's bonds with siblings and other family, the caregiving role each parent has played, each parent's willingness to support the other parent's relationship with the child, any preference the child expresses if old enough, and any history of family violence or abuse.

Section 20-124.4 requires parents to attend a free dispute resolution orientation before a contested custody case goes to trial. Certified mediators run these sessions. Roanoke County is part of a well-served circuit where mediation resources are available and frequently used by families seeking to avoid contested hearings.

If a custodial parent plans to relocate with the child, § 20-124.5 requires at least 30 days written notice to the other parent. Moving without notice can support a custody modification request.

Virginia Child Support Enforcement Services

Roanoke County residents can use Virginia's Division of Child Support Enforcement for help establishing, modifying, and collecting support. Services include paternity establishment by genetic testing, administrative support orders under § 63.2-1903, income withholding, tax refund intercepts, license suspension, and credit bureau reporting.

These services are available to all parents and caretakers regardless of income. Interstate cases are handled under UIFSA, which Virginia adopted under Chapter 5.3 of Title 20. Administrative orders carry the same legal force as orders entered by a judge.

Virginia Vital Records for Roanoke County

Marriage and divorce records for Roanoke County are also available from the Virginia Department of Health Vital Records office. Vital Records issues certified copies of marriage and divorce certificates statewide and is a practical option when you cannot come to Salem in person.

Marriage licenses in Roanoke County are issued by the Clerk of Circuit Court under § 20-14. Licenses are valid for 60 days. After the ceremony, the officiant returns the signed license to the clerk. Certified copies are available from the clerk's office and the Vital Records office.

Nearby Virginia Cities

The independent cities of Roanoke and Salem are enclaves near Roanoke County and maintain their own courts. County residents file at the Salem courthouse, not at city courts.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Roanoke County in southwestern Virginia. Verify your county of residence to confirm which court has jurisdiction over your family law case.