Henry County

Henry County, Virginia is located in the southern portion of the Commonwealth along the North Carolina border, covering approximately 382 square miles in the Piedmont region. Henry County seat is Martinsville, an independent city that is geographically surrounded by Henry County but operates as a separate jurisdiction. As of the 2020 Census, Henry County had a population of approximately 50,948 residents. Henry County was established in 1777 and named after Patrick Henry, the famous Virginia statesman and revolutionary who declared "Give me liberty, or give me death!" Henry County's economy historically centered on tobacco farming and textile manufacturing, with the Martinsville-Henry County area once known as a major furniture and textile production hub. Major landmarks include Philpott Lake, a 2,880-acre reservoir managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that provides recreation and flood control, and the Blue Ridge Parkway which runs along Henry County's northern edge. Henry County Administration Building is located at 3300 Kings Mountain Road in Martinsville, Virginia 24112. The Circuit Court Clerk's office, which is the primary records repository, is housed at Henry County General District Court building at 3351 Kings Mountain Road. The Commissioner of the Revenue office, responsible for assessment functions, operates from the Administration Building. Henry County is characterized by rolling hills, agricultural lands, and forested areas, with the Smith River flowing through Henry County providing scenic beauty and recreational opportunities.

• Army Corps of Engineers that provides recreation and flood control, and the Blue Ridge Parkway which runs along Henry County's northern edge.

The Henry County Circuit Court serves Henry County and is located at 3300 Kings Mountain Road in Martinsville. The court handles civil, criminal, family, and probate cases for this area. Court records and case filings can be requested in person or through the Virginia online court portal.

Henry County General District Court is located in Martinsville, VA. The court has jurisdiction over civil cases involving amounts up to $25,000, traffic violations, criminal misdemeanors, and preliminary hearings in felony cases. The court also has jurisdiction over landlord-tenant disputes, small claims, and protective orders.

Law Enforcement & Arrests

• Written requests for arrest records should be submitted to the Sheriff's Office FOIA Officer, specifying the name and date of arrest if known.
• Mugshots and booking photos are generally considered public records in Virginia and can be requested through the same FOIA process, though some restrictions may apply for juvenile arrests or ongoing investigations.

Jail & Inmate Records

• The bond and bail process in Virginia allows for the release of detainees under certain conditions, and this process can be initiated through the jail's administrative office.

Mugshots & Booking Photos

• While basic case information is available free online, detailed documents may require in-person requests or payment of fees.
• Copies of court records cost $0.50 per page for non-certified copies and typically $2.00 for the first page plus $0.50 for each additional page for certified copies, as established by Virginia Code § 17.1-275.
• The Clerk's office is open weekdays from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and requests can be made in person, by mail, or in some cases electronically.

• Recording fees are established by Virginia Code § 17.1-275 and typically include a base fee plus additional charges per page and for indexing.
• Certified copies of recorded documents can be requested from the Circuit Court Clerk for the statutory fee.

Vital records for this county include birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates issued under state vital statistics law.

• Birth certificates for births occurring in Henry County can be requested from the state office with a fee of $12 for the first copy and $12 for each additional copy ordered at the same time.
• Death certificates cost the same amount.
• Processing time typically ranges from 2-4 weeks for mail requests or same-day service for in-person requests at the state office in Richmond.
• Online ordering is available through VitalChek at www.vdh.virginia.gov/vital records with an additional service fee.
• Vital records access is governed by Virginia Code § 32.1-252, which protects the confidentiality of these records while allowing access to qualified applicants.

Business records, licenses, and permits for this county are processed by the County Clerk and local government offices.

• The Martinsville-Henry County Chamber of Commerce, located at 115 Broad Street, Martinsville, VA 24112, phone, website www.mhcchamber.com, provides business development resources and networking opportunities.