About Roanoke County

Population 96,793 residents
County Seat Salem
Established 1838
Area 251 square miles

Roanoke County is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains region of southwestern Virginia, forming part of the Roanoke Metropolitan Statistical Area. Roanoke County seat is Salem, an independent city that is geographically surrounded by Roanoke County but operates as a separate jurisdiction. Roanoke County has an estimated population of approximately 94,000 residents across 251 square miles of diverse terrain ranging from mountain ridges to fertile valleys. Established in 1838 from parts of Botetourt County, Roanoke County takes its name from Roanoke County River, which derives from the Algonquian word 'rawrenock' meaning shell money. Major landmarks include Mill Mountain, Explore Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway corridor, and Cave Spring. Roanoke County government operates from administrative offices at 5204 Bernard Drive in Roanoke. Roanoke County Commissioner of the Revenue handles property assessments and can be reached at the government center. The Circuit Court Clerk, located at 305 East Main Street in Salem, maintains land records, marriage licenses, and court documents. Roanoke County Treasurer's office at 5204 Bernard Drive manages property tax collection and related financial records. Roanoke County is known for its strong school system, proximity to outdoor recreation along the Appalachian Trail and Blue Ridge Parkway, and growing technology sector. Roanoke County maintains a blend of suburban communities near the City of Roanoke and rural areas featuring agriculture and mountain tourism.

Court Records & Case Information

The Roanoke County Circuit Court serves Roanoke County and is located at 305 East Main Street in Salem. 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.

The Roanoke County Circuit Court, located at 305 East Main Street in Salem, adjudicates a range of cases, including civil, criminal, family, and probate matters.

Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement

Law Enforcement & Arrests

  • Inmates can be located through the Western Virginia Regional Jail website at www.wvrja.com, which provides a searchable inmate locator with booking information, charges, and bond status.
  • Citizens may request arrest records by submitting a written FOIA request to Roanoke County Police Department's Records Division.
  • Mugshots and booking photographs are typically included in arrest records and available through the jail's online booking system or by direct request.
  • Processing times for records requests vary but must be responded to within five working days per Virginia statute.
  • Fees for copying and processing records apply according to Roanoke County's published fee schedule.
5925 Cove Road, Roanoke, VA 24019

Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records

Jail & Inmate Records

  • The bond process follows Virginia state guidelines, allowing for cash or surety bonds to secure release pending court appearances.

Courts & Case Records

  • The Circuit Court Clerk charges fees for certified copies of documents: $2 for the first two pages and $0.50 for each additional page, plus a $2 certification fee.
  • Land records maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk are also searchable online through a separate land records portal.
  • In-person record requests can be made during business hours at the Clerk's office in Salem.
305 East Main Street, Salem, VA 24153

Property & Public Records

  • The recording fee schedule includes $17 for the first page of most documents and $3 for each additional page.
  • Certified copies of land records can be requested in person or by mail from the Circuit Court Clerk with proper identification and payment of fees.
305 East Main Street, Salem, VA 24153
5204 Bernard Drive, Roanoke, VA 24019

Vital Records

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

  • Processing time is typically 7-10 business days for in-person requests and 4-6 weeks for mail requests.
  • Online ordering is available through VitalChek at www.vdh.virginia.gov/vital records with additional processing fees.
  • The marriage license fee is $30, and there is no waiting period in Virginia.
  • Certified copies of marriage records cost $2 for the first two pages plus $0.50 for each additional page.
1502 Williamson Road, Roanoke, VA 24012
305 East Main Street, Salem, VA 24153

Business & Licensing

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

  • The database is free and provides information on entity status, registered agent, principal office address, and filing history.
5204 Bernard Drive, Roanoke, VA 24019

Official Government Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I search for someone recently arrested in Roanoke County, Virginia?
To search for someone recently arrested in Roanoke County, Virginia, you can use the Roanoke County-Salem Jail's inmate lookup tool. This facility is located at 401 E Main St, Salem, VA. The online inmate search is accessible through the county Sheriff's Office website, where you can find information about current detainees, including booking details and charges.
Mugshots or booking photos in Roanoke County, Virginia, can be obtained from the Roanoke County Sheriff's Office. They may provide access to these records through their official website or by visiting their office at 5401-B Barns Ave NW, Roanoke, VA. It's important to note that availability of mugshots online may vary based on privacy laws and policies.
To obtain a criminal background check in Roanoke County, Virginia, you should contact the Virginia State Police, as they handle background checks statewide. You can request a check through their Criminal History Record Check system. Locally, you may also inquire at the Roanoke County Sheriff's Office for any additional procedures or requirements specific to the county.
You can look up sex offenders in Roanoke County, Virginia, by accessing the Virginia State Police's Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry. This online database allows you to search for registered sex offenders by name, location, or proximity to specific addresses within the county. This tool is designed to help the public stay informed about registered offenders in their area.
To register to vote in Roanoke County, you can complete the process online at www.elections.virginia.gov, in person at the Roanoke County Office of Voter Registration and Elections at 5204 Bernard Drive, or by mailing a completed application. The registration deadline is 22 days before any election, though same-day registration is available during the early voting period. Virginia offers no-excuse absentee voting, and applications can be submitted online or at the Elections office beginning 45 days before Election Day.
Property records in Roanoke County can be searched through the Circuit Court Clerk's online land records portal at www.roanokecountyva.gov/circuitcourt for deeds, mortgages, liens, and other recorded documents. For property tax assessments, parcel maps, and ownership information, use the county's free GIS system at https://gisweb.roanokecountyva.gov. Both systems allow searches by owner name, address, or parcel number, and most records are available for viewing and printing at no charge for unofficial copies.
Birth and death certificates for Roanoke County are obtained through the Virginia Department of Health Division of Vital Records or the Roanoke County Health Department at 1502 Williamson Road, phone (540) 283-5000. Birth certificates cost $12 for the first copy and death certificates cost $12 each, with processing taking 7-10 business days in person or 4-6 weeks by mail. Online ordering is available through VitalChek at www.vdh.virginia.gov/vital records with additional service fees. You must provide valid photo ID and demonstrate eligibility under Virginia Code § 32.1-250.
Business license information for Roanoke County can be obtained from the Commissioner of the Revenue's office at 5204 Bernard Drive, phone (540) 772-2008, or through the county website at www.roanokecountyva.gov. For fictitious name (DBA) filings, contact the Circuit Court Clerk at 305 East Main Street in Salem. State-level business entity information is freely searchable through the Virginia State Corporation Commission database at https://cis.scc.virginia.gov, which includes corporations, LLCs, and partnerships registered in Virginia.

Cities & Towns in Roanoke County

Nearby Counties

Montgomery County VA Bedford County VA Franklin County VA Botetourt County VA Floyd County VA Craig County VA