Search Henrico County Probate Court Records

Henrico County probate court records are kept by the Circuit Court Clerk near Richmond. The clerk's office handles wills, qualifications, and estate paperwork for one of the most populous counties in central Virginia. You can look up Henrico County probate court records in person, by phone, or by mail. The Probate Office helps walk in people start a new case file, get an executor named, and pull copies of older wills. Most probate court records are open to the public once a case is filed and indexed.

Henrico Circuit Court Probate Office

The Henrico County Circuit Court Clerk handles Henrico County probate court records. The mailing address is P.O. Box 27032, Richmond, VA 23273. Phone: (804) 501-4202. The clerk takes wills for safekeeping before death, probates wills after death, and qualifies executors and administrators. The office also handles small estate affidavits and guardianship of minors who own property. You can find more on the Henrico County probate page.

Appointments are required for new probate filings in Henrico County. Call ahead and the clerk will help you set up a time. Walk in service is not the norm for new cases, so plan ahead. Staff cannot give legal advice. They can answer general questions about forms, fees, and what to bring.

Henrico County is part of the 14th Judicial Circuit of Virginia. The Circuit Court has wide power over felony cases, civil disputes, family matters, and probate court records.

The clerk uses the standard fiduciary forms set by the Supreme Court of Virginia. These forms are at the Virginia Courts fiduciary forms page.

The Henrico probate page lists what to bring, hours, and how to set up an appointment. View the source at henrico.gov probate.

How to Search Henrico Probate Court Records

You can search Henrico County probate court records in three main ways. The first is in person at the clerk's office. Bring a photo ID and the full name of the person who died. Plain copies are cheaper. Certified copies carry the seal of the court and are needed for things like real estate transfers and life insurance claims.

The second way is by phone at (804) 501-4202. The third way is by mail. Send a written request with the name, year of death, and a check for copy fees. A self-addressed stamped envelope helps the clerk send your records back faster. Under Virginia Code Section 64.2-443, probate must take place in the city or county where the person lived at death.

For older Henrico County probate court records, check the Library of Virginia chancery records collection and the FamilySearch Virginia probate wiki. Both have indexes that point you to will books and fiduciary records for Henrico.

• Full name of the person who died
• Year of death
• Case number when known
• Type of record needed
• Photo ID for in-person searches

Probating a Will in Henrico County

To probate a will in Henrico County, the clerk needs the original will, a certified death certificate, a list of heirs at law, and the value of the estate. Bring all these to your appointment. Copies of wills cannot be probated under Virginia law.

You can fill out the Probate Information Form (CC-1650) ahead of time from the Virginia Judicial System self-help portal. Fees are due at the appointment. The clerk takes cash, check, money order, and most credit or debit cards.

If the will is self-proving, the witnesses do not need to come with you. If the will is not self-proving, the witnesses must testify in writing or in person to prove the signatures.

Henrico Commissioner of Accounts

After you qualify as executor or administrator in Henrico County, you work with the Commissioner of Accounts. The Henrico Commissioner of Accounts office is at 4114-A East Parham Road, Henrico, VA 23228. Phone: (804) 346-4700. You can find filing rules and forms at the Henrico Commissioner of Accounts website.

Under Virginia Code Section 64.2-502, the inventory must list all the personal property the estate owns, real estate that the executor controls, and joint or pay on death accounts. The Commissioner reviews each filing for math errors and missing assets.

The Virginia Bar Association guide to estates walks you through each step. The Virginia State Bar probate page explains the role of the Commissioner of Accounts in plain words.

The Henrico Commissioner of Accounts website lists filing dates and form templates. View the source at henricocommissionerofaccounts.com.

Henrico Probate Tax and Fees

Virginia charges a state probate tax of 10 cents per $100 of estate value. Henrico County also charges a small local probate tax. Recording fees apply to wills and other documents the clerk files. Typical rates run $18 for the first 10 pages and $32 for 11 to 30 pages. Qualification fees go up with the size of the estate.

The Virginia Department of Taxation handles state tax filing rules for estates. You may also need to file federal estate tax forms with the IRS if the gross estate is over the federal limit.

Under Virginia Code Section 64.2-528, the order of debt payment from an estate is set by law. Costs of administration are first. Funeral costs up to $4,000 are next. Federal debts and taxes follow. Then medical bills, state debts, and other claims.

Legal Help in Henrico County

The Richmond Bar Association can help match you with a probate attorney in Henrico County. The Virginia State Bar runs a statewide referral line at 1-800-552-7977. Both can find a lawyer who works on wills, trusts, and estate cases.

For free or low cost help, see the Central Virginia Legal Aid Society. Some heirs and small estates qualify for help with simple probate work. Under Virginia Code Section 64.2-200, the rules of intestate succession set who gets what when there is no will.

Cities Near Henrico County

The City of Richmond sits inside Henrico County. As a Virginia independent city, it has its own Circuit Court for probate filings.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Henrico County. Each has its own Circuit Court that keeps probate court records.