Divorce Records in Virginia
Whether divorce records are public in Virginia and how to get a copy of a divorce decree or certificate.
Short answer: Divorce records are kept at the circuit court where the divorce was granted. The Virginia Department of Health, Division of Vital Records, also issues certified copies of divorce records from 1918 to the present for $15 per certificate or search (not refunded if no record is found). Virginia Department of Health, Vital Records FAQ and Applications for a Vital Record
| Divorce records | Divorce records are kept at the circuit court where the divorce was granted. The Virginia Department of Health, Division of Vital Records, also issues certified copies of divorce records from 1918 to the present for $15 per certificate or search (not refunded if no record is found). Certified copies are available only to immediate family members (such as the person's parent, current spouse, child, sibling or grandparent) with valid ID until 25 years after the divorce, when the records become public. Orders can be made online, by mail or in person in Richmond. Applications: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/vital-records/applications-for-a-vital-record/ |
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Where to get help in Virginia
More Virginia divorce & family law
- Getting a Marriage License in Virginia
- Adopting a Child in Virginia
- Guardianship of a Child or Adult in Virginia
- Establishing Paternity in Virginia
- Changing Your Name in Virginia
- Child Custody Laws in Virginia
- How Child Support Is Calculated in Virginia
- Alimony and Spousal Support in Virginia
- How to File for Divorce in Virginia
- Legal Separation and Annulment in Virginia
- All Virginia divorce & family law rules
FAQ
Are divorce records public in Virginia, and how do I get a copy?
Divorce records are kept at the circuit court where the divorce was granted. The Virginia Department of Health, Division of Vital Records, also issues certified copies of divorce records from 1918 to the present for $15 per certificate or search (not refunded if no record is found). Certified copies are available only to immediate family members (such as the person's parent, current spouse, child, sibling or grandparent) with valid ID until 25 years after the divorce, when the records become public. Orders can be made online, by mail or in person in Richmond.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.