How to Obtain Virginia Divorce Records

Most people launch a search for divorce records to verify if a person is legally divorced or not. This is quite a natural thing to find out if for example you are considering getting married to someone you know was married before. If this is the case, you have every right to ask for the divorce records so that you can be certain before going to that wedding ceremony. The state and the county offices also understand your concern and are willing to help you. Divorce records have also been requested many times for genealogy research projects. They may not be as important as marriage records, but you can still get some useful information.

Where to Find Virginia Divorce Records

Whatever your purpose in looking for Virginia divorce records, you can get what you want provided you know how to submit the application and where to send it. Detailed divorce records are maintained mainly by the counties. As in the other states, certain details about divorces can be found only in county records, where the divorce was first granted.

For information about Virginia divorce records since January 1918, you will need to visit or write to the Office of Vital Records, P.O. Box 1000, Richmond, VA 23218-1000, or phone them at 804-662-6200. It will cost $12. For county divorce records, you can visit, mail, phone or fax the relevant county clerk’s office.

What Can You Expect to Find in Virginia Divorce Records?

Records of divorce are mostly quite private, though they have been labeled as public. They belong in the state's jurisdiction. Since these records are sensitive, their treatment and use can be subjected to certain restrictions. State laws might also impose some restrictions.

Every divorce record tells a story and you can learn a lot about people from them. You must also appreciate the fact that this is sensitive information and the rights of the person concerned also need to be protected. For example, you can never know the reason for the divorce and issues concerning settlement and child custody. You will also not be able to access the divorce decree. What you can know is the fact of whether the person has indeed been granted the divorce or not, and also the date of the divorce and the county where it was granted.

Remember to Provide the Following When Submitting Your Application:

•    The date when the request was made

•    The complete name of the husband

•    The complete name of the wife

•    The date of divorce or annulment

•    The place of divorce (town or city, state, county)

•    The type of final decree

•    Your relationship to the person on whom you want the record

•    The reason why you want the record

•    Your address and name

•    Your driver's license no. and state (necessary in some counties)

•    Your signature