Find Bristol Divorce Records
Bristol divorce decree records are held by the Bristol Circuit Court Clerk in Bristol, Virginia. Bristol is an independent city -- it has its own court and its own clerk, separate from Washington County even though the two share a border. The city also sits on the Virginia-Tennessee state line, so residents on the Virginia side file in Bristol Circuit Court while those on the Tennessee side file in a different jurisdiction. If you live in Bristol, Virginia, and need to search for a divorce case or get a certified copy of a decree, the Bristol Circuit Court Clerk is the place to go.
Bristol Overview
Bristol Circuit Court Clerk
Bristol is one of Virginia's independent cities. That is important to understand when you are trying to find divorce records. An independent city in Virginia is not part of any county. It has its own government, its own schools, and its own courts. Bristol's Circuit Court Clerk is the custodian of all divorce records for the city of Bristol, Virginia.
Washington County surrounds parts of Bristol, but the county and city are separate legal jurisdictions. If you filed for divorce while living in the city of Bristol, your records are at Bristol Circuit Court. If you lived in Washington County at the time, your records would be with the Washington County Circuit Court Clerk instead. This distinction matters when you are trying to find old records.
Bristol also borders Bristol, Tennessee. The state line runs through the city. Anyone who was a Virginia resident when their divorce was filed should have records in the Bristol, Virginia Circuit Court. Tennessee residents would have filed in Sullivan County, Tennessee. Make sure you know which side of the line the filing party lived on before you search.
| Office | Bristol Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| City | Bristol, VA |
| Website | vacourts.gov |
| Hours | Monday through Friday (call to confirm) |
Contact information for the Bristol Circuit Court Clerk can be found through the Virginia Courts website. That site lists all circuit courts in the state, including phone numbers and addresses. It is the most reliable source for current contact details.
How to Search Bristol Divorce Records
You can search Bristol divorce records online or in person. Online tools let you confirm a case exists and check basic case info. Going to the clerk's office in person gives you access to the full case file and the ability to get certified copies the same day.
Virginia's statewide court case search is the best online tool. Visit vacourts.gov and use the circuit court search. You can look up cases by party name or case number. The system covers Bristol Circuit Court and will show you case type, filing date, and hearing dates.
To run a search, you need:
- At least one spouse's full name
- The case number if you have it
- An approximate filing year helps narrow results
For certified copies of a divorce decree, you must go through the Bristol Circuit Court Clerk. You can request copies in person or by mail. Include your name, the case number if known, a description of what you need, and payment for any fees. Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope for mail requests.
Under § 17.1-275, the first certified copy of a divorce decree is free. After that, copies cost $0.50 per page plus a $2.00 certification fee. Under § 32.1-271, divorce certificates through the Virginia Department of Health are restricted for 25 years. Only the parties to the divorce and their immediate family can get a certificate during that period.
If your search relates to a Tennessee divorce rather than a Virginia one, you would contact the Sullivan County Circuit Court or the Sullivan County Chancery Court in Blountville, Tennessee. Virginia courts only hold Virginia records.
Bristol Divorce Decree Fees
Divorce fees in Bristol follow Virginia state law. The filing fee for a divorce case is $60 under § 17.1-275. This is the base fee to open the case. Other costs may apply depending on your situation.
Common fees to know:
- Divorce filing fee: $60
- First certified copy of decree: free
- Each additional certified copy: $0.50 per page plus $2.00 certification fee
- Plain (uncertified) copy: $0.50 per page
- Divorce certificate from VDH: $12 per copy
If you need a divorce certificate (not a court decree), contact the Virginia Department of Health. VDH issues these for all Virginia divorces. The fee is $12 per certificate. Reach VDH at 804-662-6200 or go to vdh.virginia.gov/vital-records. Their office is at 8701 Park Central Drive, Suite 100, Richmond, VA 23227. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
If cost is a concern, you may be able to request a fee waiver from the court. Virginia courts can waive fees for people with low income who qualify. Ask the clerk's office about the process when you call to confirm hours and address.
Filing for Divorce in Bristol
To file for divorce in Bristol, at least one spouse must have lived in Virginia for six months before filing under § 20-97. You file in Bristol Circuit Court if you are a Bristol, Virginia resident. If you live on the Tennessee side of the city line, Virginia courts do not have jurisdiction over your case.
Virginia has both no-fault and fault-based divorce. No-fault divorce requires a period of separation. If both spouses have a written separation agreement and no minor children, they must be separated for six months before filing. If there are minor children or no agreement, they must be separated for one year. Fault grounds include cruelty, adultery, desertion, and felony conviction with imprisonment.
Steps to file in Bristol:
- Get the divorce petition form from the clerk's office or vacourts.gov
- File the petition and pay the $60 fee
- Serve the other spouse or submit a waiver of service
- File any separation agreement or parenting plan
- Attend any required hearing or submit written evidence for uncontested cases
Uncontested divorces can often be resolved without a court appearance. The judge reviews the file and signs the final decree if everything is in order. Contested cases may take longer and could require mediation or a hearing. The clerk's office can tell you what forms to use but will not give legal advice.
Bristol, Virginia and Bristol, Tennessee are two separate cities. Make sure you are filing in the right jurisdiction. If you lived in Virginia when the case was filed, your records are at Bristol, Virginia Circuit Court. Tennessee records are in a different court system entirely.
What Bristol Divorce Records Contain
A divorce decree is the final court order that ends a marriage. The Bristol Circuit Court Clerk keeps these records. The decree is signed by the judge and is a legal document you may need for a variety of purposes after the divorce.
A typical Virginia divorce decree includes:
- Names of both spouses
- Date and location of marriage
- Date of separation
- Grounds for divorce
- Division of marital property
- Spousal support terms if ordered
- Child custody and visitation (if children were part of the case)
- Child support amount and terms
- Date the judge signed the final decree
The case file held by the clerk also includes the original petition, service records, any financial disclosures, and motions filed during the case. Some documents may be sealed at the court's discretion. Parties always have access to their own records. Third-party access may be limited depending on the nature of the case.
The VDH divorce certificate is a shorter document. It shows that a divorce occurred and gives the basic details -- names, date, county. It does not include custody or property terms. You typically need the full decree to enforce any court-ordered terms, and the certificate for legal ID or remarriage purposes.
Legal Help in Bristol
If you need help with a divorce case in Bristol, several organizations offer free or reduced-cost services. Southwest Virginia has legal aid programs that serve this area. Do not wait to ask for help if you are unsure about your rights or the process.
Virginia Legal Aid at valegalaid.org serves low-income Virginians across the state. They handle family law matters including divorce and custody. Eligibility is income-based. Apply through their website or call to find out if you qualify. They serve both Bristol and the surrounding Southwest Virginia region.
The Virginia State Bar at vsb.org has a lawyer referral service. You can find family law attorneys who practice in the Bristol area. Many offer a first consultation at a set rate. This is a good option if you need professional advice but are not sure where to start looking for an attorney.
The Bristol Circuit Court Clerk's office cannot give legal advice, but can explain the filing process and direct you to the forms you need. For self-help resources and court forms, visit vacourts.gov. The site has forms for divorce, custody, and support cases used in all Virginia circuit courts.
Nearby Virginia Cities
These Virginia independent cities are in the Southwest Virginia region. Each has its own Circuit Court Clerk for divorce filings.
Adjacent County
Washington County surrounds Bristol. County residents file divorce cases at the Washington County Circuit Court, not Bristol Circuit Court.