Find Divorce Decrees in Colonial Heights
Divorce decree records in Colonial Heights are held by the Colonial Heights Circuit Court Clerk. Colonial Heights is an independent city in Virginia, separate from both Chesterfield County and Dinwiddie County, which surround it. The Circuit Court Clerk's office keeps all divorce case files for the city. If you need a certified copy of a Final Decree of Divorce, the Clerk is where you go. Virginia also offers short-form divorce certificates through the Virginia Department of Health for cases going back to 1918. This page covers how to search, what records include, fees, and the process for filing a divorce case in Colonial Heights.
Colonial Heights Overview
Colonial Heights Circuit Court Clerk
The Colonial Heights Circuit Court Clerk handles all divorce records for the city. Because Colonial Heights is an independent city under Virginia law, it has its own court system. It does not share court facilities or records with Chesterfield or Dinwiddie counties. All divorce cases filed in Colonial Heights go through this court, and the Clerk keeps the official files.
You can go to the Clerk's office to search for a case by name or case number. Staff can pull files and make copies. Certified copies are required by most agencies for name changes, insurance updates, and legal proceedings. Bring a valid photo ID when you go. Cases less than 25 years old are restricted to the parties and certain family members under state law.
| Office | Colonial Heights Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 550 Boulevard Colonial Heights, VA 23834 |
| Phone | (804) 520-9364 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | vacourts.gov |
Under Virginia Code § 32.1-271, divorce records are not open to the public for 25 years after the divorce is final. During that time, only the parties to the divorce and immediate family members with a valid ID can request copies. After 25 years, the records become part of the public record.
How to Search Colonial Heights Divorce Records
There are two main ways to search divorce records in Colonial Heights: online through the Virginia Courts system, or in person at the Circuit Court Clerk's office. Each has its own advantages depending on what you need.
The Virginia Courts online system at vacourts.gov lets you search by party name or case number. You can see case type, status, and basic docket information. This is a good starting point if you want to confirm a case exists or get a case number before you go to the courthouse.
What you need to search:
- Full name of one or both parties
- Approximate year the case was filed
- Case number, if you already have it
For older records or for a full copy of the decree, you need to visit the Clerk in person. Staff can search the physical files and make copies on the spot. If you need a certified copy, tell them when you ask. The first certified copy is free under Virginia law. Additional copies cost $0.50 per page plus a $2 certification fee.
If you only need proof that a divorce happened, the Virginia Department of Health at vdh.virginia.gov/vital-records can issue a divorce certificate for $12. This shows the names, date, and court but does not include the full decree terms. The VDH Vital Records office is at 8701 Park Central Drive, Suite 100, Richmond, VA 23227. You can reach them at (804) 662-6200, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Colonial Heights Divorce Decree Fees
Fees for divorce records and filings in Colonial Heights follow Virginia's statewide fee schedule under Virginia Code § 17.1-275. The filing fee to start a divorce case is $60. That covers the initial complaint. Other costs come later depending on what you need.
The image below shows the relevant portion of the Virginia Code fee schedule.
Virginia law governs both the grounds for divorce and the fee schedule that applies in Colonial Heights and every other independent city and county in the state.
Common fees at the Colonial Heights Circuit Court:
- Filing fee: $60
- First certified copy of decree: free
- Additional certified copies: $0.50/page + $2 certification
- Divorce certificate (VDH): $12 each
- Service of process: varies
Fee waivers are available if you can't pay. Ask the Clerk for the right form and fill out your income and expense information. People who get public assistance or earn below certain income limits often qualify. The court will decide based on your situation.
Filing for Divorce in Colonial Heights
To file for divorce in Colonial Heights, you must meet Virginia's six-month residency rule under Virginia Code § 20-97. At least one spouse must have lived in Virginia for six months before filing. Since Colonial Heights is an independent city, you file at the Colonial Heights Circuit Court, not at Chesterfield or Dinwiddie county courts.
Virginia recognizes both no-fault and fault-based grounds for divorce. No-fault divorce is the most common path. If both spouses have a written separation agreement and no minor children, they can file after six months of separation. Without a signed agreement, or if there are minor children involved, the required separation period is one year. Fault grounds include adultery, cruelty, desertion, and felony conviction with confinement.
One spouse files a Complaint for Divorce at the Circuit Court Clerk's office. The other spouse is then served. If both parties agree on all terms, the case can move through the court relatively quickly. If they disagree on any issue, such as who gets the house or how custody is handled, the case takes longer and may need a hearing before a judge.
Virginia does not have a mandatory waiting period after filing the complaint. What matters is meeting the separation period before you file. Once you file and the court grants the decree, the divorce is final when the judge signs it.
When the judge signs the Final Decree of Divorce, the Clerk files and records it. That document is your official proof of divorce. You can get a certified copy from the Clerk's office if you ever need it again. It is smart to get at least one copy at the time of the divorce and keep it somewhere safe.
What Colonial Heights Divorce Records Contain
A Final Decree of Divorce from the Colonial Heights Circuit Court is a full legal document. It covers everything the court ordered as part of the divorce. Most decrees are several pages long and contain specific terms that both parties must follow.
A typical decree includes:
- Names and addresses of both spouses
- Date of marriage and date the separation began
- Grounds for divorce as found by the court
- Division of property and any shared debts
- Spousal support terms, if ordered
- Child custody and parenting schedule, if applicable
- Child support amount, if applicable
- Any name change requested by a party
A divorce certificate from the VDH is shorter and only confirms the names, date, and court. Use the full decree when you need the actual terms of your settlement. Use the certificate when you only need to prove the divorce is done.
Keep your decree in a safe place. If you lose it, you can go back to the Clerk and get another certified copy, but you'll pay the copy fee. It is a good idea to store a copy in a fireproof location or a safe deposit box.
Legal Help in Colonial Heights
If you need help with a divorce case in Colonial Heights, several resources are available. Some serve low-income residents for free. Others can point you toward an attorney at a reasonable cost.
Virginia Legal Aid at valegalaid.org covers the Colonial Heights area. They take family law cases, including divorce, custody, and support matters. Income limits apply, but their services are free to those who qualify. Their site has contact information for the nearest office.
The Virginia State Bar at vsb.org runs a lawyer referral program. You can find family law attorneys who practice in Colonial Heights and the surrounding area. Many offer a reduced-fee first meeting so you can get a sense of your options before you commit to hiring someone.
If you want to file on your own, the Virginia Courts website has forms and step-by-step guidance. Uncontested cases with no children and little property are often manageable without an attorney. If there are disputes or children involved, getting at least some professional advice can make a real difference in the outcome.
Legal aid groups can also help you understand the difference between a Final Decree and a separation agreement, what happens to retirement accounts, and how child support is calculated. These are areas where small mistakes can have long-term consequences.
Nearby Cities
These independent cities are near Colonial Heights. Each has its own Circuit Court for divorce filings.
Adjacent Counties
Colonial Heights borders Chesterfield County and Dinwiddie County. Residents of those counties file divorce records through their respective Circuit Court Clerks.