Campbell County Divorce Decree Records
Campbell County divorce decree records are on file at the Circuit Court Clerk's office in Rustburg, Virginia. If you need a certified copy of a final decree or want to search a case, the Clerk is the place to start.
Campbell County Overview
Campbell County Circuit Court Clerk
The Circuit Court Clerk in Rustburg keeps all divorce decree records for Campbell County. This office is the official custodian of civil case files, including divorce proceedings. If you filed for divorce in Campbell County, or if the court granted a decree here, those records live with the Clerk.
Campbell County is in the 24th Judicial Circuit of Virginia, which also covers the independent City of Lynchburg. Most residents of the county who want to file for divorce will do so at the Rustburg courthouse. The Clerk's office handles all stages of record maintenance, from the initial petition through the final decree and any post-decree modifications.
To get a certified copy of a Campbell County divorce decree, you need to contact the Clerk's office directly. Bring or send the case number, the year the divorce was granted, and the full names of both parties. The first certified copy of a final divorce decree is free under Virginia Code § 17.1-275. Additional copies cost $0.50 per page.
| Office | Campbell County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address |
Campbell County Courthouse Rustburg, VA 24588 |
| Judicial Circuit | 24th Judicial Circuit |
| Records From | All final divorce decrees on file with the Clerk |
| First Copy Fee | Free (per § 17.1-275); additional copies $0.50/page |
How to Search Campbell County Divorce Records
You can look up Campbell County divorce records in a few ways. The Virginia court system's online case information portal, vacourts.gov, lets you search by party name or case number. It shows basic case details like filing dates, hearing dates, and orders. It does not show the full text of the decree.
For the actual decree document, you need to contact the Circuit Court Clerk in Rustburg. You can do this in person, by mail, or by phone. If you go in person, bring a photo ID. The Clerk's staff can pull the file and provide copies. If you mail your request, include the case number and year, both parties' names, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and any applicable fee.
Campbell County divorce records filed before certain years may only be available in paper format at the courthouse. The online system covers cases from more recent years. If you need an older record, an in-person or mail request is the most reliable method. Staff can usually tell you over the phone whether a case is on file and what format it's in.
Divorce records in Virginia are not public for 25 years after the decree is entered. Under Virginia Code § 32.1-271, only the parties to the divorce or their immediate family members may request a divorce certificate during that period. The final decree itself, kept by the Circuit Court Clerk, may be accessed by the parties and others with a legitimate need.
Divorce Certificates vs. Divorce Decrees in Campbell County
There are two main types of divorce records in Virginia, and people often confuse them. It's worth knowing which one you need before you make a request.
A divorce certificate is a short summary document issued by the Virginia Department of Health (VDH). It shows basic facts: the names of the parties, the date of divorce, the county where it was granted, and not much else. VDH has certificates for divorces that happened in Virginia from 1918 to present. The fee is $12 per certified copy. You can request one from the VDH Office of Vital Records at 8701 Park Central Drive, Suite 100, Richmond, VA 23227. Phone: (804) 662-6200.
A divorce decree is the actual court order. It's the full document signed by the judge that officially ends the marriage and sets out all the terms, including property division, spousal support, and child custody if applicable. The Circuit Court Clerk in Rustburg is the custodian of Campbell County divorce decrees. This is the document you need for legal purposes like name changes, insurance updates, or disputes over terms of the settlement.
The VDH also requires the Circuit Court Clerk to report every final decree to the State Registrar each month, per Virginia Code § 32.1-272. This is how VDH builds its database of divorce certificates. If VDH doesn't have a record yet, the original decree will always be at the Circuit Court Clerk's office.
Note: If you need proof of divorce for a legal or government purpose, a certified copy of the final decree from the Circuit Court Clerk is usually what you need. A VDH certificate works for simpler uses like updating a Social Security record.
Filing for Divorce in Campbell County
To file for divorce in Campbell County, at least one spouse must have lived in Virginia for six months before filing. This is required under Virginia Code § 20-97. You file at the Circuit Court Clerk's office in Rustburg. The filing fee is $60 under Virginia Code § 17.1-275.
Virginia allows both no-fault and fault-based grounds for divorce. Under Virginia Code § 20-91, the most common no-fault ground is living apart for one year. If there are no minor children and both spouses have a written settlement agreement, the separation period drops to six months. Fault grounds include adultery, cruelty, desertion, and felony conviction with imprisonment.
The court also handles related matters during a divorce, including spousal support under Virginia Code § 20-107.1 and property division under § 20-107.3. Virginia is an equitable distribution state, which means marital property is divided fairly but not always equally. Child support follows guidelines set in § 20-108.2.
Once the judge signs the final decree, the case is closed. The Clerk files the original decree and sends a report to VDH. If you need to modify terms later, such as child support or custody, you file a motion with the same Circuit Court.
The Virginia Supreme Court has self-help resources for unrepresented parties at vacourts.gov. Forms for domestic relations cases are available there at no cost.
What Campbell County Divorce Records Include
A complete divorce case file at the Campbell County Circuit Court Clerk's office typically includes the initial complaint or bill of complaint, any responsive pleadings, financial disclosure statements, settlement agreements if the case was uncontested, hearing transcripts if any, and the final decree. The final decree is the most important document in the file. It is the binding court order that ends the marriage.
The final decree in a Campbell County divorce case will usually show the full names of both parties, the date the marriage was dissolved, the grounds for divorce, the division of marital property and debts, any spousal support awarded, and custody and support terms for minor children if applicable. It may also include a name restoration order if one party asked to resume a prior name under Virginia Code § 20-121.4.
Some portions of divorce case files may be restricted. Financial source documents attached as exhibits, like tax returns or bank statements, may have redacted information. Matters involving minor children, such as custody evaluations, are sometimes filed under seal. The Clerk can tell you what is available for a specific case.
Legal Help for Campbell County Divorce Cases
If you need legal help with a divorce in Campbell County, several resources are available. The Central Virginia Legal Aid Society serves low-income residents in the area and may be able to help with divorce cases or refer you to other services. Blue Ridge Legal Services also covers parts of southwestern Virginia and can assist with family law matters.
The Lynchburg Bar Association can provide referrals to family law attorneys in the 24th Judicial Circuit area. Virginia's statewide lawyer referral service is also available through the Virginia State Bar. The Virginia Legal Aid Society maintains a website with self-help guides at valegalaid.org. For court forms and general procedural guidance, visit vacourts.gov.
If both spouses agree on all terms, an uncontested divorce in Campbell County can move fairly quickly. A contested case takes longer, especially if property, support, or custody is disputed. Getting at least a one-time consultation with a family law attorney is a good idea before you file, even if you plan to handle most of the process yourself.
Virginia Vital Records and Divorce Law
The Virginia Department of Health maintains divorce certificates for all divorces granted in the state since 1918. You can learn more about how to request these records at the VDH Office of Vital Records website.
The VDH processes requests by mail and in person. Certificates are useful as proof of divorce for many administrative purposes, while the full decree from the Circuit Court Clerk is needed for legal proceedings.
Nearby Cities
Lynchburg is an independent city adjacent to Campbell County. Divorce cases for residents of the city are filed at the Lynchburg Circuit Court, not the Campbell County court.
Nearby Counties
Campbell County borders several other Virginia counties. If you're not sure which county handles your case, check your address. You file for divorce in the county where you or your spouse lives.