Find Divorce Decree Records in Chesterfield County
Chesterfield County divorce decree records are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk in Chesterfield. This large suburban county south of Richmond handles a significant volume of divorce filings each year. Whether you need a final decree, a full case file, or a divorce certificate, this page walks you through exactly where to go and what to do.
Chesterfield County Overview
Chesterfield County Circuit Court Clerk
The Chesterfield County Circuit Court Clerk keeps all divorce records for cases filed in the county. This includes final decrees, separation agreements, financial records, custody orders, and all other filings that make up a divorce case file. Chesterfield is one of the most populous counties in Virginia, so the court handles a large caseload.
The courthouse is located in the county seat of Chesterfield, just south of Richmond. Chesterfield County is part of the 12th Judicial Circuit. The Clerk's office is the first stop for anyone who needs a certified copy of a final decree or wants to review a divorce case file from a case filed in the county.
Virginia Code § 17.1-275 sets the filing fee for divorce at $60. That fee includes the first certified copy of the final decree. The Clerk provides that copy to the parties at no extra charge once the judge signs the order. Any additional copies cost $0.50 per page.
The Chesterfield County Health Department works alongside the state VDH system to provide access to divorce certificates for Chesterfield residents.
| Office | Chesterfield County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address |
Chesterfield County Courthouse 9500 Courthouse Road Chesterfield, VA 23832 |
| Phone | (804) 748-1241 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | vacourts.gov - Chesterfield Circuit Court |
How to Search Chesterfield County Divorce Records
You can search divorce records in Chesterfield County online or in person. The state court portal is the easiest place to start. Online, you can verify a case exists and find basic details before requesting a copy.
The Virginia Judiciary's case information system is at vacourts.gov. Search by the full name of either party or the case number. The system shows case type, filing date, party names, and case status. It does not display document images, but it gives you enough to know what you are looking for.
To get certified copies, you have two options. You can visit the Clerk's office at the Chesterfield County Courthouse in person during business hours. Bring valid photo ID. Staff can pull the file and make copies on the spot. For mail requests, write a letter to the Clerk that includes both parties' names, approximate divorce year, and case number if you have it. Include a check or money order for copy fees and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
If you need a divorce certificate rather than the decree itself, contact the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records at 8701 Park Central Drive, Suite 100, Richmond, VA 23227, or call (804) 662-6200. Certificates cost $12 each and cover Virginia divorces from 1918 to present.
Access rules: Under Virginia Code § 32.1-271, divorce records are restricted for 25 years. Only named parties, their immediate family, or attorneys may access them during that time. After 25 years, records become public.
Chesterfield County Divorce Decree Fees
Fees for divorce records and divorce filings in Chesterfield County follow the Virginia state fee schedule. There are no local surcharges beyond what state law allows.
Here is a breakdown of what to expect:
- Divorce filing fee: $60 (per Virginia Code § 17.1-275)
- First certified copy of the final decree: included, no extra charge
- Additional certified copies: $0.50 per page
- Divorce certificate from VDH: $12 per copy
Payment to the Clerk must be by cash, cashier's check, or money order. Call the clerk's office before you mail anything to confirm what they accept. For VDH certificates, you can pay by check, money order, credit card, or cash at the drop-off window.
Waiver of fees: Chesterfield County, like all Virginia courts, allows you to request a waiver of court costs if you cannot afford them. Ask the Clerk's office for the appropriate form to submit to the judge.
Filing for Divorce in Chesterfield County
To file for divorce in Chesterfield County, at least one spouse must have lived in Virginia for six months before filing, as required by Virginia Code § 20-97. Virginia does not impose a separate county residency requirement. You file where you or your spouse currently lives.
Virginia law under Virginia Code § 20-91 allows both no-fault and fault-based divorce. For no-fault, the parties must live apart for at least one year. That period drops to six months if there are no minor children and both parties have signed a separation agreement. Fault grounds include adultery, felony conviction, cruelty, and abandonment.
The process starts at the Clerk's office. You file a Complaint for Divorce, a VS-4 state form, and a Domestic Case Coversheet. Pay the $60 filing fee. The other spouse must be served or sign a waiver. Uncontested cases often resolve without a court hearing. Contested cases may go to mediation first. If mediation fails, the judge holds a hearing and issues a ruling. The judge signs the final decree, and the Clerk enters it into the record. The Clerk reports the divorce to the State Registrar as required by Virginia Code § 32.1-268.
What Chesterfield County Divorce Records Contain
A divorce case file in Chesterfield County holds everything filed from start to finish. The initial complaint, service documents, financial disclosures, motions, temporary orders, and the final decree are all part of the record. If the case was contested, there may be deposition transcripts and expert reports in the file as well.
The Final Decree of Divorce is the key document most people are after. It is a court-signed order that ends the marriage and lays out the full terms of the settlement. This includes how property and debts are divided, whether any spousal support is owed, and if children are involved, the custody and support arrangements. The decree also shows the grounds for divorce, the date it was granted, and the name of the judge who signed it.
Typical contents of a Chesterfield County divorce record:
- Names and last known addresses of both parties
- Date and place of marriage
- Grounds cited for divorce
- Property and debt division terms
- Child custody, visitation, and support details
- Spousal support or alimony terms
- Name change authorization if requested
- Judge's signature and date of final order
Some sensitive financial documents, like tax returns or business valuations, may be filed under seal. Under Virginia Code § 17.1-208, non-confidential court records are open for inspection by anyone, but divorce records stay restricted for 25 years. Sealed records can only be opened by court order under Virginia Code § 20-124.
Legal Help in Chesterfield County
Chesterfield County residents have several options for legal help with divorce matters. Legal aid, bar referral services, and self-help resources are all available.
Central Virginia Legal Aid Society offers free civil legal services to low-income residents in the Chesterfield area. Their Richmond office covers the county. Call (804) 273-0926 or visit cvlas.org to apply. They handle divorce, custody, and support cases for qualifying clients.
The Virginia State Bar lawyer referral service at vsb.org lets you search for family law attorneys by county. Many Chesterfield-area attorneys are familiar with the local circuit court and its practices. The Chesterfield Bar Association may also have referral resources. For self-help, Virginia Legal Aid's website at valegalaid.org has guides and forms. Official divorce forms are on the Virginia Supreme Court site at vacourts.gov/forms/circuit.
Cities Near Chesterfield County
Several qualifying Virginia cities are close to Chesterfield County. Each has its own circuit court for cases filed within city limits.
Residents who live in unincorporated Chesterfield County file divorce cases at the Chesterfield County Circuit Court, not at the circuit courts for Richmond, Colonial Heights, Petersburg, or Hopewell.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Chesterfield County. If you are not sure where a divorce was filed, check the address on file with your attorney or any old paperwork you have.