Search Henrico County Divorce Decree Records

Henrico County divorce decree records are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk at the courthouse complex on East Parham Road. The county surrounds the city of Richmond on three sides and is one of the most populous jurisdictions in Virginia. If you live in Henrico, your divorce case goes through the Henrico County Circuit Court, not the Richmond city courts.

Henrico County Circuit Court Clerk

The Henrico County Circuit Court Clerk handles all divorce records for the county. The Civil Division maintains final decrees, case files, and all documents filed during divorce proceedings. Clerk Heidi S. B. Barshinger leads the office, which is open Monday through Friday. The courthouse complex is located on East Parham Road in eastern Henrico County.

Henrico County is a separate jurisdiction from Richmond city. Many people confuse the two because Henrico surrounds the city on most sides. If your address is in Henrico County, your divorce case was filed here, not at the Richmond city courts. The Clerk's office can confirm which court handled a specific case if you are unsure.

The statewide Virginia Judicial System case portal at eapps.courts.state.va.us allows you to search Henrico County Circuit Court cases by party name or case number. This is a good way to verify that a divorce was filed and to find the case number before contacting the Clerk's office for copies.

How to Search Henrico Divorce Records

Searching for Henrico County divorce records starts with identifying whether you need a divorce certificate or the actual court decree. These come from different offices and require different steps. The statewide case portal is the fastest way to find basic case information at no cost.

Go to the Virginia Judicial System portal and select Henrico County Circuit Court. Enter one or both party names and the approximate filing year. The system will return case numbers, filing dates, and hearing entries. You will not see the actual documents there, but you can confirm whether a case exists. Once you have the case number, contact the Clerk's office to request copies of the decree or case file.

In-person visits to the Clerk's office at 4301 East Parham Road allow you to review the case file and request certified copies on the spot. Bring a valid photo ID. Staff can look up cases by party name if you do not have the case number. For mail requests, write a letter to the Clerk that includes the case number or party names, the approximate year of divorce, your ID copy, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Under Virginia Code § 17.1-275, named parties receive one free certified copy of the final decree. Additional copies cost $0.50 per page.

Note: Henrico County divorce records are restricted. Only the named parties and their immediate family members may request copies until 25 years have passed since the divorce was granted, per Virginia Code § 32.1-271.

Henrico County Divorce Decree Fees

Filing a divorce case in Henrico County Circuit Court costs $60. That fee is set by Virginia Code § 17.1-275 and applies statewide. The $60 covers the filing and includes one free certified copy of the final decree for the named party. No additional charge applies for that first copy.

If you need additional copies of the final decree, the rate is $0.50 per page. The Clerk's office can tell you how long the decree is so you know the total cost before paying. For divorce certificates from the Virginia Department of Health, the fee is $12 per certified copy under Virginia Code § 32.1-272.

Henrico County also has costs beyond the basic filing fee. Service of process through the Henrico County Sheriff's office adds a fee. A private process server is another option and may cost less or more depending on the situation. If the court orders mediation, that has its own cost. People with low income can ask for a fee waiver. The Clerk's office and local legal aid groups can explain the process for requesting one.

Filing for Divorce in Henrico County

To file for divorce in Henrico County, you must meet the Virginia residency requirement. Under Virginia Code § 20-97, at least one spouse must have lived in Virginia as a bona fide resident for six months or more before the date of filing. Members of the armed forces stationed in Virginia may qualify even if their legal home state is different.

Virginia allows no-fault and fault-based divorce grounds. For a no-fault divorce under § 20-91, the couple must live separate and apart for one full year. If there are no minor children and a written separation agreement is in place, the period shortens to six months. Fault grounds include adultery, felony conviction with confinement for more than a year, cruelty, and willful desertion.

The filing spouse submits a Divorce Complaint to the Civil Intake Division along with the VS-4 State Statistical Form and a Domestic Case Coversheet. Payment of $60 is due at filing, by cash, cashier's check, or money order payable to the Clerk of the Circuit Court. The other spouse must be served with the complaint. Once service is complete and any waiting period has elapsed, the court can issue a final decree. After the judge signs the decree, the Clerk records it and reports it to the State Registrar, creating the basis for the divorce certificate that VDH issues.

What Henrico County Divorce Records Contain

Henrico County divorce records come in three forms. Each has a different level of detail and comes from a different source. The type you need depends on why you need the record.

Divorce certificates are short documents from the Virginia Department of Health. They confirm that a divorce occurred and list the parties' names, the date, and the county. VDH has records from 1918 to the present. These are available through the VDH Office of Vital Records in Richmond or through the Henrico County Health Department. The fee is $12 per certified copy. The Henrico County Health Department is located at 8600 Dixon Powers Drive, Henrico, VA 23228, phone (804) 501-4651.

The final divorce decree is the complete court order that ends the marriage. It contains the full terms: who gets what property, child custody and support arrangements, spousal support amounts, and any name changes. The Henrico County Circuit Court Clerk holds this document. Named parties receive one free certified copy. Additional copies cost $0.50 per page.

The divorce case file includes every document filed during the proceeding: the complaint, summons, motions, financial affidavits, and any settlement agreement. Case files offer the most complete picture of the divorce history. They are available from the Clerk's office. Under Virginia Code § 20-124, a court may seal a divorce record on motion of either party, which can restrict access even after the standard 25-year period expires.

The Henrico County Health Department at henrico.us/health issues certified copies of divorce certificates for events that occurred in Virginia from 1918 to the present.

Legal Help in Henrico County

Henrico County residents have several options for legal help with divorce matters. Free and low-cost services are available for people who qualify based on income. Other resources can help you find a private attorney or navigate court forms on your own.

Central Virginia Legal Aid Society serves Henrico County and the broader Richmond metro area. They handle family law cases including divorce, custody, and support for people with low income. Call (804) 200-6045 or visit cvlas.org to find out if you qualify. They can help with forms, court procedures, and in some cases provide direct representation.

The Virginia State Bar lawyer referral service is available at (800) 552-7977 or vsb.org. The Henrico County Bar Association can also provide referrals to local family law attorneys. Self-help resources and official court forms are available through the Virginia Supreme Court at vacourts.gov. For questions about the filing process, the Clerk's staff can point you in the right direction, though they cannot give legal advice.

Cities Near Henrico County

Henrico County surrounds the independent city of Richmond. Richmond residents file divorce cases at the Richmond city circuit court, not at the Henrico County courthouse.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Henrico. Each county maintains its own divorce records at its own Circuit Court Clerk's office. File in the county where you live.