King and Queen County Divorce Decree Search
Divorce decree records for King and Queen County are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk in King and Queen Court House, Virginia. This page explains how to find those records, who is eligible to request them, what fees apply, and which state and local offices can assist King and Queen County residents.
King and Queen County Overview
King and Queen County Circuit Court Clerk
The Circuit Court Clerk in King and Queen Court House is the official custodian of divorce decree records for this county. All final divorce decrees, case files, and related civil court documents for cases filed in King and Queen County are kept at this office. It's the first place to go if you need a certified copy of a divorce decree from this county.
King and Queen County is a rural county in the Middle Peninsula region of Virginia, bordered by the Mattaponi and Rappahannock rivers. The county seat, King and Queen Court House, is an unincorporated community that is home to the courthouse. Given the county's small size, the Clerk's office handles a manageable volume of records. Staff can usually respond to requests by mail or in person. If you're visiting, call ahead to confirm hours and bring your ID.
Under Virginia Code § 17.1-275, parties named in a final divorce decree receive one free certified copy. Any additional copies run $0.50 per page. The standard fee to file a new divorce case is $60. Have the names of both spouses and the approximate year the divorce was finalized when you contact the Clerk. This makes the records search much faster.
| Office | King and Queen County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address |
King and Queen County Courthouse P.O. Box 67 King and Queen Court House, VA 23085 |
| Website | vacourts.gov - King and Queen Circuit Court |
| Record Type | Final Divorce Decrees, Divorce Case Files |
| Judicial Circuit | 9th Judicial Circuit |
Virginia's statewide public case information portal allows you to search King and Queen County civil cases by party name or case number. You can see basic docket information like filing dates and case status, but actual decree documents are not viewable online. For certified copies, contact the Clerk's office directly.
The Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records issues certified divorce certificates for King and Queen County cases from 1918 to the present.
Three Types of King and Queen County Divorce Records
Virginia maintains three separate categories of divorce records. Each comes from a different office and serves a different purpose. Knowing the distinction saves time when you submit a records request.
The first is the divorce certificate. This is a brief official document issued by the Virginia Department of Health that confirms a divorce took place. It includes the names of the parties, the county of filing, and the date the court entered the decree. The VDH Three Rivers Health District serves King and Queen County and can assist local residents with vital records requests. Certificates cover divorces statewide from 1918 to the present. The fee is $12 per certified copy under Virginia Code § 32.1-272.
The second is the final divorce decree. This is the court order that legally ends the marriage and sets all terms: property division, any support orders, custody arrangements, and name changes if sought. The King and Queen County Circuit Court Clerk holds this document. Parties named in the decree get one free certified copy under § 17.1-275. Extra copies cost $0.50 per page.
The third is the divorce case file. This includes everything filed during the proceeding: the complaint, service records, financial disclosures, motions, and any settlement agreement. The Circuit Court Clerk holds this file. It's more detailed than the final decree and is useful when you need to review specific documents or trace the history of a case.
Who Can Request King and Queen Divorce Records
Access to divorce records in King and Queen County is governed by Virginia Code § 32.1-271. These records are not open to the public during the restricted period. Only specified individuals may request certified copies.
Eligible requesters are the named parties and their immediate family members. Immediate family under state law means parents, spouses, adult children, siblings, and grandparents. Extended relatives fall outside this category. All requesters must present valid government-issued photo ID. Where a family member is requesting rather than a named party, additional proof of relationship may be required.
The restriction lifts after 25 years. Under § 32.1-271, divorce records become public once 25 years have passed from the date the decree was entered. After that, anyone may request a copy without showing a relationship. A court can also seal a record under Virginia Code § 20-121.4, which keeps it restricted regardless of how much time has passed.
Divorce Certificates Through VDH Three Rivers District
King and Queen County is served by the VDH Three Rivers Health District, which covers the Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck regions. Residents can request divorce certificates through this district or go directly to the VDH Office of Vital Records in Richmond.
The central VDH office is located at 8701 Park Central Drive, Suite 100, Richmond, VA 23227. Walk-in service runs Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The customer care line is (804) 662-6200, available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. To request by mail, send a completed VDH application, a legible copy of your government-issued ID, and a check or money order for $12 per certificate payable to the State Health Department. Mail requests typically take two to four weeks to process.
Local assistance is available through the VDH Three Rivers Health District for King and Queen County residents who prefer to work closer to home. Both routes lead to the same certified certificate issued under VDH authority.
Virginia Divorce Law and King and Queen County Cases
All divorce cases in King and Queen County proceed under Virginia state law. One spouse must have lived in Virginia for at least six months before the filing date, as required by Virginia Code § 20-97. The residency must be genuine and established, not temporary.
Virginia allows divorce on both fault and no-fault grounds under § 20-91. Fault grounds include adultery, felony conviction with confinement for more than one year, cruelty, and willful desertion or abandonment lasting at least one year. For no-fault divorce, the parties must live separate and apart for one full year without resuming cohabitation. If both spouses have signed a separation agreement and there are no minor children, that period drops to six months.
Property is divided under equitable distribution principles in § 20-107.3. Spousal support is addressed under § 20-107.1. Child support is determined under guidelines in § 20-108.2. Once the court enters the final decree, the Clerk sends a report to the State Registrar within ten days of the following month under § 32.1-268. That report feeds the statewide vital records system.
Under Virginia Code § 20-97, at least one spouse must have been a Virginia resident for six continuous months before filing for divorce in King and Queen County Circuit Court.
How to Get King and Queen County Divorce Decree Copies
There are two main ways to get King and Queen County divorce records: through the Circuit Court Clerk for the final decree or case file, or through the VDH for a divorce certificate. The right choice depends on what you need and how you plan to use it.
For the final decree or the full case file, contact the King and Queen County Circuit Court Clerk. You can visit in person at the courthouse in King and Queen Court House, write by mail, or call ahead. When making a request, include the full names of both parties, the approximate year of the divorce, and a copy of your photo ID. Named parties receive one free certified copy under § 17.1-275. If requesting by mail, enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope for return delivery.
For a divorce certificate, contact the VDH Three Rivers Health District or the central VDH Office of Vital Records in Richmond. Complete the VDH application form, include a legible copy of your photo ID, and enclose payment of $12 by check or money order payable to the State Health Department. Online requests are not available; submit in person or by mail.
To confirm a case exists before you submit a formal request, use Virginia's statewide public case information portal to search King and Queen County civil records. The portal shows party names, filing dates, and docket entries. It does not show decree content. Once you confirm the case, request certified copies from the Clerk.
Nearby Counties
These counties border King and Queen County. If you are unsure which county handled a case, check where the filing party lived at the time of the divorce.