Mathews County Divorce Decree Records
Divorce decree records in Mathews County are kept by the Circuit Court Clerk in Mathews Court House. You can request copies in person or by mail. This small Chesapeake Bay county has a close-knit court system where staff can often help you find what you need quickly. The records go back many years and cover all final decrees, settlement agreements, and related case documents filed in the county. Whether you need a certified copy of your own decree or want to search for a case, the Circuit Court Clerk is the right place to start. Know what you need before you go, and bring valid photo ID with you.
Mathews County Overview
Mathews County Circuit Court Clerk
The Mathews County Circuit Court Clerk keeps all divorce records for the county. This office files the original petition, stores all case documents, and issues certified copies of final decrees. The clerk handles requests from parties, family members, and attorneys. Staff can search by name or case number.
Mathews is a small coastal county on the Chesapeake Bay. It is part of Virginia's 9th Judicial Circuit, which also covers Gloucester and Middlesex counties. Because the county seat does not have a large city, the courthouse is compact and wait times are usually short. In-person visits tend to move quickly here compared to larger court systems in Virginia.
The office issues certified copies of the final decree, which you may need for name changes, property transfers, or remarriage. Call ahead to confirm current hours before you drive out, since small county offices sometimes adjust schedules around holidays or staff availability.
| Office | Mathews County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address |
Mathews County Courthouse P.O. Box 463 Mathews Court House, VA 23109 |
| Phone | (804) 725-2550 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Circuit Court Directory | vacourts.gov |
How to Search Mathews County Divorce Records
There are two main ways to search for divorce decree records in Mathews County. You can look online using the Virginia Supreme Court's case information system, or you can go to the courthouse in person. Both methods work. The online system is good for finding basic case info. In person is better when you need full documents or certified copies.
The Virginia court system offers a public case search tool at vacourts.gov. You can search by party name or case number. The system shows case status and some docket entries. Not every old case has full records online, so if you're looking for something older, a visit or a written request may be needed.
To search, you will typically need:
- Full legal name of one or both spouses
- Approximate year the case was filed
- Case number if you have it
For mail requests, write to the clerk's office and include the names of both parties, the year of divorce if known, and a return mailing address. Ask whether the clerk requires payment upfront or will send an invoice. Response times can vary, but many small Virginia counties turn around simple requests within one to two weeks.
The Virginia Department of Health also keeps divorce certificates for cases going back to 1918. These are shorter documents that confirm a divorce happened. They do not include the full decree terms. You can reach VDH at vdh.virginia.gov/vital-records or call (804) 662-6200.
Mathews County Divorce Record Fees
Fees for divorce records in Mathews County follow the statewide schedule set by Virginia Code § 17.1-275. The filing fee for a divorce case is $60. That covers the cost to open the case with the clerk. Other fees apply when you request copies later.
The first certified copy of the final decree is free under § 17.1-275. That applies at the time the decree is entered. If you need additional certified copies later, the cost is $0.50 per page plus a $2.00 certification fee. Plain (uncertified) copies cost less. Ask the clerk what the per-page rate is for plain copies when you call.
Common fee items at the Mathews County Circuit Court:
- Divorce filing fee: $60
- First certified copy of final decree: free at time of entry
- Additional certified copies: $0.50/page + $2.00 certification
- Divorce certificates from VDH: $12 each
If you need a divorce certificate rather than the full decree, go through the Virginia Department of Health. VDH charges $12 per certificate. You can request by mail or in person at 8701 Park Central Drive Suite 100, Richmond, VA 23227. Their office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Note: Fees can change. Confirm current costs with the Mathews County Circuit Court Clerk before you send payment or visit.
Filing for Divorce in Mathews County
To file for divorce in Mathews County, at least one spouse must have lived in Virginia for six months before filing. That rule comes from Virginia Code § 20-97. There is no county-specific residency rule on top of the state one. If you meet the six-month state requirement, you can file in the county where you live.
Virginia allows both no-fault and fault-based divorces. The most common is the no-fault separation ground. If you and your spouse have no minor children and have a signed separation agreement, you only need to live apart for six months. Without a written agreement, or if minor children are involved, the separation period is one year. Fault grounds include adultery, cruelty, desertion, and felony conviction.
The process begins when one spouse files a Complaint for Divorce with the Circuit Court Clerk and pays the $60 filing fee. The other spouse must be served with a copy of the complaint. If both agree on all terms, the case can move through without a contested hearing. The judge reviews the agreement and signs the final decree when everything is in order.
Grounds for divorce in Virginia are covered under Virginia Code § 20-91. That section lists adultery, cruelty, desertion, and the separation periods. If you are not sure which ground applies to your case, a Virginia-licensed attorney can help you figure out the right approach before you file.
Separation Requirement: Virginia does not grant divorces the same day you file. The law requires a period of living apart, which is at least six months with a signed agreement and no minor children, or one year in all other cases.
What Mathews County Divorce Decrees Contain
A divorce decree from Mathews County Circuit Court is a court order that ends the marriage. It also spells out the terms both parties agreed to, or that the judge decided. Most people need a certified copy of this document at some point after the divorce is final.
The final decree of divorce typically includes:
- Full legal names of both spouses
- Date and place of marriage
- Grounds for the divorce
- Property and debt division terms
- Spousal support orders, if any
- Child custody and visitation arrangements
- Child support amounts
- Name restoration if requested
The full case file at the clerk's office may also include the original complaint, any answers filed, financial disclosure forms, and the separation agreement if one was used. Not all of these are in the final decree itself. If you need more than just the decree, ask the clerk what else is in the file and what costs apply.
Divorce records in Virginia are not open to the public in the same way as many other court records. Under Virginia Code § 32.1-271, divorce certificates held by VDH are restricted for 25 years. Access is limited to the parties and their immediate family members who can show valid ID. Circuit Court records may have different access rules, so check with the clerk about what you can request and what proof you need to provide.
Legal Help for Mathews County Divorce Cases
Getting through a divorce without legal help is possible, but it is not always easy. Mathews County is a rural area, and there are not many local attorneys to choose from. That said, there are statewide resources that serve people in smaller counties like Mathews.
Virginia Legal Aid offers free civil legal services to people with low income. They handle family law matters including divorce. You can reach them at valegalaid.org to find the office nearest to Mathews County and check if you qualify for help. Income limits apply, but the service is broad.
The Virginia State Bar runs a lawyer referral service that can connect you with a licensed attorney in your area. Go to vsb.org to use the referral tool or call the bar for help finding someone. Many attorneys offer a first consultation at a reduced rate or at no cost.
The Virginia Courts website at vacourts.gov has general information about the circuit court system and some self-help guides. For forms and instructions, that is a good starting point. The clerk's office in Mathews Court House can also point you to the right forms, though staff cannot give legal advice.
The Virginia General Assembly publishes the full text of divorce statutes online. The screenshot below shows the grounds for divorce under Virginia law.
You can view the current statute at law.lis.virginia.gov. The text covers both no-fault and fault-based grounds for divorce in Virginia.
Cities Near Mathews County
The cities listed below are the nearest qualifying Virginia cities. Residents of these cities who have a connection to Mathews County may need to access records here.
Nearby Counties
These counties border or are close to Mathews County. If you are not sure which county handles your case, confirm the address where you or your spouse lives.