Find Russell County Divorce Decree Records
Russell County divorce decree records are held at the Circuit Court Clerk's office in Lebanon, Virginia. The clerk is the right contact if you need to look up a divorce case, request a certified copy of a final decree, or ask about filing procedures. Russell County is a rural county in southwest Virginia near the Kentucky border. The county seat is Lebanon. All divorce filings for the county go through the Russell County Circuit Court. Under Virginia law, divorce records are not open to the general public for 25 years from the filing date, so only parties and eligible family members can request copies of recent cases.
Russell County Overview
Russell County Circuit Court Clerk
The Russell County Circuit Court Clerk handles all divorce case records in the county. The office files petitions, maintains case files, and issues certified copies of divorce decrees to eligible parties. If you need to look up a case or request documents, this is where you start.
Russell County is in southwest Virginia and is part of the 29th Judicial Circuit. The circuit serves a cluster of counties in the far southwest corner of the state. The courthouse is in Lebanon, which is the county seat. There are no independent cities in Russell County, so all county residents file with the Russell County Circuit Court. The clerk's office handles both old and new records. Staff can search by party name or case number.
| Office | Russell County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address |
Russell County Courthouse 53 East Main Street Lebanon, VA 24266 |
| Phone | (276) 889-8023 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | vacourts.gov |
How to Search Russell County Divorce Records
You can search for Russell County divorce records online or in person. Online searches give you basic case info at no cost. In-person visits let you review documents and get certified copies on the same day.
Virginia's Online Case Information System (OCIS) covers all circuit courts in the state including Russell County. Go to vacourts.gov and use the case search tool. You can search by party name or case number. The system shows filing dates, case status, and hearing history. Full documents are not always posted, but index data is available to the public at no charge.
To search you need at least one of these:
- Full name of one or both parties
- Approximate year the case was filed
- Case number if you already have it
Under Virginia Code § 32.1-271, divorce records are not public for 25 years from the date of the divorce filing. During that time, only the parties to the case and immediate family members with valid photo ID can get copies. If the divorce is older than 25 years, access rules may be less strict. Ask the clerk's office what applies to your case. For mail requests, include a copy of your ID, the names of both parties, and the approximate filing year. The clerk will confirm what it costs and how to send payment.
Russell County Divorce Decree Fees
Fees in Russell County follow the statewide schedule set by Virginia Code § 17.1-275. The filing fee to start a divorce case is $60. Copy fees are also set at the state level.
What you can expect to pay for records:
- First certified copy of the final decree: free per § 17.1-275
- Additional certified copies: $0.50 per page plus $2 per certification
- Plain (uncertified) copies: $0.50 per page
The full text of the clerk fee statute is available online. The official legislative page for this code section is shown below. It lists the fees that apply to circuit court records statewide, including divorce decrees.
Check the statute to see the full list of fees that may apply to your request. Additional costs may apply depending on what you need.
If you need a short-form divorce certificate rather than the full decree, that comes from the Virginia Department of Health. VDH charges $12 per certificate. The VDH vital records office is at 8701 Park Central Drive, Suite 100, Richmond, VA 23227. Call (804) 662-6200 or visit vdh.virginia.gov/vital-records for more information on how to order.
Tip: Confirm all fees with the Russell County Circuit Court Clerk before mailing a request or payment. Fees are set by state law but it is good practice to verify before you send anything.
Filing for Divorce in Russell County
To file for divorce in Russell County, at least one spouse must have lived in Virginia for six months before filing. The residency rule is in Virginia Code § 20-97. You file at the Circuit Court Clerk's office in Lebanon during regular business hours.
Virginia allows no-fault and fault-based divorce. No-fault requires a separation of one year. If there are no minor children and both spouses sign a separation agreement, the period drops to six months. Fault grounds include adultery, cruelty, desertion, and felony conviction. The grounds you pick go into the petition and become part of the public record once filed.
The steps in a Russell County divorce case:
- File a Bill of Complaint for Divorce with the Circuit Court Clerk
- Serve the other spouse or get a signed waiver of service
- Wait out the required separation period
- Submit a settlement agreement or attend hearings if disputed
- Get the Final Decree of Divorce signed by a circuit judge
- Request certified copies from the clerk
Cases with children take more time. The court reviews custody and support before entering a decree. Contested cases may go through mediation. The judge can set a hearing date if the parties cannot agree. Once the decree is signed, it is filed and recorded permanently. The clerk can issue certified copies the same day the decree is entered, or by request after the fact.
Separation Requirement: The required separation period must be complete before you file. If you and your spouse have not yet lived apart for the required time, you will need to wait. Filing before you meet this requirement can result in the case being dismissed.
What Russell County Divorce Decrees Contain
A divorce decree from the Russell County Circuit Court is the official court order ending a marriage. It is the document most people need after a divorce is final. Certified copies are used for legal ID changes, property transfers, and other purposes.
A typical Russell County divorce decree includes:
- Full names of both spouses
- Date of marriage
- Grounds for divorce
- Date the divorce was granted
- Property and debt division terms
- Spousal support if any was ordered
- Child custody, visitation, and support if the couple had minor children
The full court file at the clerk's office includes more documents. You can find the original petition, financial affidavits, any responses filed by the other party, and the settlement agreement if one was used. Some financial source documents may be sealed. Records relating to minor children may also have limited access. The clerk can tell you which parts of the file you are eligible to view based on your relationship to the case.
Get at least two certified copies of your decree before you leave the courthouse or close out the mail request. You will likely need one for Social Security, one for your bank or employer, and possibly more. Getting additional copies after the fact costs money and takes time. Keep your originals in a safe place.
Legal Help for Divorce in Russell County
Russell County residents have several options for legal help with divorce. Some organizations offer free services based on income. Others can connect you with a family law attorney in southwest Virginia.
Virginia Legal Aid has offices serving southwest Virginia and handles family law cases including divorce, custody, and support. Call (866) 534-5243 or go to valegalaid.org to find the nearest office and check income eligibility. They can help with forms, advice, and sometimes full representation for people who qualify.
The Virginia State Bar runs a statewide lawyer referral service. Visit vsb.org to search for family law attorneys who serve the Lebanon and Russell County area. Many southwest Virginia attorneys handle cases across multiple counties in the 29th Judicial Circuit. An initial consultation can help you figure out what you need.
The Virginia Courts website at vacourts.gov has general guides and court forms. The Circuit Court Clerk in Lebanon can point you to approved self-help resources at the courthouse. These materials are not a substitute for legal advice but can help you understand what to expect from the process.
Cities Near Russell County
Russell County is in a rural part of southwest Virginia. There are no qualifying independent cities directly within the county. All county residents file their divorce cases at the Russell County Circuit Court in Lebanon.
Communities in Russell County include Lebanon, Castlewood, Dante, and Honaker. All divorce cases for county residents go through the Circuit Court Clerk in Lebanon.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Russell County. If you are unsure which court handles your case, check the address where you live. You must file in the county where you or your spouse resides.