Southampton County Divorce Decree Access
Southampton County divorce decree records are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk in Courtland, Virginia. This page covers how to get copies of divorce decrees, who is eligible to access them under Virginia law, what fees the county clerk charges, and what the process looks like for filing a divorce in Southampton County.
Southampton County Overview
Southampton County Circuit Court Clerk
The Southampton County Circuit Court Clerk in Courtland is the official keeper of all divorce records for cases filed in the county. Every divorce case produces a file that the clerk stores and maintains. That file holds the original complaint, any motions or interim orders, financial disclosures, the settlement agreement if there is one, and the final decree signed by the judge. If you need a certified copy of a Southampton County divorce decree, this is where to request it.
Southampton County is part of the 5th Judicial Circuit. Courtland is the county seat, and the courthouse there serves all of the county's residents. The county is located in the southeastern part of Virginia, near the North Carolina border. It is a rural county, and most residents who need divorce records deal with the Circuit Court Clerk directly. The clerk's staff can search for cases by party name or case number. Bring photo ID when you visit, since records under 25 years old require it.
| Office | Southampton County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 22350 Main Street Courtland, VA 23837 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Judicial Circuit | 5th Judicial Circuit |
| Court Directory | vacourts.gov |
How to Get Southampton County Divorce Records
Visiting the Southampton County Circuit Court Clerk in Courtland in person is the most direct way to get a copy of a divorce decree. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Provide the names of both spouses and, if available, the year the case was filed or the case number. The clerk will locate the file and make copies for you. Under Virginia Code § 17.1-275, the first certified copy of a final decree is provided free of charge. Any additional certified copies cost $0.50 per page plus a $2 certification fee. Plain copies without certification are cheaper.
You can also submit a mail request to the Southampton County Circuit Court Clerk. Write a letter that includes the names of both parties, the approximate year of the divorce, a copy of your valid photo ID, your return address, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. State whether you need a certified or plain copy. If you need copies beyond the first free one, include a check or money order payable to the Southampton County Circuit Court. Give the office a few weeks to process and respond.
Access to records from divorces that occurred within the last 25 years is restricted by state law. Under Virginia Code § 32.1-271, only the parties to the divorce and their immediate family members with valid ID may access those files. Older records are open to the public. If you are not a party and are unsure whether the records are accessible to you, call the clerk's office before making the trip to Courtland.
If you need a short confirmation of a Virginia divorce rather than the full decree, the Virginia Department of Health issues divorce certificates for $12 each. These are not the same as the court decree. They confirm that the divorce happened but don't include the settlement details. Contact VDH at (804) 662-6200 or visit vdh.virginia.gov/vital-records.
Fees for Southampton County Divorce Decrees
The fee schedule for Southampton County divorce records is set by state law under Virginia Code § 17.1-275. Filing a divorce case costs $60. Once the case ends and the decree is signed, you get the first certified copy for free. After that, each certified copy is $0.50 per page plus a $2 certification fee. The per-page fee for plain (uncertified) copies is lower. If the file is long, ask the clerk how many pages it contains before you decide how many copies to request.
Divorce certificates from VDH cost $12 per copy. These are shorter documents that confirm a divorce took place in Virginia. They don't contain the full terms of the decree, so if you need proof of the specific provisions (property division, custody, support), you'll need the actual court decree from the clerk.
Virginia Code § 17.1-275 at law.lis.virginia.gov sets the fee schedule that the Southampton County Circuit Court Clerk follows for divorce decree copies and court filings.
Note: Fees may change. Contact the Southampton County Circuit Court Clerk before sending payment to confirm current costs and accepted payment methods.
Filing for Divorce in Southampton County
A divorce filed in Southampton County must meet Virginia's residency requirement. Under Virginia Code § 20-97, at least one spouse must have been a resident of Virginia for six months before the complaint is filed. You file at the Southampton County Circuit Court Clerk's office in Courtland. The $60 filing fee is due at the time you submit the papers. The other party must receive a copy of the complaint through legal service, or they may sign a waiver of service if they agree to participate voluntarily.
Virginia allows both no-fault and fault-based divorce. The available grounds are listed in Virginia Code § 20-91. A no-fault divorce with no minor children requires both spouses to have lived apart for at least six months and to have a signed separation agreement. When minor children are involved, the separation period must be at least one year. Fault grounds include adultery, cruelty, willful abandonment, and a felony conviction resulting in imprisonment.
Uncontested divorces where both parties agree on everything are generally simpler. The petitioner files the complaint, the other side waives service or is served, and both submit the agreed decree for the judge to sign. Contested cases take more time. The court may require mediation, and if that fails, a trial before a judge. All documents filed in the case become part of the permanent record at the Southampton County Circuit Court Clerk's office.
Marital property is divided under Virginia's equitable distribution rules. The court looks at each party's contributions to the marriage, the length of the marriage, and their respective financial situations. Child support is calculated using the state guidelines. Spousal support is decided based on the factors in Virginia Code § 20-107.1.
What a Southampton County Divorce Decree Contains
A final decree from the Southampton County Circuit Court is a complete, binding court order. It names both parties and notes when the marriage took place. It states the legal grounds for the divorce and confirms the court's jurisdiction. The judge's signature makes the divorce final. Everything agreed to by the parties or decided at trial appears in the decree or in attached orders.
Property and debt division is spelled out in the decree. It lists who gets what: real estate, vehicles, financial accounts, retirement assets, and personal property. Marital debts are assigned as well. If a retirement account is being split, a Qualified Domestic Relations Order may be referenced or attached. Spousal support, if awarded, shows the amount, how often payments are made, and whether there is an end date.
Divorces involving children include custody and child support terms. The decree names the custodial arrangement, describes the parenting time schedule, and records the child support figure calculated under state guidelines. Both parties are legally bound to follow these terms from the moment the judge signs the order. If one party fails to comply, the other can seek enforcement through the court.
Certified copies of the decree are required for many practical tasks: changing your name, updating financial accounts, modifying titles or deeds, or showing proof of marital status to a government agency. You can get additional certified copies from the Southampton County Circuit Court Clerk at any time, subject to the applicable fee after the first free copy. Keep a certified copy somewhere safe and accessible.
Legal Help for Southampton County Residents
Southampton County residents who need help with divorce cases can contact legal aid organizations that serve the southeastern Virginia region. Virginia Legal Aid Society covers areas including Southampton County and can help residents with low income access family law services including divorce, custody, and support matters. Visit valegalaid.org for contact information and income eligibility guidelines.
The Virginia State Bar's lawyer referral service at (804) 775-0500 can connect you with a licensed attorney who practices family law in the area. The bar's website at vsb.org has more details on the referral process. Attorneys in the Franklin and Suffolk areas also serve Southampton County residents. Many offer a low-cost or no-cost first consultation.
The Virginia Courts website at vacourts.gov has forms and step-by-step instructions for people who want to handle their own divorce case. Self-representation is allowed in Virginia courts. For uncontested divorces where both parties have reached an agreement, going pro se is often manageable. The Southampton County Circuit Court Clerk can help you find the correct forms, though staff cannot advise you on legal strategy or procedure.
Nearby Cities
These independent Virginia cities are near Southampton County. Each has its own Circuit Court and separate divorce records system.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Southampton County. Each has its own Circuit Court Clerk and keeps its own divorce records. File in the county where you or your spouse lives.