Search Washington County Divorce Decree Records
Washington County divorce decree records are on file at the Circuit Court Clerk's office at 189 East Main Street in Abingdon, Virginia. The clerk, Patricia Moore, manages all divorce case files along with criminal and civil court records, deeds, wills, and marriage licenses for this Southwest Virginia county. If you need a copy of a divorce decree or want to search for a case, this page explains how to do it, what the fees are, and what other resources are available to you.
Washington County Overview
Washington County Circuit Court Clerk
The Washington County Circuit Court Clerk handles all divorce decree records for the county. The clerk's office files incoming divorce petitions, stores all case documents, and provides certified copies to eligible parties. Clerk Patricia Moore is a certified Master Clerk and certified Court Manager, bringing professional-grade record management to this Southwest Virginia office.
The office maintains electronic search capabilities, which means you can often find case information without traveling to the courthouse. The clerk handles a wide range of records beyond divorce, including criminal case files, civil records, appeals, deeds, marriage licenses, wills, and guardianship records. For divorce cases specifically, you will need to contact this office for certified copies of the Final Decree of Divorce.
Washington County sits in Southwest Virginia near the Tennessee border. The county seat of Abingdon is the center of local government and home to the courthouse. All divorce cases filed by Washington County residents go through this circuit court. If you filed for divorce in another Virginia county, you need to contact that county's clerk instead.
| Office | Washington County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address |
189 East Main Street Abingdon, VA 24210 |
| Phone | 276-676-6224 |
| Clerk | Patricia Moore |
| tsmoore@vacourts.gov | |
| Website | vacourts.gov |
How to Search Washington County Divorce Records
The Washington County Circuit Court Clerk provides and maintains electronic search capabilities for case records. This means you can look up basic case information online before you call or visit. The statewide Virginia Courts system also covers Washington County cases.
Start your search at vacourts.gov. The online system lets you search by party name or case number. You can see if a case exists, check its status, and get the case number you need when requesting copies. The online system does not provide full document text, but it confirms case details and saves you a trip if the record does not exist.
To search for a divorce record, have at least one of these ready:
- Full name of one or both spouses
- Approximate year the divorce was filed or granted
- Case number if you have it
You can also call the clerk's office directly at 276-676-6224. Staff can look up cases over the phone and tell you what to bring if you need certified copies. In-person visits to 189 East Main Street in Abingdon let you view the full case file and get copies the same day. Bring a valid photo ID. If the case is older, ask about archive records when you call, since some older files may be stored separately.
The Virginia Department of Health also keeps divorce certificates, which are different from the court decree. A VDH certificate shows the names, county, and date but not the property or custody terms. See the Fees section below for VDH contact details.
Washington County Divorce Decree Fees
Fees for divorce records at the Washington County Circuit Court follow the statewide schedule set under Virginia Code § 17.1-275. These rates apply to all Virginia circuit courts, including Washington County.
The filing fee for a divorce petition is $60. When the court enters a Final Decree of Divorce, the first certified copy is free under § 17.1-275. After that, each additional page costs $0.50, and there is a $2 certification fee per document. If you need several certified copies, ask the clerk to make them all at once to avoid multiple trips.
Standard fees to know:
- Divorce petition filing fee: $60
- First certified copy of decree: free
- Additional certified copies: $0.50 per page plus $2 per document
- Divorce certificate from Virginia Department of Health: $12 each
The Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records is at 8701 Park Central Drive, Suite 100, Richmond, VA 23227. You can reach them at (804) 662-6200, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Their website is at vdh.virginia.gov/vital-records.
The VDH vital records page is shown below.
The VDH site explains how to order a divorce certificate, what ID you need, and the $12 fee for each copy. Certificates are different from certified decree copies, so make sure you know which one you need before you order.
Fee waivers may be available for people who cannot afford court costs. Ask the clerk's office for the waiver form and income guidelines. You will need to show proof of income. The court decides whether to grant the request.
Tip: Call 276-676-6224 or check § 17.1-275 to confirm current fees before you visit.
Filing for Divorce in Washington County
To file for divorce in Washington County, you must meet Virginia's residency rule. Under Virginia Code § 20-97, at least one spouse must have lived in Virginia for six months before filing. Once you meet that rule, you file at the Washington County Circuit Court at 189 East Main Street in Abingdon.
Virginia allows both no-fault and fault-based divorce. Most cases in Washington County proceed on no-fault grounds. For a no-fault divorce, the spouses must live separate and apart. If both sign a written separation agreement and have no minor children, the required separation is six months. Without an agreement, or if minor children are involved, the required separation is one full year.
Fault grounds under Virginia Code § 20-91 include adultery, cruelty, willful desertion, and felony conviction with imprisonment. A fault divorce can be filed without waiting for the separation period, but you must have evidence to support the ground alleged. These cases often take longer in court.
The process starts when you file a Bill of Complaint for Divorce with the circuit court clerk. The other spouse must be served with the paperwork or sign a waiver. If both parties agree on property, custody, and support, the court can grant an uncontested divorce. If there are disputes, the case may go to mediation or a judge's hearing. The judge signs the Final Decree of Divorce once all issues are resolved.
Residency Requirement: Under § 20-97, one spouse must live in Virginia for six full months before you can file. Cases filed too early can be dismissed.
What Washington County Divorce Decrees Contain
The Washington County Circuit Court clerk's office keeps records that include criminal and civil case files, appeals, deeds, marriage licenses, wills, guardianship records, and divorce proceedings. For divorce specifically, the court file includes all documents from start to finish.
A Final Decree of Divorce from Washington County typically contains:
- Full names of both spouses
- Date of marriage
- Date the separation began
- Grounds for divorce
- Division of marital property and debts
- Custody and visitation arrangements for children
- Child support if ordered
- Spousal support if ordered
- Name change if requested
- Judge's signature and the date the decree was entered
The case file also includes the initial Bill of Complaint, the other party's response, any separation agreement, and financial disclosures submitted during the case. These documents support the terms in the decree but are filed separately. Most are part of the public court record. However, under Virginia Code § 32.1-271, divorce certificate records at the VDH are restricted from public view for 25 years. The clerk's office operates under different access rules set by Virginia's circuit court statutes.
If you need a certified copy to change your name or update legal documents, get at least two copies the first time you visit. Banks, government agencies, and some employers require certified copies, not plain photocopies. The first certified copy is free.
Legal Help for Washington County Divorce Cases
Several resources can help Washington County residents handle a divorce case. Some provide free legal help based on income. Others connect you with licensed attorneys who know Virginia family law.
Virginia Legal Aid provides free civil legal help to people who qualify based on income. Divorce, custody, and support cases are among the matters they handle. Check valegalaid.org to find the office that serves Southwest Virginia and to see if you meet the eligibility rules. You can also call their main line to ask.
The Virginia State Bar runs a lawyer referral service at vsb.org. This connects you with a licensed attorney in Virginia who handles family law. Some attorneys offer a reduced fee for the first meeting. It is worth a call if your case involves children, property, or disagreements with the other spouse.
Self-represented parties can find court forms and plain-language guides at vacourts.gov. The clerk's office at 189 East Main Street in Abingdon can tell you what forms to file, but staff cannot give legal advice. For help understanding your rights or completing paperwork, contact Virginia Legal Aid or the State Bar referral service first.
Cities Near Washington County
Washington County is in far Southwest Virginia. The nearby qualifying city with a divorce record page is Bristol.
Other communities in and around Washington County include Abingdon and smaller towns throughout the region. All divorce cases for county residents are filed at the Washington County Circuit Court in Abingdon.
Nearby Counties
These counties border or are near Washington County in Southwest Virginia. File your divorce in the county where you have lived for the past six months.