Find Divorce Records in Charlottesville
Charlottesville divorce records are kept at the Charlottesville Circuit Court Clerk's Office at 315 East High Street. The court serves as the 16th Judicial Circuit and has maintained divorce records since 1888. You can request copies of decrees, case files, and related documents in person, by mail, or through the city's online records request system.
Charlottesville Overview
Where Charlottesville Divorce Records Are Filed
Charlottesville is an independent city with its own Circuit Court in the 16th Judicial Circuit. All divorce cases involving Charlottesville residents are filed at the courthouse on East High Street. The court has maintained records going back to 1888, making it one of the longer-running court record systems in central Virginia.
The clerk of court is Hon. Llezelle Agustin Dugger. Staff at the clerk's office handle record requests but cannot provide legal advice. If you need help understanding the process, visit the Charlottesville Circuit Court page for local resources and contact information.
| Office | Charlottesville Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Hon. Llezelle Agustin Dugger |
| Address | 315 East High Street, Charlottesville, VA 22902 |
| Phone | (434) 970-3766 |
| ldugger@vacourts.gov | |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Website | charlottesville.gov |
How to Search Charlottesville Divorce Records
Charlottesville offers a records request page on the city's website. You can submit a request at the clerk's office in person or by mail. The city's online records system at charlottesville.gov/181/Request-Copies is one option for starting the process, though copies must be picked up or mailed rather than downloaded.
In-person requests are the fastest way to get records. Go to 315 East High Street during regular hours and ask the clerk's staff to pull the file. Bring your photo ID and whatever details you have about the case, including both parties' full names and the approximate year of the divorce.
For mail requests, write to the clerk's office and include the names, year, and case number if known. Include payment and a self-addressed stamped envelope. The office will search the index and send you what they find.
The Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records holds certified copies of divorce certificates from 1918 onward. VDH copies cost $12 each and can be requested online (with the form printed and mailed) or in person at 8701 Park Central Drive, Suite 100, Richmond, VA 23227.
What Charlottesville Divorce Records Contain
The final divorce decree is the main document from the court. It contains the full names of both parties, the date of the divorce, and the terms of the settlement or the court's rulings. This includes property division, spousal support, child custody, visitation, and any name changes. Under § 20-107.3, courts must address all marital property and debts as part of the proceeding.
The divorce case file is the full record of the proceeding. It includes the petition, service documents, financial disclosures, any temporary orders issued during the case, and the final decree. For contested cases, files can be thick.
The divorce certificate from VDH is a shorter summary that confirms the basic facts: who divorced, when, and where. It is commonly used for administrative purposes, such as changing a name on a driver's license or applying for a marriage license again.
Social security numbers are stripped from all copies provided to the public, as required by Virginia law.
Virginia Divorce Laws and Charlottesville
Divorce cases in Virginia are handled only by Circuit Courts, per § 20-96. The Charlottesville Circuit Court has sole authority over divorce proceedings for city residents.
To file in Charlottesville, at least one spouse must have lived in Virginia for six months before filing. Virginia offers both no-fault and fault-based divorce options. The no-fault route under § 20-91 requires the parties to live apart for one year without cohabitation. If there are no minor children and the couple has signed a separation agreement, the period drops to six months.
Fault grounds, such as adultery, cruelty, or desertion, can be used instead. These require proof and may have an impact on spousal support decisions under the equitable distribution rules of § 20-107.3.
Access to Charlottesville divorce records is governed by § 32.1-271. Records from the past 25 years are restricted to parties, immediate family, and attorneys. Records older than 25 years are public. Courts may seal records under § 20-124, and sealed records stay private indefinitely.
The Virginia Freedom of Information Act (§ 2.2-3700) creates a general presumption that government records are public, but the vital records privacy rules take precedence for divorce documents during the restricted period.
Fees for Charlottesville Divorce Records
Court copies cost $0.50 per page. Under § 17.1-275, the first certified copy of a final divorce decree is free to the recipient when issued by the court. Later certified copies are subject to the standard per-page fee.
The filing fee to start a divorce case in Virginia is $60. Of that, $10 goes to the Courts Technology Fund. These amounts are set by state statute and apply in Charlottesville the same as anywhere else in Virginia.
VDH certified copies cost $12 each. If you need an apostille for international purposes, the fee is $10 per document.
Contact the clerk's office at (434) 970-3766 for information on acceptable payment methods. Some offices do not accept personal checks, so ask in advance.
Legal Help in Charlottesville
The Virginia Courts Self-Help Center offers guidance for people representing themselves in divorce cases. There are no official state forms for divorce, but the site explains what documents you need and how the process works.
The Virginia State Bar's divorce publication covers the types of divorce, grounds, property division, and spousal support in clear language. It is a solid starting point for anyone unfamiliar with Virginia divorce law.
Virginia Legal Aid provides free legal help to qualifying residents in central Virginia, including Charlottesville. Contact them to ask about assistance with divorce filings or related matters.
The Charlottesville area also has several private family law attorneys who handle divorce cases. The Virginia State Bar's lawyer referral service can help you find one.
Nearby Cities
These Virginia cities are near Charlottesville. Each has its own Circuit Court for divorce records.