Access Chesapeake Divorce Records

Chesapeake divorce records are maintained at the Chesapeake Circuit Court Clerk's Office at 307 Albemarle Drive, Suite 300A. As the 1st Judicial Circuit of Virginia, this court has kept records dating back to 1850 and handles all divorce filings for this large independent city. You can request copies of divorce decrees, case files, and divorce certificates in person or by mail.

Where Chesapeake Divorce Records Are Filed

Chesapeake is one of the largest independent cities in Virginia by area, and it has its own Circuit Court as part of the 1st Judicial Circuit. All divorce cases filed by Chesapeake residents go through this court. Records here go back to 1850, which is unusually far for a city of this size in Virginia.

The clerk of court is Hon. Alan P. Krasnoff. One thing to note: office hours here end at 3:45 PM, which is earlier than many other Virginia circuit courts. Plan your visit accordingly, and call ahead if you have questions about your request before making the trip.

How to Search Chesapeake Divorce Records

To search Chesapeake divorce records, start by calling (757) 382-3000 or visiting the clerk's office at 307 Albemarle Drive. Staff can help you locate a record if you have the names of both parties and the approximate year of the divorce. A case number speeds things up if you have it.

In-person visits must happen before 3:45 PM. The earlier closing time is important to remember, especially compared to other Virginia court offices that stay open until 4:30 or 5:00 PM. Bring a valid photo ID when you visit.

Mail requests are accepted. Write to the clerk's office at the address above and describe what record you need. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment. Processing times vary, but allow at least two to four weeks for a response by mail.

For VDH divorce certificates from 1918 forward, contact the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records at 8701 Park Central Drive, Suite 100, Richmond, VA 23227. The VDH phone number is 804-662-6200. Each certified copy costs $12.

The Virginia Judicial System online case search may have some Chesapeake case information. Check the Chesapeake Circuit Court page for any available online tools.

What Chesapeake Divorce Records Contain

Virginia divorce records come in three main forms. The final divorce decree is the most detailed. It sets out all the terms of the divorce, including property division, spousal support, debt allocation, child custody, and visitation. Under § 20-107.3, the court must address marital property and debt in every divorce decree, so these documents tend to be comprehensive.

The case file is the complete record of the proceeding. It holds every document filed in the case from start to finish: the complaint, the response, temporary orders, financial statements, motions, and the final decree. For a contested divorce, this file can be quite large.

The VDH divorce certificate is a shorter summary document. It confirms the names of the parties, the date of the divorce, and the court that granted it. Certificates do not include financial terms or custody details. They are typically used for administrative purposes like remarrying or changing a name on official documents.

All public copies of Virginia divorce records have social security numbers redacted, per state law. This applies to both court copies and VDH certificates.

Virginia Divorce Laws and Chesapeake

The Chesapeake Circuit Court has sole authority to grant divorces in the city, as established by § 20-96. No other Virginia court can issue a divorce decree.

To file in Chesapeake, at least one spouse must have been a Virginia resident for six months before filing. The most common path is no-fault divorce under § 20-91. This requires that the parties have lived separate and apart for one year without any cohabitation. If there are no minor children and the couple has a signed separation agreement, the period shortens to six months.

Fault-based divorce is available for adultery, felony conviction with imprisonment exceeding one year, cruelty, and willful desertion. Fault grounds can affect decisions about spousal support.

Under § 32.1-271, Chesapeake divorce records are restricted for 25 years after the divorce date. Only the parties, immediate family members (parents, spouse, children, siblings, grandparents), and attorneys can get copies during this period. After 25 years, the records become public and may be transferred to the Library of Virginia.

Judges can also seal divorce records under § 20-124 if a party files a motion and shows good reason. Sealed records stay private even after the 25-year period ends.

The Virginia FOIA at § 2.2-3700 generally presumes public access to government records, but the specific provisions governing vital records override that presumption for divorce records under 25 years old.

Fees for Chesapeake Divorce Records

Court copies cost $0.50 per page. The first certified copy of a final divorce decree is free when issued at the time of the divorce, under § 17.1-275. Subsequent certified copies are subject to standard copy fees.

The state filing fee for a divorce case is $60. Ten dollars of that goes to the Courts Technology Fund. These fees apply in Chesapeake just as in every other Virginia circuit court.

VDH certified divorce certificates cost $12 each. For international use, an apostille costs $10 per document and is handled by the Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Contact the Chesapeake clerk's office at (757) 382-3000 to ask about accepted payment types before you visit or mail a request.

Legal Help in Chesapeake

The Virginia Courts Self-Help Center has guidance on handling your own divorce case. Keep in mind there are no official state forms for divorce proceedings in Virginia, so you will need to prepare your own documents or use resources from local legal aid groups.

The Virginia State Bar's divorce guide explains the types of divorce, grounds, property rules, and spousal support in plain language. It is a good place to start before you contact an attorney or the court.

Virginia Legal Aid serves the Hampton Roads region and may be able to help low-income Chesapeake residents with divorce questions or filings at little or no cost.

Nearby Cities

These Virginia cities are near Chesapeake. Each has its own Circuit Court for divorce records.