Petersburg Divorce Records
Petersburg divorce records are filed and maintained at the Petersburg Circuit Court, located at 7 Courthouse Avenue. Petersburg is an independent city in the 6th Judicial Circuit with its own court that handles all divorce cases for the city. Records go back to 1831, one of the longer archives among Virginia's independent cities. The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, and can be reached at (804) 733-2367.
Petersburg Overview
Where Petersburg Divorce Records Are Kept
The Petersburg Circuit Court Clerk's Office is at 7 Courthouse Avenue, Petersburg, VA 23803. This is an independent city court in the 6th Judicial Circuit. All divorce cases filed in Petersburg, whether contested or uncontested, go through this court. Records date back to 1831, giving the court a long archive that spans many generations.
The clerk's office is open on weekdays from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. You can call (804) 733-2367 to ask about a specific case or to find out what you need to bring when you visit. The Virginia Courts website also lists Petersburg circuit court information.
| Office | Petersburg Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 7 Courthouse Avenue, Petersburg, VA 23803 |
| Phone | (804) 733-2367 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Judicial Circuit | 6th Judicial Circuit |
| Records From | 1831 |
How to Request Petersburg Divorce Records
The most direct way to get divorce records is to visit the clerk's office in person. Bring a valid photo ID and the names of both parties. The approximate year of the divorce will help speed up the search. Staff will look up the case in the index system and let you know what is on file.
For mail requests, write a letter with the party names, approximate year, and your reason for the request. Include payment for copy fees and a self-addressed stamped return envelope. Call ahead at (804) 733-2367 to confirm acceptable payment forms and the current fee schedule.
The Virginia Judicial System's online case information system may include some Petersburg circuit court cases. Check the Virginia Courts website to see what is available online. Online searches typically return basic case information, not full case documents.
For older divorce records or for a summary certificate, the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records has statewide records from 1918. VDH certificates cost $12 per copy and confirm the names, date, and court but do not include the full decree text.
What Petersburg Divorce Records Contain
Virginia divorce records fall into three types. Each has a different level of detail, and the right one depends on your purpose.
The final divorce decree is the court order that officially ends the marriage. It covers property division under Virginia Code § 20-107.3, spousal support, child custody and visitation, and any name changes. For a contested case the decree can be several pages long. For an uncontested case it may be shorter.
The divorce case file contains all documents filed during the proceeding. This covers the complaint, answers, motions, financial statements, and the final decree. People who need to understand how a case developed, or who need to review specific agreements made during the process, should request the full file.
A VDH divorce certificate is a brief summary. It shows the parties' names, the date of the divorce, and which court handled it. It does not include property or custody details. Certificates are often used to prove a past divorce when you need to remarry or change legal documents.
Social security numbers are redacted from all public copies of divorce records under Virginia law.
Access Rules and Fees
Under Virginia Code § 17.1-275, the first certified copy of the final divorce decree is provided free at the time the decree is issued. Later copies cost $0.50 per page. The $60 filing fee to start a divorce case is set by state law and goes in part to the Courts Technology Fund.
Access rules depend on the age of the record. Under § 32.1-271, divorce records less than 25 years old are restricted to the parties named, their immediate family members (parents, spouse, children, siblings, grandparents), and their attorneys. After 25 years, records become public and anyone can request them.
Courts may seal records under § 20-124 at the request of either party. Sealed records do not open even after 25 years.
Virginia Divorce Law and Petersburg
Under Virginia Code § 20-96, circuit courts have sole authority to grant divorces. Petersburg's independent status means its circuit court handles all family law matters for the city without any reliance on a county court.
Virginia allows both fault and no-fault divorce. The no-fault ground under § 20-91 requires living apart without cohabitation for one year. If both parties sign a written separation agreement and there are no minor children, the waiting period drops to six months. Fault grounds include adultery, felony conviction with imprisonment over one year, cruelty, and willful desertion.
At least one spouse must have been a Virginia resident for six months before filing. The Virginia Freedom of Information Act under § 2.2-3700 supports public access to government records, but vital records law restricts divorce records for 25 years.
Legal Help in Petersburg
Virginia Legal Aid serves the Petersburg area and provides free help to eligible residents. Staff attorneys can assist with divorce filings, custody questions, and related family law matters. Income limits apply.
The Virginia Courts Self-Help Center is a free online resource covering the divorce process in plain language. The Virginia State Bar also publishes a guide to divorce law that covers common questions about property, support, and custody.
Nearby Cities
These Virginia cities are near Petersburg. Each uses a circuit court for divorce records.