Search Portsmouth Divorce Records
Portsmouth divorce records are kept at the Portsmouth Circuit Court Clerk's Office, located at 801 Crawford Street. Portsmouth is an independent city in the 3rd Judicial Circuit with its own court for all civil and family law matters. Records go back to 1752, one of the earliest archives in the state. You can request copies of divorce decrees and case files by visiting the clerk's office or sending a written request by mail. Call (757) 393-8671 for case information before you visit.
Portsmouth Overview
Where Portsmouth Divorce Records Are Kept
The Portsmouth Circuit Court is at 801 Crawford Street, Portsmouth, VA 23704. This is an independent city court in the 3rd Judicial Circuit. All divorce cases filed in Portsmouth go through this court, and the clerk's office maintains the records. The court has been in operation since the colonial era, and its oldest records date back to 1752.
Call (757) 393-8671 to reach the clerk's office. The Portsmouth Circuit Court page on the city website has more information on available services and how to submit specific requests.
| Office | Portsmouth Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 801 Crawford Street, Portsmouth, VA 23704 |
| Phone | (757) 393-8671 |
| Judicial Circuit | 3rd Judicial Circuit |
| Records From | 1752 |
| Website | portsmouthva.gov/651/Circuit-Court |
How to Request Portsmouth Divorce Records
You can get Portsmouth divorce records by visiting the clerk's office in person, or by mailing a written request. In-person visits are the fastest option. Bring a valid photo ID and the names of both parties along with the approximate year of the divorce. Staff will search the index and confirm what documents are on file and whether you are eligible to receive them.
For a mail request, write to the clerk at 801 Crawford Street with the case details, your reason for the request, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and payment for the copy fees. Call the office first to confirm current fees and acceptable payment types.
The Virginia Judicial System's online case information system may list some Portsmouth cases. Visit the Portsmouth Circuit Court page to see what is searchable online. Full documents are not available online, but case status and basic information may be listed.
For divorce certificates, contact the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records in Richmond. VDH certificates cost $12 and confirm the names, date, and court. They do not include the full decree text or case file documents.
What Portsmouth Divorce Records Contain
Portsmouth's circuit court produces three types of divorce documents. Each has different content and serves a different purpose.
The final divorce decree is the court's written order that ends the marriage. It covers property division under Virginia Code § 20-107.3, spousal support, child custody and visitation, and any requested name changes. Contested divorces typically produce longer and more detailed decrees.
The divorce case file holds all documents filed during the proceeding. This includes the complaint, answers, motions, financial statements, and the final decree. It is the most complete record for anyone who needs to review the full course of the case.
A VDH divorce certificate is a brief summary. It shows the parties' names, the date the divorce was granted, and which court handled it. It does not include custody or property details but is sufficient to prove a divorce occurred.
Social security numbers are redacted from all public copies of divorce records, as required by Virginia law.
Fees and Access Restrictions
Under Virginia Code § 17.1-275, the first certified copy of the final divorce decree is free. This is provided when the decree is entered. Later copies cost $0.50 per page. Filing a divorce case costs $60, with $10 going to the Courts Technology Fund.
Under § 32.1-271, divorce records that are less than 25 years old are restricted to the parties, their immediate family, and their attorneys. Immediate family means parents, spouse, children, siblings, and grandparents. After 25 years, the record becomes public.
Courts may also seal records at any time under § 20-124. Sealed records stay private even after the 25-year period ends.
Virginia Divorce Law and Portsmouth
Under Virginia Code § 20-96, only circuit courts can grant divorces in Virginia. As an independent city, Portsmouth handles all divorce filings through its own circuit court without relying on any county court.
Virginia allows both no-fault and fault-based divorce. The no-fault ground under § 20-91 requires living apart without cohabitation for one year. If both parties have a written separation agreement and no minor children are involved, the waiting period is six months. Fault grounds include adultery, felony conviction with imprisonment over one year, cruelty, and willful desertion.
At least one spouse must have lived in Virginia for six months before filing. The Virginia Courts Self-Help Center has free guidance on the process. The Virginia State Bar also offers a plain-language overview of divorce law.
Legal Help in Portsmouth
Virginia Legal Aid provides free legal services to eligible residents in the Portsmouth area. Staff attorneys handle family law matters including divorce cases and custody disputes. Income limits apply, so check the website before calling.
For those who do not qualify for free legal aid, the Virginia State Bar's Lawyer Referral Service can connect you with a private family law attorney in the Portsmouth and Hampton Roads area. The Virginia Freedom of Information Act under § 2.2-3700 supports access to public records, though divorce records are specifically restricted for 25 years.
Nearby Cities
These Virginia cities are near Portsmouth. Each has its own circuit court or shared court for divorce records.