Find Divorce Records in Roanoke

Roanoke divorce records are held at the Roanoke City Circuit Court, located at 315 Church Avenue SW, Roanoke, VA 24011. The City of Roanoke is an independent city in southwestern Virginia with its own circuit court separate from Roanoke County. These are two different jurisdictions. Roanoke City falls under the 23rd Judicial Circuit. Divorce records in this court go back to 1884. The clerk's phone number is (540) 853-6702, and office hours are 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday.

Where Roanoke Divorce Records Are Kept

The Roanoke City Circuit Court Clerk's Office is at 315 Church Avenue SW, Roanoke, VA 24011. Call the office at (540) 853-6702 during regular business hours, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. This is the correct location for divorce records filed by Roanoke City residents. Do not confuse this with the Roanoke County courthouse, which is located in Salem, Virginia. The two are separate courts for separate jurisdictions.

Roanoke City divorce records date to 1884. The court handles a significant volume of cases given the city's size. Recent records are indexed digitally. Older records may require manual retrieval from archived storage. When contacting the clerk, provide the approximate year of the case so staff can advise on how to search that time period.

How to Request Divorce Records

In-person visits to 315 Church Avenue SW are the most direct option. Bring a photo ID and information about the case. Names of both parties and the approximate year of the divorce are the most useful details. A case number is not required but speeds up the search.

You can also submit a mail request. Write to the clerk's office at the address above with all case details, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and payment for copy fees. The clerk will confirm the exact amount before sending documents. Call (540) 853-6702 if you want to verify what to include before mailing your request.

The Roanoke Circuit Court page on the Virginia Courts website provides contact information and court services details. Note that this page is for the City of Roanoke court, not Roanoke County.

The Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records holds statewide divorce certificates from 1918. A VDH certificate costs $12 and confirms the divorce with names, date, and court listed, but it does not include full case information. For Roanoke County records, see Roanoke County.

What Divorce Records Include

Roanoke City divorce records follow the same structure as those throughout Virginia. Three main types of documents are available.

The final divorce decree is the court's written order ending the marriage. Under Virginia Code § 20-107.3, it addresses how marital assets are divided. The decree may also cover spousal support, child custody, and any name restoration. Contested cases produce longer, more detailed decrees.

The full case file includes all documents filed during the proceedings. That means the initial complaint, the other party's response, financial disclosures, motions, any temporary orders, and the final decree. If you need to trace how a case developed, request the full file.

A VDH divorce certificate is a short summary. It lists names, date, and court. It is mostly used to confirm a prior divorce for remarriage applications. Social security numbers are removed from all public copies of Virginia divorce documents.

Fees and Access

Under Virginia Code § 17.1-275, the first certified copy of the final divorce decree is issued at no charge when the court enters it. Later copies cost $0.50 per page. The filing fee to start a divorce case in Virginia is $60. This applies in Roanoke as it does throughout the state.

Under § 32.1-271, records less than 25 years old are restricted to the parties, their immediate family, and their attorneys. Records older than 25 years are public. Courts can seal cases under § 20-124. Sealed records remain private regardless of age. Call the clerk if you are unsure whether a specific case is accessible.

Virginia Divorce Law in Roanoke

Under Virginia Code § 20-96, only circuit courts can grant divorces in Virginia. All Roanoke City divorce cases go through the 23rd Judicial Circuit Court at 315 Church Avenue SW. No other court in Roanoke City has authority to issue a divorce decree.

Virginia allows both fault and no-fault divorce under § 20-91. No-fault divorce requires at least one year of separation. If both parties have signed a settlement agreement and no minor children are involved, the required separation is six months. Fault grounds include adultery, cruelty, willful desertion for more than a year, and a felony conviction with imprisonment over one year.

At least one spouse must have lived in Virginia for six months before filing. The Virginia Freedom of Information Act under § 2.2-3700 supports public access to government records, but the 25-year restriction under vital records law limits access to recent divorce cases.

The Virginia Courts Self-Help Center explains the divorce process clearly. The Virginia State Bar also publishes a plain-language divorce guide that covers the basics of Virginia divorce law.

Legal Help in Roanoke

Virginia Legal Aid serves the Roanoke area. Qualifying residents can get free or low-cost legal help with divorce and family law matters. Income limits apply. Check the website for current eligibility requirements and the service area before reaching out.

The Roanoke area has several legal aid and pro bono organizations serving family law clients. For private representation, the Virginia State Bar's Lawyer Referral Service can connect you with a Roanoke family law attorney. Court staff at the circuit court can answer general procedural questions but cannot advise you on the merits of your case.

Nearby Cities

These Virginia cities near Roanoke each have their own circuit courts that handle divorce cases and maintain records.