Suffolk Divorce Records
Suffolk divorce records are maintained at the Suffolk Circuit Court Clerk's Office at 150 N. Main Street, Suffolk, VA 23434. Suffolk is an independent city in southeastern Virginia and one of the largest cities by land area in the state. Its circuit court operates under the 5th Judicial Circuit and holds divorce records going back to 1910. Clerk W. Randolph Carter, Jr. oversees the office. The main phone number is (757) 514-7800. FOIA requests can be directed to cccfoiarequests@suffolkva.us.
Suffolk Overview
Where Suffolk Divorce Records Are Kept
The Suffolk Circuit Court Clerk's Office is at 150 N. Main Street, Suffolk, VA 23434. The phone is (757) 514-7800. Clerk W. Randolph Carter, Jr. runs the office. The FOIA email address is cccfoiarequests@suffolkva.us for open records requests. Office hours are standard business hours on weekdays.
Suffolk's divorce records go back to 1910. The city has grown significantly over the decades and covers a large geographic area. The circuit court here handles civil and domestic cases for the entire city. More recent records are indexed digitally. Older records may need manual retrieval. When contacting the clerk, mention the approximate year of the case to help staff direct you to the right search method.
| Office | Suffolk Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 150 N. Main Street, Suffolk, VA 23434 |
| Phone | (757) 514-7800 |
| FOIA Email | cccfoiarequests@suffolkva.us |
| Judicial Circuit | 5th Judicial Circuit |
| Records From | 1910 |
How to Request Divorce Records
In-person requests at 150 N. Main Street 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 key details. A case number speeds up the search but is not required.
For mail requests, send a written request to the clerk's office with all case details, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and payment for copy fees. The clerk will confirm the total before mailing anything. If you have questions about what to include, call (757) 514-7800 before mailing.
For FOIA-based record requests, email cccfoiarequests@suffolkva.us with details of the records you need. FOIA requests may be appropriate when requesting records in bulk or when you are requesting under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act under § 2.2-3700. Keep in mind that divorce records under 25 years old have separate access restrictions independent of FOIA.
The Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records holds statewide divorce certificates from 1918. A VDH certificate costs $12 and is a quick way to confirm a divorce without the full case file. It shows names, date, and court only.
What Divorce Records Include
Suffolk divorce records follow the same structure as those throughout Virginia. Three main document types are available.
The final divorce decree is the court's written order ending the marriage. Under Virginia Code § 20-107.3, the decree addresses equitable distribution of marital property. It may also cover spousal support, child custody, and name restoration. Contested cases produce longer, more detailed decrees.
The full case file contains all documents submitted during the divorce proceedings. That includes the complaint, responses, financial disclosures, motions, any interim orders, and the final decree. Request the full file if you need to trace the history of a case or find specific factual findings.
A VDH divorce certificate is a brief summary. It lists names, date, and which court handled the divorce. It is mostly used to confirm a prior divorce when applying to remarry. Social security numbers are removed from all public copies of divorce documents.
Fees and Access Rules
Under Virginia Code § 17.1-275, the first certified copy of the final divorce decree is issued free when the court enters it. Later copies cost $0.50 per page. The $60 filing fee to open a divorce case applies in Suffolk as it does throughout Virginia.
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. Ask the clerk if you are uncertain about access to a specific case.
Virginia Divorce Law in Suffolk
Under Virginia Code § 20-96, only circuit courts can grant divorces. All Suffolk divorce cases go through the 5th Judicial Circuit Court at 150 N. Main Street. No other court in Suffolk has the authority to issue a final divorce decree.
Virginia recognizes both fault and no-fault divorce under § 20-91. No-fault divorce requires one year of living separately. If both parties have signed a settlement agreement and no minor children are involved, the required period drops to six months. Fault grounds include adultery, cruelty, willful desertion for more than one year, and felony conviction with imprisonment over one year.
At least one spouse must have been a Virginia resident for six months before filing. The Virginia Courts Self-Help Center and the Virginia State Bar both publish useful guides to the Virginia divorce process.
Legal Help in Suffolk
Virginia Legal Aid serves southeastern Virginia including Suffolk. Qualifying residents may be able to get free or reduced-cost help with divorce and family law matters. Income limits apply. Check the website for the current service area and eligibility requirements before reaching out.
For private representation, the Virginia State Bar's Lawyer Referral Service can connect you with a family law attorney in the Hampton Roads or Suffolk area. Court staff at the clerk's office can answer general procedural questions but cannot give legal advice on specific cases.
Nearby Cities
These Virginia cities near Suffolk each maintain their own circuit courts and divorce case records.