Augusta County Divorce Record Search

Augusta County divorce records are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk's Office at 1 East Johnson Street in Staunton, Virginia. Whether you need a certified divorce decree, want to confirm a past filing, or are requesting copies of case documents, the clerk's office is the official source for Augusta County divorce records. The county has maintained divorce records since 1831, with court records overall dating back to 1745. The Virginia Department of Health holds divorce certificates from 1918. This page explains how to search, what documents are available, and what fees to expect.

Circuit Court Clerk Office

Augusta County is part of Virginia's 25th Judicial Circuit. Circuit courts are the exclusive venue for divorce cases in Virginia under § 20-96. The courthouse at 1 East Johnson Street in Staunton serves as the hub for all civil and criminal court proceedings in Augusta County, including divorce filings and records.

Clerk Hon. R. Steven Landes leads the office. He can be contacted at slandes@vacourts.gov. Court terms in Augusta begin on the fourth Tuesday of January, April, July, and October. Civil motions are typically heard on Thursdays at 9:00 AM. The court uses Commissioners in Chancery for divorce cases when parties request it, which can affect how some records are organized in the file.

How to Search Augusta Divorce Records

The Virginia Judicial System at vacourts.gov lets you look up Augusta circuit court cases online by name, case number, or hearing date. This is useful for confirming a case exists and getting a case number before you visit the clerk's office. Full documents and certified copies are not available online and must be requested in person or by mail.

For in-person access, go to 1 East Johnson Street in Staunton during business hours. The clerk's office stays open until 5:00 PM, giving you an extra 30 minutes compared to many other Virginia circuit court offices. Bring the full names of both parties and the approximate year the divorce was finalized. Staff will locate the case file and let you review it. Request copies of the specific documents you need once you've confirmed the right case.

Mail requests are accepted at P.O. Box 669, Staunton, VA 24402. Include the case details, a money order for the copy fees, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. The clerk will process the request and mail back the copies. Call (540) 245-5321 with questions or to get a cost estimate before sending a check.

Virginia's Freedom of Information Act under § 2.2-3700 guarantees public access to government records. Divorce records are subject to the 25-year confidentiality rule under § 32.1-271, limiting access to recent cases.

What Augusta Divorce Records Contain

Augusta County divorce records fall into three types. Knowing which you need saves time and prevents unnecessary copy fees.

The final divorce decree is the judge's order ending the marriage. It names both parties, states the date of the decree, and includes all rulings on property division, debt, spousal support, and child custody. Under § 20-107.3, Virginia courts use equitable distribution to divide marital property. The decree documents exactly how that division was handled in your specific case. This is the most commonly requested document in Augusta County divorce record searches.

The divorce case file is the full set of documents from the proceeding: the complaint, financial affidavits, motions, summonses, any exhibits, and the final decree. These files can be lengthy. Copies are $0.50 per page. Ask the clerk to identify which documents are in the file before you pay to copy everything.

VDH divorce certificates are shorter summary documents. They confirm a divorce happened, name the parties, state the county of the divorce, and give the date. They do not contain property or custody terms. VDH holds Augusta County divorce records from 1918 forward. Certificates cost $12 each.

Fees for Augusta Divorce Records

Augusta County's fee schedule follows state law at § 17.1-275. When a divorce case closes, the first certified copy of the final decree is free to either named party. After that, page copies cost $0.50 each. Certified documents carry an additional $2.00 fee. A certified 15-page decree would cost around $9.50 total.

For mail requests, include a money order rather than a personal check. Call (540) 245-5321 to confirm current payment methods before sending anything. VDH charges $12 per certified divorce certificate. Multiple copies each cost $12. VDH accepts payment by check, money order, payment card, mobile pay, or cash.

Getting Copies of Divorce Records

To get copies from the Augusta Circuit Court, visit the clerk's office in person at 1 East Johnson Street, Staunton, or send a mail request to P.O. Box 669, Staunton, VA 24402. In person is usually faster. Bring photo ID, the names of both parties, and the approximate year of the divorce. Staff will locate the case and allow you to review it before you request copies.

For mail requests, include a written description of the case, a money order for the copy fees, and a stamped, self-addressed return envelope. The clerk will mail the copies back once the request is processed.

For VDH divorce certificates, go to vdh.virginia.gov/vital-records. Download the application form, print and sign it, attach a copy of your photo ID, and mail everything with $12 per certificate to: VDH, P.O. Box 1000, Richmond, VA 23218-1000. Walk-in service is available Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM, at 8701 Park Central Drive, Suite 100, Richmond. Records over 25 years old are public. Younger records are restricted to named parties, immediate family, and attorneys.

If a case was sealed under § 20-124, the record stays closed to the public even after 25 years. Ask the clerk if you're trying to access a case that may have been sealed.

Legal Help in Augusta County

Virginia recognizes fault and no-fault divorce under § 20-91. No-fault requires one year of continuous separation. If both spouses have signed a separation agreement and there are no minor children, that drops to six months. You need to live in Virginia for at least six months before you can file. Fault grounds include adultery, cruelty, and willful desertion.

The Virginia State Bar provides a free guide covering Virginia divorce law in plain language. For residents who qualify, Virginia Legal Aid offers free civil legal help. The Virginia Court Self-Help Center has guides and forms for self-represented litigants. Court staff at the Augusta Circuit Court cannot give legal advice.

Nearby Counties

These counties border or are near Augusta County. Each one has its own Circuit Court for divorce cases.