Buckingham County Divorce Records

Buckingham County divorce records are kept by the Circuit Court Clerk's office on West James Anderson Highway in Buckingham. The county holds one of Virginia's longest-running court record sets, with documents dating back to 1761. The 10th Judicial Circuit serves Buckingham County, and the clerk handles all requests for final decrees, case files, and certified copies. You can search case index records online or visit the courthouse in person.

Circuit Court Clerk's Office

All divorce cases in Buckingham County are filed with the Buckingham County Circuit Court. Under Virginia Code § 20-96, circuit courts have exclusive authority over divorce proceedings. The clerk maintains original case files and can provide certified copies of final decrees.

The clerk's office staff can help you find case records and tell you what forms or fees apply to your request. They cannot give legal advice. If you need help with the process, contact Virginia Legal Aid or check the Virginia Courts self-help portal for free resources.

How to Request Divorce Records

You can get Buckingham County divorce records in person or by mail. In-person requests are handled the same day in most cases. Bring a photo ID and the full names of both parties plus the approximate year of the divorce. The clerk will pull the case index and locate the file or certified decree copy.

For mail requests, write to the clerk at P.O. Box 107, Buckingham, VA 23921. Include both party names, the case year, your return address, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Payment for copy fees should be included. The office will process your request and mail the documents back.

Access restrictions apply under § 32.1-271. Records less than 25 years old are available only to the named parties, their immediate family, and legal representatives. After 25 years, the records become public. The first certified copy of a final decree is free to the parties under § 17.1-275. Additional copies cost $0.50 per page.

Divorce Records at State Vital Records

The Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records keeps divorce certificates for cases filed from 1918 to the present. These are short records that confirm the divorce happened and show the parties, date, and county. They do not contain case details or property rulings.

VDH charges $12 per certificate copy. You can request one by mail from 8701 Park Central Drive, Suite 100, Richmond, VA 23227 or call 804-662-6200 for more information. Access to records under 25 years old follows the same restrictions as court records under § 32.1-268.

Use the VDH certificate if you need to update a government ID, apply for benefits, or simply confirm a divorce took place. Use the court's certified decree copy if you need details about property, custody, or support. Both documents are official, but they serve different needs.

Filing for Divorce in Buckingham County

To file for divorce here, you or your spouse must have lived in Virginia for at least six months. File your Complaint at the clerk's office along with a VS-4 Statistical Form and a Domestic Case Coversheet. The filing fee is $60.

Virginia allows two types of divorce under § 20-91. No-fault divorce requires one year of separation. If both parties have signed a property settlement and there are no minor children, the waiting period drops to six months. Fault-based grounds include adultery, a felony conviction, cruelty, and desertion.

Property division in contested cases follows § 20-107.3, which makes Virginia an equitable distribution state. The court decides what is fair, not necessarily equal. Custody and support matters may also be part of the final decree.

If you need legal help, the Virginia State Bar guide to divorce covers the basics. Virginia Legal Aid can also assist qualified applicants at no cost.

Nearby Counties

These Virginia counties are near Buckingham County. Each has its own Circuit Court for divorce records.