Search Clarke County Divorce Records

Clarke County divorce records are kept at the Circuit Court Clerk's office in Berryville. All divorce cases in Clarke County go through the 26th Judicial Circuit, and records have been maintained since the county was established in 1836. Whether you need a certified copy of a final decree or want to search for a case by name, the clerk's office is the right place to start. Some case details are also searchable online through the Virginia Judicial System's statewide portal.

Circuit Court Clerk's Office

The Clarke County Circuit Court is the only court authorized to hear divorce cases in the county. Under Virginia Code § 20-96, circuit courts hold exclusive jurisdiction over all divorce and annulment proceedings in Virginia.

Clarke is a smaller county in the northern Shenandoah Valley. The clerk's office manages a relatively modest volume of divorce filings. Staff can direct you to the right documents but cannot provide legal advice. For free legal help, check with Virginia Legal Aid or review the Virginia Courts divorce self-help page.

Note: When sending a mail request, include both parties' names, the approximate year of the divorce, and a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return of any documents.

Accessing Divorce Records in Clarke County

To get divorce records from Clarke County, you have two main options. For cases filed in the past 25 years, contact the Circuit Court Clerk's office directly. For older divorces, or if you just need a short certificate showing the divorce happened, you can contact the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records.

Under Virginia Code § 32.1-271, divorce records less than 25 years old are available only to the parties named in the case, their immediate family members, and their attorneys. After 25 years, records become public. Immediate family means parents, spouses, children, siblings, and grandparents. No other relatives qualify.

The first certified copy of a final divorce decree is free under § 17.1-275. Each additional copy costs $0.50 per page. The VDH charges $12 per divorce certificate. Divorce case filing fees are $60 in the circuit court.

Some case information is searchable through the Virginia Judicial System online portal. That system shows party names, case numbers, and hearing dates. It does not let you view or download actual documents. For those, you must contact the clerk in person or by mail.

Virginia Divorce Requirements

Virginia requires at least six months of residency in the state before you can file for divorce. Clarke County residents file at the courthouse in Berryville. The state allows both fault and no-fault divorces under Virginia Code § 20-91.

No-fault divorce is the most common route. You must live separate and apart from your spouse for one full year. If you have a signed separation agreement and no minor children, that period drops to six months. Fault grounds include adultery, felony conviction with over a year of confinement, cruelty, and desertion.

Property is divided through equitable distribution, not an automatic 50-50 split. The court reviews each spouse's contributions, the length of the marriage, and the financial situation of each person. Marital property is divided; property owned before the marriage or received as a gift stays separate. For more on how this works, the Virginia State Bar's guide to divorce is a useful starting point.

VDH Divorce Certificates

The Virginia Department of Health keeps divorce certificate records from 1918 forward. A VDH divorce certificate is a short document that confirms a divorce took place. It shows the names of both parties, the date, and the county. It does not include case details like property division or custody terms.

To request a certificate, complete the application at the VDH website. Print, sign, and submit it with a copy of your ID and a $12 check or money order. Mail requests go to: VDH, Office of Vital Records, P.O. Box 1000, Richmond, VA 23218-1000. You can also visit in person at 8701 Park Central Drive, Suite 100, Richmond. The phone is 804-662-6200. Walk-in hours run Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Sealed Records and Special Situations

Some Clarke County divorce records may be sealed. Under Virginia Code § 20-124, a party can ask the court to seal the record. Sealed records stay closed to the public even after the 25-year mark. Only the parties, their attorneys, and people the judge approves can access them.

Common reasons for sealing include protecting minor children, shielding sensitive financial details, or addressing domestic violence concerns. If you believe a record you need has been sealed, you would need to consult an attorney to learn your options. The Virginia Legal Aid network can help low-income residents navigate these situations.

Social security numbers are always redacted from public copies of any divorce record, regardless of when the case was filed or whether the record has been sealed.

Nearby Counties

These Virginia counties are near Clarke County. Each maintains its own Circuit Court divorce records.