Fauquier County Divorce Records

Fauquier County divorce records are on file at the Circuit Court Clerk's office in Warrenton, the county seat. The 20th Judicial Circuit serves Fauquier County, and divorce case records go back to 1759 when the county was established. To search for a specific filing, get a certified copy of a final decree, or check on the status of a case, contact the clerk's office directly. Basic case details are also available online through the Virginia Judicial System's statewide search portal.

Circuit Court Clerk's Office

The Fauquier County Circuit Court handles all divorce proceedings in the county. Virginia Code § 20-96 gives the circuit court exclusive jurisdiction over divorce and annulment cases. The clerk keeps all official case files and issues certified copies on request.

Fauquier County is a growing county in the Northern Virginia Piedmont region. The courthouse in Warrenton handles both civil and criminal matters. Note that the Record Room closes at 4:00 PM, one half-hour before the general clerk's hours end. Plan your visit accordingly if you need to access physical records. For legal help, contact Virginia Legal Aid or check the Virginia Courts self-help page.

Note: If you plan to review physical records in the Record Room, arrive before 4:00 PM. General clerk services remain available until 4:30 PM for other matters.

Requesting Divorce Records

You can get Fauquier County divorce records in person or by mail. In person is quickest. Bring photo ID and the full names of both parties, plus an approximate year of the case. The clerk will search and help you get what you need.

For mail requests, write to the clerk at 29 Ashby Street, Warrenton, VA 20186. Include both parties' names, the year of the case, your contact information, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Note any specific document you are asking for, such as the final decree or a specific motion.

Under Virginia Code § 32.1-271, records under 25 years old go only to named parties, their immediate family, and attorneys. After 25 years, the records are public. The first certified copy of a final decree is free under § 17.1-275. Additional pages cost $0.50 each. Divorce filing fee is $60.

Virginia Divorce Basics

To file for divorce in Fauquier County, you must have lived in Virginia for at least six months. Cases go to the Circuit Court in Warrenton. Under § 20-91, Virginia allows both fault and no-fault grounds.

Most people go the no-fault route. You need to show that you and your spouse have lived separate and apart for one full year without any cohabitation. If you have a written separation agreement and no minor children together, six months is enough. Fault grounds include adultery, felony imprisonment, cruelty, and desertion, all of which require evidence.

Property and debts are divided under the equitable distribution rules of § 20-107.3. The court considers each spouse's contributions, the length of the marriage, and their economic circumstances. It does not divide things equally by default. Separate property stays with the original owner. The Virginia State Bar's divorce guide is a clear resource for understanding this process.

VDH Certificates and Record Privacy

If you only need basic proof of a divorce, the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records is an option. VDH holds divorce certificates from 1918 statewide. These short documents show names, date, and county. They cost $12 each. Submit your application with a copy of your ID in person or by mail to: VDH, P.O. Box 1000, Richmond, VA 23218-1000. Phone: 804-662-6200.

Under § 20-124, any party in a divorce case can request that the record be sealed. Sealed records do not open after 25 years. Only the parties, their attorneys, and court-approved individuals can access them. Social security numbers are stripped from all copies issued to requesters, whether the record is sealed or not.

Nearby Counties

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