Goochland County Divorce Records Search
Goochland County divorce records are held by the Circuit Court Clerk's office on River Road West in Goochland. The 16th Judicial Circuit covers this county, and court records date back to 1728. The clerk's office is where you go to find divorce case files, final decrees, and certified copies. You can also search the case index through the Virginia Judicial System online portal.
Goochland County Overview
Circuit Court Clerk's Office
All divorce cases in Goochland County are filed with the Goochland County Circuit Court. Under § 20-96, Virginia's circuit courts have exclusive jurisdiction over divorce. The clerk maintains original case files and issues certified copies of decrees.
| Office | Goochland County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Hon. Amanda Adams |
| Address | P.O. Box 196, 2938 River Rd West, Goochland, VA 23063 |
| Phone | (804) 556-5353 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Website | vacourts.gov/courts/circuit/goochland |
Staff can help you with record searches and explain fees. They cannot give legal advice. Reach out to Virginia Legal Aid or the Virginia Courts self-help portal for guidance.
How to Get Divorce Records
You can get Goochland County divorce records in person or by mail. In person is usually the faster route. Come with a photo ID and both party names plus the approximate year of the case. Clerk staff will look up the index and pull what you need.
Mail requests go to P.O. Box 196, Goochland, VA 23063. Include the names, year, your return address, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and payment for copy fees.
Records less than 25 years old are restricted under § 32.1-271 to the named parties, immediate family, and their attorneys. Older records are public. The first certified copy of a final decree is free under § 17.1-275. Additional copies cost $0.50 per page.
State Vital Records
The Virginia Department of Health keeps divorce certificates from 1918 to the present. These records confirm a divorce took place and show the basic facts. They do not contain case details, property decisions, or custody terms.
VDH charges $12 per certificate. Write to 8701 Park Central Drive, Suite 100, Richmond, VA 23227 or call 804-662-6200. The 25-year restriction under § 32.1-268 applies to VDH records as well as court records.
Filing for Divorce in Goochland County
You or your spouse must have lived in Virginia for at least six months before filing. Submit a Complaint, VS-4 Statistical Form, and Domestic Case Coversheet at the River Road West clerk's office. The filing fee is $60.
Virginia Code § 20-91 allows both no-fault and fault-based divorce. No-fault needs one year of separation. If both parties sign a property settlement and have no minor children, that drops to six months. Fault grounds include adultery, cruelty, desertion, and a felony with imprisonment.
Property disputes are settled under § 20-107.3, which sets equitable distribution rules. The court determines a fair split based on relevant factors. The final decree covers all case issues. For help, see the Virginia State Bar divorce guide or contact Virginia Legal Aid.
Nearby Counties
These Virginia counties are near Goochland County. Each has its own Circuit Court for divorce records.