Find Divorce Records in King George County
King George County divorce records are kept by the Circuit Court Clerk's Office in King George, Virginia. The clerk's office maintains all divorce case files, final decrees, and court documents for cases filed here. King George County has an extensive record archive going back to 1721, though some Civil War-era records were lost. This page explains how to search and request divorce records, what fees apply, and what other resources are available to King George County residents.
King George County Overview
Circuit Court Clerk Office
Divorce cases in King George County go through the Circuit Court. Virginia Code § 20-96 gives circuit courts exclusive jurisdiction over all divorce and annulment proceedings in the state. The clerk's office holds the official record of every case filed in King George County.
| Office | King George County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 9483 Kings Highway, King George, VA 22485 |
| Phone | (540) 775-3322 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Website | vacourts.gov |
Hon. Charles E. Voorhees serves as the Clerk of Circuit Court for King George County. The clerk's office processes divorce filings, real estate recordings, marriage licenses, and probate matters. Staff can explain what records are available and how to request them but cannot offer legal advice. The office does not have a separate P.O. Box, so mail requests go to the Kings Highway address.
Note: King George County records date to 1721, making this one of the longer-running court record archives in Virginia. Some Civil War-era records were damaged or destroyed, so records from the 1860s may be incomplete.
Types of Divorce Records
Virginia maintains three types of divorce records at two different levels of government. Each contains different information and is accessed through a different office.
Divorce certificates are issued by the Virginia Department of Health. VDH has maintained these records since 1918. A certificate is a short document that confirms a divorce took place. It includes the parties' names, the date, and the county where the decree was entered. It does not include property division terms or custody arrangements.
Final divorce decrees are the actual court orders. They contain everything the judge ordered: property division under § 20-107.3, any spousal support, child custody, visitation, and name restoration if applicable. Decrees are kept at the King George County Circuit Court Clerk's office.
Divorce case files include all documents filed during the proceedings: the complaint, summons, financial affidavits, motions, and any interim court orders. These are also at the clerk's office and represent the complete record of the case from first filing to final decree.
How to Request Records
You can request King George County divorce records in person, by mail, or look up basic case information online through the Virginia court system.
In-person is the most straightforward option. Go to 9483 Kings Highway in King George. Bring a valid photo ID and the names of both parties. The year of the divorce is helpful. A case number is even better. The clerk can locate the file and provide copies. Hours are 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday.
Mail requests should be sent to the same address. Include both parties' names, the year of the divorce, your phone number, a check or money order for copy fees, and a stamped, self-addressed return envelope.
Online, the Virginia Judicial System's case search tool lets you look up basic data for many circuit courts. You can find case numbers and confirm cases exist, but actual documents must come from the clerk's office.
Note: For divorces after 1918, VDH divorce certificates are also available through the Office of Vital Records in Richmond. These are separate from court records and contain less detail but are sometimes easier to obtain for straightforward verification purposes.
Access Rules and Fees
The first certified copy of a final divorce decree is free to the parties named in the case, under § 17.1-275. Additional copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies of other documents are $2.00 per document plus per-page fees.
VDH divorce certificates cost $12 per copy. Start a request at vdh.virginia.gov/vital-records. The form must be printed, signed, and submitted with ID and payment either in person or by mail. Walk-in service at VDH is available weekdays at 8701 Park Central Drive, Suite 100, Richmond, VA 23227.
Access to VDH records is restricted for 25 years under § 32.1-271. During that period, only parties, immediate family, or attorneys may get copies. After 25 years, anyone may request them. Courts can also seal records under § 20-124, keeping them restricted indefinitely regardless of age.
The statewide filing fee for a new divorce case is $60, the same in King George County as everywhere else in Virginia.
Divorce Process and Legal Help
Virginia requires at least six months of state residency before you can file for divorce. The grounds for divorce are set out in § 20-91. No-fault divorce requires one year of continuous separation. If both parties have a written separation agreement and there are no minor children together, the separation period is six months.
Virginia is an equitable distribution state. Property and debt are divided under the factors in § 20-107.3. Courts do not have to divide things equally, but they must consider contributions, circumstances, and the length of the marriage.
For free help, the Virginia Judicial System's self-help divorce page explains the process step by step. The Virginia State Bar's guide to divorce covers both fault and no-fault grounds and explains how property is divided. Low-income residents can seek free legal assistance from Virginia Legal Aid.
Nearby Counties
These Virginia counties are near King George County. Each operates its own Circuit Court and maintains local divorce records.