King William County Divorce Record Lookup
King William County divorce records are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk's Office in King William, Virginia. The clerk keeps all divorce case files, final decrees, and court documents for cases filed in this county. A courthouse fire in 1885 destroyed all prior records, so the archive begins from that year. This page covers how to search for and request divorce records in King William County, what the fees are, who can access them, and what help is available if you need it.
King William County Overview
Circuit Court Clerk Office
All divorce cases in King William County are filed in the Circuit Court. Virginia Code § 20-96 gives circuit courts exclusive jurisdiction over divorce and annulment proceedings in Virginia. The clerk's office is the official record keeper for all divorce filings and decrees for the county.
| Office | King William County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | P.O. Box 215, 180 Horse Landing Road, King William, VA 23086 |
| Phone | (804) 769-4936 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Website | vacourts.gov |
Hon. Lisa A. White serves as the Clerk of Circuit Court for King William County. The office handles divorce filings, deed recordings, marriage licenses, and probate. Staff can help explain what records are available and how to make a request, but they cannot provide legal advice. Use P.O. Box 215 for all mailed requests, not the Horse Landing Road address.
Note: A courthouse fire in 1885 destroyed all King William County court records prior to that date. No divorce records exist here from before 1885. For divorces after 1918, VDH vital records in Richmond may also have a certificate on file.
What Divorce Records Are Available
Virginia keeps three types of divorce records, held by two different offices. Each type has different content and different access rules.
Divorce certificates come from the Virginia Department of Health. VDH has maintained divorce certificate records since 1918. A certificate is a short document that confirms a divorce occurred and lists the parties' names, the date, and the county. It does not include the terms of the divorce or any custody or property information.
Final divorce decrees are the actual court orders. They include all the terms: property division under § 20-107.3, spousal support, child custody, visitation schedules, and name restoration. These are held at the King William County Circuit Court Clerk's office.
Divorce case files are everything submitted to the court during the proceedings. That includes the complaint, summons, financial statements, motions, and interim orders. These files are the most complete record of how a divorce was handled and are also kept by the clerk.
How to Get Records
You can get King William County divorce records in person, by mail, or look up basic case data online. In-person visits are the most direct way to get copies quickly.
Go to 180 Horse Landing Road in King William during business hours. Bring a valid photo ID. Provide both parties' names and the approximate year of the divorce. A case number is helpful but not required. The clerk can find the file and make copies while you wait or within a short time.
Mail requests go to P.O. Box 215, King William, VA 23086. Include both parties' names, the year of the divorce, your phone number, a check or money order for fees, and a stamped, self-addressed return envelope.
For online searches, the Virginia Judicial System's case search tool gives access to basic case information for many circuit courts. You can confirm that a case exists and find the case number. Actual documents must be obtained directly from the clerk's office.
Note: The § 32.1-268 reporting requirement means clerks must send a report of every final divorce decree to the State Registrar, which is how VDH maintains its statewide database of divorce records from 1918 onward.
Fees and Access Rules
Under § 17.1-275, the first certified copy of a final divorce decree is free to the parties in the case. This applies in King William County as it does statewide. Additional copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified document copies are $2.00 each plus per-page fees.
Divorce certificates from VDH cost $12 per copy. Start at vdh.virginia.gov/vital-records. The form must be printed, signed, and submitted with valid ID and payment. Mail goes to VDH, Office of Vital Records, P.O. Box 1000, Richmond, VA 23218-1000. Phone: 804-662-6200.
§ 32.1-271 restricts VDH divorce records for 25 years. Only parties, immediate family, or attorneys may access them during that time. After 25 years, anyone can request the records. Courts can seal files under § 20-124, keeping them restricted even after the 25-year window closes.
The statewide filing fee for a new divorce case is $60. This amount applies in King William County the same as in every other Virginia county and city.
Legal Resources
Virginia requires at least six months of residency before filing for divorce. The grounds are set out in § 20-91. No-fault divorce requires one year of separation. If both parties have signed a separation agreement and have no minor children, that drops to six months.
For free guidance, the Virginia Judicial System's self-help divorce page walks through what a circuit court can handle in a divorce case and what court forms are involved. The Virginia State Bar's guide to divorce explains the legal process in terms anyone can understand, including how Virginia divides marital property under § 20-107.3.
Low-income King William County residents may qualify for free legal help from Virginia Legal Aid. Eligibility is income-based. Contact the closest office to check if you qualify for assistance with divorce filings or other family law matters.
Nearby Counties
These Virginia counties are near King William County. Each has its own Circuit Court that handles divorce cases and keeps local records.