Mathews County Divorce Records Lookup
Mathews County divorce records are kept by the Circuit Court Clerk's office on Courthouse Road in Mathews. The 9th Judicial Circuit serves this small coastal county. Most pre-Civil War records were destroyed, but the clerk has maintained continuous records since 1865. The clerk handles requests for divorce case files, decrees, and certified copies. The Virginia Judicial System allows online case index searches as well.
Mathews County Overview
Circuit Court Clerk's Office
Mathews County divorce cases are filed with the Mathews County Circuit Court. Under § 20-96, Virginia circuit courts have exclusive jurisdiction over divorce. The clerk maintains case files and provides certified copies of final decrees.
| Office | Mathews County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Hon. Susan V. Bohn |
| Address | P.O. Box 463, 10622 Courthouse Rd, Mathews, VA 23109 |
| Phone | (804) 725-2550 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM |
| Website | vacourts.gov/courts/circuit/mathews |
Note: Most Mathews County records predating 1865 were lost during the Civil War. Divorce records before that period are unavailable.
Clerk staff can help you search for records and explain fees. They cannot give legal advice. For free help, contact Virginia Legal Aid or the Virginia Courts self-help portal.
How to Get Divorce Records
The fastest way to get Mathews County divorce records is to visit the courthouse on Courthouse Road in Mathews. Bring your ID and the names of both parties along with the approximate case year. Staff will search the index and pull the file or certified decree you request.
Mail requests are handled as well. Write to P.O. Box 463, Mathews, VA 23109 and include both party names, the case year, your return address, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and copy fee payment.
Under § 32.1-271, records less than 25 years old are available only 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 holds divorce certificates from 1918 onward. These brief records confirm a divorce took place and show the basic facts. They do not include case details, property orders, or custody terms.
VDH charges $12 per certificate. Contact the Office of Vital Records at 8701 Park Central Drive, Suite 100, Richmond, VA 23227 or call 804-662-6200. The 25-year access restriction from § 32.1-268 applies to VDH records as well.
Filing for Divorce in Mathews County
One 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 Mathews clerk's office. The filing fee is $60.
Virginia Code § 20-91 permits both no-fault and fault-based divorce. No-fault requires one year of separation, reduced to six months when both parties sign a property agreement and have no minor children. Fault grounds include adultery, cruelty, desertion, and a felony with imprisonment.
Contested property is divided under § 20-107.3 using equitable distribution. The final decree addresses all issues. For guidance, see the Virginia State Bar divorce guide or contact Virginia Legal Aid.
Nearby Counties
These Virginia counties are near Mathews County. Each has its own Circuit Court for divorce records.