Page County Divorce Records
Page County divorce records are on file at the Circuit Court Clerk's Office in Luray, Virginia. The 26th Judicial Circuit has maintained these records since 1831. This guide explains how to search for divorce filings in Page County, what documents are available, and how to request certified copies of final decrees or state-issued divorce certificates.
Page County Overview
Circuit Court Clerk's Office
All divorce proceedings in Page County go through the Circuit Court under Virginia Code § 20-96. The clerk's office in Luray holds the official record of every divorce granted in the county. This includes both the final decrees and the underlying case files.
| Office | Page County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Hon. Amanda L. Sours |
| Address | 116 South Court Street, Suite A, Luray, VA 22835 |
| Phone | (540) 743-4142 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Website | vacourts.gov - Page Circuit Court |
Page County sits in the Shenandoah Valley along the South Fork of the Shenandoah River. Luray is the county seat and is easy to reach from both the Valley and the Northern Virginia area via US Route 211. The courthouse is on South Court Street. If you're visiting to request records, bring a government-issued ID and the details of the case you're looking for.
Access and Privacy Rules
Virginia's vital records law limits who can access recent divorce records. Under § 32.1-271, any divorce record less than 25 years old is restricted to the parties, their immediate family members, and attorneys of record. Anyone else must wait until the record is at least 25 years old before they can access it.
Immediate family under this statute means parents, children, siblings, spouses, and grandparents. It does not include extended relatives. If you're researching a recent case and you're not one of the qualifying individuals, the clerk's office cannot release the record to you. Call ahead if you're unsure whether you qualify.
Records 25 years old or older are public. That means Page County's divorce filings from 1831 through the early 2000s are generally accessible to anyone. Even public records have limits: social security numbers are redacted, and any files sealed by a judge under § 20-124 remain sealed permanently.
Note: Page County's 26th Judicial Circuit also includes Shenandoah County and Rockingham County. If you're unsure which court handled a case, the clerk can help you verify the correct jurisdiction.
Requesting Divorce Records
Getting a copy of a Page County divorce record starts with contacting the clerk's office. Give them the full names of both parties and the year the divorce was finalized. If you have a case number, that helps too. Staff will search the index and let you know what they find.
For court copies, the first certified copy of the final decree is free to the parties under § 17.1-275. Additional copies are $0.50 per page. You can request copies in person during business hours or by mail. Mail requests should include your ID, the case details, and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
If you need a divorce certificate rather than the full court decree, the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records in Richmond handles those. The VDH fee is $12 per certificate and they have records from 1918 forward. Their mailing address is P.O. Box 1000, Richmond, VA 23218-1000 and their phone is 804-662-6200.
Filing for Divorce in Page County
Divorce filings in Page County go to the clerk's office at 116 South Court Street in Luray. The basic requirement is six months of Virginia residency for at least one spouse. The $60 filing fee covers the clerk's processing and one free certified copy of the final decree.
Under § 20-91, no-fault divorce requires one year of uninterrupted separation. For couples with no minor children who have signed a written separation agreement, the wait is only six months. Fault grounds such as adultery, cruelty, desertion, and felony conviction with confinement are also options for those with sufficient cause and evidence.
Property is divided under § 20-107.3, Virginia's equitable distribution law. The court considers each spouse's contributions to the marriage, the length of the marriage, and other factors before deciding how to divide marital assets and debts. It's fair division, not automatic equal division. The same proceeding covers spousal support and, when children are involved, custody and visitation.
The Virginia Courts Self-Help Center has guides for self-represented filers. The Virginia State Bar publishes a useful overview of Virginia divorce law. VA Legal Aid provides free or reduced-cost help to residents who meet income guidelines.
Nearby Counties
These Virginia counties are near Page County. Each has its own Circuit Court for divorce records.