Prince George County Divorce Records Search
Prince George County divorce records are kept by the Circuit Court Clerk's Office in Prince George, Virginia. The 6th Judicial Circuit has maintained these filings since 1865, when earlier records were lost during the Civil War. This page covers how to request Prince George County divorce records, what documents are available, and what rules limit access to recent filings.
Prince George County Overview
Circuit Court Clerk's Office
All divorce proceedings in Prince George County are handled by the Circuit Court under Virginia Code § 20-96. The clerk's office on Court Street in Prince George is the official repository for all divorce decrees and case files in the county. Prince George County should not be confused with the City of Petersburg, which is a separate jurisdiction with its own court.
| Office | Prince George County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Hon. Melinda R. Crouch |
| Address | P.O. Box 98, 6202 Court Street, Prince George, VA 23875 |
| Phone | (804) 733-2640 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Website | vacourts.gov - Prince George Circuit Court |
Prince George County is located just south of the James River, adjacent to the cities of Petersburg and Hopewell. It's a mixed suburban and rural county with a growing population. The courthouse is off Route 460. Earlier records were lost in the Civil War, so the county's divorce files begin in 1865. If you're searching for records before that date, they likely do not exist at the county level.
Access and Privacy
Under § 32.1-271, divorce records filed within the past 25 years are restricted to the parties, their immediate family, and their attorneys. Immediate family means parents, children, siblings, spouses, and grandparents. People outside that group cannot access records within that window, regardless of their reason for asking.
Records older than 25 years become public. Prince George County's divorce files from 1865 through the early 2000s fall into that category and are available to anyone. Social security numbers are removed from all public copies. Cases sealed by a judge under § 20-124 remain sealed permanently, outside the normal access rules.
The Virginia Freedom of Information Act establishes the principle that government records are presumed open, but divorce records operate under a separate legal framework that limits access during the 25-year window. After that period, FOIA's open access principles fully apply.
Note: Prince George County's Civil War record loss means there are no divorce records from before 1865 at the county courthouse. The Library of Virginia may hold some pre-war indexes or other documents of interest to genealogists.
Requesting Copies of Divorce Records
To request a Prince George County divorce record, contact the clerk's office by phone at (804) 733-2640 or visit in person. You'll need the full names of both parties and the approximate year the divorce was granted. Staff will search the index and let you know what is available and how to request copies.
The first certified copy of the final decree is free to the parties under § 17.1-275. Extra copies run $0.50 per page. For mail requests, include a copy of your ID, case details, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. The office accepts checks or money orders for copy fees.
For a state divorce certificate, contact the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records. Their fee is $12 per copy, and they hold records from 1918 to the present. The VDH certificate shows that a divorce occurred and identifies the parties, date, and county, but does not include the court's orders on property, support, or custody.
Divorce Filing Process
Filing for divorce in Prince George County starts at the clerk's office on Court Street. One spouse must have lived in Virginia for six months. The $60 filing fee covers processing and one free certified copy of the final decree. All forms must be completed and filed with the complaint.
Virginia law provides two routes to divorce. Under § 20-91, no-fault divorce requires one year of uninterrupted separation. Couples with no minor children and a signed separation agreement can qualify after six months. Fault grounds, including adultery, cruelty, willful desertion, and felony imprisonment, are available for those with sufficient evidence and cause.
Property is divided under Virginia's equitable distribution statute, § 20-107.3. The court divides marital assets and debts based on what's fair, using factors like the length of the marriage, what each spouse contributed, and each party's post-divorce financial situation. Spousal support and child custody are also resolved in the same proceeding. The Virginia Courts Self-Help Center provides guidance for self-represented filers. VA Legal Aid assists qualifying residents in the region.
Nearby Counties
These Virginia counties are near Prince George County. Each has its own Circuit Court for divorce records.