Find Wise County Divorce Records
Wise County divorce records are kept by the Circuit Court Clerk's office on East Main Street in Wise. The 30th Judicial Circuit serves this coalfields county in far southwest Virginia, with records going back to 1856. The City of Norton also files divorce cases with this court. The clerk handles requests for divorce case files, decrees, and certified copies, and online case index searches are available through the Virginia Judicial System.
Wise County Overview
Circuit Court Clerk's Office
Divorce cases in Wise County are filed with the Wise County Circuit Court. Under § 20-96 of Virginia Code, circuit courts have exclusive authority over divorce. The county also has a clerk information page at wisecounty.org/241/Courts. The Wise clerk maintains all case files and provides certified copies of final decrees.
| Office | Wise County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Hon. Dezarah J. Hall |
| Address | 206 East Main St, P.O. Box 1248, Wise, VA 24293 |
| Phone | (276) 328-6111 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM |
| Website | vacourts.gov/courts/circuit/Wise |
Note: The Wise County clerk accepts PDF submissions only. No fax submissions are accepted. The City of Norton also uses this court for divorce filings.
Staff can help you find records and explain fees. They cannot give legal advice. For free assistance, contact Virginia Legal Aid or the Virginia Courts self-help portal.
Getting Divorce Records
Visit the courthouse at 206 East Main Street in Wise to request records in person. Bring a photo ID and both party names plus the approximate year of the divorce. Staff will search the index and pull the file or certified decree.
Mail requests go to P.O. Box 1248, Wise, VA 24293. Include party names, case year, your return address, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and copy fee payment. When submitting documents electronically, use PDF format only. The clerk does not accept faxes.
Under § 32.1-271, records less than 25 years old are restricted to the named parties, immediate family, and their attorneys. After 25 years, records are public. The first certified copy of a final decree is free under § 17.1-275. More copies cost $0.50 per page.
State Vital Records
The Virginia Department of Health holds divorce certificates from 1918 forward. These records confirm a divorce took place and show the basic details. They do not include case terms, property decisions, or custody orders.
VDH charges $12 per certificate. Write to 8701 Park Central Drive, Suite 100, Richmond, VA 23227 or call 804-662-6200. The 25-year access restriction under § 32.1-268 applies here as well.
Filing for Divorce in Wise County
You or your 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 Wise clerk's office. The filing fee is $60. Remember that electronic submissions must be in PDF format.
Virginia Code § 20-91 allows both no-fault and fault-based divorce. No-fault requires one year of separation. That drops to six months when both parties sign a property settlement and have no minor children. Fault grounds include adultery, cruelty, desertion, and a felony with imprisonment.
Property disputes are settled under § 20-107.3 through equitable distribution. The final decree resolves all matters. For help, read the Virginia State Bar divorce guide or contact Virginia Legal Aid.
Nearby Counties
These Virginia counties are near Wise County. Each has its own Circuit Court for divorce records.