Introduction to Virginia Divorce Certificates

This article is designed to help you get a Virginia Divorce certificate.  Divorce Certificates are a bit more difficult to obtain than Divorce Certificates and Death Certificates.  The main difficulty in obtaining Divorce Certificates is that states have not been registering Divorces for as long as other vital records.  There are some states that still do not register Divorces.  Due to this lack of centralization it is common to contact the county in which the Divorce took place.

Counter to common belief, not everything is a few clicks away on the Internet.  Divorce Certificates are one of the items that you can’t just click some links and get a copy of your Divorce Certificate; this is probably a good thing.  You do not want your Divorce certificate in the public domain, where it can be seen by anyone.  However, this does not mean that you can’t easily get your Divorce certificate by following the correct procedure.

Virginia Divorce certificates have been maintained by the Virginia Division of Vital Records and Health Statistic for individuals divorced in the state of Virginia, since 11918.

Virginia Divorce Certificate Authorized Persons

By Virginia state law, Virginia Divorce certificates are confidential records and can only be obtained by the following authorized individuals:

• Person Named on the Virginia Divorce Certificate
• Mother/Father (or Legal Guardian) of Person Named on the Virginia Divorce Certificate
• Grandparents and Great Grandparents of Person Named on the Virginia Divorce Certificate
• Husband/Wife of Person Named on the Virginia Divorce Certificate 
• Adult Son/Daughter of Person Named on the Virginia Divorce Certificate
• Sister/Brother of individual named on the Virginia Divorce certificate 
• Legal Representative of an Authorized Person of Person Named on the Virginia Divorce Certificate

Virginia Divorce Certificate for Genealogy Purpose

Anyone can obtain a Virginia Divorce Certificate, 50 years or later from the date of the Divorce for genealogy or other reasons.

Virginia Divorce Certificate Ordering

Options Option 1 – Order Virginia Divorce Certificate Online

This option is the simplest and easiest way to get your Virginia Divorce Certificate.  Order online and you will get your Virginia Divorce Certificate usually in less than a week.  Many times you will have the option of receiving your vital record by next-day or second-day service.

Order Birth and Death Records Online!  

Option 2 – Order Virginia Divorce Certificate through the Mail

Follow the instructions below, if you are not ordering your Virginia Divorce certificate online.  It usually takes 10-15 days upon receipt of request to be sent to you:

Step 1: Download Mail-In Application

Step 2: Please provide as much of the following information as possible to locate the Virginia Divorce certificate:

• Full name of husband on the Virginia Divorce certificate
• Full maiden name of wife on the Virginia Divorce certificate
• Date of Divorce on the Virginia Divorce certificate
• County (or city) of Divorce on the Virginia Divorce certificate
• Your name 
• Your signature 
• Your relationship to the person whose Virginia Divorce certificate you are requesting 
• Address where the Virginia Divorce certificate is to be mailed 
• Self addressed stamped envelope
• Your daytime phone number
• By Mail: Send the above information and the appropriate fee to:

 

Division of Vital Records

P. O. Box 1000

Richmond, VA 23218-1000

Option 3 – In Person

In Person in Virginia: You may go to any county health department in the State of Virginia to obtain a certified copy of a Virginia Divorce certificate. Most Virginia Divorce certificates can be issued while you wait.

Virginia Divorce Certificate Ordering Cost

The fee to search for a Virginia Divorce certificate is $12.00, which includes one certified copy of the Virginia Divorce certificate or a "Certificate of Failure to Find." For each additional copy of the Virginia Divorce certificate ordered at the same time, the fee is $12.00. Checks or Money Orders should be made payable to "Virginia State Health Department." Please do not send cash. Fees are not refundable. Additional fees are required for expedited service.