Henrico County Divorce Records
What Are Henrico County Divorce Records?
Henrico County divorce records are official documents that provide legal evidence of a marriage dissolution in Henrico County, Virginia. These records are maintained by the Henrico County Circuit Court Clerk's Office and contain information about divorce proceedings, including the names of the parties involved, the date of divorce, and other relevant details. Divorce records are part of the vital records collection that includes birth, death, and marriage certificates.
The Circuit Court Clerk's Office processes and maintains these records as part of their official duties. Circuit Court Clerk's Office, 4301 E. Parham Road, Richmond, VA 23228
Are Henrico County Divorce Records Public?
Yes, divorce records in Henrico County are considered public records under Virginia law. This means that any member of the public can request access to these documents, with certain exceptions for sealed or confidential cases. The public nature of these records allows for transparency in the legal system while also providing necessary documentation for individuals who need proof of their divorce for various purposes.
However, while the records are public, access may be restricted to certain sensitive information contained within the divorce files, particularly if they involve minor children or domestic violence issues.
How To Find a Divorce Record In Henrico County in 2025
To find a divorce record in Henrico County in 2025, you can follow these steps:
- Visit the Henrico County Circuit Court Clerk's Office in person at 4301 E. Parham Road, Richmond, VA 23228
- Provide the names of both parties involved in the divorce
- Specify the approximate date of the divorce if known
- Pay the required search and copy fees
- Present a valid photo ID
Alternatively, you can request divorce records through the Virginia Department of Health's Division of Vital Records. Virginia Department of Health, Division of Vital Records, P.O. Box 1000, Richmond, VA 23218-1000
For divorces finalized after 1918, you can also contact the Virginia Department of Health directly, which maintains a central database of all divorce records in the state.
How To Look Up Divorce Records in Henrico County Online?
Looking up divorce records in Henrico County online is possible through several methods:
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Visit the Virginia Court Case Information System at vacourts.gov, which provides basic case information for circuit court cases, including divorces.
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Use the Virginia Judicial System's Online Case Information System, which allows searches of court records by name, case number, or hearing date.
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Third-party websites that aggregate public records may also provide access to divorce record information, though these services typically charge fees and may not have complete or up-to-date information.
It's important to note that while basic case information may be available online, obtaining certified copies of divorce decrees typically requires an in-person visit or mail request to the Clerk's Office or the Virginia Department of Health.
How To Find Divorce Records for Free In Henrico County?
Finding divorce records for free in Henrico County is possible through these methods:
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Visit the Henrico County Circuit Court Clerk's Office in person at 4301 E. Parham Road, Richmond, VA 23228 to conduct a free search of public records. While viewing records is free, obtaining copies will incur fees.
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Use the public access terminals at the courthouse to search for case information at no cost.
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Check the Virginia Judicial System's online case information portal, which provides basic case information without charge.
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Visit the Henrico County Public Library, which may offer access to public records databases as part of their services. Henrico County Public Library, 1001 N. Laburnum Avenue, Richmond, VA 23223
Remember that while searching for records may be free, obtaining certified copies will always involve a fee.
What's Included in a Divorce Records In Henrico County
Divorce records in Henrico County typically include:
- The divorce decree or final judgment, which officially terminates the marriage
- Names of both spouses
- Date and location of the marriage
- Date the divorce was finalized
- Grounds for divorce
- Property division agreements
- Child custody arrangements, if applicable
- Child support determinations
- Spousal support (alimony) arrangements
- Name change information, if applicable
The level of detail in divorce records can vary depending on whether the divorce was contested or uncontested and whether certain information was sealed by the court.
How To Get Proof of Divorce In Henrico County?
To obtain proof of divorce in Henrico County, you have several options:
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Request a certified copy of the divorce decree from the Henrico County Circuit Court Clerk's Office at 4301 E. Parham Road, Richmond, VA 23228. You'll need to provide the names of both parties, the approximate date of divorce, and pay the required fee.
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Contact the Virginia Department of Health's Division of Vital Records at P.O. Box 1000, Richmond, VA 23218-1000 to request a divorce certificate. This is an official document that verifies the divorce occurred but contains less detail than the full decree.
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For divorces finalized after 1918, you can also visit the Virginia Department of Health's Office of Vital Records in person at 2001 Maywill Street, Suite 101, Richmond, VA 23230
Certified copies of divorce decrees are typically required for legal matters such as remarriage, name changes, or immigration proceedings.
Can a Divorce Be Confidential In Henrico County?
While divorce records are generally public in Henrico County, there are circumstances under which certain information or entire cases may be kept confidential:
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The court may seal specific sensitive information within a divorce file, such as financial records, details about minor children, or information related to domestic violence.
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In rare cases, a judge may order an entire divorce case sealed if there are compelling privacy concerns or safety issues.
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Certain information is automatically redacted from public records, such as Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and information about minors.
To request that information be sealed in a divorce case, parties must file a motion with the court demonstrating why confidentiality is necessary. The judge will then determine whether the need for privacy outweighs the public's right to access court records.
How Long Does a Divorce Take In Henrico County?
The duration of a divorce in Henrico County varies depending on several factors:
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Uncontested divorces, where both parties agree on all terms, can be completed in as little as 2-3 months after the required separation period.
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Contested divorces, involving disputes over property, custody, or support, can take 6 months to over a year to resolve.
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Virginia law requires a separation period before filing for divorce:
- 6 months if there are no minor children and the couple has a signed separation agreement
- 12 months in all other cases
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Court scheduling, attorney availability, and case complexity can all impact the timeline.
The process generally includes filing the initial complaint, serving papers to the spouse, waiting for a response, potential discovery and negotiation phases, and finally a hearing before a judge.
How Long Does Henrico County Keep Divorce Records?
Henrico County maintains divorce records permanently. As legal documents of significant importance, divorce records are preserved indefinitely by the Circuit Court Clerk's Office. This permanent retention ensures that individuals can access proof of their divorce regardless of when it occurred.
For divorces finalized after 1918, records are also maintained permanently by the Virginia Department of Health's Division of Vital Records. This dual system of record-keeping provides additional security and accessibility for these important documents.
Digital preservation efforts have made more recent records easier to access, while older records may be archived in different formats but remain available upon request.
How To Get a Divorce In Henrico County
To get a divorce in Henrico County, follow these steps:
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Meet the residency requirement: Either you or your spouse must have been a resident of Virginia for at least 6 months.
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Fulfill the separation requirement:
- 6 months if you have no minor children and have a signed separation agreement
- 12 months in all other cases
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Prepare and file the divorce complaint with the Henrico County Circuit Court at 4301 E. Parham Road, Richmond, VA 23228
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Pay the filing fee (approximately $85-$100, though fees may change)
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Serve the divorce papers to your spouse according to Virginia law
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Wait for your spouse's response or the expiration of their response period
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Attend any required hearings or mediation sessions
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Finalize the divorce through either:
- A settlement agreement approved by the court
- A trial where the judge decides contested issues
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Receive the final divorce decree once signed by the judge
Many people choose to hire an attorney to navigate this process, though uncontested divorces can sometimes be handled without legal representation.
How To Get Divorce Papers In Henrico County
To obtain divorce papers in Henrico County, you have several options:
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Visit the Henrico County Circuit Court Clerk's Office at 4301 E. Parham Road, Richmond, VA 23228 to request the necessary forms in person.
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Download divorce forms from the Virginia Judicial System website, which provides standardized forms for various divorce situations.
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Contact Henrico County Legal Aid Society at 2006 Bremo Road, Suite 101, Richmond, VA 23226 for assistance with paperwork if you qualify for their services.
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Hire an attorney who will prepare and file all necessary paperwork on your behalf.
The specific forms needed will depend on your situation, including whether you have children, own property together, or are seeking spousal support. Basic forms typically include:
- Complaint for Divorce
- Domestic Case Coversheet
- VS-4 Form (statistical information)
- Service forms
- Property settlement agreement (if applicable)
Lookup Divorce Records in Henrico County
Divorce - Henrico County, Virginia
Vital Records - Henrico County, Virginia