Divorce records in Virginia Beach, Virginia, are available through several channels — online tools, the district court, the court clerk's office, and the state office of vital records. VirginiabeachCourt.us allows you to quickly find public information about divorce records in this city. Additionally, records are stored at the Virginia Beach Circuit Court, and certified divorce certificates are issued by the Office of Vital Records of the Virginia Department of Health.
Virginia Beach Divorce Records Search
In Virginia, all divorce cases are handled by the Circuit Court — the court of general jurisdiction. The clerk's office of this court maintains the complete court file: the decree of divorce, property settlement agreements, child custody decisions, and related procedural documents. The Clerk of the Virginia Beach Circuit Court is Hon. Tina E. Sinnen.
Separate from the court file is the divorce certificate — a brief document registered by the Virginia Department of Health. Certified copies of this certificate can be obtained through the Virginia Beach vital records department if the event occurred in the state of Virginia.
Virginia Beach Circuit Court — Clerk's Office
The court file contains:
- Final decree of divorce
- Property settlement agreement
- Custody and support decisions
- Motions, responses, and interim court orders
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Virginia Beach
When a judge signs a divorce decree, the document remains in the Circuit Court clerk's office. This court is the only instance that handles divorce cases in Virginia — neither the General District Court nor the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court have such authority.
At the same time, the Virginia Department of Health receives notification of each divorce and forms a divorce certificate. These are two different documents, and you need to contact different institutions depending on the purpose of the request.
What You Need — and Where to Go
- Complete court file (decree, agreements, orders) → Circuit Court clerk's office. Case information can be preliminarily found online through the Virginia Judicial System.
- Certified divorce certificate (short form for official purposes) → Virginia Department of Health, Office of Vital Records.
Office of Vital Records — Virginia Department of Health
Virginia Beach Department of Public Health — Vital Records
Important: According to Virginia law, divorce records become public only 25 years after the event. Until then, certified copies of the certificate are issued only to the direct participants or their family members. The court file in the Circuit Court is generally open for public viewing unless the court has placed restrictions on a specific case.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Virginia Beach
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Certified copy of divorce certificate (VDH) | $12.00 | 3–5 business days (in person); up to 30 days (by mail) |
| Each additional copy of the certificate (in one order) | $6.00 | Along with the main order |
| Copy of court document (Circuit Court) | $0.50 per page | Usually on the day of request |
| Certified copy of court document (Circuit Court) | $2.00 for the first two pages + $0.50 for each additional page | 1–3 business days |
| Online case information search (Virginia Courts) | Free | Immediately |