Virginia Free Divorce Records

By Ben Kingsley


The state of Virginia implements the Freedom of Information Act which allows its residents to request for a copy of their personal files whenever they need it. One of the documents that is available for public access which is considered as a popular document in the state are the divorce records in Virginia.

Virginia divorce records are one of the most accessed documents in the state. It is used in a number of reasons. It is one of the important documents required when a divorcee has some transaction that needs to be done in any government office. Examples of these transactions are insurance related transactions, updating the dependents and beneficiary list and any other financial related requests. In genealogy research, divorce records are also one of the sources of information used by the researchers but such document is usually last document they check. If the divorce of a couple is not updated in a timely manner, future generations may have difficulties in tracing their ancestors.

A divorce certificate in Virginia would show the complete names of the couple who got separated. The date and the place where the separation was legalized are indicated on the file. The public divorce record would only show the basic details of the divorce. Details such as why the couple decided to separate are kept away from public access together with the custody of the children and the division of the assets and properties. This was done to respect he divorcee's privacy.

In Virginia, the divorce records only become available to the public once the event has been registered for 50 years. It cost $12 per request. One can only request for documents that are dated since January 1853. It is important that one has the basic information of the file being obtained ready since it has to be indicated on the request form together with the personal information of the requesting individual. The document is only released if the one who filed the request is the divorcee himself or their immediate family.

All of the public documents of Virginia, including the divorce certificates of the residents, are being archived at the Vital Records Section of the Department of Health. In times where the requested divorce file is not available at the state office, it can be requested at the county clerk office where the divorce was filed and legalized. One can also send the request via mail but the results of the search can be delivered only after a few days since it was filed or even longer if there are problems encountered during the search because of missing information or requirement.

Most often than not, getting the divorce certificate in Virginia can eat up one's precious time. The development of the Internet has changed the way we share information, in just a few clicks on the mouse results of the search can be obtained. Free divorce records can also be requested online, if you know where to look. Many want to make sure they get quality results and with this, they choose to pay for the service.




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