Divorce records in Prince William County, Virginia, are available through several channels. PrinceWilliamCourt.us allows for quick access to publicly available information about divorce records in the county. Additionally, records can be obtained directly from the Circuit Court that issued the decision, at the clerk's office, or through the Vital Records office of the Prince William Health District. Virginia's judicial system online tools also provide access to case information.
Prince William Divorce Records Search
In Virginia, divorce cases are handled by the Circuit Court — a court of general jurisdiction. The Clerk's Office of the Prince William County Circuit Court maintains complete court records: divorce decrees, property settlement agreements, child custody orders, and related documents. These records have been available electronically since July 1989.
Separate from court records, the Virginia Department of Health maintains a registry of divorce certificates — brief confirmatory documents that record the fact of divorce. The local Vital Records office serves county residents.
Prince William County Circuit Court — Clerk's Office
Prince William Health District — Office of Vital Records
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Prince William
Divorces in Prince William County are processed through the Circuit Court. This court issues the final decree of divorce, and once it becomes effective, the document remains on file at the clerk's office. If the divorce was finalized in another state, it can be "domesticated" — meaning the foreign decree can be registered — through the procedure described on the court's website.
Where to go depends on the type of document needed:
- Full text of the court's decision, property settlement agreement, or custody order — the Circuit Court clerk's office. Requests for copies can be submitted in person or by mail through the copy request form.
- Divorce verification/certificate — the Vital Records office of the Prince William Health District or the central office of the Virginia Department of Health in Richmond.
Information on civil court cases, including divorce cases from July 1989 onward, can be viewed through the online records access system. Searches can be conducted by last name, case number, or hearing date.
To find a case online:
- Go to the Court Case Information page.
- Select "Prince William County Circuit."
- Click "Begin" and choose the "Civil" section.
- Enter the party's last name or case number.
Cases involving minors, adoptions, and sealed cases do not appear in the online system. Access to public records of the Virginia judicial system is governed by the rules of the state Supreme Court.
Prince William County Circuit Court — Clerk's Office
Prince William Health District — Office of Vital Records
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Prince William
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document (Circuit Court) — first page | $0.50 | During visit or 5–10 business days by mail |
| Copy of court document — each additional page | $0.50 | During visit or 5–10 business days by mail |
| Certified copy of court decision | $2.00 (plus copying cost) | During visit or 5–10 business days by mail |
| Divorce certificate — Vital Records | $12.00 | During visit or 2–4 weeks by mail |