Divorce records in Chesapeake, Virginia, can be accessed through several channels, including online tools, the court that issued the decree, the circuit court clerk, and the state vital records office. ChesapeakeCourt.us can help find publicly available divorce record information for Chesapeake. You can also request records directly from the Chesapeake Circuit Court Clerk's Office or the Chesapeake Health District Vital Records Services office.
Chesapeake Divorce Records Search
In Virginia, divorce cases are heard exclusively by circuit courts. The Chesapeake Circuit Court, part of the 1st Judicial Circuit, maintains the official case files for all divorces granted in the city. These records include divorce decrees, settlement agreements, property division orders, custody and support orders, and related filings. The Clerk of Court's office is the custodian of these court records.
The Virginia Department of Health, Office of Vital Records, also maintains divorce certificates — statistical summaries that confirm a divorce occurred but do not contain the full case details. The Chesapeake Health District vital records office can process local requests for these certificates.
In Virginia, divorce records become public information 25 years after the event. More recent records may have access restrictions and typically require the requester to be an eligible party.
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Chesapeake
All divorce cases in Chesapeake are filed in and decided by the Chesapeake Circuit Court. After the judge signs the final decree of divorce, it is recorded and maintained by the circuit court clerk. This office holds the complete case file — the decree itself, any separation or settlement agreements, motions, custody orders, and financial disclosures submitted during the proceeding.
The Virginia Department of Health also receives a report of divorce from the court and issues divorce certificates, which are shorter verification documents. These are available through the state Office of Vital Records or the Chesapeake Health District Vital Records office.
Which office to contact
- For the full divorce decree, settlement agreement, custody orders, or other case documents: Contact the Chesapeake Circuit Court Clerk's Office.
- For a divorce certificate (verification that a divorce occurred): Contact the Chesapeake Health District Vital Records office or the Virginia Office of Vital Records.
- For online case status information: Use the Virginia Court System's case information portal or visit ChesapeakeCourt.us for help locating publicly available records.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Chesapeake
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Divorce certificate search (Chesapeake Health District / VDH) | $12 per search | Varies; in-person requests may be processed same day |
| Certified copy of divorce decree (Circuit Court Clerk) | $2 per page (first two pages); $0.50 each additional page | Typically available within a few business days for in-person or mail requests |
| Online case status lookup (Virginia Courts) | Free | Immediate |