Find Dissolution Of Marriage in Lee County
Lee County Dissolution Of Marriage records are filed with and held by the Circuit Court Clerk in Jonesville, Virginia. If you need to search for a case, get a certified copy of a divorce decree, or find out how to verify a dissolution through state vital records, this page walks you through each option. All dissolution cases in Lee County are handled exclusively by the circuit court, and most records are available for public inspection under Virginia law.
Lee County Overview
Lee Circuit Court Dissolution Records
Lee County sits in the 30th Judicial Circuit. Hon. Rene Lamey serves as Clerk of Court and is the custodian of all dissolution of marriage records filed in this county. The clerk's office in Jonesville is your main point of contact for case lookups, certified copies of decrees, and access to case files going back many years.
The office phone is (276) 346-7763. The fax number is (276) 346-3440. Hours run Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Mail goes to P.O. Box 326, Jonesville, VA 24263. The physical address is 33640 Main Street, Jonesville, VA 24263. You can also reach Clerk Lamey by email at rlamey@vacourts.gov if you have a question about a specific record.
| Office | Lee Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Hon. Rene Lamey |
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 326, Jonesville, VA 24263 |
| Physical Address | 33640 Main Street, Jonesville, VA 24263 |
| Phone | (276) 346-7763 |
| Fax | (276) 346-3440 |
When you call or write, be ready to give the full legal names of both parties and the approximate date of the dissolution. If you have a case number, that speeds up the search. In-person requests are generally handled faster than mailed ones. The clerk can confirm current copy fees when you make contact.
How to Search Lee County Dissolution Cases
The Virginia Courts CJISWeb portal gives the public free online access to circuit court case information. You can look up Lee County dissolution cases by entering a party name, case number, or hearing date. The system shows case status, filing date, and scheduled hearings.
Keep in mind that the portal does not give you the actual text of any filed document or a copy of the final decree. It is a status-checking tool, not a document retrieval system. For anything older than what the court has loaded into the online system, you will need to contact the clerk's office directly. Older cases may only exist in paper form at the courthouse in Jonesville.
When you enter a name, use the exact spelling as it would appear in court records. Nicknames or abbreviations may cause the search to return no results. Status codes like "Decreed" mean the dissolution was granted. "Dismissed" means the case was closed without a decree. If you need more detail on what a code means, call the clerk.
Getting Certified Copies in Lee County
Two sources provide official dissolution records for Lee County. The Lee Circuit Court Clerk can give you a certified copy of the actual decree and the full case file. The Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records provides verification letters that confirm a dissolution took place.
VDH records are useful when you need to prove a marriage ended but do not need the full court document. The $12 fee covers one copy. Applications go through the VDH online system, by mail, or in person in Richmond. Call (804) 662-6200, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, with any questions about the process.
Dissolution records at VDH are confidential for 25 years from the date of the event. During that window, only the parties, their immediate family, or a legal representative with proper documentation can request a copy. After 25 years, the records become public. If you do not know the exact date, VDH will search a five-year range for an added fee.
Note: VDH does not maintain copies of court decrees. For the full case file or a certified decree, contact the Lee Circuit Court Clerk.
Virginia Dissolution Laws That Apply in Lee County
All dissolution of marriage cases in Lee County are governed by Virginia Code Title 20, Chapter 6. Under Section 20-96, circuit courts have exclusive jurisdiction over dissolution proceedings. No other court in Lee County can grant a dissolution. The clerk of the circuit court that hears the case keeps all the records.
The residency requirement is set by Section 20-97. At least one party must have been a bona fide Virginia resident for at least six months before filing. Military members stationed in Virginia for six months or more also meet this standard.
Grounds for dissolution are covered under Section 20-91. No-fault dissolution requires the parties to have lived apart for one continuous year. If there is a separation agreement and no minor children, six months of separation may be enough. Fault-based grounds include adultery, cruelty, desertion, and felony conviction with a prison sentence. In contested cases, the court may hold multiple hearings before a final decree is entered.
What Lee County Dissolution Records Include
The complete case file held by the Lee Circuit Court Clerk covers every document submitted during the dissolution process. That includes the initial complaint, any responses, motions, temporary orders, settlement agreements, and the final decree. All of these are generally available for public review unless a specific court order restricts access to a document.
One important note: Virginia Code Section 20-121.03 requires that certain personal data be placed in a confidential addendum, filed separately from the public record. Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, dates of birth, and financial account numbers are kept in this addendum. When you request the public decree, those details will not appear. The clerk is responsible for keeping the addendum secure.
The Virginia Courts public records guide walks through the standard process for requesting records from circuit court clerks statewide. It explains what to include in a request and what your options are if a request is denied. For Lee County, you can make requests in person, by mail, by fax, or potentially by email. The clerk's office will confirm which methods they accept.
Legal Help and Court Resources in Lee County
People who want to handle their own dissolution case in Lee County can get official forms from the Virginia Courts circuit court forms page. These cover everything from starting a case to filing a settlement agreement. The clerk can point you to the right forms, but they cannot give legal advice.
The Access to Justice program offers resources for parties who need guidance but do not have a lawyer. Southwest Virginia has legal aid organizations that serve low-income residents. If you need to hire an attorney, the Virginia Courts attorney directory lists lawyers licensed to practice in the state.
If you need to enforce or change a decree that was entered in Lee County, you go back to the same circuit court. The clerk's office keeps all post-decree orders as part of the ongoing case file. For use of a Lee County decree in a foreign country, ask the clerk about getting an apostille or authentication stamp.
Cities Near Lee County
Lee County is in far southwest Virginia. The closest cities with separate court systems are in neighboring areas.
Nearby Counties
Counties that border or share the 30th Judicial Circuit with Lee County.