Find Dissolution Of Marriage in New Kent County
Dissolution of marriage cases in New Kent County are handled by the 9th Judicial Circuit Court, located at 12001 Courthouse Circle in New Kent. Whether you need to search for an active or closed dissolution case, request a certified copy of a divorce decree, or verify that a dissolution of marriage took place in New Kent County, this guide points you to the right offices and online tools to get what you need.
New Kent County Overview
New Kent County Circuit Court Clerk
The New Kent Circuit Court Clerk's Office is the official custodian of all dissolution of marriage records filed in the county. Hon. Amy P. Crump serves as Clerk of Court. The office maintains every case file from the initial complaint through any post-decree modifications. All record requests, whether in person, by mail, or by fax, are handled through this office.
| Clerk of Court | Hon. Amy P. Crump |
|---|---|
| Address | P.O. Box 98, 12001 Courthouse Circle, New Kent, VA 23124 |
| Phone | (804) 966-9520 |
| Fax | (804) 966-9528 |
| Office Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM |
To find a specific dissolution record, bring both parties' full names and the approximate date of the divorce. A case number helps speed things up. In-person requests tend to be completed faster than mailed requests. Very old records may require extra time if stored off-site.
Visit the New Kent Circuit Court page for up-to-date contact information and any local policies. The court also publishes its Local Rules and Preferred Practices in Domestic Relations Cases, which may affect how contested dissolution matters are handled.
Search New Kent Dissolution Of Marriage Records
The free CJISWeb Circuit Court Case Information portal lets you search dissolution of marriage cases filed in New Kent County by party name, case number, or hearing date. The system shows case type, filing date, party names, and disposition codes. It does not display the actual text of a decree or filed documents.
When searching by name, enter it exactly as it appears in court records. Nicknames or misspellings may return no results. If a case does not appear, it may predate the court's participation in the electronic system, or the case may be sealed. In either situation, contact the clerk's office directly.
For a broader search across court levels, use the OCIS Statewide Search. This tool covers district courts alongside circuit courts and can be useful when a dissolution matter has related criminal or protective order cases in other jurisdictions. The Virginia Courts website also has guidance on requesting public records from clerks of court for more detail on how access works under state law.
Certified Copies and Vital Records
The Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records is the statewide repository for divorce and marriage records. For events that occurred in New Kent County, VDH can issue a verification letter confirming the fact of the dissolution, including party names, date, and place. The fee for a certified copy or verification is $12, payable by check, money order, card, or cash.
Dissolution of marriage records at VDH are confidential for 25 years from the date of the event. Only the parties, their immediate family, or legal representatives with proper documentation can request records within that window. Once the 25-year period passes, anyone may request the record, making VDH useful for family history research involving older New Kent County cases.
Apply through the VDH online vital records portal or submit by mail to 8701 Park Central Drive, Suite 100, Richmond, VA 23227. Drop-offs at the Richmond office must arrive by 2:00 PM. Reach the VDH Customer Care Center at (804) 662-6200, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Express service is available for an added fee if you need a record quickly.
The VDH Vital Records page screenshot below shows the online portal where New Kent County residents can request dissolution of marriage verifications.
VDH handles statewide divorce record verification. For the actual decree documents, contact the New Kent Circuit Court Clerk's Office directly.
New Kent County Dissolution Laws
Dissolution of marriage cases in New Kent County fall under Title 20, Chapter 6 of the Code of Virginia. Under Section 20-96, only circuit courts have jurisdiction over divorce and dissolution proceedings in the Commonwealth. This gives the New Kent Circuit Court exclusive authority to grant a dissolution of marriage for county residents.
The residency requirement is set by Section 20-97. At least one party must have been a Virginia resident and domiciliary for a minimum of six months before filing. Military members stationed in Virginia for six months or more are presumed to meet this requirement under state law.
No-fault dissolution under Section 20-91 requires that both spouses have lived separate and apart without cohabitation for one full year. If there are no minor children and both parties have signed a separation agreement, this period drops to six months. Fault-based grounds include adultery, desertion, cruelty, and conviction of a felony. Section 20-99 sets the rules for where the case may be filed in relation to where the parties lived and where the defendant now resides.
The screenshot below shows the New Kent Circuit Court page, which includes current clerk information and local domestic relations policies.
The court page notes that the 9th Circuit has published Local Rules and Preferred Practices in Domestic Relations Cases, which govern how dissolution matters are handled locally.
What New Kent Dissolution Records Contain
The case file held at the New Kent Circuit Court Clerk's Office includes all documents filed from the start of the dissolution proceeding to its conclusion. You'll typically find the initial complaint or petition, any answers and cross-complaints, interim orders, the final decree of dissolution, and any post-decree motions or modifications. These records are generally available for public inspection during office hours.
Certain information is protected. Under Virginia Code Section 20-121.03, a confidential addendum must be filed separately from the public decree. This addendum contains Social Security numbers, dates of birth, driver's license numbers, and financial account data. The publicly available decree does not include this information. Only the parties, their attorneys, and certain authorized agencies may access the addendum.
Property records connected to dissolution settlements, such as quitclaim deeds or deeds of conveyance, are held separately in the land records division. The RISWeb Secure Remote Access system may allow online access to these records if the New Kent Circuit Court participates. Contact the clerk to ask about registration and fees for that system.
Legal Resources for New Kent County
People who want to file their own dissolution case in New Kent County can download forms from the Virginia Courts circuit forms page. These include uncontested divorce packets with filing instructions for self-represented parties. The clerk's office may also have printed copies available.
For legal aid, the Virginia Access to Justice program can connect eligible individuals with reduced-cost or free legal help based on income. Mediation may be required before a contested dissolution trial, which can reduce time and expense for both parties. The New Kent Circuit Court may refer contested matters to a settlement conference before scheduling a final hearing.
The screenshot below shows the Virginia Courts page on requesting public records, which explains how to access dissolution case files from New Kent and other county clerks.
This resource covers which records are public, how to submit a request, and what fees the clerk may charge for copying or certifying records.
The CJISWeb portal screenshot below shows the free case search tool available for New Kent County dissolution records.
Search by name, case number, or date to find active or recently closed dissolution of marriage cases in New Kent County.
Cities Near New Kent County
New Kent County sits in the 9th Judicial Circuit. Nearby cities include Williamsburg, Richmond, and Hampton, each with their own circuit courts and dissolution records.
Nearby Counties
Adjacent counties in the region also maintain dissolution of marriage records through their circuit court clerks.