Washington County Dissolution Of Marriage Records
Washington County Dissolution Of Marriage cases are filed and maintained by the 28th Judicial Circuit Court in Abingdon, Virginia. If you need to search for a divorce case, get a certified copy of a decree, or find out how a dissolution of marriage proceeding works in this county, this page covers the key sources, contact details, and legal framework you need to know.
Washington County Overview
Washington County Circuit Court Clerk
The Washington County Circuit Court is the official place for all dissolution of marriage filings in the county. Clerk of Court Hon. Tricia S. Moore serves as the custodian of all divorce decrees, annulment orders, and related domestic relations records. The clerk's office is where you go to file a divorce case, ask about a pending case, or get a certified copy of a final decree.
You can reach the clerk's office by phone at (276) 676-6224 or (276) 676-6226. The fax number is (276) 676-6218. Staff are available Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The courthouse sits at 189 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210. Visit during those hours for in-person record requests or to drop off filings.
| Clerk of Court | Hon. Tricia S. Moore |
|---|---|
| Address | 189 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210 |
| Phone | (276) 676-6224 / (276) 676-6226 |
| Fax | (276) 676-6218 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
Divorce records in Washington County are generally open to the public unless a court order restricts access. Under Titles 16.1 and 17.1 of the Code of Virginia, non-confidential case files can be inspected by anyone during regular office hours. The clerk can also accept written record requests by mail or fax, though in-person visits tend to be processed faster. Older records stored off-site may need extra time for retrieval, so call ahead if you are looking for a case that is more than a decade old.
The Washington Circuit Court home page on the Virginia Courts website has current contact details and any notices about office closures or policy updates.
Search Washington County Dissolution Records Online
The Virginia Judicial System operates the Circuit Court Case Information System (CJISWeb), a free public portal where you can look up divorce and other civil cases filed in Washington County. You can search by party name, case number, or scheduled hearing date. The results show the case number, filing date, party names, and current status codes like "Decreed" or "Dismissed."
Keep in mind that CJISWeb does not display the full text of any filed documents or the content of the final decree itself. It is a lookup and status tool, not a document retrieval system. If a case does not appear, it may predate the court's participation in the online system, or it may have been sealed. Older cases are typically only accessible through the clerk's office in person.
For broader case research that spans multiple court types, the Virginia Online Case Information System (OCIS) pulls data from general district courts, juvenile and domestic relations courts, and select circuit courts at once. This is useful when a dissolution of marriage matter involves related protective orders or criminal filings in other Virginia jurisdictions. Neither portal charges a search fee.
Note: Search results may lag by one to two business days. Call the clerk's office at (276) 676-6224 for real-time case status on time-sensitive matters.
Washington County Dissolution Of Marriage - Certified Copies
There are two main ways to get a certified record tied to a Washington County dissolution of marriage. The circuit court clerk issues certified copies of the actual divorce decree and the full case file. The Virginia Department of Health issues verification letters that confirm the divorce happened, the names of the parties, the date, and where it was granted.
The Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records is the state-level repository for all marriage and divorce records in Virginia, including those from Washington County. The office is at 8701 Park Central Drive, Suite 100, Richmond, VA 23227. You can apply online through their vital records application portal, by mail, or in person. The fee is $12 per copy. Call their Customer Care Center at (804) 662-6200, Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, with questions about eligibility, required ID, or processing times.
Divorce records at VDH are confidential for 25 years from the date of the event. During that window, only the parties, their immediate family members, or legal representatives with proper documentation can request them. Records older than 25 years are public and available to anyone, including researchers and genealogists. If you do not know the exact date of the divorce, VDH will search a five-year window for a small extra fee. Express processing is available at an added cost and ships the next business day via expedited delivery.
If you need the actual court documents rather than a VDH verification letter, contact the Washington County Circuit Court Clerk directly. The clerk is the only source for certified copies of the divorce decree, property settlement orders, and other filed pleadings.
Virginia Dissolution Of Marriage Laws
All dissolution of marriage proceedings in Washington County are governed by Chapter 6 of Title 20 of the Code of Virginia. Under Virginia Code Section 20-96, circuit courts have exclusive jurisdiction over divorce, annulment, and affirmation of marriage cases. This means Washington County cases can only be filed at the circuit court level, not in general district or juvenile courts.
To qualify to file in Virginia, Section 20-97 requires that at least one party be a bona fide Virginia resident and domiciliary for at least six months before the suit is filed. Members of the military stationed in Virginia for six months or more are presumed to meet this standard. Venue can be set in the county where the parties last lived together, where the defendant resides, or where the plaintiff lives if the defendant is a non-resident.
The grounds for divorce are spelled out in Section 20-91. No-fault divorce requires the parties to live separate and apart without cohabitation for one continuous year. If the couple has a written separation agreement and no minor children, that period drops to six months. Fault-based grounds include adultery, cruelty, desertion, and a felony conviction. The type of grounds you use can affect spousal support and property division outcomes, so it is worth understanding the difference before filing.
Washington County courts may also issue temporary support and custody orders under Section 20-103 while a case is pending, which is sometimes called a pendente lite order. Spousal support rules after the final decree are covered in Section 20-109, which allows modification when there is a material change in circumstances. Support ends automatically if the receiving spouse remarries or cohabitates with a new partner under Section 20-111.
What Washington County Dissolution Records Contain
A public dissolution of marriage file at the Washington County Circuit Court holds the original complaint, any answers or counterclaims filed by the other party, motions, hearing notices, evidence lists, and the final decree. The decree itself states the grounds for divorce, the date the marriage is dissolved, any property division terms, and whether a former name is restored under the provisions of Section 20-121.4.
What you will not find in the public file is the confidential addendum. Virginia Code Section 20-121.03 requires that sensitive identifying data be filed separately from the public record. This addendum holds social security numbers, dates of birth, driver's license numbers, and financial account details for both parties. The clerk keeps it sealed and only allows access by the parties, their attorneys, and authorized government agencies. When you request a copy of a decree for routine purposes like a name change or passport application, the version you receive will not include that protected information, which is fine for most uses.
If you believe confidential data was accidentally included in the public portion of a Washington County decree, you can file a motion with the court to have the record corrected. Attorneys who fail to properly sequester that information can face sanctions from the court or a disciplinary referral to the Virginia State Bar.
Note: The confidential addendum protects both parties equally, regardless of whether the case was contested or uncontested.
Land Records and Property Transfers After Divorce
When a Washington County dissolution of marriage includes real estate as part of the property settlement, the actual transfer of title is recorded in the circuit court land records division. Quitclaim deeds, deeds of conveyance, and other instruments arising from a divorce settlement are essential for proving clear title to property after the decree is entered.
The Secure Remote Access to Land Records (RISWeb) system allows registered users to search circuit court land records online. If Washington County participates, you can search by grantor, grantee, instrument type, or recording date without visiting the courthouse. Registration is required and handled through the clerk's office. Fees vary by jurisdiction, so contact the clerk directly to ask about subscription rates and how to sign up. Certified copies of land records still need to be obtained in person or by mail from the clerk even if you use RISWeb to locate them.
Legal Help for Washington County Dissolution Cases
If you plan to represent yourself in a dissolution of marriage case in Washington County, forms approved by the Virginia Supreme Court are available at no cost through the Virginia Courts forms page. These cover uncontested divorce petitions, separation agreements, financial disclosure forms, and more. The clerk's office can tell you which forms apply to your situation, though staff cannot give legal advice.
Free and low-cost legal help may be available through the Access to Justice program run by the Virginia Judicial System. This program links people with legal aid organizations and attorney resources based on income and case type. Local legal aid groups serving southwest Virginia may be able to assist Washington County residents with uncontested dissolution cases, name changes, and related matters.
For guidance on how public records are requested from any Virginia circuit court, the Virginia Courts public records page has a downloadable guide that walks through the process step by step. It covers what information to include in a request, how fees are assessed, and what to do if a request is denied.
Washington County Court - Dissolution Case Photos
The Virginia Department of Health Vital Records office handles statewide divorce record verification for Washington County and every other locality in the Commonwealth.
The VDH portal is the fastest way to order a divorce verification letter online, with electronic payment accepted and email status updates sent throughout the process.
The Virginia Courts CJISWeb portal lets anyone search Washington County dissolution of marriage case records by party name, case number, or hearing date at no charge.
The portal shows case status, filing dates, and hearing schedules but does not display the text of any filed documents or decrees.
The Washington Circuit Court home page on the Virginia Courts website provides official contact details and links for the clerk's office.
This page is the best starting point for checking clerk hours, policy updates, or finding the court's mailing address before you send a record request.
The Virginia Courts public records guide explains how to submit a proper record request to the Washington County clerk's office and what to expect in return.
The guide covers required information, applicable fees, turnaround expectations, and appeal rights if a request is denied.
Cities Near Washington County
Washington County borders the independent city of Bristol, which has its own separate circuit court for dissolution of marriage filings.
Nearby Counties
Adjacent counties in the 28th Judicial Circuit and surrounding southwest Virginia region also handle dissolution of marriage records through their own circuit courts.