Divorce records in Norfolk, Virginia, are available through several channels — online tools, the court that issued the decision, the court clerk's office, and the state vital records office. NorfolkVACourt.us allows you to quickly find publicly available information about divorce records. Additionally, you can contact the Norfolk Circuit Court directly, where court cases are stored, or the Office of Vital Records at the Virginia Department of Health, which issues divorce certificates at the state level.
Norfolk Divorce Records Search
In Virginia, divorce cases are handled by the Circuit Court — a court of general jurisdiction with the authority to resolve family matters. The Norfolk Circuit Court Clerk's Office maintains a complete set of documents: divorce decrees, property settlement agreements, child custody orders, and related procedural documents.
Separate from court materials is the divorce certificate — a brief document that confirms the fact of marriage dissolution. It is maintained by the Norfolk Health Department, Vital Records Division, as well as the central state office in Richmond. Divorce records in Virginia have been kept since 1918.
Norfolk Circuit Court — Clerk's Office
Information about case status can be checked through the Case Status and Information system of the Virginia court system.
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Norfolk
Two different types of documents are stored in two different institutions — and they should not be confused.
Court record — a complete set of divorce documents, including the complaint, response, settlement agreement, custody decision, and final decree. All of this remains in the Circuit Court Clerk's Office. If you need a copy of a specific court decision or agreement between the parties, contact them directly.
Vital record — a concise document that records the fact of divorce, the date, and the names of the parties. It can be obtained in two places:
- Norfolk Health Department — Vital Records
- Virginia Department of Health — Office of Vital Records in Richmond
For most legal needs — confirmation of divorce for remarriage, name change, document updates — a certificate is sufficient. But if you need details of a property settlement or custody agreement, you will need to request copies directly from the court.
Norfolk Circuit Court — Clerk's Office
Norfolk Health Department — Vital Records
Virginia Office of Vital Records (state)
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Norfolk
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Divorce certificate (certified copy) — Norfolk Health Department | $12.00 | Same day for in-person requests |
| Divorce certificate (certified copy) — Virginia Office of Vital Records, by mail | $12.00 | 4–6 weeks |
| Copy of court decision (divorce decree) — Norfolk Circuit Court Clerk | $0.50 per page (regular copy) | Usually 1–3 business days |
| Certified copy of court document — Norfolk Circuit Court Clerk | $2.00 for certification + copying cost | Usually 1–3 business days |