Divorce records in Fairfax County, Virginia, can be accessed through several channels. FairfaxCourt.us can help you find publicly available divorce record information for Fairfax County. You can also request records directly from the Fairfax County Circuit Court — the court that handles divorce cases — or from the Fairfax County Office of Vital Records. The Virginia Department of Health maintains statewide divorce verification records as well.
Fairfax Divorce Records Search
In Virginia, divorce cases are heard exclusively in circuit courts. The Fairfax County Circuit Court (19th Judicial Circuit) maintains all divorce case files for divorces granted in Fairfax County and Fairfax City. The Clerk of the Circuit Court is the custodian of these court records.
Divorce records maintained by the court typically include:
- Divorce decrees (final orders)
- Complaints for divorce and responsive pleadings
- Property settlement agreements
- Custody and support orders
- Motions, stipulations, and related filings
The Virginia Department of Health, Office of Vital Records, separately maintains divorce verification records (divorce certificates) for statistical and verification purposes. These are not the same as the full court file — they confirm that a divorce occurred but do not include the detailed terms of the decree.
Circuit Court records are available for review at the Fairfax County Courthouse. You can also look up basic case information through the Court Public Access Network, which provides online access to Circuit Court case data dating back to 1742.
Fairfax County Circuit Court — Clerk's Office
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Fairfax
All divorce cases in Fairfax County are filed in and decided by the Fairfax County Circuit Court. Virginia law requires that either spouse be a resident of the state for at least six months before filing. Once the court enters a final decree of divorce, the decree and all associated filings remain on record with the Clerk of the Circuit Court.
The court also reports the divorce to the Virginia Department of Health, which creates a divorce verification record. Depending on what you need, you should contact a different office:
- Full divorce decree, settlement agreement, or custody orders — Contact the Fairfax County Circuit Court Clerk's Office.
- Divorce verification or certificate (proof that a divorce occurred) — Contact the Virginia Department of Health, Office of Vital Records, or the Fairfax County Office of Vital Records.
Under Virginia law, divorce records held by the Department of Health become publicly available 25 years after the divorce date. Before that, only eligible applicants (such as the parties to the divorce or their legal representatives) may obtain a copy of the divorce verification record from the state.
Fairfax County Circuit Court — Clerk's Office
Fairfax County Office of Vital Records
Virginia Department of Health — Office of Vital Records
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Fairfax
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Circuit Court record copy (non-certified, per page) | $0.50 | Same day if available on-site |
| Circuit Court certified copy of divorce decree | $2.00 for first two pages, $0.50 each additional page | Same day to several business days |
| Virginia Department of Health — divorce verification record | $12.00 | 3–5 business days (in person); several weeks (by mail) |
| Court Public Access Network (online case search subscription) | $36.00 per quarter | Access upon account activation |