Divorce records for Prince William County are held by the Clerk of the Circuit Court at 9311 Lee Avenue, 3rd Floor, Manassas, VA 20110.1Prince William County, Virginia. Circuit Court Clerk’s Office The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and copies of most divorce documents cost $0.50 per page under Virginia’s statewide fee schedule.2Prince William County, Virginia. Court Hours You can request records in person or by mail, and you don’t have to be a party to the case.
Which Office Has What You Need
Virginia keeps divorce information in two separate systems, and confusing them wastes time. The Circuit Court Clerk holds the actual case file: the final decree, any separation agreement, property settlement, and orders related to custody or support. These are judicial records, and Virginia Code § 17.1-208 states court records “shall be open to inspection in the office of the clerk by any person.”3Virginia Code Commission. Virginia Code 17.1-208 – Records, Etc., Open to Inspection; Copies; Exception
The Virginia Department of Health’s Office of Vital Records also keeps a divorce entry, but it’s only a verification: names, date of the decree, and jurisdiction. It will not give you the terms of the divorce.4Virginia Department of Health. Office of Vital Records If you need the actual decree, settlement provisions, or custody and support orders, go to the Circuit Court.
What You Need Before You Request
The more identifying information you bring, the faster the clerk’s staff can pull the file. Useful details include:
- Full legal names of both spouses, including any maiden or prior surnames
- The approximate year the court granted the final decree
- The case number, if you have it from prior court correspondence
If you don’t have a case number, staff can search by name and date range. For older files, knowing at least the decade helps, because not every record is fully digitized.
Look Up the Case Number Online First
Prince William County Circuit Court uses the Supreme Court Case Management System, which you can search from any internet-connected computer. Public terminals are also available at the courthouse in the Public Service Center (Room 305), the Criminal Section (Room 310), and the Civil Section (Room 314).5Prince William County, Virginia. Circuit Court Clerk’s Office – Court Case Information The online system confirms a case exists and shows its number, which speeds up any later copy request.
One point of confusion worth clearing up: Virginia’s Secure Remote Access subscription service covers land records only. It does not provide online access to divorce files or other civil case records.6Virginia’s Judicial System. Secure Remote Access (SRA) You cannot download a divorce decree from the state’s remote system; you have to request it from the clerk.
How to Request Copies
In Person
Go to the Clerk of the Circuit Court on the 3rd floor at 9311 Lee Avenue in Manassas. The office is open 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays, but the cashier stops accepting payments at 4:30 p.m., so arrive with time to pay.2Prince William County, Virginia. Court Hours In-person requests are usually handled the same day. The clerk also runs a “Seals on Wheels” program on select Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., which helps if you can’t come during the work week.
By Mail
Mail a written request to the Clerk of the Circuit Court at the same Lee Avenue address. Include both spouses’ names, the approximate year of the decree, the case number if you have it, your payment, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail requests typically take a week or two for processing and transit. Files stored in off-site archives can take longer because staff have to retrieve them first.
What Copies Cost
Virginia Code § 17.1-275 sets a statewide fee of $0.50 per page for photocopies of court documents, whether you’re copying a one-page decree or a long settlement agreement.7Virginia Code Commission. Virginia Code 17.1-275 – Fees Collected by Clerks of Circuit Courts; Generally
If you were a party to the divorce, there’s a provision that can save you money. The statute says the recipient of a final order or decree is entitled to an attested copy at no charge. If you were the plaintiff or defendant and never received your copy, ask for one. The $60 filing fee paid at the start of a divorce case already covers a certified copy of the final decree for the plaintiff.7Virginia Code Commission. Virginia Code 17.1-275 – Fees Collected by Clerks of Circuit Courts; Generally
What’s Public and What’s Not
The default in Virginia is openness. Any member of the public can walk into the Prince William County Clerk’s office and ask to see a divorce decree without being a party to the case.3Virginia Code Commission. Virginia Code 17.1-208 – Records, Etc., Open to Inspection; Copies; Exception
A judge can seal specific exhibits, financial disclosures, or records involving minor children on request and for good cause. When that happens, only the parties, their attorneys, or someone with a court order can view the sealed portions. The final decree itself is almost always public. Sensitive identifiers are already redacted from public filings: Social Security numbers appear only as the last four digits, dates of birth show only the year, and minor children appear by initials.
Certified Copies for Benefits or Overseas Use
A plain photocopy is enough for personal reference, but anything official usually requires a certified copy. The Social Security Administration, for example, needs a certified decree to process divorced-spouse benefits, along with your ex’s Social Security number. The marriage must have lasted at least 10 years, and you generally must be unmarried when you apply. The Department of Veterans Affairs, the Office of Personnel Management, and immigration authorities also accept certified state court decrees. Requesting a certified copy up front avoids a second trip.
If you need the decree recognized in another country, you’ll likely need an apostille. For countries in the Hague Apostille Convention, the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth in Richmond handles authentication for $10 per document. Submit the certified copy with a cover letter, either by mail (roughly 7 to 10 business days) or by appointment at 400 East Cary Street. Appointment slots are released on Fridays for the following week only.8Secretary of the Commonwealth – Virginia.gov. How to Submit Countries outside the Hague Convention require additional authentication through the U.S. State Department and sometimes the destination country’s embassy, which takes longer and costs more. Confirm what the receiving country requires before you start.