Virginia Family Court Forms and Filing Resources

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Virginia publishes its own official family law forms, filing instructions, and self-help materials, but they are spread across several government sites. This page organizes the official Virginia sources in one place so you can go straight to the right court page for forms, e-filing, rules, and locations.

Virginia's core family statutes live in the Virginia Code Title 20 - Domestic Relations. Divorce is filed in Circuit Court, where only attorneys can e-file. Custody, visitation, and support cases in Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court are paper filed with the JDR clerk.

How the Virginia court system handles family cases

Family cases in Virginia are heard in the Circuit Court. A DIVORCE is filed in the Circuit Court.

Virginia organizes Circuit Courts into circuits and J&DR courts into districts, by city and county.

Appeals from a family case generally go first to the Court of Appeals of Virginia, and the state's highest court is the Supreme Court of Virginia.

Besides the judge, a Magistrate / Commissioner may handle parts of a family case. Besides the judge, a magistrate, commissioner, or referee may hear temporary orders, child support, and uncontested matters - usually subject to a judge's review.

Virginia splits family law: the J&DR District Court handles custody, support, and protective orders, while a divorce goes to the Circuit Court.

Official Virginia resources

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Virginia state courts website (Virginia judicial branch): The official home of the Virginia court system, with statewide news, rules, and links to every court. https://www.vacourts.gov

Virginia family law forms (Virginia judicial branch): The official statewide collection of family law forms published for Virginia cases. Start here when you need the current version of a form. https://www.vacourts.gov/forms/circuit.html

Virginia self-help resources (Virginia courts self-help): Official self-help information for people handling their own Virginia family case, including instructions and plain-language guides. https://selfhelp.vacourts.gov

VJEFS (Supreme Court of Virginia): Virginia's VJEFS e-filing is restricted to Virginia attorneys and their staff. If you are representing yourself, file your papers on paper with the clerk. https://www.vacourts.gov/online/vjefs/home

Contact info for all Virginia courts (Virginia judicial branch): Find the courthouse or clerk that serves your county, with locations and contact details. https://www.vacourts.gov/directories/rule115

Virginia rules of procedure (Virginia judicial branch): The court rules that control deadlines, service, and how family cases move in Virginia. https://www.vacourts.gov/courts/scv/rulesofcourt.html

Virginia mediation and dispute resolution (Virginia judicial branch): Official information on mediation and alternative dispute resolution options for Virginia family cases. https://www.vacourts.gov/courtadmin/adr

Virginia financial affidavit and disclosure forms (vacourts.gov): The official source for the financial disclosure paperwork most Virginia family cases ask for. https://www.vacourts.gov/forms/circuit/family.html

Virginia child support guideline resources (vacourts.gov): Official Virginia child support guideline materials, worksheets, or calculators. https://www.dss.virginia.gov/family/dcse/support_guidelines.cgi

Virginia Online Case Information System (OCIS) (Virginia courts): Look up existing case records. Access is listed as free and the system is organized mixed. https://eapps.courts.state.va.us/ocis/landing

Frequently used official Virginia forms

These links open official Virginia government form documents directly. Courts revise forms, so if a direct link stops working, use the statewide forms collection above to find the current version.

Cover Sheet for Filing Civil Actions (CC-1416), form CC-1416 (Divorce / Dissolution), official document: https://www.vacourts.gov/forms/circuit/cc1416.pdf

Child Support Guidelines Worksheet (DC-637), form DC-637 (Child Support), official document: https://www.vacourts.gov/forms/district/dc637.pdf

Motion to Amend or Review Order (DC-630), form DC-630 (Modification), official document: https://www.vacourts.gov/forms/district/dc630.pdf

Motion for Show Cause Summons or Capias (DC-635), form DC-635 (Contempt / Enforcement), official document: https://www.vacourts.gov/forms/district/dc635.pdf

Petition for Proceeding in Civil Case Without Payment of Fees (DC-409), form DC-409 (Fee Waiver), official document: https://www.vacourts.gov/forms/district/dc409.pdf

UCCJEA Affidavit (DC-620), form DC-620 (Child Custody / Parenting), official document: https://www.vacourts.gov/forms/district/dc620.pdf

Order for Custody / Parenting Time / Visitation (DC-573), form DC-573 (Child Custody / Parenting), official document: https://www.vacourts.gov/forms/district/dc573.pdf

Order Determining Parentage (DC-644), form DC-644 (Paternity), official document: https://www.vacourts.gov/forms/district/dc644.pdf

Parentage Supplement to Petition (DC-641), form DC-641 (Paternity), official document: https://www.vacourts.gov/forms/district/dc641.pdf

Petition for Protective Order (DC-383), form DC-383 (Domestic Violence), official document: https://www.vacourts.gov/forms/district/dc383.pdf

Filing fees: Divorce filing fee: ~$86-$100.

E-filing link data for Virginia was last verified June 2026. Report anything outdated through our contact page and we will re-check the official source.

Frequently asked questions

Where do I find official Virginia family court forms?

The official statewide source is the Virginia judicial branch forms collection linked on this page. Always download forms from the official site so you have the current version, and check whether your county adds local forms or cover sheets.

Can I e-file my own family case in Virginia?

Virginia's VJEFS e-filing is restricted to Virginia attorneys and their staff. If you are representing yourself, file your papers on paper with the clerk. Divorce is filed in Circuit Court, where only attorneys can e-file. Custody, visitation, and support cases in Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court are paper filed with the JDR clerk.

How much does it cost to file a family case in Virginia?

Divorce filing fee: ~$86-$100. If you cannot afford the fee, ask the clerk about a fee waiver or indigency application; every state has a process for requesting one.

Which court hears family cases in Virginia?

Family cases in Virginia are heard in the Circuit Court. A DIVORCE is filed in the Circuit Court.