Virginia Divorce and Dissolution Resources

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A Virginia divorce is filed in the Circuit Court, and the paperwork you start with depends on whether you have minor children together and whether there is property to divide.

Virginia's core family statutes live in the Virginia Code Title 20 - Domestic Relations. In Virginia, online filing is not open to a parent without a lawyer, so family papers are filed on paper with the clerk. The official sources below cover the petition documents, the statewide forms collection, and the court's own filing instructions.

Official Virginia divorce resources

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Virginia family law forms (official index) (Virginia judicial branch): The official statewide collection of Virginia family law forms. When a direct document link stops working, this index is where the current version lives. https://www.vacourts.gov/forms/circuit.html

Virginia court 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

Virginia official filing information (Virginia judicial branch): The court's own page explaining how documents are filed in Virginia and what a parent without a lawyer is allowed to do. https://www.vacourts.gov/

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

Virginia mediation and dispute resolution (Virginia judicial branch): Official information on mediation and other ways to settle a Virginia family case without a trial. https://www.vacourts.gov/courtadmin/adr

Verified official Virginia divorce documents

These official documents cover starting a divorce, responding to one, settling, and the final orders. Requirements vary by county, so confirm the packet with your clerk before filing.

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

Official 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 file for divorce in Virginia?

In the Circuit Court that serves the county where you live. In Virginia, online filing is not open to a parent without a lawyer, so family papers are filed on paper with the 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.

Do I need a lawyer to file a Virginia divorce?

No. Virginia publishes its family law forms for people representing themselves, and the self-help resources on this page exist for exactly that. A consultation still makes sense when there is a business, a pension, or a serious safety issue in the case.