Divorce records in Botetourt County, Virginia can be accessed through several channels. BotetourtCourt.us can help you find publicly available divorce record information for Botetourt County. You can also request records directly from the circuit court that issued the divorce decree, the Botetourt County Circuit Court Clerk's office, or the Virginia Department of Health's Office of Vital Records. Each source provides different types of documents, so the right starting point depends on whether you need a full court file or a divorce verification.
Botetourt Divorce Records Search
In Virginia, divorce cases are heard exclusively by circuit courts. The Botetourt County Circuit Court in Fincastle maintains divorce case files for all divorces granted in the county. The Clerk of Circuit Court — currently the Honorable Tommy Moore — is the custodian of these records. Divorce records held by the circuit court typically include the divorce decree, settlement or property agreements, custody and support orders, motions, and other filings made during the case.
The Virginia Department of Health's Office of Vital Records maintains divorce verifications (sometimes called divorce certificates) for divorces finalized statewide from 1918 to the present. These are summary records that confirm a divorce occurred but do not contain the full case file details.
You can search for Botetourt County circuit court case information online through Virginia's Online Case Information System (OCIS). This tool allows statewide searches of circuit court case records by party name.
Botetourt County Circuit Court Clerk's Office
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Botetourt
Understanding where divorce records are filed helps you contact the right office on your first try.
- Botetourt County Circuit Court — All divorce cases in Botetourt County are filed in and decided by the circuit court. After a judge signs the final decree of divorce, it becomes part of the permanent court record maintained by the Clerk of Circuit Court. This is the office to contact if you need copies of the divorce decree, property settlement agreement, custody orders, or any other document from the case file.
- Virginia Office of Vital Records — The Virginia Department of Health receives a report of each divorce finalized in the state. The Office of Vital Records issues divorce verifications — a certified document confirming the divorce took place, the names of the parties, and the date and county of the decree. This is often sufficient for proof-of-divorce purposes when a full decree is not required.
- Botetourt County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court — While this court handles certain family law matters such as custody, visitation, and support, it does not grant divorces. If you need a divorce decree or divorce certificate, contact the circuit court clerk or the state vital records office instead.
Which office to contact:
- For the full divorce case file (decree, agreements, orders): Botetourt County Circuit Court Clerk's Office
- For a divorce verification or certificate: Virginia Office of Vital Records
- For historical Botetourt County court records on microfilm: Library of Virginia — Botetourt County Microfilm
Virginia Office of Vital Records
The Virginia Judicial System's self-help page on divorce provides additional guidance on the divorce process and types of divorce recognized in Virginia.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Botetourt
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Divorce verification (certified) — Virginia Office of Vital Records | $12.00 | 3–5 business days (walk-in); several weeks (mail) |
| Additional copy of same divorce verification (same order) | $6.00 each | Same as above |
| Circuit court record copy (non-certified) | $0.50 per page | Varies; typically same day for in-person requests |
| Certified copy of circuit court document | $2.00 for certification plus $0.50 per page | Varies; usually 1–5 business days |
| Online case information search (OCIS) | No charge | Immediate |