Divorce records in Kanawha County, West Virginia, are available through several channels. KanawhaCourt.us allows you to quickly find public information about divorces in this county. In addition, complete court records are maintained by the Circuit Court, and divorce certificates are held by the county clerk's office and the West Virginia Vital Registration Office. Requests can be submitted online, by mail, or in person.
Kanawha Divorce Records Search
In West Virginia, divorce cases are handled by the Family Court, but all decisions (decrees) are registered and stored in the Circuit Court office of the county where the lawsuit was filed. For Kanawha County, this is the Eighth Judicial Circuit, and the family court belongs to the Eleventh Family Court Circuit.
The collection of records includes:
- Divorce decrees
- Settlement agreements
- Custody orders
- Related procedural documents
Divorce certificates — a separate type of document — are maintained by the Vital Registration Office at the Department of Health and Human Resources of the state. This office is the official repository of birth, death, marriage, and divorce records.
Information about court cases can be searched online through the West Virginia Judiciary's court record access portal, which covers Circuit Courts in all 55 counties of the state.
Kanawha County Circuit Clerk's Office
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Kanawha
Understanding the filing structure will help you contact the right institution immediately.
Family Court — Case Hearing
The Kanawha County Family Court handles divorce lawsuits, makes decisions on property division, alimony, and custody. Once the judge signs the decree, the document is transferred to the Circuit Court office for official registration. The Circuit Clerk keeps the original case and issues copies.
Circuit Clerk's Office — Court Record Storage
If you need a full copy of the decree, a settlement agreement, or any procedural document from the case — contact here. The clerk issues both regular and certified copies. According to §29B-1-3 of the West Virginia Code, every person has the right to inspect public records or obtain a copy, except in cases expressly provided by law.
County Clerk — Additional Source
Kanawha County Clerk, Vera J. McCormick, is responsible for registering legal documents, including some divorce records that are recorded at the county level.
Vital Registration Office — Divorce Certificate
To obtain an official divorce certificate, which confirms the fact of divorce without case details, contact the Vital Registration Office. This document is often needed for name changes, remarriage, or benefit applications.
In short: for court documents — go to the Circuit Clerk, for the certificate — go to the Vital Registration Office.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Kanawha
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Certified copy of divorce decree (Circuit Clerk) | $0.50–$1.00 per page plus certification fee | 1–5 business days for in-person requests |
| Divorce certificate (Vital Registration Office) | $12.00 | 3–6 weeks by mail |
| Record search in Vital Registration Office | Included in the certificate fee | Depends on the search volume |
| Additional certificate copy (in one order) | $12.00 each | Along with the main order |