Virginia is the state that hands you a blank page — no standard divorce forms exist, so you draft the complaint yourself, then wait out 6 or 12 months of separation.
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Templates reviewed for the 2026 filing year · Based on official state forms
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Virginia divorce template samples
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Uncontested Divorce SampleSee the full text of the agreement both spouses sign together.
Complaint for Divorce — Uncontested
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, FOR THE COUNTY/CITY OF [1. County or City]
Case No. [2. Case Number]
[3. Plaintiff Full Name], Plaintiff, vs. [4. Defendant Full Name], Defendant.
Comes now the Plaintiff, [3. Plaintiff Full Name], and files this Complaint for Divorce against the Defendant, [4. Defendant Full Name], and in support thereof respectfully states:
Jurisdiction and Residency
Plaintiff has been a bona fide resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and of the county or city in which this action is brought, for at least six months immediately preceding the filing of this Complaint, in accordance with Va. Code § 20-97. This Court has jurisdiction over the parties and the subject matter of this action.
Marriage Information
The parties were lawfully married on [5. Date of Marriage] in [6. City and State of Marriage], and separated on [7. Date of Separation]. The parties have lived separate and apart, without any cohabitation and without interruption, for a period of at least one year immediately preceding the filing of this Complaint. There are no minor children born of or adopted during this marriage.
Grounds for Divorce
The parties have lived separate and apart, without any cohabitation and without interruption, for more than one year, in accordance with Va. Code § 20-91. The marriage should be dissolved.
Property and Debt Division
The parties have reached a full and complete agreement regarding the division of all marital property, assets, and debts. The terms of this division are as follows: [8. Property and Debt Division Terms]
Spousal Support
The parties have agreed that spousal support shall be as follows: [9. Spousal Support Terms]
Request for Relief
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff respectfully requests that this Court:
(a) enter a Decree of Divorce dissolving the marriage of the parties;
(b) approve the parties' agreement regarding property, debts, and spousal support;
(c) restore Plaintiff's former name of [10. Former Name], if requested; and
(d) grant such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper.
Dated: [11. Date of Signing]
Verification
I, [3. Plaintiff Full Name], declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing statements are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief.
Executed this [12. Execution Date] day of [13. Execution Month, Year], at [14. City and State of Execution].
Contested Divorce SampleSee how disputed terms are laid out before you fill anything in.
Complaint for Divorce — Contested
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, FOR THE COUNTY/CITY OF [1. County or City]
Case No. [2. Case Number]
[3. Plaintiff Full Name], Plaintiff, vs. [4. Defendant Full Name], Defendant.
Comes now the Plaintiff, [3. Plaintiff Full Name], and files this Complaint for Divorce against the Defendant, [4. Defendant Full Name], and in support thereof respectfully states:
Jurisdiction and Residency
Plaintiff has been a bona fide resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and of the county or city in which this action is brought, for at least six months immediately preceding the filing of this Complaint, in accordance with Va. Code § 20-97. This Court has jurisdiction over the parties and the subject matter of this action.
Marriage Information
The parties were lawfully married on [5. Date of Marriage] in [6. City and State of Marriage], and separated on [7. Date of Separation]. The parties have lived separate and apart, without any cohabitation and without interruption, for a period of at least one year immediately preceding the filing of this Complaint. There are no minor children born of or adopted during this marriage.
Grounds for Divorce
The parties have lived separate and apart, without any cohabitation and without interruption, for more than one year, in accordance with Va. Code § 20-91. The marriage should be dissolved.
Property and Debt Division
The parties are unable to agree on the division of their marital property, assets, and debts. Plaintiff requests that this Court equitably distribute the parties' marital property and debts in accordance with Va. Code § 20-107.3. The relevant marital assets and liabilities include: [8. Property and Debt Description]
Spousal Support
The parties are unable to agree on spousal support. Plaintiff requests that the Court award spousal support in an amount and for a duration that is just and equitable, considering the factors set forth in Va. Code § 20-107.1. Relevant facts include: [9. Spousal Support Facts]
Request for Relief
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff respectfully requests that this Court:
(a) enter a Decree of Divorce dissolving the marriage of the parties;
(b) equitably distribute the parties' marital property and debts;
(c) award spousal support as the Court deems just and equitable;
(d) restore Plaintiff's former name of [10. Former Name], if requested; and
(e) grant such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper.
Dated: [11. Date of Signing]
Verification
I, [3. Plaintiff Full Name], declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing statements are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief.
Executed this [12. Execution Date] day of [13. Execution Month, Year], at [14. City and State of Execution].
Uncontested Divorce with Children SampleSee the agreement plus the parenting plan section in full.
Complaint for Divorce — Uncontested with Children
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, FOR THE COUNTY/CITY OF [1. County or City]
Case No. [2. Case Number]
[3. Plaintiff Full Name], Plaintiff, vs. [4. Defendant Full Name], Defendant.
Comes now the Plaintiff, [3. Plaintiff Full Name], and files this Complaint for Divorce against the Defendant, [4. Defendant Full Name], and in support thereof respectfully states:
Jurisdiction and Residency
Plaintiff has been a bona fide resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and of the county or city in which this action is brought, for at least six months immediately preceding the filing of this Complaint, in accordance with Va. Code § 20-97. This Court has jurisdiction over the parties and the subject matter of this action.
Marriage Information
The parties were lawfully married on [5. Date of Marriage] in [6. City and State of Marriage], and separated on [7. Date of Separation]. The parties have lived separate and apart, without any cohabitation and without interruption, for a period of at least one year immediately preceding the filing of this Complaint.
There are [8. Number of Children] minor child(ren) born of or adopted during this marriage: [9. Children Names and Birthdates].
Grounds for Divorce
The parties have lived separate and apart, without any cohabitation and without interruption, for more than one year, in accordance with Va. Code § 20-91. The marriage should be dissolved.
Custody and Parenting Plan
The parties have reached a full agreement regarding legal and physical custody of the minor child(ren), in accordance with the best interests of the child(ren) under Va. Code § 20-124.3. The agreed parenting plan is as follows: [10. Parenting Plan Terms]
Child Support
The parties have reached an agreement on child support consistent with the Virginia Child Support Guidelines (Va. Code § 20-108.2). The agreed monthly child support amount is [11. Child Support Amount], payable by [12. Paying Parent] to [13. Receiving Parent]. Additional terms: [14. Child Support Additional Terms]
Medical and Childcare Expenses
Unreimbursed medical, dental, vision, and childcare expenses for the minor child(ren) shall be shared as follows: [15. Medical and Childcare Terms]
Property and Debt Division
The parties have reached a full and complete agreement regarding the division of all marital property, assets, and debts. The terms of this division are as follows: [16. Property and Debt Division Terms]
Spousal Support
The parties have agreed that spousal support shall be as follows: [17. Spousal Support Terms]
Request for Relief
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff respectfully requests that this Court:
(a) enter a Decree of Divorce dissolving the marriage of the parties;
(b) approve the parties' parenting plan regarding legal and physical custody of the minor child(ren);
(c) order child support in accordance with the parties' agreement and the Virginia Child Support Guidelines;
(d) approve the parties' property and debt division;
(e) restore Plaintiff's former name of [18. Former Name], if requested; and
(f) grant such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper.
Dated: [19. Date of Signing]
Verification
I, [3. Plaintiff Full Name], declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing statements are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief.
Executed this [20. Execution Date] day of [21. Execution Month, Year], at [22. City and State of Execution].
Contested Divorce with Children SampleSee how custody and parenting terms appear in the full document.
Complaint for Divorce — Contested with Children
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, FOR THE COUNTY/CITY OF [1. County or City]
Case No. [2. Case Number]
[3. Plaintiff Full Name], Plaintiff, vs. [4. Defendant Full Name], Defendant.
Comes now the Plaintiff, [3. Plaintiff Full Name], and files this Complaint for Divorce against the Defendant, [4. Defendant Full Name], and in support thereof respectfully states:
Jurisdiction and Residency
Plaintiff has been a bona fide resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and of the county or city in which this action is brought, for at least six months immediately preceding the filing of this Complaint, in accordance with Va. Code § 20-97. This Court has jurisdiction over the parties and the subject matter of this action.
Marriage Information
The parties were lawfully married on [5. Date of Marriage] in [6. City and State of Marriage], and separated on [7. Date of Separation]. The parties have lived separate and apart, without any cohabitation and without interruption, for a period of at least one year immediately preceding the filing of this Complaint.
There are [8. Number of Children] minor child(ren) born of or adopted during this marriage: [9. Children Names and Birthdates].
Grounds for Divorce
The parties have lived separate and apart, without any cohabitation and without interruption, for more than one year, in accordance with Va. Code § 20-91. The marriage should be dissolved.
Custody and Parenting Plan
The parties are unable to agree on legal or physical custody of the minor child(ren). Plaintiff requests that the Court award custody and establish a parenting plan in accordance with the best interests of the child(ren) under Va. Code § 20-124.3. Relevant facts include: [10. Custody Dispute Facts]
Child Support
The parties are unable to agree on child support. Plaintiff requests that the Court order child support in accordance with the Virginia Child Support Guidelines (Va. Code § 20-108.2). Relevant facts include: [11. Child Support Facts]
Medical, Dental, and Childcare Expenses
Unreimbursed medical, dental, vision, and childcare expenses for the minor child(ren) shall be allocated as follows, or as the Court determines equitable: [12. Medical and Childcare Terms]
Property and Debt Division
The parties are unable to agree on the division of their marital property, assets, and debts. Plaintiff requests that the Court equitably distribute the parties' marital property and debts in accordance with Va. Code § 20-107.3. The relevant marital assets and liabilities include: [13. Property and Debt Description]
Spousal Support
The parties are unable to agree on spousal support. Plaintiff requests that the Court award spousal support as the Court deems just and equitable under Va. Code § 20-107.1. Relevant facts include: [14. Spousal Support Facts]
Request for Relief
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff respectfully requests that this Court:
(a) enter a Decree of Divorce dissolving the marriage of the parties;
(b) determine legal and physical custody and establish a parenting plan in the best interests of the minor child(ren);
(c) order child support in accordance with the Virginia Child Support Guidelines;
(d) equitably distribute the parties' marital property and debts;
(e) award spousal support as the Court deems just and equitable;
(f) restore Plaintiff's former name of [15. Former Name], if requested; and
(g) grant such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper.
Dated: [16. Date of Signing]
Verification
I, [3. Plaintiff Full Name], declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing statements are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief.
Executed this [17. Execution Date] day of [18. Execution Month, Year], at [19. City and State of Execution].
Grounds accepted1-year separation (6 months, no children + agreement)
Official formsNo standard forms (parties prepare own pleadings)
Confirm with your county before filing — fees and rules can vary.
Overview
Virginia divorce: the no-forms rule
Virginia is the outlier in the filing-form business: the circuit courts do not provide standardized divorce forms. The complaint — a bill of complaint in Virginia’s traditional phrasing — is something you draft yourself or through Virginia Legal Aid’s online document preparation tool, then file with a Domestic Case Coversheet. The state’s contribution is a clock, not paperwork.
That clock is the separation period under Va. Code § 20-91: six months when there are no minor children and a signed separation agreement exists, twelve months when children are involved or there is no agreement. Both versions require living separate and apart without cohabitation — and without interruption. Filing needs six months as a bona fide resident and domiciliary under § 20-97, with military members presumed domiciled after six months on assignment.
Property is divided through equitable distribution under § 20-107.3, spousal support follows § 20-107.1, and child support follows the Virginia Child Support Guidelines. Uncontested cases with all issues resolved can finalize without a hearing under § 20-106(F), using an affidavit and proposed final decree. The filing fee is $60 to $95 depending on the county.