Pulaski County Family Court Records Search

Pulaski County family court records are held by the Circuit Court and the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court in Pulaski, covering divorce, custody, child support, and protective order cases in the 27th Judicial Circuit.

Pulaski County Circuit Court Family Records

The Pulaski County Circuit Court at 45 Third St NW is the primary court for divorce, property division, and spousal support cases in the county. The Clerk of Circuit Court maintains the complete case file for all family law matters filed in the 27th Circuit and makes most records available to the public.

Divorce cases in Pulaski County follow Chapter 6 of Title 20 of the Virginia Code. Under § 20-91, a no-fault divorce requires one year of living separate and apart, reduced to six months when there are no minor children and the parties have a signed separation agreement. Fault grounds such as adultery, cruelty, and willful desertion remain available and can affect property and support awards.

Equitable distribution of property follows § 20-107.3, which requires the court to classify assets and debts, determine their value, and divide them fairly. The public has the right to inspect most case records under § 17.1-208.

J&DR Court: Custody, Support, and Protective Orders

The Pulaski County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court is in the same building as the Circuit Court on Third Street. It handles custody and visitation petitions, child support cases, paternity determinations, juvenile delinquency, and family abuse protective orders under Chapter 11 of Title 16.1.

Under § 16.1-241, the J&DR Court holds exclusive original jurisdiction over custody, support, and protective order cases involving children and family members. Parents who need to establish or modify a custody or support arrangement outside of a pending divorce case file their petition in this court.

Child support amounts are set using the guidelines in § 20-108.2. The calculation uses both parents' gross incomes, the custody arrangement, and factors like health insurance and childcare costs. Support can continue past age 18 for children still enrolled full-time in high school, up to age 19.

How to Request Pulaski County Family Court Records

Family court records in Pulaski County are public with limited exceptions. You can access them in person at the courthouse in Pulaski, by mail, or through the Virginia Judicial System's free online case portal.

The online case search tool at the Virginia Judicial System website lets you look up cases statewide by party name or case number. It returns basic data including filing dates, case status, and scheduled hearings. Document images are not available online. To get actual copies of filings, contact the clerk's office directly.

For in-person requests, visit 45 Third St NW in Pulaski during business hours. Bring the full name of at least one party and the approximate filing year. The clerk will locate the case and quote a copy fee under § 17.1-275. Fees are capped at actual duplication costs. Certified copies require a written request and carry an additional fee.

Mail requests should include the case information, your return address, and a payment or fee estimate request. The clerk has up to 30 days to respond under § 17.1-208(F). Records are kept for a minimum of 20 years under § 17.1-213.

Types of Family Court Records in Pulaski County

Circuit Court divorce files typically contain the complaint, financial disclosures, property settlement agreements, and the final decree. Contested cases may also include depositions, expert reports, and exhibits. J&DR files include custody petitions, support orders, protective order applications, and modification requests.

• Divorce decrees and final orders
• Property settlement and separation agreements
• Custody and visitation orders
• Child support orders and wage withholding notices
• Spousal support orders
• Protective orders under § 16.1-253.2
• Paternity orders and voluntary acknowledgments
• Modification orders for custody and support

Adoption files and juvenile delinquency records are sealed by law. Access to sealed records requires a motion showing good cause. The court decides whether to grant access based on the specific facts.

Child Custody Standards in Pulaski County

Custody decisions in Pulaski County follow the best interests of the child standard in § 20-124.2 and § 20-124.3. Virginia courts do not presume either parent is better suited for custody based on sex, age, or any other factor unrelated to the child's welfare.

The ten statutory factors courts consider include the child's age and physical condition, each parent's health, the parent-child relationship, the child's ties to siblings and extended family, the caregiving role each parent has played, each parent's willingness to support the other parent's relationship with the child, any preference the child expresses if old enough, and any history of family violence or abuse.

Section 20-124.4 requires parents to attend a free dispute resolution orientation before a contested custody case goes to trial. Certified mediators run these sessions. Many Pulaski County families resolve custody disputes through mediation rather than a contested hearing.

A parent who plans to move with the child must give the other parent at least 30 days written notice under § 20-124.5. Relocating without notice can be treated as a material change in circumstances justifying a custody modification.

Virginia Child Support Enforcement Services

Pulaski County residents can use the Virginia Division of Child Support Enforcement for help with support matters. Services include paternity establishment, administrative support orders under § 63.2-1903, income withholding, tax refund intercepts, license suspension, and credit reporting.

These services are available to all parents and caretakers regardless of income. Interstate support cases are handled under the UIFSA framework, which Virginia adopted under Chapter 5.3 of Title 20. Administrative support orders carry the same legal weight as court-entered orders.

Virginia Vital Records for Pulaski County

Marriage and divorce records for Pulaski County are also available from the Virginia Department of Health Vital Records office. Vital Records issues certified copies of marriage and divorce certificates for all Virginia localities and maintains statewide indexes. This is a practical option when you need a certified copy but cannot travel to Pulaski.

Marriage licenses in Pulaski County are issued by the Clerk of Circuit Court under § 20-14. Licenses are valid for 60 days. After the ceremony, the officiant files the signed license with the clerk. Certified copies are available from the clerk and from the Vital Records office.

Nearby Virginia Cities

The independent city of Radford borders Pulaski County and maintains its own Circuit Court and J&DR Court for family law matters.

Nearby Counties

These counties share borders with Pulaski County in southwestern Virginia. Check your county of residence to confirm which court has jurisdiction over your case.