UNCONTESTED DIVORCE REQUIREMENTS
Virginia Divorce by Publication
-
-
Publication Period: The court orders a notice to run in a newspaper for four consecutive weeks.
-
Court Appearance: A hearing is required; both you and your attorney must be present.
-
Publication Costs: Fees vary based on newspaper rates and location; all additional fees will be communicated before filing.
-
No Spouse’s Signature Needed: This process is designed for situations where your spouse cannot be found to sign divorce papers.
A Virginia divorce by publication is an option when you cannot locate your spouse despite making diligent efforts. In this process, a notice of the divorce is published in a local newspaper for four consecutive weeks, allowing you to move forward with your case even without your spouse’s signature.
At FastVirginiaDivorce.com, we guide you through every step of the publication process, helping you meet all legal requirements while minimizing delays and unexpected costs.
When a Divorce by Publication is Necessary
A divorce by publication may be right for you if:
-
You have been a Virginia resident for at least six months before filing.
-
You have been separated from your spouse for at least one year, or for six months if you have a written and signed separation agreement.
-
You are unable to locate your spouse despite legitimate, diligent search efforts.
If you meet these criteria, you may qualify to proceed with a Virginia divorce by publication.
-
-
When to Involve The Law Offices of Daniel J. Miller
If your spouse responds to the publication or other complex issues arise, we can refer your case to The Law Offices of Daniel J. Miller for more extensive representation. This transition will involve additional fees and a switch from a flat fee to an hourly billing structure.
Note:
To ensure a quick filing and eliminate the need for court appearances, with your consent, the divorce decree will be submitted to the Chesapeake Circuit Court. Virginia law permits a divorce to be filed in any court in the state, so long as neither party objects.
Time frames provided are estimates and may be impacted by various factors, including court schedules, your spouse’s agreement and signature, and other circumstances beyond our control. The process will commence once the retainer agreement between FastVirginiaDivorce.com and the client is signed.

