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Divorce Waiting Period in Virginia

In Virginia, a no-fault divorce requires living separate and apart for 1 year, or 6 months if there are no minor children and the spouses have a separation agreement.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Virginia at a glance

Separation required
Yes, 1 year (6 months in some cases)
Six months if there are no minor children and the spouses have a separation agreement.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Virginia

Do spouses have to live apart before a no-fault divorce in Virginia?

Separation required in Virginia: Yes, 1 year (6 months in some cases). Six months if there are no minor children and the spouses have a separation agreement.

Where do the Virginia divorce waiting periods come from?

The rules above come from Va. Code 20-91. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

What this means in practice

A waiting period is a minimum, not an estimate. Contested issues such as property division, support or custody, court schedules and missing paperwork can make a divorce take much longer than the statutory minimum.

Separation rules can depend on how the state defines living apart. Some states count time spent separated under the same roof, while others require separate homes. Keeping a record of the date the separation began, such as a written separation agreement or a lease, can help show when the period started.

Spouses can often use the waiting period to negotiate a written settlement covering property, debts, support and parenting time. A settlement agreement that is ready when the waiting period ends can help the court finalize the divorce sooner, and a local attorney can confirm the filing requirements.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.