Español

Child custody and support in Virginia

The Virginia rules for parents who divorce, from official sources: the legal term for custody, the parenting class, the official support calculator and the child support agency.

Checked against official sources: Oct 24, 2026

In short

Virginia law uses the term “custody and visitation” for custody. About the parenting class: Required when custody, visitation or support is contested: parents must attend an approved educational seminar of at least 4 hours (within 12 months before or 45 days after their court appearance); in uncontested cases only for good cause. Virginia publishes an official child support calculator or guidelines.

Custody term
Custody and visitation
Parenting class
Required (with conditions)
Child support calculator
Official child support calculator or guidelines
Child support agency
Virginia Department of Social Services, Division of Child Support Enforcement (DCSE)

Custody terms in Virginia

Custody and visitation

Parenting class in Virginia

  • Required when custody, visitation or support is contested: parents must attend an approved educational seminar of at least 4 hours (within 12 months before or 45 days after their court appearance); in uncontested cases only for good cause.
  • Va. Code 20-103.

Child support in Virginia

Child support follows Virginia's guidelines. Estimate it with the official calculator, and contact the state's child support agency for help setting up or collecting it.

Good to know

  • With no minor children and a signed separation agreement, the separation period drops from 1 year to 6 months. (Va. Code 20-91(A)(9))
  • Parents in contested custody or support cases must take a 4-hour parenting seminar. (Va. Code 20-103)
  • 2026 Acts ch. 918 (HB 303), in effect July 1, 2026 (no other date stated): (1) the adultery ground in 20-91(A)(1) now covers only adultery that happened before the spouses' last separation; (2) a divorce from bed and board (20-95) can now also be based on living separate and apart with intent to stay apart, can be filed with no waiting period, but can be decreed only under 20-91; (3) a work group must report by Dec. 1, 2026 on whether Virginia should move to only no-fault divorce and shorten or drop the separation periods. 2026 Acts ch. 402 (HB 556) only added 'if known and available' to the rule that the decree include each party's Social Security or DMV number. The separation periods (1 year, or 6 months with an agreement and no minor children) did not change.

Children in a Virginia divorce: what the process includes

  1. Custody

    The court's orders use Virginia's term for custody: custody and visitation.

  2. Parenting class

    Take the parenting class described above if Virginia requires it in your case.

  3. Child support

    Estimate it first: the official calculator

  4. The child support agency

    For help setting up or collecting support, contact the state's child support agency.

Questions about custody and child support in Virginia

What is child custody called in Virginia?

Virginia uses the term “custody and visitation”.

Do parents have to take a class in a Virginia divorce?

Required when custody, visitation or support is contested: parents must attend an approved educational seminar of at least 4 hours (within 12 months before or 45 days after their court appearance); in uncontested cases only for good cause. Va. Code 20-103.

Is there an official child support calculator for Virginia?

Yes. Virginia's official calculator or guidelines: the official calculator

Which agency handles child support in Virginia?

Virginia Department of Social Services, Division of Child Support Enforcement (DCSE).

More about divorce in Virginia

Custody and support in nearby states

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.