Legal Question in Family Law in California

You can, but if you mess anything up it will delay if not prevent you from getting that done. You will need to file the correct paperwork in both CA and VA to get it done. Not generally something a non-lawyer can do and do right. Also, if there are children who are still minors, you have to file for the county where they live. So if they live primarily with you, your ex-wife's county would be wrong. That's just one example of the details that can trip you up.