How to Find Divorce Records

Learn How to Locate a Divorce Record

Getting a divorce is not as simple as cutting up your wedding certificate. It requires one or both parties to petition the courts for a divorce decree. Once the parties have come to an agreement or the judge issues his judgment, the divorce is finalized, and both parties receive a certified divorce certificate. This certificate serves as proof that the divorce is official. If you have lost your official certificate, or you are looking for information about another person’s divorce, these records are available; you just have to know where to look. Being able to answer the question of how to find divorce records online can save you a lot of time, otherwise wasted, by making an appointment with the court clerk. Another option is to use the Vital Check resource, which is used by many government agencies for servicing people that need an official copy of their own divorce certificate. To begin your quest to find someone’s divorce record you will need a few pieces of information, their full name, the state and county they got divorced in.

Who Has Access to Divorce Records

Divorce records are considered public records, which means that anyone has access to the details within the records. The only exception is if the courts seal some or all of the divorce proceedings. This can happen for a variety of reasons, for example, to protect the names of domestic violence victims or to protect sensitive information, such as financial data. Even if parts of the divorce records are sealed, you typically can still find basic information such as the date when the divorce was finalized. However, it is important to note that only the parties involved in the divorce and their immediate family members (in the case of a death) can request a certified copy of the divorce certificate. Other requests only receive a copy of the divorce decree record itself. Each state manages their own divorce records and what is publicly available may vary. For the most part, most all information listed on a divorce certificate is public record that anyone can view.

Why Someone Might Need Divorce Records

• You want to change your name
• You want to get remarried
• You need proof of visitation schedule for school or police
• You want to start child support or alimony withholding
• You need it for income tax purposes
• You need to transfer property
• You need it for creditors
• For probate court after the death of one of the parties in the divorce
• To check marital status of a partner
• For family history and genealogy research

There are several reasons why people might want to research or request divorce records and divorce certificates. Again, only the divorced parties are allowed to make a request to obtain a copy of their divorce certificate since they are official government documents. All other divorce records can be viewed online by anyone, via the Freedom of Information Act.

What Information is on a Divorce Record

1. Full names of both spouses
2. Date and location of the divorce
3. Date and location of the marriage
4. The divorce case or certificate number
5. The county courthouse where the divorce was filed
6. The judge or legal authority that finalized the divorce
7. The information listed on the divorce decree
8. Names of the children from the divorced parents
9. Attorney information, if available
10. Circumstances for the divorce, if available

If you gain access to the complete divorce records, you will have all the information pertaining to the divorce, including the full names and dates of birth of both parties, the county and state they were married in, the county and state they were divorced in, the official date of the divorce, reason for the divorce, and any judgments ordered by the courts, such as child custody, child support, alimony and division of property. If any portions of the divorce record are sealed, or you are not authorized to gain access to the entire record, you still should be able to find the full names of both parties, the date of the divorce and the county and state where the divorce took place. Some of the divorce information may be limited depending on what is available and what is considered public record in the state that the divorce was filed in.

How to Get a Copy of a Divorce Record

There are a few ways you can find divorce records, but before you start searching, you will need a few pieces of information, including the names of both parties in the divorce, their dates of birth, if available, and the county and state where the divorce was finalized.

• Your Attorney: A simple way to secure a copy of your own divorce records is to contact your attorney. All attorneys store these records for many years after the divorce is finalized. Keep in mind that this will only be a copy of the divorce records and not a certified copy.
• County Office: If you know the county and state where the divorce was finalized, you can check with that county’s Clerk of Courts office. You can make this request in person or by phone. Some counties also have an online service that allows you to make this request through its website. You will be required to complete a request form that includes basic information about the divorce, your name and the purpose of the request. You may incur a nominal fee for these services. The county office can provide a certified copy of the divorce certificate to authorized requestors.
• State Vital Records: If you are not sure which county the divorce was finalized in, you can request these records at the state level. You should contact the Department of Vital Records in the state where the divorce took place. This can be done in person, by phone or online. Just like at the county level, you will need to complete a request form that includes all pertinent information and pay the required fee. The state also offers certified copies of the divorce certificate.
• Online Third-Party Site: If you do not need a certified copy, and you want the records as fast as possible, you can use a third-party public record website. Typically, you can receive your results within just minutes through the online vendor. SearchQuarry.com is third-party website where you can find divorce records. Search by name to find divorce records online with Search Quarry.
• Historical Society: If you are searching for divorce record for genealogy purposes, you should check with the historical society in the county where the divorce took place. These local chapters typically have vital records, such as divorce records, dating back 100 years or more.

How To Search For Official Divorce Documents

To obtain official divorce records first begin by ascertaining how divorce records are handled in the state where the divorce was granted. The state’s department of health and vital records is a great place to start to obtain a copy of your official divorce documents. They manage and archive all divorce records and you can typically order a copy of your own divorce certificate or divorce documents online and have an official copy mailed to you for a small fee. You will need to verify your identity and pay a nominal fee for this service. You may also be able to make your request for these official documents over the phone and in person. 

Sealed Divorce Records 

Divorce records may be sealed by request of the parties involved. Sealed divorce records are legally restricted by a court order which means it will not be publicly available. These sealed records may be completely or partially sealed in order to protect a minor child’s identity, high profile individuals, domestic violence related divorces, and to safeguard sensitive financial information. Sealing also prevents false allegations from being made public. In this case, the information will be accessible only to the parties and their attorneys. It’s also important to mention that by sealing a divorce record, they are still there and not erased, they’re just not accessible to the general public. If someone wants to unseal a divorce record, it will be up to the parties involved and the courts.

What is a Dissolution of Marriage Records?

A dissolution of marriage records is another way to say divorce. It’s the termination of a marriage and a cancellation of the union of two married people, as determined by the courts. The marriage dissolution is typically a mutual agreement between the spouses, unless there is some significant conflict or domestic abuse in this situation. The process of a dissolution of marriage is typically the same as a divorce as long as it’s agreed upon by both parties. It is typically considered a no-fault process which means there is no need for a court process and mediation. Each state handles this marriage dissolution slightly differently and the access to these records are considered public domain as long as they are not sealed.