Couples need to obtain final divorce paperwork, which can later be located by virtually anyone willing to perform a divorce record search, in order to dissolve their marriage. In this country, all divorce records are considered public. Use of the Internet has made it even easier and more convenient to find divorce records and understand divorce records search basics to make the task simpler.
Divorce listings detail all of the divorced couples in a particular area. They include the final divorce paperwork, which is the actual document that most individuals and companies are looking to obtain when they perform a divorce record search. This final divorce document is needed for a variety of different reasons, including:
1. For investigators to prove an individual's true relationship status;
2. To act as a supplement in determining one’s taxes in the event of a legal concern;
3. And as verification for one or both parties to get remarried.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Understand what information you need to supply when you want to find divorce records
Searchers will be required to supply certain information when performing a divorce public record search, such as the name of the individual(s) listed on the divorce decree and their birthdays. Having this information readily available will help ensure an efficient and effective search.
I recommend: To learn about the necessary identification information required on one or both of the divorce decree parties, review the information at
LovetoKnow.com or
USAVital.com.
Know what you are looking for when you perform a search of public divorce records
Due to the fact that there is so much paperwork involved in getting a divorce, many people may not inherently know what they are looking for when they try to find the final divorce paperwork. Marriage divorce records often contain the stipulations of a divorce, as well as the final documentation. Don't waste time, energy or money gathering paperwork you don't need.
I recommend: A divorce decree will vary from state to state. However,
OurDivorceAgreement.com offers a nice sample on what the decree looks like. Check out
77 Investigations for information that you should be looking for to locate a divorce decree in a marriage divorce records search, as well as what the differences are between divorce records and a divorce decree.
Investigate where you can find public divorce records
There are a number of places from which a person can search divorce records. Some are more convenient than others. If you have a computer with Internet access, you should consider reviewing online divorce records. If not, you can always go to your local county clerk's office to view the original and make copies of it.
I recommend: Find a divorce record online at
VitalRec.com. While it does require a fee, the results are nationwide and not confined to specific states.
Genealogy.com can help you find the county courthouse you need in order to perform your divorce search. Once at the courthouse, go to the County Clerk's Office in order to gain access to public records, such as divorce records.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- Especially when trying to locate divorce records for official business, it is very important to make sure you get the right copy. Individuals may have similar names in the same geographic region. As a result, it is very important that you double check all relevant information and ensure that you have the proper paperwork.
- Also, keep in mind that most local libraries in the United States subscribe to websites like Ancestry.com and HeritgageQuest.com. This can allow you to get copies of divorce records without paying the subscription fee yourself. It's still a good idea to call the libraries ahead of time to ask if they subscribe to any such sites in order to save yourself time and energy.