Obtaining Divorce Records

The divorce decree is an important document since it finalizes a divorce and the legal as well as the financial details of the divorce. If you have through a divorce you will definitely want to have copies of this document for obvious reasons. This is because occasionally, you may need to produce a divorce record if you are involved in an adoption, a mortgage or a veterans claim. If however you have lost your divorce papers, there are certain processes that you can undertake to get copies.

Since a divorce record is a public records matter, these are kept on file. Gather the necessary information such as the name of the husband or wife in question, the court case number, the date the divorce took place as well as the city and state where the divorce took place. Locate the Office of Vital Statistics in the state where the divorce took place. You can usually find this information on the official homepage of each state. You will then need to print a brief request letter for your divorce papers. In the letter, be sure to specify whether certified or non-certified of the divorce papers are required and your relationship with the parties in the decree as well as the purpose of the request. You will also need to provide proof of identity such as your drivers license and the state it was issued. This is followed by a signed request. On a more local level, simply visit the county courthouse and fill out a written request.

IN most states, a divorce record which includes the divorce decree and the divorce certificate are only obtained by qualified individuals. How can you obtain copies of these records? Once you decide which divorce record you want, file it at the Countys court and include the terms of the divorce. Obtain the first and last names of the ex spouse, where the divorce took place and if possible the divorce date. The more details you have, the more efficient your divorce record will be filtered. You will then need to provide proof that you are eligible to obtain the records. Generally, you will either have to be the ex husband, the ex wife or someone who has a court order before the state government agency gives you copies. In most states, it is possible to obtain copies of your divorce record via the internet, mail or telephone. You will need to pay some fees in order to make copies of the records. It only takes several weeks before you finally receive your documents.