How to Recover Divorce Records

Divorce records are considered public records.

Divorce records are maintained by the courts in many counties throughout the United States. You can recover your divorce records at the county courthouse where you divorce was finalized. The divorce records are public records and can usually be obtained easily with some general information about the divorce. The exact processes will vary by state, but there are some general guidelines to follow to recover your divorce records. There are usually fees in order to receive a certified copy of your divorce record.

Instructions

1. Collect the necessary information. The exact information will vary by location. You will likely need to know names on the record, date that the divorce was finalized, county the divorce was finalized and date of marriage.

2. Go to your local courthouse where the divorce was finalized. In most areas, the divorce records will be kept here or at a county records office. Some states house divorce records for the entire state through the vital records office. In these cases, you will need to mail in a request.

3. Complete a request for the records. You will have to fill out a form to request the divorce records. Most states will require name, address and a form of identification.

4. Return the form to local courthouse or mail to the state's Office of Vital Statistics, if required in your state. Include any fees.

5. Wait for divorce records to be ready. If they are available at your local courthouse, you will be able to pick them up when ready. The divorce records will be mailed to you if they are kept at a location for the entire state. Wait times vary by location but most areas have a backlog.

References

• New York State Department of Health: Records by Mail
• Florida Department of Health: Marriage and Divorce Certificates
• California Department of Public Health: Obtaining Certified Copies of Marriage & Divorce Records
• Divorce Records Search: Find Divorce Records