Divorce Records

The decision to get a divorce is a private personal choice between two formerly intimate partners. Unfortunately, divorce records are not so private. The records of a divorce are an open source of information containing all the details of the separation. Divorce records stored in county courthouse files in all 50 states are open to public inspection unless they have been ordered sealed by a judge. Anyone can view those records of court proceedings, including testimony concerning disputes over adultery, children and property division. Open courthouse divorce records are often the source of celebrity divorce details that end up in the evening news, but there are also legitimate reasons to search divorce records.

 The court procedures for filing divorce records depend on the individual state the divorce takes place in. Every state has its own separate judicial system and all divorce records must be signed by a judge before they can be filed and enforced. Due to mandatory waiting periods in most states, divorce records will not show up instantly after the judge signs them. Even in states with no-fault divorce laws where couples can get divorced relatively quickly and easily, it may take up to 6 weeks before the divorce records show up in a search of courthouse files by name. Searching divorce records by case number will usually yield better results than using name searches alone.

 Utilizing the services of an online records search company is an easier way to locate divorce records and will certainly save a lot of time digging through county courthouse files. There are dozens of websites online that provide access to information concerning divorce papers from courts all over the United States. Instead of lengthy physical searches, a records search company offers the convenience of searching divorce records in the comfort of your own home. The fees for online vital record searches are quite reasonable, with most services charging less than $15 per search.

You may need copies of your own Divorce Records if:

• You plan to get remarried - most states require official proof of all previous divorces.
• You are being hounded by creditors for payment of prior bills you do not owe – the divorce records are required as proof you are no longer married or responsible for the debts.
• You are not sure if your new spouse is actually legally divorced from their first spouse. Even though polygamy is illegal in most all states, in some cases people do get remarried without finalizing their prior marriages, whether by accident – or not.

Related Links:

     Online Divorce       Divorce Information      Find a Divorce Attorney

Related Resources:

1. CDC: Vital Records
2. Public Record Finder:Get Divorce Records
3. eHow: Access Divorce Records

Related Articles:

1. Divorce Papers
2. Divorce Law
3. Divorces