Date of Marriage Divorce Records Search
Understanding Divorce Records and the Information Contained in Them
Are you curious about your spouse-to-be’s marital history? Are you unsure of whether he/she has finalized their divorce like they claim? Perhaps you are preparing to remarry and simply need to confirm your own divorce to obtain a new marriage license. Fortunately, divorce records are easily obtained from respective state offices of vital statistics or county health departments, so you can put any questions you have to rest and get on with your new love life once and for all.
What Can You Learn from Divorce Records?
Much of the information contained in divorce records are considered public, but there are details which are kept from public viewing, too. If you are named in the record, however, you should have no problem accessing complete records regarding the divorce proceedings and decree.
If you simply need to confirm the existence of a record, you will be able to retrieve the names of the husband and wife, as well as the county and date on which the divorce was granted. Personal information such as addresses, Social Security numbers and contact information is often kept private unless you are named on the record or a direct relative.
Other information contained in divorce records varies depending upon the locale where the divorce occurred, but can include children resulting from the marriage, property holdings of each party and agreements for separating them, child support or alimony/maintenance payments ordered by the court and even the reason cited for the divorce.
How Are Divorce Records Created, and How Can I Obtain Them?
Actual divorce records are frequently only given to the parties named in them, though outside parties can still confirm the occurrence of a divorce. When a husband and wife decide to end a marriage, they must petition the local court to grant them a divorce, based on their cited reasons for seeking it. A judge will then set one or more appearance dates when the two parties and their attorneys must attend court and decide upon how to separate their property – including homes and land, retirement accounts, savings and cash, tangible items such as jewelry and furniture, vehicles and even equity held in this property. If the couple had children, custody and visitation arrangements will also be made.
Once the agreements have been finalized, the judge signs a divorce decree and the respective records of the divorce as being finalized. The parties involved will receive a copy of the decree and agreement for future reference, but can always request additional copies in the future. These documents will be needed if a disagreement ever arises about the final divisions of property or child custody, as well as if either party ever applies for another marriage license in the future.
Perhaps you think your loved one was married once and has been dishonest about it, or are doubtful that he/she finalized a prior divorce. Now you can put your mind to rest by searching divorce records and decide if you have anything to worry about, once and for all.