Every divorce that occurs needs to be recorded with the vital records office and this information is available to the general public as a divorce record.
A personal copy of the divorce record is a divorce certificate that can be used by the individual as a legal document in all matters concerning the divorce.
Where Are Divorce Records Kept?
Divorce records are maintained by the vital records department or in the health statistics department.
Any person wishing to access these records may do so by placing a request with the concerned department holding the information.
They can also obtain copies of the records which are uncertified copies if you are not one of the concerned parties in the divorce.
Only parties involved in the divorce can obtain a certified copy of the divorce certificate.
What Is Included in Divorce Records?
The divorce record contains vital information about the divorce such as the date on which the divorce was finalized and why the divorce occurred.
It also has other pertinent information such as names of the couple, the date when their marriage took place, the location where the marriage happened, the date of birth and the names of the children, if any, and more.
It may also list other information such as the divorce settlements, the payment of alimony or separate maintenance if any.
What Are The Uses of Divorce Records?
The divorce record is an important proof of information that the divorce has taken place, which is useful for the individual parties involved in the divorce to prove the divorce and can be of utility in many areas.
- These records can help the individual ensure that the divorce has legally occurred, as in some cases of uncontested divorces, the respondent party may not be aware of the settlement of the divorce.
- A divorce record helps in proving that the divorce has been finalized in the Court of Law.
- When a person intends to marry again after a divorce, the divorce certificates should be provided to legally allow the person to remarry.
- It also helps resolve issues arising in the care of children born out of the marriage where divorce has taken place.
- A woman intending to change her name that carries the surname of the ex-husband can do so by providing these records.
- Another important use of divorce records is searching the names of the current partners on websites that allow the search of these records, which is useful in knowing more about the previous history of the person.
- If the person has been involved in a divorce, it helps in knowing whether the divorce was finalized and what were the terms of the settlement.
- It also helps to know the reasons behind the divorce and can avoid many future unpleasant scenarios by knowing if the partner was involved in problems like child abuse or had a history of domestic violence.
The use of divorce records is endless – check with your divorce lawyer to learn more.