The Purpose of Divorce Records and When You Might Need Them

A copy of your divorce records is kept and can be obtained at any time from your county's Record Office of Licensing Branch of the state or country in which your divorce took place. If you have moved since the divorce you will need to contact the location where the proceedings took place.

Be aware that certain guidelines must be followed when requesting a copy of your divorce papers. Each Records Office has different policies and procedures but these will be outlined for you when you request your copy of the Divorce Certificate. There may be a brief waiting period, again that may vary with each location.

Divorce records have a great number of purposes. They are a conclusion to the divorce agreement which took place in a Court of Law. The greatest importance of divorce papers is to ensure your divorce is legal and that the documents were signed by a Judge in a Court of Law. A divorce is only legalized when it is has gone through the proper legal channels and is approved by the Court.

Sometimes people believe they are divorced while in reality they are not. This could happen in an uncontested divorce if the respondent fails to file a response to the divorce, especially when the issues were settled between both parties beforehand. It is always best to insure that the divorce has been legalized to prevent future difficulties.

The main reason why someone may require divorce records is because they wish to remarry. Many states and countries require a copy of the divorce papers in order to issue a new Marriage Licence. This insures that the divorce was legal so the new marriage may take place.

If someone is applying for a legal name change they may also need to provide these court documents. Applying for landed immigration status may also require proof of marital status by providing a marriage certificate and/or divorce decree. These papers are frequently needed to start the application process.

In today's society divorce seems to be a common occurrence and there are several websites that cater to finding divorce records. The most popular being through a state's or countries Vital Records website or Federal Records website. These can be found by using an Internet Search Engine. These websites may charge a fee for this service and are not considered a free public service.

Be certain you know if your document needs to be certified or not. A certified copy of a Divorce Certificate is issued with a raised seal. It will also show the signature of the proper authority and will be printed on security paper. A certified copy may be required to change your last name or remarry. Divorce certificates that are uncertified will be photocopied on plain white paper from the original document that was filed in the court system. Obtaining a copy that is certified can lead to longer waiting periods.

You may need to produce your divorce records at various time throughout your life. It is best to get a copy and keep it in safe place in case the need arises. In the event you have difficulty obtaining your divorce records through the proper channels you can seek advice from your Lawyer or any Family Law Attorney.