Marriage and Divorce Records are usually stored together because they are interrelated. You
cannot get a divorce if you are not even legally married, and you cannot get
married again if you have been married in the past and not yet legally
divorced. Both are categorized as vital records and both can be viewed and
accessed upon request.
Marriage and divorce records can be used in conducting a genealogical research since both contain personal details of the husband and the wife. It is very troublesome to get married again if your divorce petition is not yet finalized. You might get away with it at first, but sooner or later the authorities will find out about it and you will have to deal with legal problems. In the first place, a person who is not yet officially divorced is not allowed to file for a marriage because the divorce records are needed in filing for a marriage license. And that marriage license is very important for your marriage to be considered legal.
Certified copies of marriage records are available only for those names that are on the record. Other individuals will not be given certified copies but will be provided with a certificate that verifies the validity of the marriage. In a legal proceeding, a marriage record is the only document that is accepted by the court and the law as an official supporting document. The document contains all important particulars regarding the marriage, including the confidential ones.
Divorce records have two versions: divorce certificates and divorce decrees. Divorce certificates contain little but important pieces of information. Divorce decrees, on the other hand, include all the terms and conditions of the divorce case. They are not disclosed to anybody unless the court allows it. Divorce decrees include child support agreement, child visitation rights, alimony, asset and debt division, and many more. Some states require a mandatory waiting period before a divorce petition is accepted. This is to give the couple some time to think about if they really want to push through with the divorce.
Marriage and divorce records are maintained at various levels such as county level, state level, and even at federal level. If a state has no central repository, then the records are available only at the specific County Clerkâs Office where they were filed and granted. There are different requirements and fees rendered depending on which state or county you are requesting them.
You can also request for the records through online records providers. You can get both divorce and Marriage Records Free of charge. Government offices maintain have their own websites and maintain their own database. You can access the records by visiting their official website. There are also privately-owned websites that maintain and disseminate public records. There are a handful of online providers. It is just a matter of looking for the right provider that suits your searching needs. With just a few clicks and in a matter of minutes, you can get your hands on the records you are looking for.
