Are Divorce Records Public? Your Questions Answered

 

In the United States, almost half of all marriages end in divorce. Unfortunately, this is true, and it helps to know if you can find and view information associated with divorce. Why is this important? Well, it’s because it helps to know if someone you’re speaking with is currently divorced or if they’re just saying they are.

Sometimes, it also helps to learn more about the proceedings of court cases, or even if you’re just curious. That said, you won’t be able to find this information if divorce isn’t public record, right?

So, are divorce records public? The short answer is yes, but it’s more complicated than that. Luckily, we have your back in this guide; read on to learn more.

What Are Divorce Records?

Divorce records are a collection of legal documents, online records, and other types of records associated with divorce. These records are created when courts legally end a divorce, and a collection of the records includes divorce decrees, divorce certificates, and other information relevant to the divorce.

What Information Can You Find in Divorce Records?

In divorce records, you can find a plethora of information. Examples of the information you can find include:

 

• Full names of the spouses.
• The location of the marriage.
• The date of the marriage.
• Child support details.
• Alimony information.
• Custody rulings.
• Terms for asset and debt distribution.

As you can see, there is a lot of information available within divorce records.

Are Divorce Records Public?

Yes, divorce records are typically public; that is, you can find out who was divorced. That said, this doesn’t mean that you can access everything about the case. For example, the records may be sealed, and this is true in New York; the records are sealed for 100 years.

This is true in other states, too, so keep this in mind. Still, there are some people who can access divorce records prior to them becoming unsealed.

Who Can Access Private Divorce Records?

When it comes to private divorce records, only some parties can view the information. Examples of parties that can view this information include:

• The spouses involved in the divorce.
• Lawyers associated with the spouses and the case.
• Individuals who have court orders or other permission to view the case.
• Other legal representatives associated with the case.

Sometimes, family members may also be able to view court records associated with a divorce.

How to Find Divorce Records

When you’re searching for divorce records, you have a few options. We take you through a handful of the best options below.

Information.com

When you’re looking for divorce records, Information.com is the best tool to leverage. All you need to do is enter someone’s first and last name into the public record search tool. From there, the tool will comb through billions of public records until a match is found.

The result? If the divorce records are public, Information.com will find them. What’s more, the information doesn’t stop at divorce records. You can source marriage records, other civil court records, criminal records, and much more.

For these reasons, we always recommend starting with Information.com for the best results.

Search Engines

Another way to find out if someone is divorced is to leverage a search engine. Depending on the person and the situation, they might be able to bring you to the appropriate database. What’s more, search engines work really well for celebrity cases based on how search engines work.

You can also try ChatGPT and other resources, along with advanced search functions offered by search engines. These tools may also help you narrow the search results for trickier searches.

Civil Court Databases

If a divorce is a public record, you should be able to find it in a civil court record. These are records that are held in state and local databases, and you can visit the courthouse to request the information you need. Of course, if the records are still sealed, you won’t be able to access the records; this can still help you find out if someone was divorced.

Depending on the courthouse, you may also be able to find these records online.

Are Divorce Records Public? The Verdict

So, are divorce records public? Ultimately, yes, divorce records become available to the public. That said, they might not be available to the public right away; some states seal the records for a specific amount of time, so keep this in mind throughout your search.

At the end of the day, if you’re looking for divorce records, we always recommend starting with Information.com for the best results.