Divorce Record Lookup Guide
Use this guide to locate official divorce records by state and county, understand which office to contact, and choose the right copy for your needs.
On This Page:
Pick the path that matches what you need; divorce records can be held by a court clerk or a state vital records office, depending on the document.
Proof of divorce for DMV, passport, or remarriage
Agencies usually require a certified court decree; some will accept a certified state divorce certificate where available.
Just confirm whether a divorce occurred
Quick name-based lookups can confirm a case and locate the right court; they are not certified records.
Review settlement terms, custody, or support orders
Only the court case file includes detailed orders and agreements; some pages may be redacted or restricted.
Not sure of county or year
State indexes help pinpoint the county and date; you’ll still request copies from the court of record.
| Source Or Office | Best For | Helpful Search Input | Access Method | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| County Clerk of Court (Family/Domestic Relations) | Certified divorce decrees and full case files/dockets | Spouse names, approximate year, case/docket number | In person, mail, or online via court portal | Court of record; some documents may be sealed or redacted; ID may be required for certain copies. |
| State Vital Records Office | Divorce certificates or verifications (where issued) | Full names of both spouses and date range; county if known | Mail, in person, or state-approved online ordering | Not all states issue divorce certificates; certificates contain basic facts and are not the decree. |
| State Judiciary Online Case Search | Finding case numbers and docket summaries | Party name, case number, attorney name | Public web portal | Indexes are not official copies; document images may be limited or unavailable. |
| County Recorder or Registrar of Deeds | Property transfers or liens related to a divorce | Party names, parcel number, document number | In-office terminals or online index | Related records only; not the divorce decree or case file. |
| State Archives or Clerk Records Center | Older or archived divorce case files | Spouse names, county, multi-year date range | Research request or scheduled visit | Offsite retrieval and research fees may apply; certified copies still come from the court of record. |
Final court order dissolving the marriage, including property, custody, and support terms
Filings, motions, orders, and docket entries throughout the case
Basic facts such as names, date, and county of divorce (where states issue them)
Older cases or situations where the filing county is uncertain
Official sources hold the court decree, docket, and any certified copies; use the county clerk or state vital records office for documents that carry legal weight. Background check services can help locate possible case locations with broad, name-based searches. They are not a substitute for the court or registrar, may be outdated or incomplete, and cannot issue certified records or display sealed or restricted filings.
In most states, divorce decrees and dockets are public, but sensitive details may be redacted, and some documents or entire cases can be sealed by court order.
The county family or domestic relations court where the divorce was finalized holds the decree and case file. Some states also provide a divorce certificate or verification through the state vital records office.
A decree is the court’s final order with the case terms; a certificate or verification lists basic facts and is not a substitute for the decree.
Request it from the clerk of the court that finalized the case. Follow that office’s procedures and provide ID as required. State vital records can certify certificates where they are issued.
Try the state judiciary case index or a state vital records index/verification to identify the county, then contact the clerk of that court for copies.
If a case or document is sealed, access may be limited to the parties or require a court order. The clerk can explain request steps but cannot grant unauthorized access.