When you end a marriage, no matter how amicable the divorce, there is a strong desire to put things behind you.  Even so, you need a copy of your state divorce records to be in your files, just in case.

Things that start out well between divorced spouses can turn ugly over time.  Agreements are forgotten as the years pass and that fuels potential arguments.  If you have a copy of your decree, you can always pull it out and refer to it.

But I Lost My Divorce Papers!
Worry not.  You can get a copy of your divorce decree from the State or County Clerk’s office.  Depending upon the state in which you divorced, a copy of your agreement was filed with the Court.  The court was responsible for forwarding the agreement to the proper office.  Check online and find out who is holding your decree and how to apply.

The Application for Divorce Records
Most applications will request the following:

• The names of both individuals on the decree
• The location where the judgment was passed
• Your relationship to the divorced
• A copy of your government issued ID
• A check or money order to pay for the copy

Fill out the application, explain your request, and send it off to the proper location.  In a matter of weeks, you will once again have a copy of your decree.

But I Need to See My Divorce Records NOW
If you find yourself needing a copy of your divorce decree immediately, then your best bet is to go download the state divorce records from an online search service.  State divorce records are stored in large databases that you can access.  While it isn’t a certified copy, it may be enough for your purpose if time is of the essence.

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