While divorces are supposed to be private, the court records that relate to them are public.  Finding a divorce record can be necessary in a number of situations.  Without a completed divorce, a person isn’t free to remarry.

Can’t Find the Divorce Record because They Aren’t Divorced!

It is remarkable just how many people simply don’t go through with the final steps of a divorce.  They move out, move on and often just plain move, and the paperwork gets forgotten.  Suddenly, they want to start a new life, but they haven’t ended the old one, legally.  The only way you can find out if this is the case is to do a divorce record search.

To accomplish this search you need to know where the divorce was finalized.  Unfortunately, if you are dating someone in this situation, they may not be as forthcoming as they should be.

When Your Significant Other Isn’t Forthcoming with the Info

In that case, your best bet is to go online and utilize one of the many search companies available.  These companies have gone to the trouble and expense of compiling information from all around the country and putting it into one database.  This allows you to simply enter a name and some additional data and find out everything you need about a person and their past.

Common Law Marriages and Divorce Records

Oddly enough, I have a friend in this exact situation.  After a common-law marriage of nearly 20 years he and his wife broke up.  They figure that just stating that should be enough, but the law doesn’t agree.

They have to go through the courts to terminate their marriage.  Now he is planning to remarry and I can’t help but wonder if the girl knows he is still legally bound to his previous partner.  What a mess!

A quick search would save her a lot of grief.  He isn’t a bad person, just a lazy one, and the impending disaster is interesting to watch.

Do yourself a favor; don’t end up in this position.  Get online, look into the past of anyone you are getting serious about.  Using an online search company is fast, effective and inexpensive.

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