Divorce records are considered public information, but the level of ease with which you can access them depends on the type of divorce document you want. Getting a divorce certificate is much easier than obtaining the full divorce decree, which contains more detailed information about the settlement and agreements.
There are multiple ways to find out if someone is divorced. These ways can include using a reverse people lookup tool like Unmask to checking online databases or visiting your local courthouse. Many states have websites where you can search for divorce records by name.
In this article, we are going to explain how to find out if someone is divorced and the difference between a divorce certificate and a divorce decree so you know exactly what to look for.
What’s the Difference Between a Divorce Certificate and a Divorce Decree?
A divorce certificate is a vital document that provides basic information about the divorce, specifically the names of the parties involved and the date and location of the divorce. You need this document if you want to change your name or prove your status when remarrying.
To get more detailed information about a divorce, such as the terms of child custody, division of property, or alimony, you’ll need a document called “divorce decree.” It’s a court document that outlines the specific agreements and conditions of the divorce settlement.
Both types of documents are public records, which means it’s possible for you to get access to both of them.
However, a divorce certificate is much easier to obtain than a divorce decree. As you might have already guessed, this is because the latter contains a lot of sensitive information about the parties involved in the divorce, such as financial details, child custody arrangements, and spousal support agreements.
If you weren’t directly involved in the case, then you might not be given access to the divorce decree. A divorce certificate, on the other hand, can be accessed by anyone. You may need to know the name of at least one of the persons involved in the divorce, though. Courts may allow you to view a divorce decree in some states, but it’s very unlikely they’ll give you a copy of it if you’re not directly involved in the divorce or don’t have a valid reason, like being a lawyer for one of the parties.
For most people, a divorce certificate should be enough as the information that it provides is usually all that is needed for legal or personal purposes.
How to Find Out if Someone Is Divorced
To find out if someone is divorced, we recommend using PublicRecord’s reverse people lookup tool. This free people search engine gives you access to tons of information about people, and all you have to do is type their name on the site.
It compiles everything into a report, which includes details like the person’s divorce records, criminal records, education history, and social media handles.
When you type someone’s name into the tool, it searches through multiple public databases to find information about the person.
You might not always be able to find a person’s divorce records this way, though, especially if they’ve had them sealed. Sealed records are not accessible to the public and require special permission to view. They can only be viewed by the court and other people who have been authorized to access them (such as lawyers or the people who were involved in the divorce).
However, it’s still a good idea to start your search with PublicRecord’s reverse people lookup tool because it’s free, and it takes less than a minute for it to generate a report that information about the person’s divorce records. You may also end up finding other useful details that will help make your search easier, such as their phone number or their email address.
Another way to find out if someone is divorced is to go to the courthouse where the divorce was finalized and request access to the records. Every state has a different procedure for accessing and viewing divorce records so it may be a good idea to get in touch with the office that maintains vital records in your state.
Below, we have explained how you can get divorce records in some states:
Minnesota
In Minnesota, divorce records aren’t kept centrally at the state level. To get them, you’ll need to reach out to the court administrator in the county where the divorce was finalized. They usually charge a $10 fee for a copy of the records.
Wisconsin
In Wisconsin, you can request access to someone’s divorce records through the VitalChek website. To get them by mail, you’ll have to fill out an application form and send it to this address:
Wisconsin Vital Records Office
PO Box 309
Madison, WI 53701
You’ll also have to send some copies of your identification. Here are some forms of identification the Office of Vital Records in Wisconsin accepts:
- Your driver’s license
- US government-issued photo ID
- US or foreign passport
- Tribal or military ID
If you don’t have any of the above, then you’ll have to submit copies of two of these items:
- Bank/earnings statement
- Current, dated, signed lease
- Health insurance card
- Utility bill or traffic ticket
- Vehicle registration/title
You’ll also have to pay a fee of $20 per copy. Once you’ve submitted everything and they’ve received your application, it’ll take the vital records office about 10 days to complete your order.
California
In California, you have to contact the Superior Court in the county where the divorce was finalized. You’ll be required to pay a fee of $14. Note that you’ll only receive a “Certificate of Record,” which includes details such as the names of the parties, the filing date, and the case number. This document is not a certified copy of a divorce decree and does not indicate whether the divorce was finalized.
Washington
To get divorce records in Washington, you’ll have to fill out an application form with some basic information: the names of at least one person on the marriage record, the approximate date of the marriage (month, day, year), and the county where the divorce was finalized. You’ll also have to submit a valid form of ID.
Then, you’ll have to pay a fee of $25 (per certificate) to the Department of Health. If you order the records online, then you’ll have to pay a nonrefundable fee of $45.
If you request the records online or over the phone, you should receive them in about 5-7 business days. If you choose to request them by mail, it will take approximately 6-8 weeks for the vital records office to process and ship the copies to you.
Idaho
Idaho also processes applications through VitalChek, but you’ll have to provide proof that you have a legitimate reason to request the records if you’re not related to the people named on the certificate.
You’ll need to pay a fee of $16 (with additional charges applicable if you’re applying through VitalChek). If you want to apply by mail, you’ll have to submit an application to the Idaho Bureau of Vital Records. You’ll have to attach a copy of your driver’s license that shows the expiration date and your signature, as well as a signed check or money order for the certificate fee with your application. Mail these documents to the following address:
Idaho Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics
PO Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0036
You can also check online databases, which are maintained at the county level. Almost every county in the US has an official site where you should be able to search for a person’s divorce records. Keep in mind, though, that not every county updates its site regularly, so there’s no guarantee that you’ll be able to find what you’re looking for.
Quickly Find Anyone’s Divorce Records
The quickest way to find someone’s divorce records is to use PublicRecord’s reverse people lookup tool. If you don’t find their certificate there, then it’s very likely that it hasn’t been digitized yet.
It’s a good idea to check with your local government offices that maintain vital records to see if they have physical copies that can be accessed in person or through a formal request process.
You’ll have to pay a one-time application fee, which typically ranges from $5-$25 (can be more if you’re using VitalChek to submit your application). Requesting by mail is cheaper than submitting your application online, but it’s slower due to processing and mail delivery times.
If you want to find out if someone is divorced urgently, then just use the people search tool for quick results.
