How to Find Divorce Records Online

Divorce records document the legal dissolution of a marriage and are maintained as public records in most U.S. jurisdictions. Whether you are researching family history, verifying someone's marital status, or gathering information for a legal matter, divorce records are accessible if you know where to look.

What Divorce Records Contain

Divorce records can range from a simple index entry to a detailed case file. Depending on the source, you may find:

• Names of both spouses at the time of filing
• Date the divorce was filed and date it was finalized
• Court and case number for the proceeding
• Grounds for divorce — fault-based or no-fault
• Property division details — how assets and debts were split
• Custody and support orders — child custody arrangements and alimony terms
• Maiden name restoration if requested

The level of detail available online varies significantly by jurisdiction. Some courts publish full case files while others only offer a basic index.

Where to Find Divorce Records for Free

County Court Clerk's Office

Divorces are granted by courts, so the primary source is the court that handled the case. In most states, this is the county superior court, circuit court, or district court where the filing spouse lived.

1. Identify the county where the divorce was filed
2. Visit that county's court clerk website
3. Search the case index by party name
4. Review available documents — many courts provide digital copies of the decree

State Court Record Portals

Many states offer centralized court record search systems that span all counties:

• Florida has a statewide portal accessible through individual clerk websites
• Texas provides records through the Office of Court Administration
• Virginia offers a statewide case information system

Search by the name of either spouse and filter for family or domestic relations cases.

State Vital Records Office

In addition to court records, state vital records offices maintain divorce indexes similar to their marriage and death record databases. These indexes confirm that a divorce occurred and provide the date and jurisdiction, though they typically do not include the full case file.

ActualPeopleSearch People Search

A search on ActualPeopleSearch can reveal relationship information derived from public records, including changes in associated names and addresses that may indicate a divorce. If you are trying to determine whether someone is divorced, ActualPeopleSearch's consolidated results can provide context quickly — showing current and former associated persons, address changes, and name variations in one place.

How to Search Effectively

Narrow by Jurisdiction

Divorce cases are filed where one of the spouses resides, not necessarily where the marriage took place. If you know the person's address history, search the county where they lived during the likely period of divorce.

Try Both Names

Search under both the married name and the maiden or pre-marriage name. The petitioner (the spouse who filed) is sometimes listed under a restored maiden name in the final decree.

Use Date Ranges

If searching a common name, narrow results with an approximate date range. Consider when the couple was known to be together and when they appear to have separated.

Check for Sealed Records

Certain aspects of divorce cases may be sealed:

• Financial disclosures — some courts seal detailed asset declarations
• Child-related documents — custody evaluations and guardian ad litem reports are often restricted
• Protective orders — domestic violence allegations may be sealed to protect the victim
• Settlement agreements — parties sometimes request that negotiated terms remain confidential

The basic fact that a divorce occurred and the names of the parties remain public even when portions of the file are sealed.

Divorce Records for Genealogy

Historical divorce records are valuable for genealogy research because they often contain:

• Maiden names and previous married names
• Dates and places of birth for both parties
• Names of children and their birth dates
• Addresses at the time of filing

FamilySearch.org and state archives have digitized many historical divorce indexes. For records predating digital systems, contact the county court clerk directly or visit the state archives.

Legal Uses of Divorce Records

Divorce records play a role in several legal contexts:

1. Proving marital status for remarriage — some states require proof that a prior marriage was legally dissolved
2. Estate and inheritance disputes — determining whether an ex-spouse retains rights
3. Child support enforcement — locating the original custody and support order
4. Immigration proceedings — USCIS requires documentation of prior marriages and divorces
5. Property title issues — confirming that an ex-spouse's interest in property was properly transferred

For any legal use, you will typically need a certified copy from the issuing court rather than an online printout.