Divorce is a legal process that begins as the result of a married couple ending their marriage. Throughout the process, many documents are submitted and records are compiled to give the judge a comprehensive understanding of the case. While these records are important when determining asset allocation, alimony, and child support, you may be wondering if they're public records.
So, are divorce documents public record? The short answer is yes, but you'll find that it's a lot more complicated than that. Read on to learn more.
What Are Divorce Documents?
Divorce documents are any documents that are filed during the divorce process. Typically, this includes a divorce decree, judgments, and any other legal documents pertaining to the divorce. In fact, you'll find that many divorce documents will vary based on the case, due to everyone's situation being unique. Plus, some divorces are amicable and may only have the divorce decree and judgment.
Are Divorce Documents Public Record?
Divorce documents can be public records, but this isn't always the case. This is because some states, like New York, have confidentiality clauses that keep the terms of a couple’s divorce private.
For this reason, you won't be able to find any divorce documents in New York aside from the divorce decree. The only exception would be if there were criminal records associated with the divorce or if you were someone who was involved in the divorce case, like a lawyer.
In other states, though, you may be able to view more records. If you provide the case number at a local courthouse, they'll let you know what you can and can't view.
How to Find Divorce Documents
If you want to find divorce documents, you have a few options. You can leverage online tools that enable you to comb through public records, visit local courthouses where the divorce was filed, or even run a Google search for high-profile cases. Learn more about these options below.
1. PublicRecord.com
If you want to find divorce documents without getting off your couch, PublicRecord.com is one of the best options. The platform offers a public records search tool that helps you comb through millions of public databases in a matter of minutes. This can cut the time it takes to find divorce documents substantially and even point you in the right direction if you plan on visiting the courthouse where the divorce was handled.
Aside from being the fastest option, PublicRecord.com is also an accurate option. Records are constantly updated, and the platform will even notify you if things change. What's more, you can find a lot more than divorce documents when you search with PublicRecord.com.
For example, you can find social media accounts, websites, contact information, location information, and much more.
2. Courthouses
Once you know the court that handled someone's divorce, you can visit that court to find divorce documents. The information you can find will vary depending on the state you’re in and how intense the divorce was. For example, New York limits the information you can find unless you’re involved in the case, so you may only find the divorce decree.
Another example is if a divorce goes through without much of a fight or need for alimony or child support. In these cases, the divorce decree and some other miscellaneous documents may be the only information available.
Due to the varying amount of information you can find when visiting a courthouse, we always recommend starting with an online search first. Then, if you find something that seems worth pursuing, you can visit the courthouse without wasting any of your time.
3. Google Search
When it comes to divorce records, sometimes Google is your best friend. A simple Google search can bring you to millions of websites, databases, and other resources that help you find divorce documents.
For these reasons, we love the idea of a Google search if you’re curious about divorce records for notable cases that involve celebrities, politicians, influencers, and other people with a large following.
However, you can still find divorce records about other people if you run an Advanced Search or try Google Lens. An Advanced Search helps you find information by adding and removing results, and Google Lens helps you run a search with just a photo.
So, Are Divorce Documents Public Record?
Ultimately, divorce documents are public records. You can always find out if someone has gone through a divorce. While that part is public record, other divorce documents may be sealed or confidential.
Therefore, it all comes down to the state where the divorce happened and the extent of what went down during the divorce. For these reasons, we always recommend starting with an online public records search tool for the best results.
So, are divorce documents public record? Sometimes, you'll have to begin your search to find out.
