A divorce decree is the official court document that finalizes a divorce. This legal record contains the court's final judgment and outlines all terms agreed upon or decided during the divorce proceedings.
What Does a Divorce Decree Typically Include?
Most divorce decrees include the following aspects:
- Child custody and visitation arrangements
- Child support and spousal support (alimony) obligations
- Property division and asset distribution
- Debt allocation between parties
- Name change provisions (such as whether a spouse will resume their maiden name)
- Insurance responsibilities (life and health insurance requirements)
- Other obligations and agreements from the divorce case
How Are Divorce Decrees Issued?
Only a court can issue a divorce decree. Once the divorce case concludes (whether through a trial or settlement) the court provides this document to all parties involved. If the divorce was settled outside of court, the decree will reflect the agreed-upon settlement terms.
How Do You Obtain a Divorce Decree?
To get a certified copy of your divorce decree, you'll need to contact the court clerk's office or county clerk's office in the county where your divorce was finalized. The decree is a court document and can only be obtained from the court system, not from vital records offices.
You’ll typically need to provide:
- Full names of both parties in the divorce
- Date of the divorce (or approximate year)
- County where the divorce was granted
- Case or docket number (if available)
Fees for certified copies vary significantly by state.
Divorce Certificates vs. Divorce Decrees
It's important to note that many states also issue divorce certificates through their vital records offices.
A divorce certificate is a simpler, one-page document that proves a divorce occurred without revealing the detailed terms. These certificates are issued by state health departments or vital records offices.
States that offer divorce certificates through vital records offices include:
- New York (divorces from 1963 to present)
- North Carolina (divorces from 1958 to present)
- Washington (divorces from 1968 to present)
- Kentucky (divorces from June 1958 to present)
- New Hampshire, Wisconsin, Virginia, and many others
However, not all states issue divorce certificates. In states like Texas, Georgia, California, Massachusetts, and New Jersey, divorce records must be obtained directly from the court.
Apply for a Divorce Certificate
Why Would You Need Your Divorce Decree?
You may need a certified copy of your divorce decree for various legal and administrative purposes, including:
- Changing your name on official documents like your driver's license or Social Security card
- Remarrying
- Updating financial accounts and property titles
- Proving marital status for benefits or legal matters
If you need a certified copy of your divorce decree, contact the clerk's office in the county where your divorce was finalized.
