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Millions of people get married every year. Unfortunately, about half of all these marriages end up in divorce. Sadly, these statistics are unlikely to change in the short term, so it’s important to know if divorce filings are public records. After all, it’s good to know if your divorce remains private once you begin the process. Plus, if you’re curious about someone else’s divorce, you may want to know what information you can get your hands on.
So, are divorce filings public? This article answers that question and more. Read on to learn everything you need to know.
What Are Divorce Filings?
Divorce filings are the documents that begin the divorce process. One spouse will file this paperwork with the courts, and a divorce filing contains a complaint or petition. However, in some cases, both spouses may file the paperwork. Regardless, both spouses have to sign the paperwork for the divorce process to begin.
After the paperwork is submitted, the court will make a decision about the divorce. Essentially, a judge will determine asset allocation, alimony, child support, and even child custody. There may also be unique deals made by both parties that can be found within divorce records as well.
Are Divorce Filings Public?
Divorce filings are public. This means that you can visit a local court or use a third-party public records search tool to determine if a marriage ended in divorce.
While you can see the names of the spouses and some information, like the divorce decree, some states may limit what you can view. The exception to this is that people who are involved in the case, like a lawyer, can view more information about divorce filings.
Where Can You Find Divorce Filings?
There are a few places to find divorce filings. For example, you can visit the courthouse where the case was heard. While this is effective, you can also use online tools like public records search tools and Google. Learn about these methods and more below.
PublicRecord.com
If you want to find divorce filing information fast, we always recommend using PublicRecord.com. It’s an online platform that offers a public records search tool that enables you to find all available public records. All you need is someone’s name, phone number, or address to get started.
Once you enter the necessary information, you’ll be able to begin your search. PublicRecord.com will comb through millions of public records and compile a full report that contains everything you need to know. The best part about PublicRecord.com is that you can count on the information being accurate. Plus, the information is updated frequently.
That said, aside from divorce filings, we can help you find additional information like criminal records, social media accounts, contact information, and much more.
Visit the Local Courthouse
Divorce isn’t something that two people agree on and then it’s simply done. Instead, they have to go through the divorce process, which tends to include a civil court battle. For this reason, courthouses where the spouses file for divorce are a great place to start if you want to find divorce records.
To begin your search, you can check if the courthouse has an online database you can leverage. If not, you can visit the court in person with a name or case number to get started. From there, the clerk will provide you with the information they’re able to provide.
This will vary based on the state and court, so don’t expect to find much more than the divorce decree.
Google Search
If you’re curious about keeping up with celebrities, politicians, or other famous people, a Google search may be all you need. You can enter their name along with divorce to see if they have filed for divorce recently.
While this will work for famous people, it may be hard to use this method if you need to find divorce records for people who don’t have a large following. However, you can always try an Advanced Search, which lets you add more keywords, or Google Lens, which allows you to search with a photo.
So, Are Divorce Filings Public?
Overall, yes, divorce filings are public. However, that’s about all you’ll find if you live in a state like New York. However, other states may be more liberal with this information, so you may be able to find more details about a divorce elsewhere. That said, we always recommend starting with a public records search tool like PublicRecord.com for the best results.