The divorce date appears on the final decree or in state vital records indexes for the case.
Searching for a divorce date feels tricky until you know where that date lives. Courts record multiple timestamps—filing, hearing, judgment, and entry. The goal here is simple: point you to the exact places that reveal the date tied to the divorce, and show you how to request it fast with minimal back-and-forth.
Where The Divorce Date Usually Lives
Courts and vital records agencies store different snapshots of a case. One record may show the filing date; another shows the judgment date. Use this quick map to decide your next move.
| Source | What Date You Get | Where To Request |
|---|---|---|
| Divorce Decree (Judgment) | Final judgment date and terms | Family court clerk in the county where the case was heard |
| Certificate Of Divorce/Record | Names, county, case number, filing date; sometimes judgment date | State vital records office |
| Docket / Case Summary | Timeline: filings, hearings, judgment, entry | Court’s online portal or clerk window |
| Register Of Actions | Event-by-event dates with document titles | Court portal; on request at the clerk counter |
| Clerk’s Index | Case number and filing date | Index terminal or mail request |
| Attorney File | Exact decree copy and served date | Ask either party’s previous counsel |
| Newspaper Legal Notice | Publication dates tied to default cases | Local paper archives or library microfilm |
How to Find the Date of a Divorce
This path starts with the decree and then moves to the state index or the online docket.
Step 1: Decide Which Date You Need
People use “divorce date” to mean different things. Agencies often ask for the judgment date. Insurers and HR desks may accept the filing date or the date the judgment was entered. If you’re unsure, aim for the judgment date from the decree, since that ends the marriage.
Step 2: Start With The Decree
The decree is the signed judgment from the judge. It shows the final date in the caption or near the signature block. If you have a copy, you’re done. If you don’t, ask the family court clerk in the county where the case was heard. You’ll need both names, the county, and an estimate of the year. A case number helps, but you can search by name in most indexes.
Step 3: Use The State’s Vital Records Index
Many states keep a centralized index of divorces. The index confirms the county and the year, and it often lists a filing or judgment date. Order a “certificate of record” or a verification letter if the state uses that format. That document points you back to the correct court and often lists the case number.
Step 4: Check The Court Docket Online
In many counties you can search the court portal by name. Open the case summary or the register of actions to see the judgment entry. Some portals show document images, which means you can view the decree and read the exact date. If images are hidden, note the event date, then ask the clerk for a copy.
Step 5: Confirm With The Clerk If Records Are Sealed
Family files can be restricted. If you hit a paywall or a permissions screen, call the records unit. Ask whether the docket dates are public and what you can receive as a third party.
When You Only Know Names And A Rough Year
Try full legal names, prior names, and nicknames. If a hyphenated last name was used at marriage, try that too. Widen county and year if you’re stuck.
Close Variant: Finding A Divorce Date In Public Records
Many courts publish a docket index you can scan by name. Others require a request form. Either way, the goal is to land on a case number and the judgment entry. If there’s a “register of actions,” scroll to the entry titled “Judgment of Dissolution,” “Decree of Divorce,” or “Final Order.” The date next to that line is what most agencies ask for.
Typical Proofs And Where To Use Them
Different offices ask for different paperwork. Here’s a quick guide so you don’t over-order or pay twice.
Divorce Decree Vs. Certificate
The decree carries the judge’s signature and the terms. A certificate or verification letter is a brief abstract with county, parties, and dates. Many HR desks accept the abstract; courts and passport offices usually want the decree.
Fast Links To Official Guidance
You can read the USAGov page on divorce decrees and certificates, and you can look up state vital offices on the CDC’s Where to Write for Vital Records. Both list what each state provides and how to order.
What You’ll Need Before You Request
Gather a short packet so each office can find the file without delays. If you’re mailing a request, include a self-addressed stamped envelope and a phone number in case staff need a small clarification.
| Item | Why It Matters | Where It Appears |
|---|---|---|
| Both Parties’ Full Names | Matches the index and avoids false hits | Marriage license, prior filings, ID |
| Previous Names | Captures maiden or hyphenated names | Marriage file, older IDs |
| County And State | Targets the correct court and vital office | Family residence or filing county |
| Estimated Year | Speeds clerk searches and fee quotes | Old mail, lease changes, tax records |
| Case Number | Direct path to the docket and decree | Attorney file, certificate of record |
| Photo ID | Needed if you’re a party to the case | Driver’s license or passport |
| Payment Method | Covers copy and certification fees | Money order, card, or cash |
Costs, Limits, And Privacy Rules
Fees vary by state and copy type. Certificates and verifications usually cost less than certified decrees. Many states issue only a certificate at the state level; get the decree from the county court.
Who Can Order What
Many states let anyone order a certificate or verification letter. Certified copies of the decree can be limited to the parties, attorneys, or those with a court order. If you’re not eligible for a certified copy, ask for a plain copy or a docket printout that shows the judgment date.
When Files Are Sealed
Parts of a family file can be closed for safety or privacy. If the decree is sealed, the docket often still shows the judgment date. If even the docket line is hidden, you may be able to confirm the date through a certificate, a verification letter, or a minute order with redactions.
How to Find the Date of a Divorce In Genealogy Work
Start with the state index to catch the year and county, then call that court’s archives room. Many keep older dockets on microfilm or in off-site storage, and staff can pull the reel once you give a window of years.
Quick Fixes For Common Roadblocks
Names Don’t Match
Try middle names and nicknames. Check prior name spellings from the marriage license. If the index shows several matches, add the birth year to narrow results.
Wrong County
People often file in the county where they live, not where they married. If one party moved during separation, the case may sit in a different county than you expect. Search both counties.
No Case Number
Ask for an index search by name and year range. Once the clerk finds the case, request the register of actions or the decree copy. That document will show the judgment date you need.
What To Say When You Call Or Write
Use a short script to keep the request crisp:
“Hello, I’m requesting the divorce decree or a docket printout for [Name] and [Name], filed in [County], [State], around [Year]. I need the judgment date. If the decree is sealed, please send any public docket entry that shows the judgment date or a certificate/verification that confirms it.”
People often type “how to find the date of a divorce” into a portal and stop at the first hit. Keep going until you find the decree or the judgment entry line. That single line is what agencies use to lock dates.