Vital Records

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More national sources

• Social Security Death IndexFederal & National Vital Records Resources

Guide

Two different documents are both called a divorce record, and they come from two different offices. Knowing which one is needed saves a wasted request.

The decree comes from the court

The divorce decree, also called the judgment of divorce or dissolution, is the court order that ends the marriage. It is signed by a judge and kept by the clerk of the court that granted the divorce, in the county where the case was filed. It states the property division, support, custody and the restoration of a name, and it is the document that banks, pension plans, title companies and courts in other states ask for. Certified copies come only from that court clerk. No state health department issues a certified copy of a decree.

The certificate or verification comes from vital records

Most states require the court clerk to report each divorce to the state registrar of vital statistics. From those reports the vital records office keeps a divorce index and, in many states, issues a divorce certificate or a divorce verification. It shows the names, the date and place of the divorce and the court, and nothing about property or support. Its uses are narrow: proving that a divorce happened, finding the county and year when they are unknown, and genealogy.

Coverage and access differ by state

The years covered start at different dates, for example 1950 in Alabama, 1958 in North Carolina and Kentucky, 1962 in Illinois, 1963 in New York, 1968 in Texas and 1992 in Maryland, and some states hold indexes back to the early 1900s. Access differs too. Some states issue certificates to anyone, some restrict them to the parties and immediate family, and several keep no divorce index at all, among them Connecticut, Louisiana, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia, where the court is the only source, while North Dakota issues no copies but will help a requester find the county. The state pages linked below carry the office, the years and the fee for each state.

Key Takeaway: Need proof that a divorce exists, or the county and year? Ask vital records. Need the terms, the property division or a certified copy for a bank or a pension plan? Ask the clerk of the court that granted it.

• Common Mistake: ordering a divorce certificate when a lender or plan administrator asked for the decree. The certificate will be refused.
• Common Mistake: assuming the state index is complete. Divorces before the state began collecting reports, and in a few states all divorces, are found only at the county courthouse.
• Common Mistake: expecting the certificate to show finances. It never does. The sworn financial statement, where public, is in the court file.

CDC National Vital Statistics System National Archives, Vital Records FamilySearch.org, Free Vital Records Social Security Death Index Frequently Asked Questions How to Obtain Vital Records

Vital records, birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates, are official government documents. This guide shows you exactly how to request certified copies.

Step-by-Step Guide 1 Identify the Record Type

Determine if you need a birth certificate, death certificate, marriage license, or divorce decree. Each has a different issuing office.

2 Contact the State Vital Records Office

Each state has a centralized vital records office (often under the Department of Health). Some records are held at the county level.

3 Establish Eligibility

Most states restrict certified copies to the person named, immediate family, or their legal representative. Abstract copies may be available to the public.

4 Complete the Application

Download the official application form from the state's vital records website. Fill it out completely, errors cause delays.

5 Pay the Fee & Submit

Fees typically range $10, $30 per certified copy. Submit by mail, in person, or online through VitalChek (a state-authorized portal).

What Records Are Available Birth Certificates Proof of citizenship, passport applications, school enrollment Death Certificates Estate settlement, insurance claims, genealogy research Marriage Certificates Name changes, spousal benefits, legal proceedings Divorce Decrees Remarriage, legal documentation, court records Frequently Asked Questions

Record guide

Useful local context without burying the official record links above.

At a glance

Vital RecordsCoverageAll 50 states and DCOfficial sources3Vital records3Links checkedSep. 22, 2026Using these vital record sources

Straight answers

Open only the answer you need.

What are vital records?

Vital records are government documents that record key life events: birth certificates, death certificates, marriage certificates/licenses, and divorce decrees. They are maintained by state vital records offices (sometimes called the Bureau of Vital Statistics, Office of Health Statistics, or Division of Public Health) and are among the most legally significant public records in the United States.

How do I order a birth certificate?

Contact the vital records office in the state where you were born. Most states offer online ordering through VitalChek or their own portal, mail-in requests, or in-person pickup. You will need government-issued photo ID and, in some states, proof of relationship. Fees range from $10-$30. Processing is typically 2-6 weeks by mail.

How do I get a marriage certificate?

Marriage certificates are issued by the county clerk where the marriage license was obtained (not necessarily where the ceremony occurred). Contact the county clerk's office or the state vital records office. Many counties offer online ordering. Fees range from $5-$20.

How do I get a divorce decree?

Divorce decrees are filed with the court that granted the divorce (usually the county superior/district/family court). Contact the court clerk's office. Some states also maintain divorce records at the state vital records office. Certified copies typically cost $10-$25.

Who can access vital records?

Access varies by state and record type. Generally, the person named on the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, and authorized government agencies can obtain certified copies. Many states make older records (50-100+ years) available to the general public for genealogy research. Informational (non-certified) copies are available to anyone in some states.

What is the difference between a certified and informational copy?

A certified copy bears the official seal and signature of the issuing authority and is accepted as legal proof for government, financial, and legal transactions. An informational copy contains the same data but is marked "not for legal purposes" and cannot be used for official business. Certified copies cost more and have stricter eligibility requirements.

Can I search vital records for free?

Many states offer free online vital records indexes that let you search names and dates. However, obtaining a certified copy always requires payment. Free genealogy resources like FamilySearch.org provide access to historical vital records indexes. The Social Security Death Index is free to search.

How long does it take to receive vital records?

Processing times vary: online orders via VitalChek take 5 - 15 business days. Mail requests can take 4 - 8 weeks. Expedited in-person service is often same-day at county offices.

All states