Dealing with a divorce can be stressful, and you may be even more stressed when wondering about who might be able to view your divorce filings. While divorce filings can be public record, there are certain access laws and disclosure regulations that vary by state and limit access to divorce filings. Our article tells you more about divorce filings and how they might be accessed as part of the public record.
What is a Public Record?
Public record is a record of civil, criminal, and public information maintained by each state. Public record information contains details such as a person’s name, their property information and details on property taxes, criminal arrest information, sex offender status details, and civil court details, such as time spent in civil court for evictions, bankruptcies, and divorces; you can find this information on sites such as PublicRecord.com.
States have varying laws when it comes to the maintenance and disclosure of public record information, and some public record information can only be accessed when an official background check is conducted.
However, plenty of public record information is accessible by any member of the public through libraries, county courthouses, state records offices, and Vital Records offices.
Are Divorce Filings Public Record?
Divorce filings are typically public record, as divorce cases are handled in civil court, and the majority of civil court records are accessible by the public. However, this does depend on specific state disclosure laws and public record access laws. For example, divorce filings may only be visible on public record after the divorce has been completed, or you may only be able to see historical divorce filings and not those from the last few months.
You can look for divorce filings on the public record by visiting your state’s Vital Records office. Virtually every state has this office, and it is usually connected to your state’s Department of Health. In some cases, access to divorce filings may be limited to immediate family members, such as sisters and brothers of the divorce, for at least a certain period of time (for example, in the state of Virginia, this time limit is 25 years).
We recommend checking with your state’s specific divorce records law so you know what to expect when it comes to accessing your own and others’ public divorce filings.
Can I Hide My Divorce From the Public Record?
It is generally not possible to hide your divorce from the public record; most states consider divorce records part of the public record, and these civil court records can be found listed on local court websites or within county records offices.
If you truly have concerns about your divorce records being accessed by members of the public, you may want to consider filing for a protective order. Most states offer a method of hiding certain parts of your public information, such as your address, employer, and certain civil court records, due to safety concerns. Your divorce lawyer can provide you with further guidance and help you complete this process as necessary.
Can People Find My Marital Status Online?
It is possible for people to find your marital status online, especially if you post about it or if you live in a state where civil court records are easily accessible via county records offices. You should always keep in mind the potential for your divorce information to be part of your state’s public record, and consult your divorce attorney if you are concerned about your divorce records.
How Do I Look Up Someone’s Divorce Status?
If you want to look up someone else’s divorce status, you can do so by using the public record filings office in your county or by checking online civil court records. You can also use a convenient online search tool and simply type in the person’s name to see if they have any applicable marriage or divorce records.
If the above search methods don’t give you the information you need, you can always check someone’s social media profile to see if you can find information about their divorce status.
Keeping Tabs on Your Divorce Filing
Going through a divorce can be stressful, and you no doubt want to make sure that you understand where exactly your divorce filing information is shown and whether or not others can access these details. In general, divorce filings are considered public record in most states, but this does depend on your specific state’s public access and disclosure laws. Check with your divorce attorney or read up on public record law in your state to get the most situation-specific information.
Also read: Collaborative Divorce vs Litigation: Understanding Your Options and Finding the Right Fit
