Alabama Marriage & Divorce Records: Who Holds Them and How to Order
Alabama marriage certificates since August 1936 and divorce certificates since 1950 cost $15 from ADPH. Decrees come from the circuit court.
8 min read
Loading...
Marriage & Divorce Records
54 articles
Alaska Marriage & Divorce Records: The 50-Year Confidentiality Rule
Alaska marriage and divorce records stay confidential 50 years, then open. State Vital Records charges $30 first copy; decrees come from the courts.
7 min read
Arizona Marriage & Divorce Records: No State Vital Record Exists
Arizona has no state marriage or divorce certificate. Both are court records held by the Clerk of the Superior Court in the county of filing.
7 min read
Arkansas Marriage & Divorce Records: State Copies for $10
Arkansas Department of Health issues marriage and divorce records for $10 per copy. Divorce decrees come from the circuit clerk in the county.
7 min read
California Marriage & Divorce Records: Mail-Only Since July 2026
CDPH takes mail applications only since July 2026. Marriage copies cover 1905-1999, 2001 and 2008-2025; divorce records only 1962 to June 1984.
9 min read
Colorado Marriage & Divorce Records: Verifications and County Copies
Colorado marriage licenses come from the county clerk and recorder, divorce decrees from district court. CDPHE verifications cost $25 first copy.
7 min read
Connecticut Marriage & Divorce Records: No State Divorce Record Exists
Connecticut marriage certificates cost $20 and anyone 18 or older may buy one. There is no state divorce record; decrees come from Superior Court.
7 min read
Delaware Marriage & Divorce Records: The 50-Year Marriage Release
Delaware marriage records become public 50 years after the marriage under 16 Del. C. 3110(f). Family Court certified divorce decrees cost $4.
8 min read
District of Columbia Marriage & Divorce Records: Court Records Only
DC Health has no role in marriage or divorce records. The Superior Court Marriage Bureau issues certified copies at $10 each, divorce included.
7 min read
Florida Marriage and Divorce Records: How to Get a Copy (2026)
Florida marriage and dissolution certificates run from June 6, 1927 at the state Bureau of Vital Statistics. $5 covers the search and one certified copy.
6 min read
Georgia Marriage and Divorce Records: Where to Get a Copy (2026)
Georgia holds state marriage records only for June 1952 to August 1996, restricted to the two spouses. Divorce copies come from the Superior Court clerk.
5 min read
Hawaii Marriage and Divorce Records: 2026 Rules for Getting a Copy
Since February 1, 2026 Hawaii DOH no longer keeps divorce records. Divorce copies now come from Family Court. Marriage copies need a direct, tangible interest.
6 min read
How to Find Out if Someone Is Married or Divorced (Official Records Only)
Free official routes to check marriage and divorce records, which states refuse to confirm anything, and why background-check sites are unreliable here.
9 min read
How to Get a Copy of Your Marriage Certificate: Step by Step by State
Which office holds your marriage certificate, who is eligible for a certified copy, what it costs, how to order it, and how to get an apostille for use abroad.
12 min read
Idaho Marriage and Divorce Records: Public After 50 Years
Idaho Code 39-270 opens marriage and divorce records to the public 50 years after the event. Before that, a direct and tangible interest is required.
6 min read
Illinois Marriage and Divorce Records: County Clerks Hold the Copies
Illinois issues no certified marriage or divorce copies. IDPH sells a $5 verification from 1962; certified copies come from the county clerk or circuit clerk.
4 min read
Indiana Marriage and Divorce Records: The State Holds 1958 to 2012
Indiana's state vital records office issues certified marriage records for 1958 through 2012 at $8.00 per date searched. County clerks hold everything else.
7 min read
Iowa Marriage and Divorce Records: Who Can Get a Copy and How
Iowa charges $20 per record search for marriage and divorce records, limited to entitled persons. The divorce case file stays with the county district court.
6 min read
Kansas Marriage and Divorce Records: Restricted at the State, Open at the Court
Kansas vital records are not public, but KDHE says marriage and divorce information is open at the county district court. Certified state copies cost $20.
5 min read
Kentucky Marriage and Divorce Records: $6 Copies From June 1958
Kentucky holds both marriage and divorce records from June 1958 at $6 per certificate. Earlier records are with the county clerk or circuit court clerk.
5 min read
Louisiana Marriage and Divorce Records: Orleans Parish Is Different
Louisiana's state registry holds only Orleans Parish marriage records. Every other parish, and every divorce decree, runs through the parish Clerk of Court.
8 min read
Maine Marriage and Divorce Records: A Closed Record State
Maine keeps marriage and divorce records back to 1892, but they are not public. Learn the direct and legitimate interest rule, the $15 fee, and how to order.
8 min read
Marriage & Divorce Records by State: Who Holds Them and How to Get a Copy
No federal registry exists. See who holds marriage and divorce records in all 50 states and DC, what each costs, who can request one, and how to order it.
28 min read
Maryland Marriage and Divorce Records: Verification vs the Decree
Maryland Vital Records issues marriage certificates from 2007 and divorce verifications, but the decree comes from the Circuit Court. Fees and how to order.
9 min read
Massachusetts Marriage and Divorce Records: Where Each One Lives
Massachusetts marriage certificates come from RVRS or a town clerk, but divorce records come from the Probate and Family Court. Fees, years, and how to order.
8 min read
Michigan Marriage and Divorce Records: Open to Any Applicant
Michigan law lets any applicant obtain a certified marriage or divorce record. Learn where county and state copies come from and how to order one.
9 min read
Minnesota Marriage and Divorce Records: Both Live at the County
Minnesota routes marriage and divorce records through counties, not the state. Learn where each record lives, the free MOMS search, and what copies cost.
7 min read
Mississippi Marriage and Divorce Records: How to Get a Copy (2026)
Mississippi holds marriage records at MSDH from 1926, but keeps no divorce records. Learn who holds each record, the $17 fee, and how to order a copy.
9 min read
Missouri Marriage and Divorce Records: The County Holds the Real Copy
Missouri's state vital records office issues only a statement of marriage or divorce. The certified copy comes from the county. Here is how to get each one.
10 min read
Montana Marriage and Divorce Records: Index Only at the State Level
Montana's Office of Vital Records holds only an index of marriages and divorces from 1943. Certified copies come from the Clerk of District Court. Here is how.
9 min read
Nebraska Marriage and Divorce Records: How to Get a Copy (2026)
Nebraska DHHS issues marriage and divorce certificates for $16, but only to you or your parents. Decrees come from the district court clerk.
8 min read
Nevada Marriage and Divorce Records: County by County (2026)
Nevada issues no state marriage or divorce certificates. Copies come from the county, and the CDC directory reports a state index gap from 2005 to 2015.
9 min read
New Hampshire Marriage and Divorce Records: Access and Fees (2026)
New Hampshire requires a direct and tangible interest under RSA 5-C:9 to get a marriage or divorce certificate. The $15 search fee is payable either way.
12 min read
New Jersey Marriage and Divorce Records: No Divorce Certificate (2026)
New Jersey keeps no divorce vital record. Judgments come from the Superior Court for $10. State marriage records start in 1951 and are not public.
11 min read
New Mexico Marriage and Divorce Records: County and Court Only (2026)
New Mexico Vital Records handles neither marriage nor divorce. Marriage copies come from the county clerk, divorce decrees from the district court.
8 min read
New York Marriage and Divorce Records: State, NYC and the 100-Year Rule (2026)
New York holds marriage records from 1881 outside NYC and divorce certificates from 1963 statewide. DRL 235 seals matrimonial court files for 100 years.
10 min read
North Carolina Marriage and Divorce Records: Who Can Get a Copy (2026)
NC Vital Records holds marriage records from 1962 and divorce from 1958. G.S. 130A-93(c) limits certified copies to relatives and legal-right claims.
9 min read
North Dakota Marriage and Divorce Records: County Custody (2026)
North Dakota issues no state marriage or divorce copies. Marriage records come from the issuing county, divorce records from the county where decreed.
7 min read
Ohio Marriage and Divorce Records: Probate Court and Common Pleas (2026)
Ohio keeps no state marriage or divorce record. Marriage copies come from the county probate court, divorce decrees from the clerk of common pleas.
8 min read
Oklahoma Marriage & Divorce Records: How to Get a Copy (2026)
Oklahoma's health department holds no marriage or divorce records. Learn which county office has yours, how to search OSCN, and where old records went.
6 min read
Oregon Marriage & Divorce Records: How to Get a Copy (2026)
Oregon restricts marriage and divorce records for 50 years. Learn who can order, what the Record of Dissolution is, the $25 fee, and where to get the decree.
6 min read
Pennsylvania Marriage & Divorce Records: How to Get a Copy (2026)
Pennsylvania issues no state marriage or divorce copies. Get a marriage record from the county Marriage License Clerk and a decree from the Prothonotary.
7 min read
Rhode Island Marriage & Divorce Records: How to Get a Copy (2026)
Rhode Island has no counties, so every divorce sits with the statewide Family Court. Learn where marriage certificates come from, the fees, and what is public.
8 min read
South Carolina Marriage & Divorce Records: How to Get a Copy (2026)
South Carolina holds marriage records for 1950-2023 and divorce reports for 1962-2023. Learn who can order, the $12 fee, and where the decree actually lives.
6 min read
South Dakota Marriage & Divorce Records: How to Get a Copy (2026)
South Dakota vital records are not open for public inspection. Learn who may order a marriage or divorce certificate, the $15 fee, and who holds decrees.
6 min read
Tennessee Marriage & Divorce Records: How to Get a Copy (2026)
Tennessee's vital records office keeps only the past 50 years of marriage and divorce records. Learn where older records went, the fees, and who has the decree.
6 min read
Texas Marriage & Divorce Records: How to Get a Copy (2026)
Texas issues $20 verification letters, not certified copies. Learn where certified marriage licenses and divorce decrees come from, and what the index covers.
6 min read
Utah Marriage & Divorce Records: How to Get a Copy (2026)
Utah's state office holds marriage and divorce records only for 1978-2010. Learn where newer records live, who can order, the $18 fee, and the 75-year rule.
6 min read
Vermont Marriage and Divorce Records: How to Get a Copy
Vermont marriage and divorce certificates are not gated the way birth and death records are. Order from a town clerk, the Health Department, or VSARA for $10.
8 min read
Virginia Marriage and Divorce Records: How to Get a Copy (2026)
Virginia marriage and divorce records become public 25 years after the event. Who can order a certificate before then, the $15 fee, and where decrees live.
10 min read
Washington Marriage and Divorce Records: Anyone Can Order One
Washington marriage and divorce certificates are open to anyone, with no ID or relationship proof. Fees start at $25, and state records run from 1968.
9 min read
West Virginia Marriage and Divorce Records: Where to Get a Copy
West Virginia marriage records stay confidential for 50 years, and the state does not issue certified divorce copies. Here is where each record actually lives.
9 min read
Wisconsin Marriage and Divorce Records: Rules, Fees, and Custody
Wisconsin certified copies need a direct and tangible interest, but uncertified copies do not. Fees are $20 and $3, and any Register of Deeds can issue them.
10 min read
Wyoming Marriage and Divorce Records: A Closed-Record State
Wyoming closes marriage and divorce records for 50 years. Only the parties named or their lawyer can order one. Fees, years held, and the genealogy route.
9 min read