Why Your Divorce Records Matter

Along with death certificates, there are few public records that are fraught with as much emotion as divorce records. A divorce is an admittance that you and your partner have decided to discontinue your marital bond.

However, just because the filing of your divorce decree is an emotional moment you would likely rather forget doesn’t mean you should just toss it into the garbage. Like all public records, your divorce decree is an important document you may need in the future.

The Information A Divorce Record Contains
Divorce decrees vary quite a bit by state and by county, but they often carry the same basic information. The document will start by spelling out the essential information for both parties involved including names, address, dates of birth and information related to the original day you were married.

There is a section mentioning that day’s date and then finally the bottom section is dedicated to the reason why the divorce happens. Many people are surprised to learn that you do have to have a reason listed. Often times, couples go with irreconcilable differences.

Understanding Its Importance
Your divorce record is an important document to have on several levels. First, if your divorce decree is issued by a judge and there are settlement agreements that have to be followed, you may be required by law to keep a copy on file.

There could be alimony or palimony rules laid out or information pertaining to child support payments. Even if you are not required by a judge to have a copy of your decree on hand, it is a good idea to hang on to it in case you have questions in the future.

Perhaps the most important reason to hang on to your decree is in case you ever want to get remarried. Since it is highly illegal for anyone to be married to two people at once in the United States, if you have been previously married and you want to get remarried, you will have to show your old marriage record as well as your divorce decree to highlight the fact that your new marriage is legal.

Even if you have no plans to ever marry again, you need to hang on to your document, or order a new one, just in case. You never know what the future might hold.

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