How to Obtain a Copy of Your Divorce Decree: Steps and Costs

To get a copy of your divorce decree, contact the clerk of court in the county where the divorce was finalized. That office holds the signed order and can issue either a plain copy or a certified copy, usually for a small fee, and most clerks accept requests in person, by mail, or online.¹

Make Sure You Want the Decree, Not the Certificate

A divorce decree is the full court order signed by the judge. It lays out property division, custody, support, and debt allocation. A divorce certificate is a much shorter record kept by a state vital records office confirming that a divorce happened, with the names, date, and location, and nothing about the terms.

A certificate can be enough for a name change or to prove you’re legally single. Anytime someone needs the actual terms, such as a lender reviewing your obligations, an immigration attorney, or a court enforcing a custody order, you need the decree. When you’re not sure which one to request, get the decree.

What the Clerk Will Ask For

The clerk’s office will want the full legal names of both former spouses as they appeared on the original filing, the approximate date the divorce was finalized, and the county where it was granted.¹ If you don’t know the exact date, an approximate year is usually enough.

The most useful thing you can hand them is the case number, sometimes called a docket or index number. It was assigned when the petition was first filed and it appears on every piece of paperwork from the case. Old motions, temporary orders, or letters from your attorney will show it near the top.

If You Don’t Have the Case Number

You can still get your decree. Many courts have an online case index that lets you search by party name. Look on your county court’s website for a “case search” or “records lookup” tool. If there isn’t one, call the clerk. They can search by names and an approximate year. That search sometimes takes longer and can carry a small fee, which is why having the case number saves time.

Where to Send the Request

The only office holding your actual decree is the clerk of court in the county or city where the divorce was granted.¹ State vital records offices handle birth and death certificates and may issue a divorce certificate or verification, but they do not have the decree. A state health department contacted for a decree will point you back to the court.

If you’ve moved out of state, you still have to go through that same county. You don’t have to appear in person; mail and online requests handle the distance.

Older or Archived Files

For divorces that are decades old, the file may have been transferred to a state or regional archive, especially for cases predating electronic records. If the clerk says they no longer hold your file, ask where it was sent. Many states run digital archives searchable by name, and your state archives office is the next stop when the courthouse comes up empty.

How to Submit the Request

In Person

Going to the clerk’s office is the fastest option. Bring a valid photo ID, your case information, and payment. You’ll fill out a short request form at the counter. Many offices can pull the file and produce a copy the same day, sometimes while you wait, and you can ask questions on the spot if you’re not sure which document you need.

By Mail

Write to the clerk of court with both former spouses’ full names, the case number if you have it, the approximate date of the divorce, and whether you want a regular or certified copy. Enclose payment; most offices want a money order or cashier’s check rather than a personal check. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope if the court’s instructions ask for one, and a photocopy of your ID if required. Check the court’s website for the exact requirements before mailing.

Online

A growing number of courts run an electronic portal for records requests. You enter the case information, pay with a card, and the court mails the decree to you. It’s more convenient than an in-person trip and faster than regular mail. Look for a “records request” or “case records” link on the court’s website.

Regular Copy or Certified Copy

A regular copy is a plain photocopy. It’s fine for your own files or for anyone who just needs to see the terms.

A certified copy carries an official stamp or seal from the clerk and a signature confirming it’s a true reproduction of the court record. This is the version you need for anything with legal weight: remarrying, a legal name change at the Social Security Administration, DMV, or a bank, pension or military benefits, mortgage or lender verification, and any court enforcement action. Certified copies cost more than plain ones, and many agencies keep the copy you submit, so order at least two if you expect to use it more than once.

Costs and Timing

Fees vary by jurisdiction. Expect roughly $5 to $15 for a plain copy and $10 to $30 for a certified copy. Some courts charge per page, which raises the cost on longer decrees. Payment is usually by money order, cashier’s check, or card for in-person and online requests.

In-person requests are often filled the same day. Online requests generally take a few business days plus mailing time. Mail requests are the slowest and can stretch to several weeks once you account for postal transit both ways and the clerk’s processing queue. If you’re working against a deadline, go in person if you can, or call ahead to ask whether expedited processing is available.

When the File Is Restricted or Sealed

Divorce records aren’t public everywhere. In many states the decree is part of the public court record; in others it’s confidential, meaning only the parties, their attorneys of record, or someone with written authorization can obtain a copy. Getting your own decree rarely runs into this, since you’re a party. If you’re trying to obtain someone else’s, check the state’s rules before paying any fees.

Some files are sealed by court order, often when minors, sensitive financial information, or domestic violence were involved. Accessing a sealed file usually requires a motion and a judge’s approval. If your own file was sealed, the attorney who handled the divorce can help with the process.

If You Need the Decree Abroad

Using your decree in another country, whether for remarriage, immigration, or property, usually calls for authentication beyond the clerk’s certification. For countries in the Hague Apostille Convention, that means an apostille, a standardized certificate foreign governments accept as proof the document is legitimate.²

Because a divorce decree is a state court document, the apostille comes from the Secretary of State’s office in the state where the divorce was granted, not from the federal government. Start with a certified copy from the clerk of court, then submit it to the Secretary of State with the required form and fee. Fees and processing times differ by state. For countries outside the Hague Convention, the authentication chain is longer and can involve the U.S. Department of State as well, so contact the destination country’s embassy or consulate for its requirements before you begin.

Skip the Third-Party Retrieval Sites

A search for “divorce decree copy” pulls up dozens of third-party sites offering to retrieve records for you. Many charge well above what the courthouse charges for the same document. Others take your payment and information, then simply forward the request to the clerk or vital records office and add a markup. Some deliver uncertified copies that won’t meet the requirements for remarriage or legal proceedings.

Go directly to the source. Find the clerk of court in the county where the divorce was finalized and submit through their official channels.¹ If you can’t work through it on your own, call the attorney who handled the original divorce rather than paying an unknown website.

1
USA.gov. How to Get a Copy of a Divorce Decree or Certificate
2
U.S. Department of State. Preparing a Document for an Apostille Certificate