How to Get a Divorce decree in the United States

Who issues divorce decrees in the US

Divorce decrees are court documents, not vital records in the strict sense. The certified copy you need almost always comes from the clerk of the court that entered the divorce — typically the superior court, district court, circuit court, or family court of the county where the case was filed. The state vital records office may keep an index of divorces (so it can confirm whether one occurred) but will refer you back to the court for a certified copy.

If you have lost track of the original court, your state's central vital records office or judicial branch website usually offers a divorce index search by name and year. The state pages on this site point you to the correct court for each major county.

What you'll need to provide

To order a certified divorce decree, you will generally need:

Proof of identity. A government-issued photo ID such as a driver license, state ID card, US passport, military ID, or permanent resident card. Some agencies accept a notarized application instead of an ID copy.
Proof of relationship (when the record is restricted). Most states restrict full birth and death certificates to the registrant, immediate family, legal representatives, and certain government agencies. Be ready to identify your relationship and, in some states, attach supporting documentation (your own birth certificate, marriage certificate, or court appointment as executor).
Specifics about the record. Full legal name on the record, date of the event, place of the event (city and county), and the names of parents (for births) or spouse (for marriages and deaths).
The fee. Personal check, money order, or — for online and in-person requests — a credit or debit card. State fees range from about $5 to about $35 per copy, plus shipping and any expedited-service surcharge.

How long it takes

Mail-in turnaround varies enormously, from about two weeks (Vermont, North Dakota, Iowa) to nine months in some California counties. In-person and approved-online requests are almost always faster, and many states offer same-day service at the central office in the capital. If you need a record on a deadline — for example, before a passport appointment — order in person if you can, or use the state-approved online vendor.

Heads up. "Approved online vendor" almost always means VitalChek. Beware of look-alike sites that charge a service fee on top of the state fee but have no relationship with the issuing office. The state agency website lists its actual approved vendor.

Browse divorce decrees by state

Each state link below opens a guide tailored to that jurisdiction's office, fees, processing time, and rules. We cover all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

For deeper background on identification requirements and acceptable document substitutes, see an authoritative outside guide for the federal-level guidance many state offices defer to.

Common questions

Can I order a divorce decree from another state on someone else's behalf?

Sometimes. Most states allow immediate family members and legal representatives (with documentation) to order. Distant relatives, friends, and unrelated third parties typically cannot order a full certified copy of a recent record, but they may be able to order an informational or genealogical copy of an older record.

Do I need an apostille?

Only if you are submitting the certificate to a foreign government that is party to the Hague Apostille Convention. Apostilles are issued by the Secretary of State of the state that issued the certificate, not by the vital records office itself. Order the certified copy first, then send it to the Secretary of State for authentication.

Can I get a same-day copy?

In many states, yes — if you visit the central office in the state capital in person with ID and the fee. A few states also offer same-day service through approved courthouse pick-up. Mail and standard online orders almost never qualify for same-day turnaround, regardless of how much you pay.