Divorce Records Search Key Terms

Learn divorce record terminology to help your records search go smoothly.

There are many types of divorce records. These records can document alimony or spousal support, child support, child support orders, the divorce decree itself, dissolution and custody documents. Many of the free records are available from state sites such as the health department of a particular state. Going to the state sites can give you the opportunity to search by name. Descriptions of the various records can help you to know what types of records are generated as part of a divorce proceeding.

 

Alimony, spousal support

Alimony is financial support that one spouse is required by law to give to the other spouse as part of a divorce settlement. The courts determine the amount and the duration of the alimony, which can also be referred to as spousal support.
Try: Lovetoknow.com describes what alimony is and what goes into the legal decision that determines the amount and length of alimony.

Child support orders

Child support orders stipulate that one parent is required to pay support for the children involved in a divorce. Generally, this is done through garnished wages by a social service agency.
Try: The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services explains what child support is, how it is legislated, and collected. Sites of other states also offer extensive information to help residents of that state abide by state rules.

Dissolution

Dissolution is a mechanism by which to end a marriage without assessing blame to one partner or the other, as is the case in a divorce. This process is thought to lead to a more amicable divorce than a divorce proceeding. The end product is the same, termination of a marriage.
Try: The Washington Bar Association defines terms and explains the many aspects of ending a marriage.

Petition for divorce

The petition for divorce is the document filed by a person requesting a divorce. The petition lays the factual groundwork for the divorce proceeding.
Try: FindLaw defines what a petition for divorce is. The site explains that the petition may vary state to state but has similar required information. A list of common information is on the site.

Custody

Custody is the arrangement that is made for children in a divorce.
Try: The site of the American Psychological Association discusses parental rights and arrangements for children.

Marriage license

A marriage license is a record of two people getting married. It is filed within the court system. This record is often looked up as part of a divorce proceeding.
Try: US Marriage Laws has links to the sites of every state which explain what you need to bring to get a marriage license. It explains generally what will be expected.

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