Why Accessing Divorce Records Matters
Discover the importance of accessing divorce records, which are generally public and vital for legal, personal, or historical purposes. Learn about the circumstances under which records are sealed and how to obtain them for different needs such as name changes, remarriage, or legal proceedings. Understand the limitations on third-party access and the significance of these records in various legal and familial contexts.

Why Access to Divorce Records Is Important
Retrieving your divorce documents is straightforward since these records are generally public. They may only be restricted if the court issues a seal on the files for legal reasons, such as protecting sensitive information like financial details or when a victim of domestic violence requests confidentiality. Notably, New York is the only state where divorce records are sealed for 100 years. These records typically include details such as the divorce date, involved parties, reasons for separation, division of assets, child custody, and support arrangements. Access is usually limited to those directly involved, with third parties receiving only basic information.
People often need divorce records for various reasons, such as name changes, remarriage, legal proof for child visitation rights, or establishing eligibility for other proceedings like child support or property claims. These records may also be useful for estate planning, verifying marital status, or as proof of divorce in legal situations. Family members may require access to records to settle estate matters, while others may seek information to trace family history or verify someone’s marital status.
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