Ohio Divorce Records Free Copy Online

By Claire Dowell


The Office of Vital Statistics, Ohio Health Department is in-charge of the safe-keeping of public records, including Ohio Divorce Records. Public records are filed at the county clerk of courts and not at the Health Department. But all records are forwarded to the Health Department because they maintain the state's central repository. The department keeps divorce records dating back from 1954 up until today.

Since divorce records are not filed directly at the State Health Department, the department cannot issue certified copies of the records. They are only allowed to provide a copy that is abstract in form with particulars that prove the validation of a divorce. An abstract copy includes the name of the husband and the wife, their birthdays, date and place of divorce, and others. Particulars that are confidential are kept hidden from the public and can only be viewed by the husband, the wife, their respective lawyers, and other parties as specified by law.

There are corresponding charges for each time you request for the documents. The charges depend on the county where the documents are kept, the style of requesting used, and how much details you can give concerning the documents. Basically, if you can provide more details, the shorter the return time will be and the lesser the cost. If you can only supply a few details, then expect the process to be longer and you will be charged with more. All charges can only be paid through check or money order.

Public agencies, including the Office of Vital Statistics, Ohio Health Department, maintain their respective official websites. There is a downloadable application form on the website for those who want to request for divorce files. The divorce section of the form should be completed appropriately like the fields that ask for the names of the bride and the groom, and when and where the divorce occurred. There are certain rules and guidelines that need to be followed when requesting for the files at the Health Department or at the clerk of court. Failure to follow any of the rules and guidelines will result to a request to be denied.

Divorce records can also be retrieved through private websites. You do not need to worry about any legality issues because these websites have the authorization from the court to provide such records to the public. Some sites provide the records for free while others render a certain amount of fee. Before choosing which website to use, make sure that you run a background check on them so that you will know if they have a good track record or not.

If you do not have a clue as to which state the Records of Divorce are kept, find a search tool that lets you do a nationwide search and sustains a database that is linked with the database of other states. Follow directions by the detail and you will get results in no time at all.




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