How To Find Divorce Records

By Claire Dowell


The number of married couple who are filing for legal separation in the state of Oklahoma is constantly increasing. OK divorce records are considered as a public document where the residents of the state are allowed to request whenever it is needed. This was done in accordance to the implementation of the Freedom of Information Act.

Government transactions would require individuals to provide their divorce certificates in order to process some transactions. Transactions involving the couple would generally require a copy of such document. This includes insurance related matters, updating the list of beneficiaries, property and asset declaration and other matters that may require the couple's knowledge. The document is used to verify the marital status of an individual. Genealogy is also of the purpose for requesting a copy of a divorce certificate. It has information that is needed in order to update the family tree. It may not play a vital role in updating the family history but the future generations would have difficulties tracing their ancestors if this is not updated regularly. Marriage is another important event that would require validation and this is where divorce certificates are called for. Without the official divorce certificate, the application to marry again may be denied.

Just as the name itself, divorce record would have information about the separation of a married couple. The public document would show only the basic details of the separation which includes the complete names of the divorcees and their birth details. The focus of the document is on the separation of the couple such as the date and the place where it took place. One would also know the marriage details.

Not all of the details of the separation are indicated on the public file. There is information that is kept private and available only to the divorcees. Such information includes the reason of the separation as well as the agreement made about the children and the properties.

Unlike, other states where the record has to be requested at the Vital Records Section, In Oklahoma; retrieval of a divorce certificate can only be done at the county where the divorce was registered. Fees would vary per county but it should not be more than $20. To make the search, one has to provide the necessary information on the request form. It is also important that one should indicate their personal information on the request form along with the reason and relation to the owner of the record. This is because the state of Oklahoma only provides the divorce certificate to the divorcees and their immediate families. Ideally, the retrieval process can take only an hour but if there are issues in the process, it can take up to weeks.

Online retrieval of divorce records in Oklahoma is now possible. Doing the search online is easier and convenient for many. A lot of websites are now offering to do the search. One can even do a free public divorce records search through some websites. Other sites offer a fee based search.




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