Nevada divorce records are official documents generated during and after the legal dissolution of a marriage. These records include case files, divorce decrees, and certificates of divorce that provide legal proof that a marriage has ended.
Types of Divorce Records
Nevada maintains several types of divorce-related documents. Case files include all documents generated during divorce proceedings, such as complaints, summons, notices of appearance, motions, and court orders. These files chronicle the entire divorce process from filing through final judgment.
Divorce decrees represent the final court order dissolving the marriage. The decree contains decisions on critical issues, including property division, child custody and support, spousal support, debt allocation, and name changes. Decrees are typically multiple pages long and provide comprehensive details about how the court resolved all issues in the divorce.
Certificates of verification of divorce provide official confirmation that a divorce occurred. These certificates contain summary information, including the names of both parties, the date the divorce was finalized, and the county where the divorce took place. They serve as proof of divorce for various legal and administrative purposes.
What Information Do Divorce Records Contain
Divorce decrees contain detailed information about the dissolution of marriage. They identify both parties by their full legal names, specify the date and location where the divorce was finalized, and outline all court orders regarding property, children, and financial matters.
The decree addresses asset and debt division, determining which party receives specific property and who bears responsibility for particular debts. For couples with children, the decree specifies custody arrangements, visitation schedules, and child support obligations. If applicable, the decree also establishes spousal support amounts and duration.
Many divorced individuals use the decree to document legal name changes, returning to a maiden name or establishing a different surname. The decree provides the legal authority needed to update identification documents, financial accounts, and other records.
Where Nevada Divorce Records Are Maintained
Nevada divorce records are maintained at both the state and county levels, with different agencies responsible for different types of records.
County Clerk's Office
The county clerk's office in the county where the divorce was finalized maintains the official divorce case files and decrees. Each of Nevada's counties keeps its own records, so requestors must contact the appropriate county based on where the divorce occurred, not where the marriage took place.
Clark County, home to Las Vegas, handles the largest volume of divorce records in Nevada. The Clark County Recorder's Office can record divorces that have been filed with Family Court, while the Family Court itself maintains the actual case files and issues divorce decrees.
Washoe County, which includes Reno, maintains divorce records through the Second Judicial District Court. Other Nevada counties similarly maintain records through their respective district courts and clerk's offices.
State Vital Records Office
The Nevada Office of Vital Records, part of the Department of Health and Human Services, provides verification of divorces that occurred after 1986 through September 2005. This office does not maintain complete divorce decrees but can verify that a divorce took place during this timeframe.
For divorces outside this date range or for complete divorce decrees, requestors must contact the county where the divorce was finalized.
How to Obtain Nevada Divorce Records
Nevada provides multiple methods for obtaining divorce records, including online searches, in-person requests, and mail applications.
Online Access
Many Nevada counties offer online case search tools that allow the public to locate divorce cases and view basic case information. These searches typically provide case numbers, filing dates, party names, and case status, but may not include actual copies of divorce decrees or detailed case documents.
Clark County provides an online case search allowing users to find divorce records by case number, party names, or filing date. This free service helps locate cases but does not provide certified copies of divorce decrees.
Third-party websites also offer divorce record searches for Nevada, though these services typically charge fees and may only provide summary information or indexes rather than complete official records.
In-Person Requests
Visiting the county clerk's office or district court in person allows requestors to view case files and obtain certified copies of divorce decrees. Many courthouses provide public access terminals or kiosks where individuals can search for and view case documents during business hours.
In-person requests offer the advantage of immediate assistance from the clerk's office staff who can help locate records and explain available options. Requestors should bring valid photo identification and be prepared to pay applicable fees for copies and certification.
Mail Requests
Divorce records can be requested by mail by submitting a completed request form along with required fees to the appropriate county clerk's office or the Office of Vital Records. Mail requests typically take longer to process than in-person or online requests.
When requesting records by mail, include as much identifying information as possible, such as the full names of both parties, the approximate date of divorce, the case number if known, and the county where the divorce occurred. This information helps clerks locate the correct records more efficiently.
Who Can Access Nevada Divorce Records
Nevada public records statutes make divorce records generally accessible to the public, though certain information may be restricted.
Public Access
Under Nevada law, divorce records are public records that any member of the public may view. This open access reflects the principle that court proceedings should be transparent and accessible except where specific privacy concerns require confidentiality.
However, certain confidential information is excluded from public access even though the divorce record itself is public. Financial information such as social security numbers and detailed bank account information is typically redacted. Information about minor children, including their addresses and personal details, is protected from public disclosure.
Records involving victims of domestic violence or abuse receive special confidentiality protections. Courts may seal portions of records or entire cases where public access could endanger parties or children.
Authorized Requestors for Certified Copies
While anyone can view divorce records, certified copies may only be obtained by authorized persons with a proven tangible interest in the records. Certified copies bear an official seal and signature verifying their authenticity and are required for legal purposes such as remarriage or name changes.
The parties to the divorce can obtain certified copies of their own divorce records. Attorneys representing either party can request certified copies. Others must demonstrate a legitimate legal interest in obtaining certified records rather than simply general curiosity.
Uses for Divorce Records
Divorce records serve numerous important legal and administrative purposes.
Legal Documentation
Divorce decrees provide essential legal documentation of marital status. Individuals need certified copies of divorce decrees to prove they are legally divorced when applying for marriage licenses for subsequent marriages.
Courts and government agencies require divorce decrees when establishing or modifying child custody, child support, or spousal support obligations. The decree establishes the baseline from which modifications are considered.
Name Changes
Many individuals change their names as part of a divorce, often returning to a maiden name. The divorce decree provides the legal authority for this name change and must be presented when updating driver's licenses, passports, social security cards, and other identification documents.
Financial institutions, employers, and other organizations require divorce decrees as proof of legal name changes before updating accounts and records.
Property and Financial Matters
Divorce decrees establish ownership of property and responsibility for debts. When selling real estate, transferring vehicle titles, or refinancing mortgages, parties may need to present divorce decrees proving they have the legal right to the property.
Financial institutions may require divorce decrees when dividing retirement accounts, closing joint accounts, or removing a former spouse from accounts.
Privacy and Confidentiality
While divorce records are generally public, Nevada law protects certain sensitive information.
Protected Information
Social security numbers appearing in divorce records are confidential and redacted from publicly accessible versions. Detailed financial account numbers and certain financial information receive similar protection.
Information identifying minor children, including their full names, addresses, schools, and personal details, is protected. Court documents may refer to children by initials or generic descriptions rather than identifying information.
Sealed Records
Courts may seal entire divorce cases or portions of records in exceptional circumstances. Domestic violence cases often receive confidentiality protections to prevent abusers from using court records to locate or harass victims.
Cases involving significant privacy concerns, threats to safety, or highly sensitive information may be sealed by court order. Sealed records cannot be accessed without a court order, even by parties who would otherwise have a right to view public records.
Fees for Divorce Records
Obtaining divorce records typically involves fees that vary depending on the type of record and method of request.
Verification Fees
The Nevada Office of Vital Records charges $10 for verification of divorce. This fee covers the cost of searching records and providing a certificate confirming that a divorce occurred during the timeframe the office maintains records.
Copy and Certification Fees
County clerks charge fees for copying divorce records and for certifying copies. Copy fees typically range from $0.50 to $2.00 per page, while certification adds a fee of $2 to $5 per document.
Certified copies cost more than uncertified copies because they require the clerk to verify the document's authenticity and affix an official seal and signature.
Expedited Processing
Some jurisdictions offer expedited processing for additional fees. Rush service may allow requestors to obtain records the same day or within 24 hours rather than waiting the standard processing time of several business days to weeks.
Requesting Records from Specific Counties
The process for obtaining divorce records varies slightly by county, though all follow similar general procedures.
Clark County Divorce Records
Clark County processes the highest volume of divorces in Nevada. To obtain Clark County divorce records, requestors can contact the Family Court directly or use the online case search system to locate case information.
The Clark County Recorder's Office can only record divorces that have already been filed with Family Court. For copies of divorce decrees or detailed case information, requestors must contact the Family Court or the Clerk's Office.
Washoe County Divorce Records
Washoe County divorce records are maintained by the Second Judicial District Court. The Washoe County Recorder's Office does not maintain divorce records and directs requests to the district court.
Divorces are filed with the court in the county where the divorce occurred, not where the marriage took place, so individuals must determine the correct county based on where the divorce was finalized.
Other Nevada Counties
Nevada's smaller counties maintain divorce records through their respective district courts and clerk's offices. Rural counties may have limited online access to records, making in-person or mail requests more common.
Each county sets its own procedures and fees for accessing records, though they generally follow similar processes. Contacting the county clerk's office directly ensures requestors receive current information about fees and procedures.
Online Divorce Record Searches
Several online resources provide access to Nevada divorce information, though the completeness and reliability of these sources vary.
Official County Searches
County-provided online case searches offer free access to basic case information. These searches allow users to verify that a divorce occurred, locate case numbers, and identify basic case details.
However, official county searches typically do not provide actual copies of divorce decrees or detailed case documents. They serve as indices to help locate records that must then be requested through official channels.
Third-Party Services
Various third-party websites offer divorce record searches for fees. These services aggregate public records from multiple sources and may provide convenient access to records from various jurisdictions.
Third-party services vary in quality and completeness. Some provide only summary information or database entries rather than actual court documents. Individuals needing certified copies for legal purposes must ultimately obtain them from official government sources regardless of what third-party services provide.
Correcting Divorce Records
Errors in divorce records can create significant problems and should be corrected through proper legal channels.
Identifying Errors
Common errors in divorce records include misspelled names, incorrect dates, inaccurate property descriptions, or mathematical errors in financial calculations. These mistakes can cause problems when using the decree for legal purposes.
Correction Process
Correcting divorce records typically requires filing a motion with the court that issued the divorce decree. The motion must identify the error, provide evidence of the correct information, and explain why the correction is necessary.
Courts distinguish between correcting clerical errors and modifying substantive provisions. Clerical errors like misspellings can usually be corrected relatively easily. Substantive changes to property division, support obligations, or custody arrangements require a formal modification proceeding rather than a simple correction.