Both a Divorce Certificate and a Divorce Decree indicate that your divorce has been finalized, but these two court documents are not the same, and it is important to know the difference between them. A Divorce Decree is the final document issued by the court formally dissolving your marriage. However, you can show either the decree or certificate as proof that your divorce is final for some purposes, having a Divorce Decree on hand is advisable for dealing with violations of the decree and other circumstances.
Divorce Decree
The Divorce Decree is the instrument that the court uses to end your marriage. It specifies the directives per the court’s final decisions on child custody, child support, alimony, asset division, etc. It is a legally enforceable set of orders from the court.
How Do I Obtain a Copy of My Divorce Decree Utah?
Contact your divorce attorney or the court clerk for a copy of your Divorce Decree. For a copy of the Divorce Certificate, follow the instructions below:
Divorce Certificate
The Divorce Certificate is a document maintained by the Office of Vital Records. It contains a few bits of basic information about the divorced individuals, the date the divorce was finalized, and the location of the court that handed down the final decision.
So, the certificate of divorce merely provides official documentation that the divorce happened. This is typically a one-page document, usually much briefer than the Divorce Decree.
The Divorce Certificate can be used to:
- Present as verification of divorce for creditors and others.
- Request name changes on a passport and driver’s license.
- Request a marriage certificate.
How to Get a Divorce Certificate in Utah:
To obtain a copy of the Divorce Certificate that was filed for your closed divorce case, you can contact the Utah office of vital records online or by mail.
Can you look up divorces in Utah? Yes. The Utah Office of Vital Records and Statistics maintains certificates for divorces, as well as for births, deaths, marriages, and other records.
Divorce records are available for the period between 1978 to 2010:
- For a record filed in years before 1978 or after 2010, visit the County Clerk’s office where the marriage was performed.
- For a copy of the Divorce Certificate, visit the court in which your divorce was finalized, if it was before 1978 or after 2010.
A Divorce Certificate may be requested by:
- the individual named on the certificate.
- an immediate family member.
- a legal guardian.
- the attorney for the person named on the certificate.
- Another appointed legal representative of the person named in the record.
Are divorce records public? Both marriage and Divorce Certificates become public records after 75 years.
To Order Online:
You can order a Divorce Certificate online at:
Order OnlineTo Order By Mail:
Click this Form Link and download the application. Submit the fully completed application along with the required fees and proof of identification. Allow a minimum of 3 weeks for processing and mail delivery.
If you cannot print the application, write a letter stating that you’re requesting a Divorce Certificate. Include all of this information:
- Your name or the name of the person divorced, if you’re requesting it for someone other than yourself
- The date the divorce was finalized
- The location of the court
- The maiden name of the wife, if applicable
- The parents’ names, if possible
- State your relationship to the person named on the Divorce Certificate
- State the reason why you’re making the request
- Your signature
Mailing Address:
Vital Records
P.O. Box 141012
Salt Lake City, UT 84114-1012
For Divorce Help – David Pedrazas, PLLC?
If you are struggling with issues after your divorce, such as a child custody dispute, nonpayment of child support or alimony, parent-time conflicts, etc., we can help. For over two decades, Attorney David Pedrazas has been helping people throughout Utah overcome issues during and after a divorce and move beyond the difficulties to a happier future.
