are divorce papers public record
To locate your divorce papers, the Court will need the case number. If you do not know your divorce case number, you can try looking up your case online by doing an index search on the Court's Case Information Portal , searching for your or your spouse's name (party name) at the time of the divorce. Birth, Death, Marriage and Divorce Records. 1  Birth, Death, Marriage and Divorce Records The State of Michigan Vital Records Office has records of births, deaths, and marriages that occurred in Michigan and were filed with the state as early as 1867, and divorce records as early as 1897. Privacy concerns run deep when it comes to divorce records as they typically lay bare all the troubles a couple had before getting a divorce. In addition to finding out if someone has been married (and divorced) in the past, divorce records can also be used for a variety of other reasons, from financial to personal. Both parties to the marriage/civil union must both be present to file the paperwork in Room 802 of the Daley Center. You must file the paperwork by 12:00 noon in order for a judge to hear your case on the same day. 2. Domestic Relations Legal Assistance. Circuit Court and Superior Court, both plaintiff and defendant indexes (microfilm), 1871-1963. Divorce Division index (microfiche), 1964-1985. Chicago Heights, Calumet City, Blue Island indexes (microfilm), approx.1900-1964. Docket books and clerk's record books, 1871-1985 (stored off site) Marriage record corrections are handled by the clerk in the county where the marriage took place. Divorce records are court documents and must be corrected by the same court that finalized the divorce. A divorce may be highly personal, but it isn't secret. Generally, all documents filed in a court action are public records, accessible in the court clerk's office and sometimes over the Internet; divorce records are no exception. Once the dissolution petition is filed with the court, divorce pleadings are generally open to public viewing. A divorce record is issued by a jurisdiction to officially annul a marriage. Divorce records are also considered public record, however, many couples choose to have their actual divorce filing sealed away from public view in order to hide nasty custody battles or to shield public knowledge of their assets at the time of divorce. To get copies of divorce documents, go to the courthouse and ask for a copy, or send a request through the mail. To visit the courthouse or send a request by mail, see directions, addresses and business hours on the Family Justice Center Courthouse page. To ask for a copy by mail, send us: Your written request. · The Clerk can look your case up on the computer and get the microfilm or microfiche number. · The Clerk can then obtain a copy of your judgment on microfilm (for cases filed from 1987-present) or microfiche (for cases filed from 1970 to 1985).
Yes, divorce records are also considered public record.