Track Down Free Nevada Divorce Records

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Free Nevada Divorce Record Search

Find out if someone in Nevada is divorced, free of charge.

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Look up free Nevada divorce records made available to the public due to the Nevada Public Records Act and the Federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

Citizens need these vital records for several reasons, including verifying the relationship status of a fiancé, name changes, or genealogy research.

Divorce records are largely strewn over state and county agencies and, in many cases, may be accessed at no cost. Having the right understanding and search tools is vital to successfully finding and retrieving these records. Patrons can locate these records with a quick search, regardless of which public agency holds them.

Are Divorce Records in Nevada Accessible to the Public?

Divorce records are part of family court records in the state and are available for consumption because of the Nevada Public Records Act – Ch. 239 of the Nevada Revised Statutes. The public can view a majority of divorce records upon request without any restrictions, barring a few exceptions.

These include those records that relate to juvenile and parental arbitrations—only authorized individuals such as legal counsel and court agencies can access these records. Anyone else will need to petition the court to unseal these records.

While there is no inherent need to use third-party vendors since these vital records are public, patrons can use them as a source of divorce records as they operate within state and county statutes. Records obtained in this way cannot be used for official purposes.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) furnishes statistics on divorce rates in all 50 states including Nevada from 1990 to 2021. As of 2021, this rate stands at 4.2 divorces per 1000 persons.¹ The rate has been decreasing from the peak of 11.4 registered in 1990 with the lowest recorded at 3.0 in 2020.

These rates do not single out same sex couples but are a general census.

How To Look Up Nevada Divorce Records & Ex-Spousal Information

The search for divorce records in Nevada can be done at the state level, primarily through the Department of Health and Human Services Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH).²

Nevertheless, the DPBH does not issue certified copies of divorce certificates— interested parties must obtain these from the county where the annulment decree was issued. This is expanded on in the next section.

Patrons may search for verification of divorce events that have occurred from 1968 up to September 2005 through the DPBH – Office of Vital Records.

To search for records, interested persons can submit a divorce records search request where the applicant will provide the name(s) of the party on the record, date (approximate is acceptable) and county that the event took place. The cost for each search is $10.00. Pay the amount in credit card, money or check made out to the “Office of Vital Records.”

Mail the application to the Office of Vital Records Office in Carson City by addressing it as follows:

Office of Vital Records
4150 Technology Way Suite104
Carson City, Nevada 89706

(775)684-4242

Searching Counties & Cities in Nevada for Divorce Records

Divorce records can be found on a local scale in Nevada as well.

Searching for Nevada divorce records at the state level provides the broadest search option because it allows the requester to have access to records from all counties. When a divorce is recorded in one county, its record will not be in another county which gives the state search an edge in this respect.

Nevertheless, the state does not issue certificates—these must be sought from the county clerks throughout Nevada — specifically, the clerk’s office in the county where the divorce decree was issued.⁴

Therefore, individuals who are not looking merely for a verification that the divorce took place but need an actual official certified certificate such as for financial transactions, immigration and legal matters must contact the county.

State searches can also be sufficient for genealogy research if actual copies are not required. County offices normally cater to smaller populations which makes service from them quicker and staff may be more attentive to detail as opposed to busier state offices.

To demonstrate how to execute a free public divorce records search, the three most populous counties in Nevada which are Clark, Washoe and Lyon will serve as case examples.

For all other counties, interested parties can use these keywords to locate the appropriate public agency that issues divorce records and certificates—” [county name] County divorce records search.”

Search for Divorce Records in Clark County: The Clark County Recorder’s Office records divorces filed at the Family Court. Therefore, requesters who need to view or acquire copies of dissolution decrees will need to contact the Family Court of the Eighth Judicial District. The Clerk of Court is in custody of records from September 1909 to current.

As per the Clark County Clerk of the Court, records generated before 1909 are instead sought from the Lincoln County Clerk’s Office.

Searchers can view court records online for free using the Clark County Divorce Search Tool.⁵ Additionally, patrons can request divorce records and have them mailed or picked up at the Records Division Office at the address below.

Requesters can email the request to [email protected] or mail it to the Clerk of Court:

Clerk of Court
Attention: Records
200 East Lewis Avenue
Las Vegas Nevada 89155

Record search costs $0.50 per year and cost for photocopies is $0.50 per page pursuant to NRS 19.013. Certification of documents cost $3.00 per document and exemplifications cost $9.00.

For any questions, call the numbers listed on this telephone directory.⁷

Acquire Divorce Records From Washoe County: As with Clark County, the Second Judicial District Court holds divorce records and copies of decrees in Washoe County; searchers may benefit from noting that these are not available at the Recorder’s Office.

To commence the search, interested parties will need the case number which they can obtain by using the Washoe County Divorce Record Search Tool at no cost. They may also view divorce records in this way.

If searches cannot use the online method, they may mail in a request for search of name/case number form. The fee for the search is $0.50 per name and year searched and paid for using cash (in person only), check, money order, local business and personal check (in person only).

Submit this request to the Second Judicial District Court with a self-addressed envelope.

Second Judicial District Court
Attention: Records
75 Court Street
Reno, Nevada 89501

Copies of divorce records have a flat rate of $6.00 regardless of the number of pages. Applicants can use the online portal to make payments via credit or debit card.

Alternatively, once the case number is known, fill out the copy request form and email it to [email protected] or mail it with payment in cashier’s check or money order with a self-addressed envelope to the Second Judicial District Court at the address listed above. However, it should read, “Attention: Mail Desk”.

Patrons may also visit the Resource Center in person at the address below with the case number, ID and a form of payment such as cash, credit card or money order.

Second Judicial District Court
Resource Center
3rd floor, One South Sierra
Reno, Nevada 89501

For questions and inquiries, call 775.325.6731 or email [email protected].

Retrieve Divorce Records in Lyon County: Interested parties may view and obtain copies of divorce records from the Lyon County Recorder’s Office.⁸ These records which date back from 1970 to present are viewed and acquired online, by phone, email, fax and in person.

The quickest and most convenient way to find divorce records for free would be online using the Lyon County Self Service Web Portal. Patrons can make an online request for document copy, which costs $1.00 per page and an additional $4.00 per certified document; there is also an additional $10.00 search fee.

These requests are paid for via credit card and certificates are either mailed or picked up at the office. Postage carries a minimum charge of $1.50; call 775.463.6581 for more information on rates. The credit card vendor Point & Pay charges a 2.5% processing fee.

Interested parties can either email the request to [email protected] or fax it to 775.463.5305. Patrons may also order divorce records by calling 775.463.6581.

To obtain copies through walk in requests, visit the Lyon County Recorder Monday through Friday between 8 AM and 5 PM at the location below:

Lyon County Recorder
27 South Main Street
Yerington, Nevada 89447

In some cases, citizens may find divorce records from city recorders and clerks. The three most populous cities in Nevada are Las Vegas, Henderson and North Las Vegas. Each of these cities refer to Clark County as the source of divorce records.

To search for divorce records through official city public channels, perform a Google Search with the following syntax: “ [city name] City divorce records search.”

Searching Free Nevada State Divorce Archives for Genealogy & Lineage Research

Public divorce records are a crucial component of genealogy research and ascertaining family lineage—the main sources to find these records would be the County Clerk/Recorder for each county and the Nevada State Office of Vital Statistics.

These vital records help individuals learn more about their family members’ personalities and challenges that they faced. It should be stated that unlike marriage records, divorce records tend to be neglected when researching genealogy due to the need to have extensive knowledge to find them.

This is because divorces were rare prior to 1900 in America and more difficult to be processed than today. Additionally, due to the stigmas associated with divorce, couples would often list themselves as widowed rather than separated.

Nevertheless, requestors can obtain Nevada divorce records seamlessly through the County Clerk/Recorder for records extending as far back as 1862 to present.

In many instances, patrons may search for them in the District Courts that serve Nevada’s 17 counties. The prior link will provide access to the courts which will have online search tools to find court records including divorce records.

Even though the counties provide large swathes of records spanning many years, interested persons can additionally search for annulment records in the Nevada State Archives, newspapers and libraries:

Nevada State Archives—The Nevada State Archives has a few divorce records for the Nevada territories dating from 1856-1862. Patrons can visit the research room Monday through Friday from 10 AM to 2 PM without an appointment.

Outside these times, call 775.684.3310 to make an appointment. Requestors may also ask an archivist for more information. The address for the Nevada State Archives is listed below:

Nevada State Archives
100 North Stewart Street
Carson City Nevada 89701

Newspapers— The Library of Congress has digitized newspapers from the state of Nevada ranging from 1863-1924 which can be a source for finding divorce records.

Nevada Historical Society—The Nevada Historical Society is a viable origin for dissolution records. Interested parties can access these records using several online features found within the prior link. The records vary in data ranges with many of them dating the pre-1900’s.

How To View Dissolutions of Marriage in Nevada

Dissolutions are a decree issued by the District Courts in Nevada making them the official channel to view them.

Pursuant to NRS: Chapter 125, a marriage dissolution is the legal mechanism by which a marriage is ended and the documentation of a court’s judgment that dissolves a nuptial constitutes a dissolution of marriage record.

Naturally, these records are found at the District Courts which often have online tools that the public can access to view court records including dissolutions of marriage. As an example, the Family Court of the Eighth Judicial District that serves Clark County has an Online Divorce Index where citizens can view annulment records for free.

In the case that there is no online access, then visiting the court would be the alternative. District Courts often have computer terminals where the public can access and view court records at no cost. However, there are associated costs with printing copies as mandated by NRS: Chapter 19 – Fees —the courts typically charge $0.50 per copy.

It is also possible to request copies of divorce records by mail; contact the County District Court where the dissolution was finalized.¹¹

Nevada does not deem or recognize common law marriages initiated as of March 29, 1943 as legal institutions; by extension, the state will not grant a common law divorce.

Common law marriages occur when states acknowledge a couple as having been married without obtaining a marital license or solemnizing the union with a wedding and the subsequent acquisition of a certificate.

How To Get a Divorce in Nevada: Filing & Addressing Petitions

There are two ways in which divorces are filed in the state—a joint filing and a filing done by one of the parties.

Nevada allows for three grounds for eligibility of a divorce: the couple have lived separated for twelve months similarly to a mensa et thoro, they are incompatible and one spouse has been insane for two years.

Nevada is not an at-fault divorce state and doesn’t consider adultery in a divorce except if it had an impact on a child.

Regardless of the ground, if both partners agree on all the issues, it becomes an uncontested divorce and the state in these cases allows for a joint petition for a divorce.

Joint Filing: Joint petitions are the easiest and fastest way to obtain a divorce in Nevada.¹² Certain rights–such as right to appeal or notice of entry of decree–are waived with this type of petition. The couple will need to notarize an agreement that touches on the issues below:

• If children are present, issues such as agreed physical and legal custody, visitation schedules, child support and medical expenses must be addressed.
• Division of assets and debts.
• If either spouse needs to reclaim a former or maiden name.
• Alimony amount and length of time to receive it, if applicable.

To initiate a joint filing, both parties will need to fill out certain forms. To have a better grasp on dissolution concepts and have an outline of law and legal prerequisites to file for an annulment in Nevada, visit the Divorce Overview and Custody Overview before filling these forms.

Once completed, proceed to file the forms with the District Court of the County of residence. There is a charge for filing these dissolution papers which varies between counties, but they can be waived. Contact the District Court to acquire the exact fee; generally, however, petitioners can expect to pay between $250 and $300.

The final step is to turn in the decree to the judge for review. This decree is the filed copy of the joint petition with case number and filing date. If everything is completed sufficiently, the judge will approve the agreement and sign the Decree of Divorce.

The divorce is only final on the date the clerk files it and not when the judge signs the decree. The process is completed in 1-3 weeks.

Single Filing: It is also possible for one spouse to file for divorce on their own in Nevada if the other spouse is not willing to sign the dissolution papers.¹⁴ They will file for divorce by completing these three forms.

Read through the Divorce Overview and Custody Overview to obtain information and legal requirements for separation in Nevada.

The petitioner will then need to file the forms at their local district court; they can refer to this list of county district courts for contact details.

Fees for filing the petition vary and it is best to contact the court to ascertain this information. A spouse may request a fee waiver.¹⁵ Typically, the cost for a single filing is $300 and $400.

The next step would be to serve the defendant (other spouse) the divorce papers which are the copy of the summons and Filed Complaint for Divorce.

This is not done by the court but the spouse that is filing the divorce. The defendant must be served within 120 days of filing the complaint—if not, the applicant’s case is dismissed and they must start anew.

If the defendant is evading, the petitioner has two options: request an Alternative Service where the petitioner may serve the annulment papers by email, text, social media etc. or request a publication of the separation papers in a newspaper. The petitioner must prove to the judge that every effort has been made to reach out to the defendant.

These types of divorces can take up to 4 months.

Navigating the divorce process in Nevada requires a comprehensive understanding of laws and statutes and it is advisable to retain the services of legal counsel when filing for divorce.

The public can view and access Nevada divorce records due to state and federal statutes; equipping citizens with the right tools and guidance makes the process a more efficient and streamlined one.