Nevada Divorce Records: Official Certificates, Decrees, and Search Options

Nevada divorce records refer to official documentation of divorces that occurred within the state. Such records typically provide information on the parties involved in the case, including divorce dates and locations, court judgments, and settlements.

Divorce records are crucial documents for various legal and financial matters. You may need a divorce record to revert to your maiden name or to settle property disputes after a divorce. The records are also crucial for tracing ancestry.

Chapter 239 of the Nevada Revised Statutes permits the public to access most divorce information, including the names of the parties involved and the date of the divorce. However, state law restricts public access to records classified as confidential. Personal information about minors or victims of domestic abuse is generally exempt from public access.

Divorce in Nevada: According to the CDC's statistics report, Nevada has a divorce rate of 3.8 per 1,000, which is higher than the national average of 2.4 per 1,000.

Official Types of Divorce Documentation in Nevada

The official types of divorce documentation in Nevada include the following:

Divorce Certificate: Nevada divorce certificates are one-page documents that provide basic information about a divorce event. The record bears a court seal and is essential for legal processes like name changes and marriage license applications. Local district courthouses are the custodians of divorce certificates.

Divorce Decrees: Divorce decrees contain the official outcome of a divorce case proceeding. The records typically include court judgments, child custody arrangements, and financial settlements. The district court, through its family court division, provides access to divorce decrees.

Divorce case files: Divorce case files are a compilation of all documents and activities filed during a divorce case proceeding. Such records may include summons, case summaries, filed bank statements, and court judgments. You typically also find these records under the purview of local district court clerks.

Document Type	Issued By	Purpose	Contains
Divorce Certificate	District Court, via the Family Court Division.	Proof of legal divorce,	Names, date, county, case number
Divorce Decree/Judgment	District Court, via the Family Court Division.	Details of the settlement and terms	Rulings, custody orders, and property division
Divorce case files	District Court, via the Family Court Division.	Legal research and reference for related court cases	Complaints, summons, final judgments, and settlements.

Public Access and Confidentiality of Nevada Divorce Records

Most divorce records in Nevada are accessible to the general public. Under the Nevada Public Records Law, the public may view and access non-confidential divorce information. Examples of non-confidential divorce information include:

• Registrant names and addresses.
• Divorce date and year.
• Reasons for the divorce.
• Number of children in the dissolved union.

The state law, however, restricts unauthorized access to specific divorce information. Exempted divorce information is generally deemed not to be in the public interest. Examples of such records are personal bank statements and identifying details about minors and alleged victims of domestic abuse.

Nevada statutes may allow the following parties to access confidential or restricted divorce records:

• Named parties.
• Legal representatives of the Named parties.
• Government officials in the course of performing their official duties.
• Immediate family members of the Named parties.

Eligible parties are typically required to provide proof of identification before they access the records.

What Information Do Nevada Divorce Records Include?

Divorce records in Nevada typically include information on the following:

• Named parties' personal information, like names, birthdates, residential addresses, and social security numbers.
• Divorce date and location.
• Court judgment, including child custody and financial settlements.
• Summons
• Filed documents like personal bank statements, crime reports, property deeds, or tax information.
• Reasons for the divorce.

Information in divorce records may vary by county, record type, or level of access. Based on the level of access, a confidential divorce record typically contains more information than a non-confidential one.

Procedures for Locating Divorce Records in Nevada

Divorce records in Nevada are accessible through online or offline options. Online options may include searchable databases maintained by local county or court clerks. In contrast, offline options for locating divorce records are mail-in, phone, and in-person requests.

There are no specific fees for obtaining physical copies of divorce records in Nevada. Each local custodian is responsible for setting the fees, which may vary based on the document type and format.

Record Source	Office or Platform	Years Covered	Access Type	Fees
County Clerks	Local District/Family Courts	All years	Certified decrees/certificates/case files	Varies

How to Request Certified Copies of Divorce Records in Nevada

In Nevada, a certified copy of a divorce record contains the seal of the court clerk. Certified divorce documents are essential for important legal procedures, such as property settlements, name changes, and mortgage refinancing.

Interested persons may request and obtain certified copies of Nevada divorce records by following this guide:

Step 1. Identify the court where the divorce was finalized.

The district court or the family court division is responsible for issuing divorce records in Nevada. You might also find the records under the purview of the county clerks. These entities provide access to certified divorce decrees, case files, and certificates.

Step 2. Contact the clerk's office.

Inquirers may request certified divorce records via mail, online, or in person. Nevada court clerks may offer one or more options for requesting the records. Case in point: you may send an email or an in-person request to obtain certified divorce records from the Clark County district court's clerk. Inquirers must complete a request form and send it to the clerk at:

Mail address

Clerk of Court Attn: Records

Physical address

Clark County Family Court

Step 3. Provide the necessary details.

Inquirers are typically required to provide relevant information before they may access certified divorce documents. Examples of such information include the following:

• Party names.
• Divorce date and location.
• Case number (if known).
• Reasons for making a request.
• The inquirer's name and contact information.
• Proof of relationship document, such as a government-issued ID.

In most cases, you only need one or more relevant search information to obtain divorce records.

Step 4. Pay the required fee.

Local custodians have different fee schedules for certified divorce documents. The Clark County district clerk's office charges $3 per certification and $0.5 per copy of requested documents. However, you typically pay $5 for certification if you provide a copy.

Copy Type	Where to Request	Who may Order	Legal Use
Certified Certificate	County Clerk/District Clerk	All parties	Proof for remarriage, name change
Certified Decree	County Clerk/District Clerk	All parties	Legal enforcement
Informational Copy	Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH)/County Clerk/District Clerk	All parties	Genealogical/historical use

Why Search for Divorce Records in Nevada?

Interested parties may search divorce records in Nevada for reasons such as the following:

• For genealogical research: Divorce records are important for genealogical research since they contain relevant information like a spouse's maiden name, names of children, and residential address. This information may help you trace family lineage or track migration patterns.
• For background checks, intending couples may search divorce records to find information about their partner's past, including reasons behind the divorce.
• For administrative and legal purposes: You might need a divorce record for specific administrative processes like name changes and new registration of passports and driver's licenses. Other legal procedures
• To locate individuals: Divorce records are a reliable source for obtaining the most recent address of a former spouse.

How Long Are Divorce Records Kept in Nevada?

Nevada divorce records are permanently kept in the custody of official custodians, according to the state's minimum record retention schedule. Record seekers may find divorce records in the custody of the local district court clerk or the Nevada State Archives. For instance, the Clark County district clerk maintains divorce records dating back to 1901. Note that record custodians may still redact confidential information from public access, even after the parties have passed away.