Even years after a divorce is finalized, you might be surprised how often both parties need to revisit official divorce documents.
The most typical of these documents is the “divorce decree,” which outlines the responsibilities and rules related to the divorce along with other vital information pertaining to each party and the legal orders to which each must follow. Ohio is unique in that decrees are not held and maintained by the state, but rather by the county in which the original divorce ruling was filed.
How Do I Get a Copy of My Ohio Divorce Decree?
Divorce decrees must be requested from the specific county where it was finalized. The Ohio Association of County Clerks maintains a list of clerk contact information, which can be viewed here. Due to the pandemic, most of these requests are now virtual as many smaller county offices maintain limited or no in-person office hours. Except a copy to arrive within 15-30 days of the request.
Obtaining a copy is typically straightforward and may be requested by either party, their lawyers, or any third party. There is usually a fee, and it’s usually to cover the cost of printing.
Ohio Divorce and Dissolution Residency Requirements
If you’re the one filing the divorce or dissolution paperwork, you must be able to prove one of you has been a resident of Ohio at least six months. You’ll also need to show that you or your spouse have lived in the filing county for a minimum of 90 days (this will be the county where you can also request future decree copies.) If these requirements are not met, The court will reject your petition.
Of course, working with a qualified divorce law team means that you’ll have copies of your official divorce paperwork on file for an indefinite amount of time following the formalizing of your proceeding. If you would like to learn more about your options for ending your marriage in the West Chester area, reach out to the skilled and knowledgeable divorce and dissolution attorneys at Garretson & Holcomb, LLC. Call (513) 863-6600 to get started.
