What Happens After You Get Your Divorce Decree?

After you receive your divorce decree, you'll want to make sure you're obeying the decree and that your former spouse is, too. For example, your former spouse has obligations created by the decree, such as paying spousal support, child support, or obtaining insurance policies. You are responsible for making sure your former spouse is complying with the decree.Additionally, if your former spouse must pay all or part of the marital debt, you'll want to make sure your ex is doing that. Otherwise, you could still be held responsible for the debt.After you get your divorce decree, make sure you:Read the decree for accuracy Ask your attorney if you have any questions File an appeal immediately if you're not happy with the judge's decision after a trial Change your will Change beneficiaries on your insurance policies Update emergency contacts for your child's school Change your power of attorney Put savings and checking accounts in your name only Cancel or change credit cards Bring your former spouse back to court if the former spouse is violating the decree Bring the case back to court if you need to change spousal or child support later

Divorce Decree vs. Divorce Certificate: What's the Difference?

Q: What Is a Divorce Decree?

A divorce decree is a court document that is a final judgment from divorce court. It contains information about your case including spousal support, child support, custody, visitation, property division, and other information.Only a court can issue a divorce decree. You receive it at the end of your case. If your case went to trial, your divorce decree will indicate the terms of the judge's decision and will act as a judgment that both parties must obey.If you didn't go to trial but settled your case instead, the divorce decree will contain the terms of the settlement. The decree still acts as a final judgment, but you and your former spouse have decided upon the terms of your own divorce without the court's input.Settling your case takes the decision out of the hands of the judge so long as the decision is not outrageous or one-sided. If it's one-sided, the judge will usually intervene to help you work out the terms of your settlement.

Q: What Is a Divorce Certificate?

A divorce certificate is a completely different document from a divorce decree. A certificate is not prepared by a court. Instead, your state's health department or bureau of vital statistics issues the certificate. This is usually the same place where you get your birth certificate.Unlike a lengthy divorce decree, a divorce certificate is a simple document that shows:You are divorced The names of both former spouses The date of the divorce The place of the divorce

After a divorce it's helpful to understand what the documents are, and where you should go to get them.

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Ronna L. DeLoe, Esq.

Ronna L. DeLoe is a freelance writer and a published author who has written hundreds of legal articles. She does family law appeals in New York and has spent many years as a matrimonial and family law litigator. She majored in History and in English with a specialization in creative writing at Binghamton University. She graduated from Syracuse Law School and was a member of Syracuse Law Review.

What is a divorce decree?

A divorce decree is the official court document that serves as the final judgment in your divorce case. Only a court can issue this legally binding document, which you receive at the conclusion of your case.

A divorce decree typically includes:

Spousal support terms
Child support obligations
Custody and visitation arrangements
Property division

Both parties must obey the divorce decree once it's issued, though the exact terms depend on how your divorce case was resolved.

How to get a copy of your divorce decree

Here's what to consider if you need to get a certified copy of your divorce decree.

Where to go: Visit your courthouse's court clerk office or county clerk's office (varies by state).
Who can request it: Typically only the former spouses or their attorneys can obtain the decree.

What is a divorce certificate?

A divorce certificate is a simple document issued by your state's health department or bureau of vital statistics—not by a court. It confirms that a divorce occurred without revealing the detailed terms of your settlement.

Unlike a divorce decree, a divorce certificate shows:

You are divorced
The names of both former spouses
The date of the divorce
The place of the divorce

Uses of a divorce certificate

A divorce certificate is used for limited purposes, and not all states issue a divorce certificate. You can use it for:

Getting a name change
Showing proof of divorce without revealing the details of your divorce
Getting a travel visa
Getting a passport, unless your name change is not on the certificate
Inheritance purposes, to show you are single
Getting married
Anywhere you need to show proof of divorce

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This article is for informational purposes. This content is not legal advice, it is the expression of the author and has not been evaluated by LegalZoom for accuracy or changes in the law.

	Divorce decree	Divorce certificate
Issued by	Court	State health department or vital statistics office
Content	Full details: custody, support, property division	Names, divorce date, and location only
Legal authority	Legally binding judgment	Proof of marital status
Availability	All states	Not all states issue certificates

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Divorce Decree vs. Divorce Certificate: What's the Difference?

Contents

What is a divorce decree?

How to get a copy of your divorce decree

What is a divorce certificate?

Uses of a divorce certificate