NC Vital Records: Divorce Certificates
NC Vital Records has copies of divorce certificates from 1958-present. Divorce certificates may also be obtained from the Clerk of Court in the county where the divorce is filed.
Information on Certificate
Divorce certificates indicate the names of the two persons who obtained the divorce, who initiated the divorce proceeding (plaintiff and defendant), dates of marriage and separation, and some other pertinent information. For additional case source documentation and details, contact the Clerk of Court in the county where the divorce was filed.
Divorce Certificate Ordering Options
Ordering options are listed on our Order a Certificate page, which includes links to forms and fees, depending on the ordering option you want to use.
Before placing your certificate order, we recommend you check the processing dates page for estimated processing and shipping dates to determine if estimated timeframes would meet your needs. If not, you may want to consider ordering the divorce certificate from the Clerk of Court in the county where the divorce is filed.
Fees
- $24 nonrefundable standard certificate search fee per three-year period (includes one copy of the certificate, if a record is found).
- Applicable processing and shipping fees.
- See our fees page for a detailed fees table.
Amendments
For divorce certificate changes, contact the county Clerk of Court where the divorce was filed. NC Vital Records can assist with changes to a birth or death certificate. Our office does not handle changes to divorce certificates.
Check Order Status
- If you've already placed an order through our office and need to check status, check our processing dates page to determine general processing timeframes.
- If you placed an order through the county Clerk of Court, then contact the specific Clerk of Court for status.
Separation and Divorce Filing Process
NC Vital Records does not process divorce filings. Required divorce documents must be filed with the Clerk of Court in the county where either you or your spouse lives.
- NC Judicial Branch: Separation and Divorce
- NC Judicial Branch: Divorce and Marriage
- NC Judicial Branch: North Carolina Divorce Packet
- Outlines requirements and process to get an absolute divorce in North Carolina.
Last Modified: April 3, 2026