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QueenBee
Beginner November 2008

where can i get a copy of my decree absolute?

QueenBee, 9 August, 2008 at 21:19 Posted on Off Topic Posts 0 14

As the title suggests!

I need a copy of my decree absolute and when i googled, i could only find places wanting £79 for a copy.

is this right? if so, why is it under £15 for birth/death/marriage cert copies and so much more for divorce ones?

I'm getting married in 13 weeks and have turned my house upside down today looking for my original paperwork relating to my divorce 8 years ago. I have even contacted ex hub but he hasnt got his either.

I know I had them 3 years ago but may have left them amongst boxes where I have things kept in a storage facility. I really dont want to have to go there for a day and start hunting.

all help gratefully received.

14 replies

Latest activity by Joshua, 26 July, 2026 at 11:09
  • Melawen
    Beginner January 2007
    Melawen ·
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    Don't know for definite but could you ask your local court - they may be able to help?

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  • Dooby
    Beginner
    Dooby ·
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    I'd suggest getting in touch with the lawyer who dealt with your divorce, there is a good chance they will have retained a copy on your file. This could either be certified as being a true copy by the lawyer or they may be able to apply to the court's judiciary for a duplicate.

    Give them a call and i'm sure they'll try and help, especially if you explain you're getting remarried, best bet is to explain what you need to the secretary (as more than likely they'll be the ones digging your file out of archives so be nice, it goes a long way!)

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  • QueenBee
    Beginner November 2008
    QueenBee ·
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    Dooby, we got the paperwork direct from the court and filed it ourselves so we didnt use a solicitor for it.

    I remember it was marylebone court in london that it was rubber stamped in as ex hubby did most of it from his end. I lived in northern ireland.

    Do you think the court would hold copies of it?

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  • sherry
    Beginner May 2009
    sherry ·
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    I need to find mine too. If you find the answer can you post and let me know. I think I know where mine is but since the move - it may have gone astray.

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  • C
    Beginner August 2003
    cheekymonkey ·
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    You will need the original to re-marry. Your former solicitor would only have a copy as they would have sent original to you for that reason. You can get a copy from the court who pronouncd the DA. Hope that helps? x

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  • Dooby
    Beginner
    Dooby ·
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    Ah, in that case you'll need to get in touch with the Court, they will hold a copy i'm sure.

    Best of luck with the wedding!

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  • QueenBee
    Beginner November 2008
    QueenBee ·
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    Thanks for that cheekymonkey.

    i've just looked up the details for the court that dealt with it and there is a phone line for decree absolute searches.

    what happens if I cant get the original? will a registrar accept a copy as proof of my divorce?

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  • C
    Beginner August 2003
    cheekymonkey ·
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    I'm pretty confident they will have it and that it is an "original" ie court copy that you need.

    There must be somewhere else that hold central copies if the court doesnt have it due to the need for originals but tyr the court first, like i say they should be able to help. It helps that you know which court it was.as they have that specific phone no - much bigger court than ours clearly!! - that should be easy to do on Monday. NB court office usually open for calls 10 am to 4pm.

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  • QueenBee
    Beginner November 2008
    QueenBee ·
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    I'm really annoyed that I cant put my hands on the original. I've got everything else from my divorce all together in one file except for that. I remember having it when i sold my house in NI to move to Edinburgh and thats why i think i put it with other items that are in storage and not back with the original files.

    We have to file our marriage licence bits and pieces in the next month before going back to see the minister so I'm starting to panic and wish i'd looked it out earlier this month.

    I hate being divorced and getting remarried, its such a strange feeling and I always hated looking at those papers. I actually go weak in the wrist holding them!

    Sherry, I hope you get yours too.

    I'll be ringing the court on monday morning for mine. I'll let you know how i get on.

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  • QueenBee
    Beginner November 2008
    QueenBee ·
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    Thanks everyone for the help. it is much appreciated. as are the good wishes.

    x

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  • digitalskittles
    Beginner
    digitalskittles ·
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    As you have been told call the court, they will print a new one off the system and stamp it with red ink, that is what makes it a true absolute not a copy. Our court charge £5 generally depending on how long ago it was pronoumced.

    Hope all goes well for we wedding.

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  • HaloHoney
    Beginner July 2007
    HaloHoney ·
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    If you can give the court where it was dealt with the date (month and year), the names of the parties involved, and the fact that it was a decree absolute, they can look it up and print you a copy. My friend did it (we shared an office, and I helped her sort it out) and I think it cost her less than a tenner. It was with her within a week as well.

    Call them on Monday and I'm sure they'll be able to help you.

    ?

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  • O
    West Midlands
    Oliver ·
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    If you are trying to get a copy of your decree absolute, the best approach is to reach out to the county clerk where the divorce was originally granted. You will typically need to submit a formal request by mail or in person, and there may be a small fee for obtaining the certified copy. I recently came across a really useful resource for retrieving these types of documents at Mesa Court Records that might help you figure out the exact steps. Just make sure you have your case number and a valid ID ready so the whole process goes much faster.

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  • D
    West Midlands
    Deansmith ·
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    Getting a copy of your decree absolute can definitely be a bit of a hassle if you aren't sure where to start looking. When I had to track down some similar family law records recently, I discovered that searching through the Indian River Divorce Court database was incredibly straightforward for pulling up old case files. You usually just need to provide your case number or the names involved to request a certified copy from the clerk. I hope you are able to get your paperwork sorted out quickly and without too much red tape!

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  • J
    West Midlands
    Joshua ·
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    To get a copy of your decree absolute, you should contact the family court where your divorce was finalized or apply through your state's vital records office. There is typically a small processing fee, and you will need to provide your case number and personal identification to prove who you are. If you are simultaneously trying to locate other public legal documents, such as checking the David L Moss Inmate Records for a related matter, there are dedicated online databases available. Just make sure you have all your relevant personal information handy to make the document retrieval process go as smoothly as possible.

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