I need to know the date of two decree absolutes......can?

Question

I was married and divorced from the same man twice,I am now about to claim my pension and they need to know the date of each date of each decree absolute.How can I find out without it costing me anything.I can't claim my pension unless I have this information.

Answer 1

Do you have any of the paperwork left from the two divorces? If so, there will be a reference number on the court papers which you can use when you phone the court and this will mean they can find the papers or records more quickly. If you can't find the reference number, you can still phone the court. Ask to speak to the Family team, and tell them you need copies of the decree absolutes pronounced in the matter of your husband's name v whatever your name was at the time of each set of proceedings. Also tell them if you can, roughly when the divorces happened, e.g. the winter or summer or even the month if you can remember, of whichever year. If you never received the sealed copies of the decrees absolute from the court(s), they may well send you copies for nothing, otherwise it may cost you a couple of pounds. I don't think you can otherwise get the copies for nothing.

If you really can't remember at all when the divorces happened, then you are going to have to apply to the Principal Registry of the Family Division to have a search done but that WILL cost you and it may make your eyes water. So try asking your ex if he remembers, or try asking your children or other family members if they remember. Alternatively, approach the firm of solicitors you used each time - they may have to get their file out of storage if they still have it, but if you speak to the secretary she might do this and phone you with the dates, although it may take a few days for the files to come back from storage. If it was more than six years ago though, the files may have been destroyed.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Not without it costing you anything I am afraid. The Principal Registry of the Family Division at Holborn, London are the only people who can do a search in the divorce indexes, and you need to pay them for a 10 year search. The fee is currently £25, and the copy of the decree when found is sent to you from either themselves or a copy requested on your behalf from the county court.

Try:

Decree Absolute Searches

Principal Registry of the Family Division

0207 947 7017 or 0207 947 6000 (switchboard)

To apply for a search you will need to complete a Form D440 and send it to:

The Principal Registry of the Family Division
Decree Absolute Search Section
First Avenue House
42-49 High Holborn
London WC1V 6NP

You can attend in person, but they will only search a three year period while you wait prior to 1981, otherwise the standard 10-day waiting period applies. I'm told you can apply for excemption from the fee if you are receiving certain benefits.

If you know the actual court concerned and have a rough date and case number, it would probably be easier to contact the clerk of the court there direct and see if the fees are any cheaper.

Answer 3

go to your local town hall..they have all records of marriages/divorces etc ...or go to the place that you married at....they will give you valid info about the dates

Answer 4

did u keep ur divorce papers because it will be in there. u should have been told to keep them as u sometimes need them with other things. frame it like i framed my first lol