Get your certified Washington Divorce Certificate

Divorce certificates are important documents that serve to verify the legal dissolution of a marriage, changes in marital status, and the date and location of the divorce. These certificates are commonly required for various purposes, including legal matters such as obtaining marriage licenses, passports, and name changes; financial needs such as pensions, Social Security, and insurance; and personal records related to genealogy, legal status, or employment.

Divorce certificates are often helpful or required for:

Applying for a driver's license

Applying for a new passport

Issuing or obtaining a Social Security Card

Applying for Social Security benefits

Claiming pension or insurance benefits

Genealogy research

Claiming family inheritance

Applying for a new job

Enrolling in school

Enlisting in the military

Obtaining a marriage license

A certified divorce certificate is an important document that varies by state. Each state's vital records office incorporates unique authentication features into its certificates, resulting in differences in appearance based on the year of issuance.

Key characteristics of official divorce certificates include the presence of a raised, embossed, or multicolored state seal, as well as being printed on secure, specialized paper. The certificate must contain the registrar's signature and feature the full names of both parties involved in the divorce. Additionally, it shows the date and location of the divorce and includes a unique certificate number.

The design and security elements of these certificates can differ significantly from state to state.

• Full Name of the Person: The full legal names of the spouses.
• Date of Birth: The exact date of divorce of the spouses.
• State Seal: A raised, embossed, or printed multicolor or black and white seal of the issuing authority, which validates the document.
• Signature of State Registrar: The signature of the state registrar or authorized official responsible for issuing the divorce certificate.
• Printed on Security Paper: Printed on specialized paper to prevent counterfeiting.

In some instances, a certified divorce certificate may also include:

If you lose your divorce certificate

1. Apply for a certified replacement copy in person, by mail, or online through VRO. You must complete the application, gather the required identification and documents, and pay the fees determined by the [state vital record department name].
2. 1. For in-person applications: Present the completed application and required documents to a county health department. The [state vital record department acronym] does not accept walk-ins at its location.
   2. For applying by mail: Send your application, documents, and a check or money order for the replacement fee to the DOH-CHS at:
      itsCenter for Health Statistics Department of Health
      PO Box 9709 Olympia, WA 98507. For online submissions: Complete the application and upload your documents through VRO's website (payable by credit card online).
      
2. DOH-CHS will mail the certified copy(s) after processing.

Divorce certificate amendments are possible when information was entered incorrectly during the original preparation. The process must adhere to state law requirements and will require documentation to verify the changes. In some cases, court orders may be necessary for certain amendments. It may also be required to submit original or certified copies of supporting documents.

Common errors that may need correction include misspelled names, incorrect dates, and wrong location information. The Department of Health may require legal documentation to verify these changes, as well as court orders for specific amendments, along with original or certified copies of the pertinent supporting documents.

Typically, requests to correct or amend a divorce certificate will require the following:

• A completed amendment application
• Supporting documentation
• Appropriate fee(s)

An apostille is necessary when filing a vital record with a foreign government. The Washington Secretary of State issues apostilles for vital records initially filed with the DOH-CHS or the regional health department.

Apostilles for Washington vital records can be requested through the Washington Secretary of State or Vital Records Online. VRO provides trusted services for obtaining apostilles for birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates in all 50 US states.

If you already possess your divorce certificate and do not need to request one, you can submit requests for vital record apostilles directly to the Washington Secretary of State at the addresses below.

To order by mail, you will need to provide the following information:

1. Completed Apostille Authentication Request Form.
2. Certified copy of your divorce certificate.
3. Include Payment of $15.00 per document; checks or money orders should be made payable to the Secretary of State.
4. Self-addressed envelope only if expedited delivery is needed.

For Simultaneous Requests, you can order your vital record(s) and apostille together by providing the following:

1. Complete the correct Vital Records Certificate Form(s). On the certificate order form, you must include the country requiring the official document and the number of apostilles.
2. Pay the appropriate fees: $25.00 per certificate and $15.00 per apostille; make payment payable to DOH-CHS.
3. Send a request to DOH-CHS, who will forward it to the Secretary of State to be apostilled.
   
   Center for Health Statistics, Department of Health
   PO Box 9709, Olympia, WA 98507
   

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