How to verify divorce in Virginia

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Be careful. If I were him and I found out you did this, I'd break it off with you because I'd conclude you were a lunatic.

I agree.

Or he might be relieved that she was serious about not dating a married man. A friend’s BF broke it off with her after learning that she had dated a separated man for several months before his divorce.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Be careful. If I were him and I found out you did this, I'd break it off with you because I'd conclude you were a lunatic.

I agree.

Or he might be relieved that she was serious about not dating a married man. A friend’s BF broke it off with her after learning that she had dated a separated man for several months before his divorce.

That really seems less likely than somebody thinking you’re crazy to demand to see a divorce decree.

Your friends boyfriend sounds like an idiot by the way because people can be separated for a really long time for a divorce and if there’s a PSA that signed and all terms are agreed-upon you’re really just waiting in the marriage is over so that’s kind of ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ask to see his divorce decree.

"No, and also, get lost, psycho."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP- Maryland's case law search also does not provide this.

Maryland's judiciary case search website will tell you whether there was a divorce decree entered, as well as other decrees in domestic proceedings. You will not be able to access the records themselves. But you can see whether someone was granted a divorce decree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP- Maryland's case law search also does not provide this.

Maryland's judiciary case search website will tell you whether there was a divorce decree entered, as well as other decrees in domestic proceedings. You will not be able to access the records themselves. But you can see whether someone was granted a divorce decree.

Virginia courts for most counties will do the same. Find the case in the Circuit Court case search, look at Pleadings/Orders, and if the divorce was finalized it will say “Final Order of Divorce” with the date. One caveat, Fairfax County doesn’t participate in the online case search database for some stupid reason, so if the divorce happened in Fairfax, you’re out of luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP- Maryland's case law search also does not provide this.

Maryland's judiciary case search website will tell you whether there was a divorce decree entered, as well as other decrees in domestic proceedings. You will not be able to access the records themselves. But you can see whether someone was granted a divorce decree.

Virginia courts for most counties will do the same. Find the case in the Circuit Court case search, look at Pleadings/Orders, and if the divorce was finalized it will say “Final Order of Divorce” with the date. One caveat, Fairfax County doesn’t participate in the online case search database for some stupid reason, so if the divorce happened in Fairfax, you’re out of luck.

Good thing my divorce is pending in Fairfax.

[Anonymous]

He may be a "nice guy" but you are a nut job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Be careful. If I were him and I found out you did this, I'd break it off with you because I'd conclude you were a lunatic.

I agree.

I used to wonder how generations of women were gobsmacked to find that after their husbands died they were penniless and/or had another family.

ProTip for dating in 2021: always, always, always search their backgrounds. Check municipal records (civil, criminal, and traffic), marriage records, divorce filings (MD has this available online. Not sure about VA), sex offender registries (local and national), and social media including LinkedIn. Search property records as well. If you meet him online, plug his number into CashApp or email into Venmo to see if he's using his real name. Also check the same records for any city or county where you know that he's lived. (He may be here for work, but have a wife in Chicago, etc.)

I do this, but I let people know that I'm checking up on them (I don't tell them where I'm searching, just that I'm searching). No one has ever been offended, especially if they have nothing to hide. When I have found something, I ask about it and give them an opportunity to explain anything that could be explained. Sometimes there's a filing from a bitter ex. Other times it could be a huge red flag.

Protect yourselves and your peace ladies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Be careful. If I were him and I found out you did this, I'd break it off with you because I'd conclude you were a lunatic.

I agree.

NP. Have you all been married for a long time? As someone on the dating market in their 30s, I can tell you from firsthand experience that MANY men (and surely women) lie or mislead about being divorced. Maybe they’re just still separated - this seems to be common - but that’s still legally married.

Like OP, I’ve been burned. This is a real thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Be careful. If I were him and I found out you did this, I'd break it off with you because I'd conclude you were a lunatic.

I agree.

Or he might be relieved that she was serious about not dating a married man. A friend’s BF broke it off with her after learning that she had dated a separated man for several months before his divorce.

That really seems less likely than somebody thinking you’re crazy to demand to see a divorce decree.

Your friends boyfriend sounds like an idiot by the way because people can be separated for a really long time for a divorce and if there’s a PSA that signed and all terms are agreed-upon you’re really just waiting in the marriage is over so that’s kind of ridiculous.

Not the person you are responding to, but:

1. This is so common. You have no idea if you are not dating in 2021.
2. There are many implications to being legally married - or dating someone still legally married - and just “waiting until the marriage is over.” Plus, sometimes divorces never happen. Ask me how I know. Never again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Be careful. If I were him and I found out you did this, I'd break it off with you because I'd conclude you were a lunatic.

I agree.

I used to wonder how generations of women were gobsmacked to find that after their husbands died they were penniless and/or had another family.

ProTip for dating in 2021: always, always, always search their backgrounds. Check municipal records (civil, criminal, and traffic), marriage records, divorce filings (MD has this available online. Not sure about VA), sex offender registries (local and national), and social media including LinkedIn. Search property records as well. If you meet him online, plug his number into CashApp or email into Venmo to see if he's using his real name. Also check the same records for any city or county where you know that he's lived. (He may be here for work, but have a wife in Chicago, etc.)

I do this, but I let people know that I'm checking up on them (I don't tell them where I'm searching, just that I'm searching). No one has ever been offended, especially if they have nothing to hide. When I have found something, I ask about it and give them an opportunity to explain anything that could be explained. Sometimes there's a filing from a bitter ex. Other times it could be a huge red flag.

Protect yourselves and your peace ladies.

I have nothing to hide, and I would be extremely offended. I would dump anyone who did this sort of search on me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Be careful. If I were him and I found out you did this, I'd break it off with you because I'd conclude you were a lunatic.

I agree.

NP. Have you all been married for a long time? As someone on the dating market in their 30s, I can tell you from firsthand experience that MANY men (and surely women) lie or mislead about being divorced. Maybe they’re just still separated - this seems to be common - but that’s still legally married.

Like OP, I’ve been burned. This is a real thing.

I am early 40s. I was married for 10 years and I’m divorced. I think you all are crazy. I’m sure it happens occasionally but it seems ludicrous to ask somebody to see a divorce decree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP- Maryland's case law search also does not provide this.

Maryland's judiciary case search website will tell you whether there was a divorce decree entered, as well as other decrees in domestic proceedings. You will not be able to access the records themselves. But you can see whether someone was granted a divorce decree.

Virginia courts for most counties will do the same. Find the case in the Circuit Court case search, look at Pleadings/Orders, and if the divorce was finalized it will say “Final Order of Divorce” with the date. One caveat, Fairfax County doesn’t participate in the online case search database for some stupid reason, so if the divorce happened in Fairfax, you’re out of luck.

This is not accurate. Google "fairfax county court cases" and choose the 2nd result. You can absolutely pull up Fairfax Co. court cases, just not using the same search that works for most other counties in VA.

[Anonymous]

You cannot look up circuit court cases for Fairfax County online.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP- Maryland's case law search also does not provide this.

Maryland's judiciary case search website will tell you whether there was a divorce decree entered, as well as other decrees in domestic proceedings. You will not be able to access the records themselves. But you can see whether someone was granted a divorce decree.

Virginia courts for most counties will do the same. Find the case in the Circuit Court case search, look at Pleadings/Orders, and if the divorce was finalized it will say “Final Order of Divorce” with the date. One caveat, Fairfax County doesn’t participate in the online case search database for some stupid reason, so if the divorce happened in Fairfax, you’re out of luck.

This is not accurate. Google "fairfax county court cases" and choose the 2nd result. You can absolutely pull up Fairfax Co. court cases, just not using the same search that works for most other counties in VA.

Divorces are handled by the Circuit Court, not the General District Court.