How to obtain original physical copy of Final Divorce Decree and Marriage Certificate from Texas

[Being Real 0]

Hello, I have a question here for ROC i751, how do I obtain an original physical copy/paper form of my final divorce decree with wet signs and seal and also my original marriage certificate in physical form from Texas?  I am so confused by trying to search it online. I require the original paper form not email form of the divorce decree with original wet sign and seal, not certified copy as my divorce lawyer never gave me one, because I searched for it in my documents I had. I am sooo very confused on where to get it from. Please help and guide me. My local office is Los Angeles, California . But I was married and divorced in Texas.

Thanks

[SteveInBostonI130 3,329]

You need a divorce decree with proper seals/stamps.  The original one signed by the judge is not needed.  Actually, I believe that one stays with the court and is not given to the divorcing parties.

 

You should be able to contact the court and ask them to mail it to you.  Also, you should be able to contact the city/town clerk to get you the marriage certificate.

Edited October 22, 2021 by SteveInBostonI130

[TBoneTX 43,517]

If you want a copy of your divorce certificate (like a birth or marriage certificate), Texas doesn't provide these (!).  You need to request a "letter of divorce" from the Bureau of Vital Statistics, an outfit that can't find either butt-cheek with both hands plus outside help.

 

The District Clerk in the jurisdiction where you divorced might be able to advise you on the availability of your divorce decree, but they almost certainly won't surrender the original; a certified copy may be all that they can provide... and they might refer you to the BVS.

 

All that you can do is telephone the BVS and hope that you don't reach a clueless, stonewalling idiot.

[Mike E 11,730]

This will vary by the county where the marriage took place and the county where the divorce took place.  Start with the web sites of each county.  
 

I was faced with a similar issue and determined that a day trip back east was the best way to get a certified physical copy of my divorce decree. 
 

For example El Paso County Texas:

 

https://www.epcounty.com/districtclerk/servicesCivil.htm

 

> Can I get a copy of my divorce decree?

Edited October 23, 2021 by Mike E

[Dianalorena 1,153]

Wait, I need an original? ex only sent me a scan through e-mail, no one had mentioned this to me! 

running to the district clerk get a certified copy! 

 

[Mike E 11,730]

5 minutes ago, Dianalorena said:

Wait, I need an original? ex only sent me a scan through e-mail, no one had mentioned this to me! 

running to the district clerk get a certified copy! 

 

Yes you need an original at the interview. You will need an original if you ever petition an alien spouse for an immigration benefit too. 

Edited March 8, 2022 by Mike E

[Dianalorena 1,153]

6 minutes ago, Mike E said:

Yes you need an original at the interview. You will need an original if you ever petition an alien spouse for an immigration benefit too. 

I am the beneficiary, 

but I am truly surprised I hadn't read this anywhere before! the official interview document just says bring the final divorce decree which I do have, no mention of it needing to be certified. the clerk takes 10-14 days and my interview is on the 31st so I'll be cutting it close, I feel so dumb now

 

 

[Mike E 11,730]

Just now, Dianalorena said:

I am the beneficiary, 

Yes. Filing for a divorce waiver RoC today. Tomorrow you might be a petitioner (I-130, N-400). In either case you need original evidence of divorce.  
 

Just now, Dianalorena said:

but I am truly surprised I hadn't read this anywhere before! the official interview document just says bring the final divorce decree which I do have, no mention of it needing to be certified.

Yes my lawyer emailed me a divorce decree too. Perfectly acceptable for an I-129F but I knew it would be useless for a consular and USCIS interview. 
 

We are on the cusp of going to a completely digital, electronically verifiable document system but we aren’t there yet.  
 

Just as State and/or USCIS required your original or certified birth and marriage certificates when you immigrated, the government needs your original or certified divorce decree.  Or the original or certified death certificate of the former spouse. 

[Dianalorena 1,153]

1 minute ago, Mike E said:

Yes. Filing for a divorce waiver RoC today. Tomorrow you might be a petitioner (I-130, N-400). In either case you need original evidence of divorce.  
 

Yes my lawyer emailed me a divorce decree too. Perfectly acceptable for an I-129F but I knew it would be useless for a consular and USCIS interview. 
 

We are on the cusp of going to a completely digital, electronically verifiable document system but we aren’t there yet.  
 

Just as State and/or USCIS required your original or certified birth and marriage certificates when you immigrated, the government needs your original or certified divorce decree.  Or the original or certified death certificate of the former spouse. 

this is bonkers to me. the clerk was such a nightmare but I am pressing to make sure I get it in time!

 

[Mike E 11,730]

28 minutes ago, Dianalorena said:

this is bonkers to me

 

Since it’s easy to print anything (and thus forge anything) with a modern personal computer it seems reasonable to require verified or original documents with seals.  

[Dianalorena 1,153]

On 3/8/2022 at 11:34 AM, Mike E said:

Since it’s easy to print anything (and thus forge anything) with a modern personal computer it seems reasonable to require verified or original documents with seals.  

Yeah, I do get that. Texas divorce documents look pretty common white paper, too. 

I should've double checked before, I'm surprised it is not stated in their official interview letter and information on the website 

 

[Dianalorena 1,153]

I want to thank you guys for reminding me of the certified copy! 
I was able to pick it up form the district clerk's office after a round of confusing phone calls. they added a shiny star along with the signature, which makes me feel very official and accomplished.

(no sensitive data shows in my picture, but let me know if I'm not allowed to share this to remove it) 

[TBoneTX 43,517]

Picture is fine, and you are both official and accomplished.