I ask if there were previous marriages, and if so, how long the divorce decree has been final, and where it was granted.

However, many states have recently required separation periods prior to a formal divorce decree.

They obtained a divorce decree that merged the separation agreement.

It takes ten to fifteen days to obtain a divorce decree.

In at least a half-dozen states, this record keeping authority extends to civil acts, such as marriages, birth certificates, and adoption and divorce decrees.