Quick Overview
- This varies significantly by state and case type, but the general pattern is: For more information, visit the HHS family resources.
- Despite restrictions, some family court information reaches the internet through: For more information, visit the OJJDP.
- Divorce records: The fact of a divorce (filing and final decree) is generally public.
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Are Family Court Records Public in the US?
This varies significantly by state and case type, but the general pattern is: For more information, visit the HHS family resources.
- Divorce records: The fact of a divorce (filing and final decree) is generally public. Financial details within the proceedings may be restricted. Many states restrict access to divorce files beyond the basic judgment.
- Child custody and support: Generally restricted or confidential in most states to protect children
- Domestic violence and protective orders: Often publicly accessible (so victims can verify a restraining order), but some states restrict the file beyond the order itself
- Adoption: Sealed in nearly all states
- Child abuse and neglect: Confidential in virtually all states
- Juvenile delinquency: Sealed in most states
How Family Court Records Reach Google
Despite restrictions, some family court information reaches the internet through: For more information, visit the OJJDP.
- Divorce court index entries: Many courts index divorce filings by name in their public court portals - the filing date and case number may be visible even if the file itself is restricted
- Public divorce decrees: In states where divorce decrees are part of the public record, they may be indexed by legal aggregators
- High-profile cases: Celebrity or newsworthy family court proceedings receive news coverage, and many courts allow journalists to observe family court proceedings
- Data broker sites: Aggregate public record data that includes divorce and marriage records from vital statistics, which are separate from (and sometimes less restricted than) court records
Removing Family Court Records from the Internet
If family court information appears online:
- Data broker opt-outs: Effective for people-search sites showing divorce or marriage information drawn from vital statistics records
- Court portal review: Contact the court clerk to confirm whether your case appears in the public portal and request restriction if it should be confidential under your state's law
- Google de-indexing: Request removal of pages displaying private family court information
- News site outreach: For published news coverage, outreach to the publication is possible but success varies
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Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on the state and case type. Divorce cases are often partially public (filing and final decree accessible, file restricted). Child custody, support, adoption, and child abuse proceedings are typically restricted or confidential. The trend is toward greater privacy protection in family court - most states restrict public access to family court case files more than they restrict criminal or civil court records.
In most states, the fact of a divorce (the filing and final decree) is public record, while the detailed contents of the divorce file may be restricted. Some states treat divorce records as fully public; others restrict access to the file beyond the basic judgment. Vital statistics records of divorce (maintained separately from court records) are often publicly accessible and appear in data broker databases.
Generally no - child custody records are restricted from public access in most states to protect children's privacy. The custody order may appear in the case docket, but the supporting documents (financial disclosures, guardian ad litem reports, child interviews) are typically sealed. Some states make the final custody order publicly accessible while keeping the process confidential. Check your specific state's rules for family court access.
Yes, in most jurisdictions domestic violence restraining orders and civil protective orders are public record - the public nature of these orders is important so courts and law enforcement can verify them. The underlying petition and supporting documents may be more restricted, but the order itself is generally accessible. Some states restrict public online access to protective order information for victim safety reasons.
If divorce records appear on data broker sites (drawing from vital statistics records), opt-out requests can be effective. If they appear on a court portal, contact the court clerk to confirm whether the record should be publicly accessible under your state's family court confidentiality rules. Google's removal tools can be used for pages displaying information that should be confidential. News coverage of family court proceedings is an advanced category: removal often runs through publisher outreach and may also involve Google de-indexing.
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