If you’re looking for a job, you might want to know if an employer can run a background check on you and examine your divorce records. It is certainly important to know what private information can be accessed in these records. Find the answers to all your questions now.

Legal aspects

Divorce records are available to the public. This means that anyone, including an employer, can investigate them without revealing your name. In general, employers can check all vital records. It is important to note that the amount of information contained in records available to the public varies from state to state.

Usually only divorce certificates are publicly available. They contain the names of the former spouses and where and when the marriage legally ended. In some cases, the divorce decree issued by the court may also be viewed by employers and other members of the general public. It includes details about alimony, distribution of assets, custody, visitation rights, and child support.

Disclosure and consent

In most cases, employers must inform job applicants that a background check will be performed. They are also required to disclose details. This means that she will know if a potential employer will check her divorce records and other vital records, including birth and marriage records. You should be aware that employers are generally required to carry out the check through a specialized agency. Therefore, the risk of them coming across discrediting false information is quite low.

Depending on your state’s labor laws, prospective employers may ask for your consent to verify. Generally, this is the case in many states. If you do not want an individual or organization to snoop on your vital records, you must not give them your consent to do so. Just keep in mind that background checks have become commonplace and an employer will most likely not hire you if you refuse to submit to such a check.

Relevance

While criminal and credit histories are relevant to many jobs, this is certainly not the case for divorce records. Employers generally don’t care if you’re single, married, or divorced. Also, anti-discrimination laws will likely prevent them from making a decision about whether to hire someone based on their marital status. Still, the fact that you are divorced can affect the potential employer’s overall impression of you.

If you are currently looking for a job, you should certainly review divorce records and other relevant public records to confirm that there is no incorrect information about you.