Searching Marriage Records

Dear HelpUSplease:

Greetings. No, I do not know of any simple way to search this. One way is to stop paying the alimony (put the money in a bank account though in case you do have to pay it later) and allege that she is married. Let her refute it.

No, it would not be considered fraudulent, but you may be able to recover the amount paid after the date of her marriage. As to consequences, it depends on the type of document alimony is being paid pursuant to. Good luck.

Janet L. Fritts
Attorney with Rosen Divorce
4101 Lake Boone Trail, Suite 500
Raleigh, North Carolina 27607
919.787.6668 main phone
919.256.1665 direct fax

10925 David Taylor Drive, Suite 100
Charlotte, North Carolina 28262
704.644.2831 main voice
704.307.4595 main fax

The response posted above is based upon the limited factual information made available and is not intended as a full and complete response to the question. The only reliable manner to obtain complete and adequate legal advice is to consult with an attorney, fully explain your situation, and allow the attorney sufficient opportunity to research the applicable law and facts required to render an accurate opinion. The basic information provided above is intended as a public service but a full discussion with an attorney should be undertaken before taking any action.

I wondered if there is a simple way to search vital records, specifically marriage records. We have reason to believe that my fiance’s former spouse got married in South Carolina or Tennessee recently and she currently receives alimony. I called the NC & SC & TN State Vital Records offices and they said that they don’t usually get marriage record information from the county offices until 90 days after the marriage took place. Do attorney’s have a way of finding marriage licenses quicker and more effectively? If she did run off and get married secretly and is collecting alimony, is this considered fraudulent? What are the consequences of this type of behavior? Thank you for your response. This is an excellent website!