Determining Someone's Divorce Status

Curious about whether the new colleague is available before making your move, or questioning the relationship status of your current partner? Uncovering if someone is divorced requires observation and a bit of research, enabling you to avoid misplaced efforts or confirm that your significant other isn't legally tied to someone else.

Checking for a Wedding Ring: A quick glance at the left ring finger, the one right next to the pinkie, can offer clues about a person's marital status. A wedding ring here is a traditional sign of marriage, but its absence—or the presence of a tan line or indentation where one might normally reside—could hint at a recent separation. Keep in mind, however, that some might remove their ring for work reasons, or opt not to wear one at all, which doesn't necessarily mean they're single.

Utilize social media platforms. Many individuals maintain an online presence, whether on social networking sites such as Facebook or Twitter, or photo-sharing apps like Instagram and Flickr. A brief search might unveil significant insights—details regarding marital status could be readily available on profiles, or there could be numerous posts featuring a spouse, including wedding photographs.

• If your search yields no results, it could indicate an attempt to avoid detection of infidelity—social media makes it challenging to conceal one's activities and relationships.

Pay attention to verbal cues. Casual conversations about weekend plans can often provide answers. For instance, if he mentions, 'my wife and I went camping,' it's evident he's currently involved.

• If you're spending considerable time together and he never references past relationships, it might suggest he's still involved.
• Excuses regarding meeting friends or showing you where he lives, particularly if they're elaborate, could indicate dishonesty.

Observe patterns in your shared activities. Does she consistently suggest restaurants in distant locations? Insist on spending time exclusively at your place? Remain unavailable on weekends? Limited availability, especially during specific hours, could imply an attempt to conceal your relationship from someone familiar with her spouse.

Take note of his vehicle. If he drives a minivan or a sedan equipped with a child seat, it's likely he has a family.

• While having children doesn't necessarily equate to being married, conflicting details such as claiming divorce while having minor or adult children may raise doubts.

Observe her phone behavior. Individuals not in a relationship with you may inadvertently reveal their status through phone interactions, such as addressing callers with terms like 'Hi, honey' or ending calls with 'I love you, see you at home.' Suspicion arises when your girlfriend exhibits secretive behavior during calls or sets strict guidelines for communication—like only allowing calls during specific hours or from her cell phone. Additionally, if she avoids answering your calls but promptly returns them from outside locations, she may be attempting to conceal your relationship from her spouse.

Trust your intuition, but avoid premature assumptions. Before making any judgments, take a moment to reflect on why you're seeking this information. If it's about potential romantic interest, it's often best to be direct and inquire about their relationship status. However, if you suspect your current partner is deceiving you regarding their divorce, it may signify underlying trust issues in the relationship, regardless of their honesty.

• Merely because someone lacks a Facebook profile or refrains from discussing past relationships, it doesn't automatically imply deceitfulness.
• If you notice recurring behaviors or have a gut feeling that something isn't right, consider delving deeper.

Directly inquire about their relationship status. While it might feel uncomfortable, straightforward communication is typically the most effective approach. Simply ask if they're currently involved. If you're aware of their past marriage but suspect it's ended, a gentle inquiry like, 'You haven't mentioned your spouse lately, everything alright?' can be appropriate.

• If you prefer subtlety, you could indirectly inquire by asking, 'Do you and your spouse live locally?'
• Observe their body language during their response; avoidance or physical gestures may suggest withheld information.
• If met with a response like, 'That's private,' respect their boundary and refrain from pursuing the topic further (unless, of course, you're already in a relationship, where marital status does indeed become relevant).

Seek information from mutual acquaintances. Explore whether you share any common friends who might be aware of the individual's marital status. In workplace settings, colleagues may possess insights into the person's personal life.

• Exercise caution, as word may reach the individual about your inquiries.
• If they avoid introducing you to their friends or are evasive about their identities, it could indicate an effort to prevent you from uncovering their true marital status.

Procure the divorce certificate. Obtaining this document necessitates specific information, such as the full names (including the wife's maiden name) of both parties, as well as the state and county where the divorce was filed. Contact the state or county Vital Records office to ascertain accessibility to these records, as some states maintain strict privacy regulations.

• Even if unable to access the complete divorce record, you may still obtain an unofficial copy of the certificate.
• While online databases often charge fees, court clerk offices may permit free or low-cost access to records.
• It's essential to clarify if someone claims to be divorced without completing the legal process, as they are still legally married. Being 'technically' not divorced equates to being married.

Review his text messages or emails. Keep in mind that accessing someone's personal correspondence can severely breach trust and potentially damage the relationship if discovered by your partner. Reserve this action as a final resort—consider initiating an open conversation with him first. If suspicions persist, you may contemplate examining his phone, email, or Facebook communications.

• Prepare for potential unpleasant discoveries. Uncovering evidence of deception, whether affectionate messages exchanged with his spouse or images featuring his family, can be emotionally challenging. Mentally prepare yourself for whatever you may uncover.