For a divorce to be concluded, it must first be approved and signed by a judge. If approved by the judge, a court order (judgment) will be issued setting out the details of the divorce, including the file number, the names of the parties, the settlement agreement, and details of the care and custody of the children. This court order terminates the marriage and becomes an enforceable divorce decree once it has been filed with the clerk. You may also need it to legally change your name, apply for a mortgage, remarry in certain states, or apply for Social Security later. If you sometimes no longer have a copy of your divorce decree, you can request a copy at the court where the divorce was concluded. Heather`s question: Who is responsible for providing you with the final divorce documents? I understand that the lawyer will give you copies of the divorce documents signed and completed when everything is ready. When a divorced couple (and their lawyers) negotiate and resolve all matters related to their divorce, either informally or through amicable procedures such as mediation or collaborative law, the couple`s decisions are concluded in detail in a written settlement agreement. This agreement is then presented to a judge in the district division of the state court where the divorce petition was filed. You don`t need to specify how each individual asset you own will be divided unless you prefer. It will be easier to list only those points in the agreement that have significant or sentimental value.