--- title: Documents You Need to File for Divorce | Irons & Irons P.A. description: Ensure a smooth divorce process by collecting all necessary documents beforehand. From personal records to financial documents, stay organized and prepared with this helpful guide. image: https://blog.theironslawfirm.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Documents-for-Divorce.jpg --- - Search Search Close this search box. - Download Forms - [Make a Payment](https://secure.lawpay.com/pages/ironsandirons/trust) - [(252) 215-3000](tel:252-215-3000) [![Irons and Irons](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/irons-law-logo.png?width=178&height=46&name=irons-law-logo.png)](https://theironslawfirm.com/) - [Personal Injury](https://theironslawfirm.com/injury-law) - [Auto Accident](https://theironslawfirm.com/injury-law/personal-injury/car-accident) - [Motorcycle Accident](https://theironslawfirm.com/injury-law/personal-injury/motorcycle-accident) - [Nursing Home Abuse](https://theironslawfirm.com/injury-law/personal-injury/nursing-home-abuse) - [Rideshare Accidents](https://theironslawfirm.com/injury-law/personal-injury/rideshare-accidents) - [Slip and Fall](https://theironslawfirm.com/injury-law/personal-injury/slip-and-fall) - [Traumatic Brain Injury](https://theironslawfirm.com/injury-law/personal-injury/brain-injury) - [Truck Accident](https://theironslawfirm.com/injury-law/personal-injury/trucking-accident) - [Wrongful Death](https://theironslawfirm.com/injury-law/personal-injury/wrongful-death) - [Divorce](https://theironslawfirm.com/divorce) - [Separation Agreements](https://theironslawfirm.com/divorce/separation-agreements) - [Divorce Options](https://theironslawfirm.com/divorce/options) - [Absolute Divorce](https://theironslawfirm.com/divorce/absolute) - [Collaborative Divorce](https://theironslawfirm.com/divorce/collaborative) - [High Net Worth Divorce](https://theironslawfirm.com/divorce/high-net-worth) - [Military Divorce](https://theironslawfirm.com/divorce/military-divorce) - [Division of Pensions, 401(k) & Retirement Accounts](https://theironslawfirm.com/divorce/division-of-pension-and-retirement-accounts) - [Post Separation Support and Alimony](https://theironslawfirm.com/divorce/support-and-alimony) - [Property Distribution](https://theironslawfirm.com/divorce/property-distribution) - [5 Critical Questions For Your Initial Consultation](https://theironslawfirm.com/5-consultation-questions) - [Family Law](https://theironslawfirm.com/family-law) - [Child Custody](https://theironslawfirm.com/family-law/child-custody) - [Child Custody Modification](https://theironslawfirm.com/family-law/child-custody-modification) - [Child Support / Modification](https://theironslawfirm.com/family-law/child-support-modification) - [Collaborative Family Law](https://theironslawfirm.com/family-law/collaborative-family-law) - [5 Critical Questions For Your Initial Consultation](https://theironslawfirm.com/5-consultation-questions) - [Education Law](https://theironslawfirm.com/education-law) - [East Carolina University/Pitt Community College Disputes](https://theironslawfirm.com/education-law/ecu-college-disputes) - [Public And Private School Disputes](https://theironslawfirm.com/education-law/school-disputes) - [Malpractice](https://theironslawfirm.com/injury-law/medical-malpractice) - [Medical Malpractice](https://theironslawfirm.com/injury-law/medical-malpractice) - [Dental Malpractice](https://theironslawfirm.com/injury-law/personal-injury/dental-malpractice) - [Pharmaceutical Malpractice](https://theironslawfirm.com/injury-law/pharmaceutical-malpractice) - Attorneys - [Gib Irons](https://theironslawfirm.com/about/gib-irons) - [Ben G. Irons II](https://theironslawfirm.com/about/ben-g-irons-ii) - [Harry H. Albritton, Jr.](https://theironslawfirm.com/about/attorney-harry-h-albritton-jr) - [Brianne Lee Van Apeldoorn](https://theironslawfirm.com/about/brianne-lee-van-apeldoorn) - [Misty Waldroup](https://theironslawfirm.com/about/misty-waldroup) [Schedule Consultation](https://theironslawfirm.com/contact/consultation-request) [tel:252-215-3000](tel:252-215-3000) [Irons & Irons P.A. Blog](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com) [Subscribe](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com/documents-you-need-when-filing-for-divorce#popup-form) ### Subscribe via Email [Divorce](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com/tag/divorce) # Documents You Need When Filing For Divorce January 06, 2016 Written by: Gib Irons - Share - Share - Share - [Copy](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com/documents-you-need-when-filing-for-divorce) ![](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Documents-for-Divorce.jpg) Copied the Url ![greenville nc divorce attorney](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Divorce_Attorney_Greenville_NC_3-200x300.jpg?width=200&height=300&name=Divorce_Attorney_Greenville_NC_3-200x300.jpg)The entire **[divorce process](https://theironslawfirm.com/divorce) **can be very stressful, starting from the very beginning when you and your spouse decide that your marriage is over. However, once the decision has been made there is no point in lollygagging. Whether you have [**hired a divorce attorney**](https://theironslawfirm.com/blog/5-reasons-to-hire-a-divorce-attorney) in Greenville, NC or you are handling the case on your own, you can save some time and money by ensuring you have all the right documents and records before the divorce process begins. You need a lot of legal documentation to begin and end any **[divorce](https://theironslawfirm.com/divorce)** or **[collaborative divorce](https://theironslawfirm.com/divorce/collaborative)**. For any divorce in any state, papers filed with the court require information on **[children](https://theironslawfirm.com/family-law/child-custody), [property](https://theironslawfirm.com/divorce/property-distribution),** assets, and any other items tied to your marriage. Find and collect all necessary documents now so that you can stay organized before the divorce process officially begins. Collecting all documents right away also guarantees you get every document you need now, especially if your soon-to-be ex tries to take or hide any necessary materials. ### Personal Records To prove the existence of your marriage, citizenship, and children of your marriage, you will need the following documents: - Birth Certificates - Immigration documents - Social Security cards - Death Certificate of a prior deceased spouse - Court decrees with a prior spouse - Separation agreements, prenuptial and post-nuptial agreements ### Financial Documents & Property Records Here’s a list of documents with important information regarding your finances and property that are vital in deciding many issues in the divorce, such as **[child support](https://theironslawfirm.com/family-law/child-support-modification),** **[alimony](https://theironslawfirm.com/divorce/support-and-alimony)**, and the **[division of property](https://theironslawfirm.com/divorce/property-distribution)** between you and your spouse: - Federal, state and local income tax returns for the last three to five years - Payroll statements, pay stubs and overtime and bonus records - [**Pension or retirement plan**](https://theironslawfirm.com/divorce/division-of-pension-and-retirement-accounts), annuities, individual retirement account (IRA) documents - Insurance policies including life, health, automobile, and homeowners insurance - Real estate deeds, contracts or leases - Mortgages, loans, credit card statements and other records showing debt - Bank checking and savings accounts, canceled checks, checkbook journals, and deposit slips - Household budgets or expense records - Expense or billing statements for food, rent, utilities, clothing, household goods, repairs, gas, education, vacations, entertainment, subscriptions and other expenses If you and your spouse run a business together, there are a number of documents you will also need to collect, including: - Business balance sheets - Income tax returns - Partnership agreements - Business financial statements  ## Taking the Next Step in Your Divorce The next step after you have collected all the necessary documents is to hire a [**divorce attorney**](https://theironslawfirm.com/divorce). At [Irons & Irons P.A. law firm in Greenville, NC](https://theironslawfirm.com/contact/consultation-request), we specialize in divorce and family law and will ensure that we can help make the divorce process as civil and healthy as possible for both you and your children. To schedule a complimentary consultation with **[Gib Irons](https://theironslawfirm.com/about/gib-irons)**, fill out this [contact form online](https://theironslawfirm.com/contact) or give us a call at [252-215-3000](tel:+12522153000). ### [Gib Irons](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com/author/gib-irons) Gib Irons is the managing partner at Irons & Irons P.A., a law firm in Greenville, NC specializing in divorce, family law, and personal injury litigation. Irons focuses on maintaining a select client roster to ensure personalized attention and exceptional service. His goal is to manage cases efficiently while reducing the stress that often accompanies legal disputes. A local graduate of J. H. Rose High School, Irons went on to earn his BA from Pepperdine University and his JD from Cumberland School of Law at Samford University. He has been practicing law in North Carolina since 2006, offering client-based service, particularly to high-net-worth individuals aiming for prompt and favorable case resolutions. ### Related Posts [Divorce](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com/tag/divorce) 3 min read #### [Tips for Child Custody Disputes in Greenville, NC](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com/tips-child-custody-disputes-greenville-nc) [Read more](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com/tips-child-custody-disputes-greenville-nc) [Collaborative Divorce](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com/tag/collaborative-divorce) 2 min read #### [Preserving your Assets with Collaborative Divorce](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com/preserving-assets-with-collaborative-divorce) [Read more](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com/preserving-assets-with-collaborative-divorce) [Company News](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com/tag/company-news) 3 min read #### [5 Reasons to Hire a Divorce Attorney](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com/5-reasons-to-hire-a-divorce-attorney) [Read more](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com/5-reasons-to-hire-a-divorce-attorney) [![IRONS & IRONS P.A.](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Irons%20and%20Irons/Pillar-Graphic.png?width=134&height=67&name=Pillar-Graphic.png)](https://theironslawfirm.com/) Irons & Irons P.A. 620 Lynndale Ct Suite A Greenville, NC 27858 Monday-Friday 9am-5pm Phone: [252-215-3000](tel:252-215-3000) PRACTICE AREAS - [Personal Injury](https://theironslawfirm.com/injury-law) - [Medical Malpractice](https://theironslawfirm.com/injury-law/medical-malpractice) - [Divorce](https://theironslawfirm.com/divorce) - [Family Law](https://theironslawfirm.com/family-law) - [Education Law](https://theironslawfirm.com/education-law) ATTORNEYS - [Gib Irons](https://theironslawfirm.com/about/gib-irons) - [Ben G. Irons II](https://theironslawfirm.com/about/ben-g-irons-ii) - [Harry Albritton](https://theironslawfirm.com/about/attorney-harry-h-albritton-jr) - [Brianne Lee Van Apeldoorn](https://theironslawfirm.com/about/brianne-lee-van-apeldoorn) RESOURCES - [Download Forms](https://theironslawfirm.com/download-forms) - [Blog](https://theironslawfirm.com/blog) ABOUT - [Reviews](https://theironslawfirm.com/about/client-reviews) - [Careers](https://theironslawfirm.com/about/careers) Copyright © 2024 Irons & Irons P.A.. 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