§16-5-36. Registration of divorces and annulments of marriages.

(a) On and after July 1, 2006, a record of each divorce or annulment ordered by any court of competent jurisdiction in this state shall be filed by the clerk of the court with the section of vital statistics, and shall be registered if it has been completed and filed in accordance with this section. The record shall be prepared by the petitioner or his or her legal representative in the form prescribed or furnished by the state Registrar and shall be presented to the clerk of the court with the petition.

(b) The clerk of the court shall complete and certify each record. On or before the tenth day of each calendar month, the clerk shall forward to the section of vital statistics the records of each divorce or annulment order entered during the preceding calendar month.

(c) Failure of the clerk of the court to comply with the provisions of this section does not affect the validity of any order of divorce or annulment of marriage.

(d) The State Registrar shall preserve and index all records received under provisions of this section and shall upon request issue certified copies of the records, which shall be prima facie evidence of the facts stated in the certified copies in all courts in this state.