Unlike the report of divorce in the modern Japan, which is a confirmation document submitted to the government under joint signature of the couple, Rienjo was a document to confirm a divorce, which was a unilateral action by the husband.
現代の離婚届が夫婦連名で国に対して行う確認的届出の文書であるのと異なり、離縁状は夫の単独行為である離縁を証する文書である。