In all cases where decrees of court have been obtained prior to January 1, 1966, upon publication of notice before the filing of the affidavit of nonresidence, as provided by section 3534, Code of 1897, or section 11081, Codes of 1924, 1927, 1931, 1935, 1939 and rule of civil procedure, number 60, effective July 4, 1943, and the same have not been filed as provided by law, but have been filed during the time that the notice was being published, on which such decrees are based, are hereby legalized and such decrees shall have the same force and effect as though the affidavit of nonresidence, as provided in said section, was filed at the time of or prior to the first publication of such notice. All decrees so obtained, as aforesaid, are hereby legalized and held to have the same force and effect as though the affidavit of nonresidence had been filed, as by law required.