Divorce records in Suffolk County, New York, are available through several channels: online tools, the court that issued the judgment, the county clerk's office, and the New York State Department of Health. SuffolkCourt.us allows you to quickly find publicly available information regarding divorce records. Additionally, you can directly contact the Suffolk County Supreme Court Clerk's Office, the county clerk, or the state Vital Records office for certified copies or certificates.
Suffolk Divorce Records Search
In New York State, divorce cases are handled by the Supreme Court — this court issues the judgment of divorce. The Suffolk County Clerk's Office maintains court case materials, including divorce judgments, property settlement agreements, child custody orders, and related documents.
Separate from court cases are divorce certificates. These are maintained by the New York State Department of Health, Vital Records Section. A certificate is a brief document confirming the fact of divorce, whereas a full court judgment contains all the details.
The main institution for searching court records:
Suffolk County Clerk's Office
For case index searches, you can use the New York State Courts Electronic Filing (NYSCEF) system or the WebCivil Supreme portal, where Supreme Court records are available.
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Suffolk
The document filing structure in New York has its specifics. Here's what you need to know.
Supreme Court — Court Case
Divorces in Suffolk are exclusively handled by the Supreme Court of the State of New York, Suffolk County. After a judgment of divorce is issued, it is registered with the county clerk's office. This is where the complete set of documents is stored: the complaint, settlement agreement, alimony judgment, custody orders.
New York State Department of Health — Certificate
The state health department maintains divorce certificates starting from 1963. This is not a full court judgment but a concise document confirming the fact and date of divorce. You can order a certified copy by mail or through the Vital Records portal.
What to Choose?
- If you need the full court judgment, property settlement agreement, or custody order — contact the Suffolk County Clerk.
- If you only need confirmation of the divorce (for name change, remarriage, etc.) — order a divorce certificate from the state health department.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Suffolk
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Certified copy of divorce judgment (Suffolk County Clerk) | $1.30 per page + $5.00 for certification | During visit or 5–10 business days by mail |
| Divorce certificate (NYS Department of Health) | $30.00 | Approximately 4–6 weeks by mail |
| Case index search (County Clerk) | $5.00 per name per 2-year block | During visit |
| Expedited certificate processing (NYS DOH, priority processing) | $30.00 + additional expedited fee | Approximately 15 business days |