Find Brookhaven Divorce Records
Brookhaven divorce records are managed through the Suffolk County Clerk's Office. As the largest town in Suffolk County by area, Brookhaven sends all its divorce cases to the Suffolk County Supreme Court in Riverhead. The County Clerk stores the completed case files, judgments of divorce, and related court documents. If you are looking to get a copy of a divorce decree or need to search for a case that was filed in Brookhaven, the Suffolk County Clerk at 631-852-2000 is the office to contact. This page walks you through the steps and costs involved.
Brookhaven Overview
Suffolk County Clerk Divorce Records
The Suffolk County Clerk's Office handles all divorce records for Brookhaven. The main phone is 631-852-2000. The Supreme/County Court Law Department can be reached at 631-852-1613. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM. The Suffolk County Court is at the Cromarty Court Complex, Criminal Courts Building, 210 Center Drive, Riverhead, NY 11901.
Divorce records in Suffolk County are sealed for 100 years from the date of the final decree. Only the parties to the divorce, their attorneys, or someone with a court order can access them. You need valid photo ID when you request copies. The Supervising Judge for Suffolk County is Hon. Richard Ambro.
The Suffolk County Clerk online records portal provides access to land records from 1987 to the present. Divorce records are not available through this online system due to the sealing rules.
Searching Brookhaven Divorce Cases Online
Start with WebCivil Supreme. Select Suffolk County from the dropdown and enter a party name. The system shows case index numbers, filing dates, judge assignments, and status. You will not see the actual documents. Those must be requested from the clerk's office.
NYSCEF can show details for electronically filed cases. If the Brookhaven divorce was filed through NYSCEF, some information will appear. Matrimonial files still have restricted access online.
The Suffolk County Court page below shows court information for the 10th Judicial District.
This is the court complex in Riverhead where Brookhaven divorce cases are processed.
Brookhaven Divorce Record Fees
Certified copies of divorce judgments from the Suffolk County Clerk typically cost $5 for up to four pages. Each extra page adds $1.25. Non-certified copies are about $0.65 per page. A name search runs $5.00 per name per two-year block if you don't have the case index number.
Filing for divorce in Suffolk County Supreme Court costs $210 for the index number. Add $125 for the Note of Issue. A Request for Judicial Intervention is $95. Total minimum for an uncontested case comes to about $335. Motions add $45 each. If you can't pay, the court has a fee waiver process.
Getting Brookhaven Divorce Copies
Visit the Suffolk County Clerk in Riverhead for in-person requests. Bring photo ID and the index number if you have it. For mail requests, write to the Suffolk County Clerk, 310 Center Drive, Riverhead, NY 11901. Include party names, the approximate date, your relationship to the case, a copy of your ID, and payment by check or money order.
The NYS Department of Health offers divorce certificates for cases from 1963 forward. These cost $30 by mail or $45 online. The DOH certificate has basic facts. The full decree stays with the Suffolk County Clerk. Allow 10 to 12 weeks for DOH mail processing.
The Suffolk County Clerk online records page below shows the types of records available electronically.
While land records are online, divorce records must be requested in person or by mail from the clerk.
Note: Brookhaven residents must go through the Suffolk County Clerk in Riverhead for all divorce record requests.
Legal Resources for Brookhaven
The NYS Courts divorce page provides forms and instructions for uncontested divorce filings. The 10th Judicial District has a Court Help Center where staff can explain procedures and hand out forms. They will not give legal advice.
Under Domestic Relations Law Section 235, all matrimonial files are sealed for 100 years. New York residency rules require at least one spouse to have lived in the state for two continuous years before filing, or one year if certain conditions are met. The most common ground is irretrievable breakdown of the marriage for six months or more. The NYS Archives has guidance on where to get copies of older decrees.
Suffolk County Divorce Records
Brookhaven is in Suffolk County. All divorce filings for Brookhaven residents go through the Suffolk County Supreme Court at the Cromarty Court Complex in Riverhead.
Nearby Cities
Other Suffolk County and Long Island cities with divorce records pages.