Rochester Divorce Records Lookup
Rochester divorce records are kept at the Monroe County Clerk's Office on West Main Street in downtown Rochester. The Monroe County Supreme Court handles all divorce filings for Rochester residents, and the clerk stores the completed case files and judgments. If you want to find a divorce decree or check the status of a case filed in Rochester, the County Clerk is the right place. You can also search for case details online or request a divorce certificate from the state. This page covers where to go, what it costs, and how the process works for Rochester divorce records.
Rochester Overview
Monroe County Clerk Divorce Records
The Monroe County Clerk's Office is at 101 County Office Building, 39 West Main Street, Rochester, NY 14614. The phone number is (585) 753-1600. The current County Clerk is Ms. Jamie Romeo. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
The clerk holds divorce judgments, decrees, and complete Supreme Court case files for all divorces filed in Monroe County. Matrimonial files are confidential under New York law. Only the parties, their attorneys, or someone with a court order can access these records. Bring valid photo ID when you visit. Certified copies cost $5 for documents up to four pages, plus $1.25 for each additional page. That makes Rochester one of the more affordable counties for copy fees.
The City of Rochester maintains its own city government records through a FOIL process, but the city does not hold divorce records. Divorce records are strictly a county matter.
Rochester Divorce Court
The Monroe County Supreme Court is in the Hall of Justice at 99 Exchange Boulevard, 5th Floor, Rochester, NY 14614. Call (585) 371-3758 for the Supreme Court office. This court has sole authority over divorce cases in Monroe County. Family Court cannot grant a divorce. The Supreme Court handles uncontested divorces, contested divorces, legal separations, and annulments.
Rochester is part of the 7th Judicial District. E-filing through NYSCEF is available for matrimonial cases. Attorneys must e-file. Self-represented people can choose paper or electronic filing. The system runs around the clock and gives you a confirmation right away.
The Rochester City Records page below shows how the city handles public records requests, though divorce records go through the county.
City records are separate from divorce records. For divorce files, go to the Monroe County Clerk.
How to Search Rochester Divorce Records
Use WebCivil Supreme to search for Rochester divorce cases online. Pick Monroe County, type in a party name, and hit search. The results list case index numbers, filing dates, assigned judges, and case status. You cannot view actual divorce documents through this system. Those are sealed.
In person, go to the Monroe County Clerk at 39 West Main Street. Bring your ID and the case index number if you have it. The staff can pull your file while you wait. If you don't know the index number, you can ask for a name search. Each two-year search period costs $5.00 per name.
Getting Rochester Divorce Copies
For mail requests, write to Monroe County Clerk, 39 West Main Street, Rochester, NY 14614. Include both party names, the approximate date, and a check or money order for the fees. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope. The clerk needs to see that you are a party to the case or have authorization from one, so include a copy of your ID and a short explanation of your connection to the divorce.
The New York State Department of Health also issues divorce certificates for cases from 1963 forward. The mail fee is $30. Online orders cost $45 plus a vendor fee. Mail requests go to Vital Records Certification Unit, P.O. Box 2602, Albany, NY 12220-2602. Processing takes 10 to 12 weeks by mail.
The Monroe County Clerk's records page shown here explains what records are available and how to get copies.
This page covers divorce records along with other court documents kept by the Monroe County Clerk.
Note: The DOH certificate has basic divorce info, while the full decree is at the county clerk.
Rochester Divorce Filing Fees
Filing a divorce in Monroe County Supreme Court costs $210 for the index number. The Note of Issue adds $125, and a Request for Judicial Intervention is $95. An uncontested divorce totals at least $335 in court fees. Each motion is $45 extra. A certified copy of the judgment costs $5 for up to four pages at the Monroe County Clerk.
If you cannot pay, ask for the "Poor Person" application. You will need to show financial hardship. The court Help Center can point you to the right forms.
Legal Help for Rochester Divorces
The 7th Judicial District has a Court Help Center that gives out forms and explains procedures. The NYS Courts divorce page provides downloadable packets for uncontested cases. Under Domestic Relations Law Section 235, all matrimonial records are sealed for 100 years. The New York State Archives explains where to get copies of older divorce decrees. For genealogy research, the NYS Library vital records page lists additional sources.
New York requires residency before you can file. Either spouse must have lived in the state for two continuous years, or for one year if the marriage took place here, the couple lived here as spouses, or the grounds for divorce arose here. The no-fault ground, irretrievable breakdown for at least six months, is the most common reason filed.
Monroe County Divorce Records
Rochester is the county seat of Monroe County. All Rochester divorce cases go through the Monroe County Supreme Court and are stored at the County Clerk's office on West Main Street.
Nearby Cities
These cities near Rochester also have divorce records pages.