Find Smithtown Divorce Records
Smithtown divorce records are held by the Suffolk County Clerk's Office. The town is part of Suffolk County in the 10th Judicial District, and all divorce matters run through the Suffolk County Supreme Court. If you need to pull a copy of a divorce decree, check on a case status, or look into older filings from Smithtown, the county clerk is the right place to start. You can also order a divorce certificate from the state for any case finalized since 1963. This page walks through the main ways to search for and obtain Smithtown divorce records.
Smithtown Overview
Suffolk County Clerk and Smithtown Divorce Records
The Suffolk County Clerk's Office handles records for all divorce cases filed in Suffolk County, including those from Smithtown. The main records office can be reached at 631-852-2000. The Suffolk County Court is at the Cromarty Court Complex, 210 Center Drive, Riverhead, NY 11901. The Supreme and County Court Law Department phone is 631-852-1613. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM.
Divorce records are sealed under Domestic Relations Law Section 235. Only the parties named in the divorce, their attorney of record, or someone with a court order from a judge can get the actual case file. Anyone else can request a certification of disposition. That document just confirms whether a divorce was granted.
Suffolk County offers online access for some land and property records. Divorce case files are not available online because of the confidentiality rules.
Searching Smithtown Divorce Records Online
The WebCivil Supreme search tool covers all 62 counties. Select Suffolk County, enter a name, and choose "All" for the case status filter. The results show the case index number, date filed, type, judge, and whether the case is active or disposed. You can search by party name, attorney, or index number.
WebCivil is an index. It will not show you any documents from a divorce case. The files stay sealed. To get actual copies, contact the Suffolk County Clerk in person or by mail.
The screenshot below shows the Suffolk County Court website, which provides court information relevant to Smithtown divorce cases.
Suffolk County uses the Cromarty Court Complex in Riverhead for Supreme Court divorce proceedings.
Smithtown Divorce Filing Requirements
Smithtown residents file for divorce at the Suffolk County Supreme Court. It is the only court in the state with the power to grant a divorce. The index number fee is $210. The Note of Issue costs $125. A Request for Judicial Intervention is $95. So the total minimum for an uncontested case is about $335. A fee waiver process is available if you cannot afford to pay.
You must meet New York's residency rules. One of the most common paths: at least one spouse lived in the state for two years straight before filing. A one-year option works if the marriage happened in New York, you both lived here, or the grounds occurred here. The no-fault ground, irretrievable breakdown for six months or more, is the one most people choose. It comes from DRL Section 170(7).
Note: The plaintiff must serve divorce papers on the defendant within 120 days of filing.
State Divorce Certificates for Smithtown
For divorces after January 1, 1963, the NYS Department of Health keeps a statewide index and issues divorce certificates. These certificates list the basic facts: names of both parties, and the date and location of the divorce. They do not show settlement terms or other case details.
A mail request costs $30 per copy. Write to the Vital Records Certification Unit, P.O. Box 2602, Albany, NY 12220-2602. Include a copy of your photo ID and a check to "NYS Department of Health." Right now, mail orders take 10 to 12 weeks. Priority handling is $15 extra and brings the wait down to about two weeks. You can also order online or by phone for $45 plus a vendor processing fee.
Only the parties to the divorce or someone with a court order can get a certificate from the DOH.
Below is the Suffolk County Clerk's online records page, which provides access to some county records for Smithtown residents.
While divorce files are not available online, this portal is useful for other Suffolk County record types.
Legal Resources for Smithtown Divorce
Smithtown residents who need legal help can check the NYS CourtHelp site for court help center locations in the 10th Judicial District. These centers give out forms and answer procedural questions. They are not law offices and do not provide legal advice. Divorce forms for both contested and uncontested cases are free on the NYS Courts divorce page.
Law Help New York is another good starting point. It connects people with free and low-cost legal services for family law issues. You can filter by county to find programs that serve Suffolk County. The NYSCEF electronic filing system is available in Suffolk County for those who want to file electronically.
Nearby Qualifying Cities
Other towns and cities on Long Island also have divorce records pages. If the case you need was filed in a different location, try one of the links here.
Suffolk County Divorce Records
Smithtown is in Suffolk County. All divorce cases for Smithtown are filed in the Suffolk County Supreme Court at the Cromarty Court Complex in Riverhead. Visit the county page for full details on procedures, fees, and contact information.