Access White Plains Divorce Records
White Plains divorce records are stored at the Westchester County Clerk's office at 110 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. As the county seat of Westchester, White Plains is home to both the clerk's office and the Supreme Court that handles all divorce cases in the county. That means residents can file for divorce, search for existing cases, and pick up certified copies all within the same city. Westchester County is part of the 9th Judicial District. This page covers the full process for searching, requesting, and understanding divorce records in White Plains.
White Plains Overview
Westchester County Divorce Records
White Plains is in Westchester County. The Westchester County Clerk is at 110 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, White Plains, NY 10601. Call (914) 995-3080 for questions. The clerk files and stores every divorce decree, judgment, and case file from the Westchester County Supreme Court.
Since White Plains is the county seat, the courthouse is right in the city. You don't need to travel far to handle divorce filings or record requests. The clerk's office keeps records going back to 1847. Westchester is also one of the counties that offers online tools for searching some types of court records, which can save you a trip for preliminary research.
All divorce files in New York are sealed. Only the spouses, their attorneys, or someone with a court order can get the full case file.
Getting White Plains Divorce Records
The easiest way to get divorce records is to visit the Westchester County Clerk at 110 Dr. MLK Jr. Blvd. Bring a photo ID. You need the names of both parties and the rough date of the divorce. The index number makes the search faster if you have it. The clerk can pull the file and provide copies on the spot, assuming you have standing to access the records.
Mail requests are another option. Write to the Westchester County Clerk, 110 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, White Plains, NY 10601. Include all the information you have about the case and a check or money order for fees. Search fees run $5 per name per two-year period. Copies are charged per page. Certified copies cost about $8 per document. Give it a few weeks for processing.
The screenshot below shows the Westchester County Courts page with marriage and divorce filing information.
This resource covers the filing and records process for all of Westchester County.
Search White Plains Divorce Cases Online
The WebCivil Supreme system lets you search civil court cases in Westchester County. Pick the county from the dropdown and enter a party name. Set the case status to "All" to see both open and closed cases. The results include the index number, filing date, case type, judge, and current status.
WebCivil is free and covers cases from 1983 on. It is useful for finding case index numbers and confirming whether a divorce was filed. But no documents are available through this system. Under DRL Section 235, matrimonial records are sealed from public view. To get any actual paperwork, you need to request it from the county clerk's office.
The NYSCEF system also handles some Westchester County filings electronically. Attorneys file many divorce documents through this portal. Self-represented litigants can use it too for uncontested cases.
White Plains Divorce Filing Fees
The cost to file for divorce in White Plains starts with a $210 index number fee. On top of that, a Request for Judicial Intervention costs $95. The Note of Issue is $30 or $125, depending on the specifics. Total minimum for an uncontested divorce with kids is about $335. The court offers fee waivers for people who demonstrate financial hardship through a Poor Person application.
New York has residency requirements you must meet before filing. The standard is two years of continuous residence by at least one spouse. If one spouse has lived in the state for a year and the marriage took place here, or you lived here as a married couple, or the grounds arose here, the one-year option applies. Both spouses being New York residents at the time of filing with grounds occurring in the state is the shortest path.
State Divorce Certificates
The NYS Department of Health keeps divorce certificates for New York divorces from 1963 forward. The certificate has the names and the end date. It does not have the full terms. Only a named spouse or someone with a court order can get one.
Mail orders cost $30 each. Online and phone orders are $45 plus a vendor fee. Send mail to Vital Records Certification Unit, P.O. Box 2602, Albany, NY 12220-2602. Regular processing takes 10 to 12 weeks. Priority handling is two weeks for $15 extra per copy. For divorces before 1963, contact the Westchester County Clerk.
Below is the Westchester County Clerk's website, the main resource for White Plains divorce records.
The clerk's office at 110 Dr. MLK Jr. Blvd serves all Westchester County cities including White Plains.
Legal Help in White Plains
White Plains has several legal help options. The NYS Court Help Centers offer guidance on forms and court procedures. LawHelp New York connects residents with legal aid organizations that handle divorce cases for low-income people.
The NYS Courts divorce page has a complete set of forms for both contested and uncontested divorces. The DIY program walks you through each form step by step. Court staff at the Westchester County Supreme Court can answer basic questions about what to file and when, but they cannot give legal advice.
Note: Automatic orders take effect when divorce papers are served, preventing either party from transferring assets or changing insurance coverage.