Access Yonkers Divorce Records
Yonkers divorce records are handled by the Westchester County Clerk in White Plains. The Yonkers City Clerk does not keep divorce files. That office deals with marriage licenses and other city records, but divorce is a county matter. If you need to search for a Yonkers divorce case or get a certified copy of a decree, you will go through the Westchester County Clerk's Legal Division. The Supreme Court in Westchester County processes all divorce filings for Yonkers residents. This page covers everything you need to know about finding and requesting Yonkers divorce records.
Yonkers Overview
Westchester County Clerk Divorce Records
The Westchester County Clerk's Office is at 110 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., White Plains, NY 10601. The main phone is 914-995-3080. The Legal Division manages all divorce case files. The office holds probate, divorce, and court records, along with property records dating back to 1690.
Divorce files are confidential in New York. Only the parties to the case, their attorneys, or someone with a court order can get copies. You must bring valid photo ID when you visit. The Westchester County Archives at 2199 Saw Mill River Road, Elmsford, NY 10523 (914-231-1500) may hold older records that have been moved off-site.
The Westchester County Courts marriage and divorce page has additional details on the local court process and forms you may need.
The Westchester County Clerk website below is the starting point for Yonkers divorce record requests.
The clerk's site has information on records, fees, and how to submit requests for Yonkers area divorce cases.
Yonkers City Clerk vs County Clerk
This trips people up. The Yonkers City Clerk is at City Hall, 40 South Broadway, Yonkers, NY 10701. The phone is (914) 377-6300. The City Clerk handles marriage licenses for Yonkers residents. But divorce records are not there. You must go to the Westchester County Clerk in White Plains for any divorce-related documents.
The reason is simple. Divorce is a Supreme Court matter in New York. The county runs the Supreme Court. So the county clerk stores the case files. The city clerk has no role in divorce proceedings at all.
How to Search Yonkers Divorce Records
Search online first. WebCivil Supreme lets you look up case information for Westchester County. Enter a party name and select Westchester from the dropdown. Results show the case index number, filing date, judge, and status. The system does not display sealed documents.
For a more detailed search, visit the Westchester County Clerk at 110 Dr. MLK Jr. Blvd. in White Plains. Bring your ID. If you have the index number, the staff can pull the file quickly. Without it, they will run a name search. The fee is $5.00 per name per two-year period. You can also check NYSCEF for electronically filed cases in Westchester County.
Online records search is available for some property and legal records through the clerk's website. But divorce case documents are restricted and must be obtained through the Legal Division.
Yonkers Divorce Record Fees
Certified copies of divorce judgments from the Westchester County Clerk typically cost $5 to $8 depending on the document. Uncertified copies are about $0.65 per page. A search certificate runs $10 for a two-year period with $5 for each additional two years.
Filing for divorce in Westchester County Supreme Court starts with the $210 index number fee. Add $125 for the Note of Issue and $95 for a Request for Judicial Intervention. The minimum uncontested divorce filing total is $335. Motions cost $45 each. If you cannot afford the fees, you may apply for a fee waiver through the Poor Person process.
The Westchester Courts page below covers marriage and divorce procedures in the 9th Judicial District.
This resource explains court procedures for divorce cases in Westchester County, which covers Yonkers.
Note: Fees are set by state law and can change, so call 914-995-3080 to confirm current amounts.
Requesting Yonkers Divorce Records by Mail
Send mail requests to the Westchester County Clerk, 110 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., White Plains, NY 10601. Write out both party names, the approximate date of the divorce, and any other identifying details you have. Include a copy of your photo ID and explain your relationship to the case. Enclose a check or money order for the fees. A self-addressed stamped envelope will speed things up.
For divorce certificates from 1963 onward, the NYS Department of Health provides another option. Their certificates cost $30 by mail or $45 online. Mail requests take 10 to 12 weeks. Priority handling costs an extra $15 and cuts the wait to roughly two weeks.
Legal Resources for Yonkers Divorces
The 9th Judicial District Court Help Center can assist with forms and procedural questions. The NYS Courts divorce page offers downloadable forms and a self-help program. Under DRL Section 235, matrimonial files are sealed for 100 years from the final decree date. Only parties, their attorneys, or those with court orders can access them during that time.
New York law requires at least one spouse to meet residency requirements before filing. The most common path is two years of continuous residence by either party. Other options apply if the marriage or grounds occurred in the state. The Domestic Relations Law statutes spell out all the details. The no-fault option, irretrievable breakdown for six months or more, is the most frequently used ground for divorce in Yonkers.
Westchester County Divorce Records
Yonkers is in Westchester County. All divorce filings for Yonkers go through the Westchester County Supreme Court and are stored at the County Clerk office in White Plains.
Nearby Cities
These cities near Yonkers also have divorce records pages.