Broome County Divorce Records Search

Broome County divorce records are on file at the County Clerk's Office in Binghamton. The clerk keeps court records going back to 1806, and documents filed after 1964 are available for online viewing through a records search portal. If you need a certified copy of a divorce judgment or want to look up a case, you can go in person to the Broome County Office Building, send a mail request, or search online. The Supreme Court in Binghamton is the only court that handles divorce cases in Broome County. The NYS Department of Health also has divorce certificates for cases from 1963 forward.

Broome County Clerk Divorce Records

The Broome County Clerk's Office is on the third floor of the Broome County Office Building at 60 Hawley Street, Binghamton, NY 13902. The mailing address is P.O. Box 2062, Binghamton, NY 13902. Phone: 607-778-2451. Fax: 607-778-2243. Email: clerkinfo@broomecountyny.gov. The County Clerk is Joseph A. Mihalko.

The clerk holds deeds, mortgages, judgments, liens, maps, civil and criminal actions, court records back to 1806, passports, naturalization records, and marriage and divorce records. The office has been scanning all current land and court records to make permanent digital copies. Documents filed after 1964 can be viewed or purchased online. Anything filed before 1964 is stored at the County Clerk's Office or the County Records Center in Vestal.

Divorce files are confidential under state law. Access is limited to the parties or their lawyers.

The Broome County Clerk records page details the office's services and available record types.

This page covers all record types held by the Broome County Clerk including court records.

Online Search for Broome County Divorce Cases

Broome County offers online records searching through SearchIQS. You can search as a guest or create an account with a subscription plan for more features. Documents filed after 1964 show up in this system. Guest access lets you do limited searches. A subscription gives you full access to view and purchase documents.

The SearchIQS portal for Broome County is shown below.

This tool lets you search filed and recorded documents from the Broome County Clerk.

You can also use the WebCivil Supreme system to find case information. Pick Broome County, enter a name, and set the search to "All" status. The system shows index numbers, filing dates, and case status. Full divorce documents are not viewable online because of DRL Section 235 confidentiality rules. You have to get actual copies from the clerk.

Broome County Supreme Court Divorce Filing

The Broome County Supreme Court is at 92 Court Street, Binghamton, NY 13901. The mailing address is P.O. Box 1766, Binghamton, NY 13902. Phone: 607-240-5800. Fax: 607-240-5940. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The Chief Clerk is Steven Tillotson.

Three justices serve the Broome County Supreme Court. Hon. Eugene D. Faughnan (607-240-5950). Hon. Cheryl Insinga (607-240-5810). Hon. Oliver N. Blaise III (607-240-5807). The court has exclusive jurisdiction over divorce. Family Court in Broome County cannot grant a divorce. The Supreme Court handles both contested and uncontested cases, along with separations and annulments.

Filing requires an index number at $210. The Note of Issue fee is $125 or $30 depending on the situation. An uncontested divorce with no problems will cost at least $335 in court fees. The plaintiff has 120 days to serve the defendant after filing. Service must be made by someone over 18 who is not the plaintiff. All visitors to the courthouse must pass through a magnetometer at the entrance.

Broome County participates in NYSCEF electronic filing. You can file divorce papers online, 24 hours a day. Training is available through the NYSCEF portal.

Getting Copies of Broome County Divorce Judgments

Once the judge signs your judgment, it has to be filed with the County Clerk to become final. The clerk stamps it with the entry date. You should get a certified copy. You might need it to prove the divorce to a government agency or to remarry. The fee for a certified copy is typically between $4 and $10 in Broome County, depending on page count.

After filing, the defendant must be served a copy of the judgment and a "Notice of Entry." The plaintiff cannot do this personally. Ask the clerk whether Broome County has the court file it or if you need to do it yourself. Practices vary by county.

For divorce certificates from 1963 or later, the NYS Department of Health is another option. Mail requests cost $30. Online orders cost $45 plus a vendor fee. Processing takes 10 to 12 weeks. Send mail requests to Vital Records Certification Unit, P.O. Box 2602, Albany, NY 12220-2602. Either spouse or someone with a court order can get these.

Note: Documents filed before 1964 may be stored at the County Records Center in Vestal and could take longer to retrieve.

Broome County Divorce Legal Resources

The Broome County CourtHelp Center is in the Law Library on the first floor of the courthouse at 92 Court Street. Phone: (607) 240-5954. Phone hours are daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Walk-in hours are Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The center provides free information about the law and court procedures, court forms, sample forms, and referrals to other organizations.

The CourtHelp Center page provides locations and hours for all New York court help centers, including Broome County.

Help Center staff do not provide legal advice but can point you toward the right forms and steps.

New York law sets out seven grounds for divorce under Domestic Relations Law Section 170. The no-fault ground (irretrievable breakdown for six months) is the most common. Free divorce forms are available at the NYS Courts divorce page. The court staff cannot give legal advice, but they can help with procedural questions about how to file.

Nearby Counties

If the divorce was filed in a county next to Broome, you will need to reach out to that county's clerk office instead.