Find Monroe County Divorce Records
Monroe County divorce records are kept by the County Clerk at 39 West Main Street in Rochester. The Supreme Court in Monroe County has sole authority over divorce cases, and every judgment of divorce is filed with the clerk once it is signed. Rochester is the county seat and the largest city in the area, so the court handles a significant volume of matrimonial filings each year. Whether you need a certified copy of a decree, want to check case status, or need to understand the steps for filing, the clerk's office and the Supreme Court in Rochester are where you will find what you need.
Monroe County Overview
Monroe County Clerk Office Information
The Monroe County Clerk's Office is at 101 County Office Building, 39 West Main Street, Rochester, NY 14614. Phone: (585) 753-1600. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The current County Clerk is Ms. Jamie Romeo.
The Supreme Court sits at the Hall of Justice, 99 Exchange Boulevard, 5th Floor, Rochester, NY 14614. The court phone number is (585) 371-3758. This is where all Monroe County divorces are heard. The clerk's office downstairs files and stores all judgments after the judge signs them. The two offices work closely together, and both are in downtown Rochester.
The screenshot below shows the Monroe County Clerk's records page with details about available services.
This is a useful starting point for anyone looking to request divorce documents from Monroe County.
Getting Monroe County Divorce Records
Matrimonial files are confidential under New York State law. Only the parties named in the divorce case or their attorneys can get copies. You need a valid photo ID. Third parties must have a notarized authorization letter from one of the parties or a court order.
Certified copies of the Judgment of Divorce cost $5.00 for up to four pages. Additional pages are $1.25 each. Search fees run $5.00 per name for each two-year period if you need the clerk to look up the case. Walk-in requests are handled during regular hours. Mail requests should include the full names of both parties, the approximate date of the divorce, your payment, and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Note: The clerk's office may take a few business days to process mail requests during busy periods.
Filing for Divorce in Monroe County
Divorce in Monroe County starts at the Supreme Court. Buy an index number for $210 at the clerk's office. The Note of Issue is $125. Each motion costs $45. These are statewide fees that apply in every county.
New York allows no-fault divorce based on the marriage being irretrievably broken for six months or more. Fault-based grounds are also available but used less often. You must meet one of five residency requirements before you can file. The most common is that one spouse has lived in New York for at least one year and either you married here, lived here as a couple, or the grounds for divorce happened here. Another option is two years of continuous residence by either spouse. The NYS Courts divorce page lists all five options and has the forms you need.
After filing, you have 120 days to serve your spouse. Service must be done by someone over 18 who is not a party to the case. For an uncontested divorce, if your spouse cooperates and signs the Affidavit of Defendant, you can file the Note of Issue right away. Otherwise, wait 40 days from service. Once the judge signs the judgment, file it with the County Clerk and the divorce is final.
Monroe County Divorce Records Privacy Rules
Under Section 235 of the Domestic Relations Law, all matrimonial records in New York are sealed for 100 years from the date of the final decree. This means the public cannot view divorce files. Only the named parties or their lawyers have access. This rule covers everything in the case file, not just the judgment.
Even online search tools show limited information for matrimonial cases. You may see that a case exists, but the documents and details remain sealed. A court order can sometimes grant access to a non-party, but it requires a formal request and a showing of good cause before a judge.
Online Search Tools for Monroe County
The NYSCEF electronic filing system lets you search for electronically filed cases in Monroe County Supreme Court. You can search by party name, index number, or attorney. Cases with electronic filings will appear, though document access is restricted for matrimonial matters.
WebCivil Supreme covers all 62 counties and lets you search civil case records statewide. For Monroe County, you can look up cases by party name or index number. Divorce case listings may show up, but the actual file contents stay sealed.
State Certificates for Monroe County Divorces
The New York State Department of Health keeps divorce certificates for all cases since 1963. The DOH certificate is a summary document. It is not the full court file. It lists the parties, the date, and the county where the divorce was granted.
By mail, the fee is $30 per copy. Online or phone orders cost $45 plus a vendor fee. Only the named spouses or someone with a court order can order a certificate. Mail processing takes 10 to 15 business days. The mail request page has the application form and mailing address.
Legal Resources in Monroe County
The court Help Center in Monroe County gives free information about procedures and forms. Staff can explain the steps but cannot act as your lawyer. The CourtHelp website walks you through the entire divorce process online.
For those who need legal representation but cannot afford it, legal aid organizations in the 7th Judicial District serve Monroe County residents. Contact the court or your local bar association for referral information. Rochester also has several legal aid clinics that assist with family law matters.
Cities in Monroe County
Monroe County includes the city of Rochester and several surrounding towns. Residents of these areas all file for divorce through Monroe County Supreme Court in Rochester.