Search Onondaga County Divorce Records
Onondaga County divorce records are maintained at the County Courthouse on Montgomery Street in Syracuse. The Supreme Court handles all divorce proceedings in the county, and the County Clerk files and stores every judgment of divorce. Syracuse is the county seat and the largest city in the area, so the court sees a steady flow of matrimonial filings. If you need a certified copy of a decree, want to verify a case, or are starting the filing process yourself, the clerk's office at 401 Montgomery Street can help. Onondaga County is part of the 5th Judicial District.
Onondaga County Overview
Onondaga County Clerk Office
The Onondaga County Clerk's Office is at Onondaga County Courthouse, 401 Montgomery Street, Syracuse, NY 13202. Phone: 315-435-2226. The office maintains Supreme Court records, including all divorce judgments filed in the county. Online access is available for some record types, though divorce files are restricted.
Walk-in visitors should bring a valid photo ID. Only the parties to a divorce or their attorney of record can get copies of the file. If you are picking up records for someone else, bring a notarized letter granting you that authority. The clerk's office handles requests during regular business hours, Monday through Friday.
Syracuse residents often ask whether the city clerk handles divorce records. The answer is no. The Syracuse City Clerk at City Hall Commons, 201 E. Washington Street, handles birth, death, and marriage records. Divorce records are always at the county level. Go to the Onondaga County Clerk for any divorce-related requests.
Fees for Onondaga County Divorce Records
Certified copies of divorce judgments typically cost $5.00 for up to four pages. Additional pages are $1.25 each. Search fees are $5.00 per name for each two-year period. These are standard fees across most counties in New York.
For mail requests, include the names of both parties, the date of the divorce, and the index number if you have it. Include payment and a self-addressed stamped envelope. If you do not have the index number, you can still request a search, but it will cost more if the date range is wide. Having even an approximate year helps narrow the search.
Filing for Divorce in Onondaga County
Divorce cases are filed in Onondaga County Supreme Court. The index number is $210. The Note of Issue costs $125. Motions are $45 each. If you cannot afford the filing fees, the court has a process for fee waivers through the Poor Person Application.
New York has a no-fault ground for divorce. You state that the marriage has broken down for at least six months. All financial and custody matters must be settled before you can get the final judgment on this ground. Fault-based grounds exist too, including cruel treatment, abandonment, and imprisonment. Most people choose no-fault.
You need to meet a residency requirement. Five options exist. The simplest is that either spouse has lived in New York for two continuous years. Other options require one year of residence combined with additional ties to the state, like marrying here or having the grounds for divorce happen here. The NYS Courts divorce page breaks down every option and has the forms you need.
After filing, you have 120 days to serve your spouse. A person over 18 who is not a party handles the service. For uncontested cases, the process can move quickly. Once the judge signs the judgment, file it with the County Clerk. The clerk stamps it with the date, and the divorce is final from that point.
Onondaga County Divorce Records Privacy
Divorce records are sealed for 100 years under Section 235 of the Domestic Relations Law. Only the parties or their attorneys can access the file. The public cannot view divorce records. This is a statewide rule that applies in every county, including Onondaga.
A court order can grant access to a non-party, but it requires a formal application and a showing of good cause. For records older than 100 years, the seal lifts. The New York State Archives has information about finding historical divorce decrees from 1847 forward.
State Divorce Certificates for Onondaga County
The New York State Department of Health keeps certificates for all divorces since 1963. Onondaga County cases are included. The certificate is a summary document that confirms the divorce. It is not the full court file.
Mail orders cost $30 per copy. Online or phone orders cost $45 plus a vendor fee. Only the spouses or someone with a court order can request a certificate. Processing takes 10 to 15 business days by mail. Provide the full names of both parties, the date of the divorce, and the county.
Online Search Resources
The NYSCEF electronic filing system handles e-filed cases in Onondaga County Supreme Court. Search by party name, index number, or attorney. Matrimonial case documents are restricted from public view.
WebCivil Supreme is the statewide civil case search tool covering all 62 counties. You can search by name or index number. Divorce case listings may appear, but the file details remain sealed. For more guidance on historical records, the NYS Library Vital Records page has links and research tips.
Screenshot of State Divorce Resources
The New York State Archives provides guidance on where to get divorce decrees for any county, including Onondaga County.
This page directs you to the correct county office for records going back to 1847.
Cities in Onondaga County
Onondaga County includes Syracuse and several surrounding communities. All divorce cases are filed through Onondaga County Supreme Court.