Queens County Divorce Records
Queens County divorce records are managed by the County Clerk's Office within the Supreme Court building in Jamaica, Queens. As one of the five boroughs of New York City, Queens handles a high volume of divorce filings each year through the 11th Judicial District. The County Clerk stores all divorce decrees, judgments, and matrimonial case files. Whether you need a certified copy of a past divorce or want to check on a pending case, the clerk's office and several online tools can help you find what you are looking for.
Queens County Overview
Queens County Clerk Divorce Records
The Queens County Supreme Court Civil Term is at 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, NY 11435. The Matrimonial Department phone number is (718) 298-0600. The County Clerk's Office inside the courthouse provides divorce records to eligible requesters. All divorce cases filed in Queens County go through this court, and the resulting decrees and judgments stay on file with the clerk.
Divorce records in Queens County are not open to the public. Under Domestic Relations Law Section 235, matrimonial files are confidential. Only the parties to the divorce, their attorneys of record, or someone with a notarized authorization letter can get copies. You need a valid photo ID. The NYC 311 service confirms that divorce records across all five boroughs follow these same restrictions.
A certified copy of the judgment of divorce costs $8 per certification in Queens County. Additional fees apply for copying at $0.65 per page with a minimum of $1.50. If you need the clerk to search for a case, the search certificate fee is $10 for a two-year search period. Each additional two-year block costs $5 more. Exemplified copies cost $25 plus certification and copying charges.
Search Queens Divorce Records Online
Queens County has several online tools for looking up divorce case information. The E-Courts system and WebCivil Supreme let you search by party name, index number, or attorney name. When a divorce judgment is signed, the case status changes to "Disposed" with a "JS/Date" marking. These tools show you the case status but not the full divorce decree text.
The NYSCEF electronic filing system handles e-filed cases in Queens County Supreme Court. If a divorce was filed through NYSCEF, you can track its progress online. The system gives you filing dates, case status updates, and document listings. However, the actual matrimonial documents remain restricted to the parties and their attorneys.
For general information about obtaining divorce records in New York City, NYC 311 provides detailed guidance. The 311 service explains who can get records, where to go, and what fees to expect. It also covers procedures for out-of-state and international divorces. For cases outside New York City, the 311 page directs you to VitalChek.
Note: Cases with activity from the year 2000 onward are most likely to have details viewable through the online court search systems.
Queens County Supreme Court Divorce Process
The Queens County Supreme Court is the 11th Judicial District. It is the only court that can grant divorces for Queens residents. Family Court in Queens handles custody, child support, and protection orders, but it cannot dissolve a marriage. All divorce filings must go through the Supreme Court.
Filing fees are the same across all five boroughs. The index number costs $210. The note of issue is $125. Motions run $45 each. The minimum total for an uncontested divorce is $335, which covers the index number, note of issue, and a certified copy of the judgment. If you cannot pay, the court has a poor person application. You file an affidavit with proof of income, and the court decides whether to waive the fees.
Queens County has a dedicated Matrimonial Bureau that handles divorce cases. The bureau manages both contested and uncontested divorces. For uncontested cases, you can pick up a divorce packet at the court or download the forms from nycourts.gov/divorce. The NYS Courts also run a DIY (do-it-yourself) uncontested divorce program that walks you through the process online.
Obtaining Queens County Divorce Records
You have two paths for getting a Queens County divorce record. For the full decree with all terms and conditions, go to the Queens County Clerk at the Supreme Court building. For a basic Certificate of Dissolution of Marriage, contact the NYS Department of Health. The DOH has certificates for all divorces from January 1, 1963 onward. The fee is $30 by mail or $45 online.
For pre-1963 divorces, the Queens County Clerk is the only source. No state-level certificate exists for those older cases. The clerk's files go back to 1847. Very old cases from before that date would need to be searched at the New York State Archives in Albany.
All written search requests to the Queens County Clerk must include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Payment is by U.S. postal money order, certified check, or NYS attorney's check. Personal checks are not accepted. Include the full names of both parties and the approximate year of the divorce. The more details you provide, the faster the search will go.
Queens County Divorce Legal Resources
The Court Help Center at the Queens County Supreme Court offers free guidance on court procedures and forms. Staff can explain the steps in a divorce case and help you fill out paperwork. They cannot give legal advice or represent you. The center is a starting point for people who do not have a lawyer.
For legal representation, the New York State Bar Association referral line is 1-800-342-3661. Queens has several legal aid organizations that provide free or reduced-cost divorce services for people who meet income guidelines. The NYS CourtHelp page lists help centers by location and provides contact details for each one.
Queens County Records Screenshot
NYC 311 provides detailed information about divorce records for all five boroughs, including Queens County. The page below outlines who can access records and how to request them.
This NYC 311 resource covers divorce record access rules, fees, and contact details for the Queens County Clerk's Office.
Nearby Counties
Queens County borders these other New York City boroughs and counties. Each has its own clerk handling divorce records.
Cities in Queens County
Queens County is one of the five boroughs of New York City. Divorce records for Queens residents are handled by the Queens County Clerk at the Supreme Court building in Jamaica. See the New York City page for more about citywide divorce record access.