Rockland County Divorce Records Lookup

Rockland County divorce records are filed at the County Clerk's Office in New City, New York. The clerk serves as clerk of the Supreme Court for the 9th Judicial District. All divorce decrees, judgments, and matrimonial case documents are stored at the clerk's office after the court makes its decision. If you need a divorce record from Rockland County, you can start by searching state court databases online or contact the clerk's office to request copies in person or by mail.

Rockland County Clerk Divorce Records

The Rockland County Clerk's Office is at 1 South Main Street, New City, NY 10956. The phone number is 845-638-5070. The office stores all court records for the county, including divorce filings, judgments, and complete case files. As clerk of the Supreme Court, this is the official repository for every matrimonial action decided in Rockland County.

Access to divorce records is restricted by Domestic Relations Law Section 235. Matrimonial files are sealed for 100 years from the final decree date. Only the parties to the divorce, their attorneys of record, or someone with notarized authorization from a party can get copies. You need a valid photo ID. Without it, the clerk will not release any records.

Fees for certified copies start around $5 for up to four pages. Each additional page costs about $1.25. The clerk charges a search fee of $5 per two-year period if you need help finding a case. Plain copies are roughly $0.65 per page. If you mail your request, include a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment by money order or certified check.

Online Divorce Record Searches for Rockland County

Rockland County does not maintain its own online search portal for divorce records. You can use the statewide WebCivil Supreme database instead. It covers all 62 counties. You search by party name, index number, or attorney name. The results show the case type, status, parties, and key dates. Full divorce decree documents cannot be viewed online because of the confidentiality rules.

The NYSCEF system may have case details for electronically filed divorces in Rockland County. The 9th Judicial District participates in NYSCEF. If the case was e-filed, you can check its status and see filing dates. For cases filed on paper, especially older ones, you need to contact the clerk's office or visit in person.

Rockland County Supreme Court

The Rockland County Supreme Court is in the 9th Judicial District, which also covers Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, and Westchester counties. It is the only court that can grant a divorce in New York. Family Court handles custody and support but does not dissolve marriages. All divorce petitions in Rockland County go to the Supreme Court.

The index number filing fee is $210. The note of issue costs $125. Each motion is $45. These fees are set by the state and are the same in every county. If you cannot afford them, you can apply for poor person status by filing an affidavit with proof of your income and expenses. The judge reviews the request and decides whether to waive the costs.

Once the judge signs the divorce judgment, the clerk files it and stamps it with the date. That date is when the divorce becomes official. You need to get a certified copy of the judgment for your own records. It may come in handy later for remarriage, name changes, or government applications. After filing, the defendant must be served with a copy of the judgment and a notice of entry by someone over 18 who is not the plaintiff.

Rockland County Divorce Record Types

New York has two kinds of divorce documents. The full decree sits with the Rockland County Clerk. It has all the terms, including property division, custody arrangements, and support orders. The divorce certificate is a simpler record from the NYS Department of Health. The DOH has certificates for divorces from January 1, 1963 forward. It costs $30 by mail or $45 online. Either spouse can request it.

For divorces before 1963, only the decree at the clerk's office exists. There is no state-level certificate for those older cases. The New York State Archives can help with pre-1847 records. The NYS Library has genealogy guides that point to the right sources for historical vital records in the state.

Rockland County Divorce Resources

The Court Help Center in the 9th Judicial District offers free information about court procedures and divorce forms. They cannot give legal advice but can help you find the right forms and understand the steps. The NYS Courts divorce page has packets for uncontested and contested divorces available for download.

If you need an attorney, call the New York State Bar Association referral line at 1-800-342-3661. Legal Services of the Hudson Valley serves Rockland County and provides free legal help to people who qualify based on income. These resources can make a big difference, especially if the divorce involves children, property, or disagreements between the spouses.

New York's residency requirements must be met before you can file. The most common is two continuous years of state residency. One-year options apply if you married here, lived here as a couple, or if the grounds for divorce arose in the state. The no-fault ground requires that the marriage has been irretrievably broken for six months or more.

Rockland County Records Screenshot

The New York State Library maintains a guide to vital records resources across the state, covering divorce records for all counties including Rockland.

This resource helps researchers and individuals find historical and current divorce record sources in Rockland County and across New York State.

Nearby Counties

These counties neighbor Rockland County. Each maintains its own divorce records at their County Clerk's office.

Cities in Rockland County

The town of Ramapo and Clarkstown and Orangetown are in Rockland County and have dedicated pages. Divorce records for all Rockland County residents go through the County Clerk's Office in New City.