Suffolk County Divorce Records

Suffolk County divorce records are maintained by the County Clerk's Office in Riverhead, New York. This is one of the largest counties in the state by population, and the Supreme Court here handles a high volume of divorce cases each year. When a judge signs a Judgment of Divorce, the clerk files it and stamps the entry date. That date marks the official end of the marriage. Whether you need a certified copy of a decree, want to check case status, or need a divorce certificate from the state, this page lays out what you need to know about Suffolk County divorce records.

Suffolk County Clerk's Office

The Suffolk County Clerk's Office handles divorce records for the county. You can call them at 631-852-2000 for questions about records. The office is open Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM. The Supervising Judge for the 10th Judicial District is Hon. Richard Ambro.

To get a certified copy of a divorce judgment, you need to be one of the parties listed in the case. Attorneys of record can also request copies. A third party must have notarized written authorization from a party or a New York State Court Order. Photo ID is required for all in-person requests at the clerk's window.

The County Clerk also maintains separation agreements and divorce decrees. You can find more details on their Separation Agreements and Divorce Decrees page. Land records from 1987 forward are searchable online, but divorce records require direct contact with the office.

Fees for Suffolk County Divorce Records

Certified copies of a Judgment of Divorce from Suffolk County cost about $5.00 for documents up to four pages. Extra pages are $1.25 each. Search fees run $5.00 per name for every two-year period.

If you want a state divorce certificate instead, the New York State Department of Health charges $30 by mail and $45 by phone or online (plus a vendor fee). The DOH has certificates for all New York divorces since January 1, 1963. Older records are only available through the County Clerk.

Money orders and certified checks are the safest payment methods. Call the office to ask about other options before mailing anything in.

Suffolk County Divorce Court

The Suffolk County Court complex is located at the Cromarty Court Complex, Criminal Courts Building, 210 Center Drive, Riverhead, NY 11901. The Supreme Court and County Court Law Department can be reached at 631-852-1613. All divorce proceedings in Suffolk County go through Supreme Court. Family Court does not handle divorces.

Suffolk County is part of the 10th Judicial District. The court handles both contested and uncontested divorces. For uncontested cases, the minimum total cost comes to about $335, which covers the $210 index number fee and the $125 Note of Issue. Contested cases can cost more depending on how many motions get filed. Each motion runs $45.

The screenshot below shows the Suffolk County Court page on the NYS courts website.

Check the Suffolk County Court page for the latest contact info and court schedules.

The court page lists phone numbers, addresses, and judge assignments for divorce cases handled in Suffolk County.

Suffolk County Divorce Records Online

Some Suffolk County records are available online. The Suffolk County Clerk Online Records portal lets you search land records from 1987 to the present. However, divorce records are not searchable through this system because of the 100-year seal on matrimonial files.

For case status and filings, try the NYSCEF electronic filing system. You can look up cases by index number, party name, or attorney. If a case was filed electronically, basic status info may be visible. But the sealed documents will not show to the public.

Below is a screenshot of the Suffolk County Clerk's online records portal.

The online records search tool covers land and property filings but not sealed divorce files.

This portal is useful for land records, but divorce record requests must go through the clerk's office directly.

Privacy of Divorce Records in Suffolk County

New York law seals all divorce files for 100 years after the final decree. This is a statewide rule under Domestic Relations Law Section 235. In Suffolk County, the same restrictions apply. No one from the general public can walk into the clerk's office and read a divorce file.

Only the parties, their lawyers, or someone with notarized written consent from a party can access these records. A court order also works. The New York State Archives provides details on getting older records once they pass the sealed period. Records filed since July 1, 1847 are kept by the county clerk where the divorce took place.

Cities in Suffolk County

Suffolk County contains several large towns and communities. Divorce filings for residents of these areas are handled through the Suffolk County Supreme Court in Riverhead. Here are the major communities with dedicated pages on this site.

Nearby Counties

Suffolk County is the easternmost county on Long Island. If a divorce was handled in a different county, you will need to reach out to that county's clerk instead.