Sullivan County Divorce Records Search

Sullivan County divorce records are held at the County Clerk's Office in Monticello, New York. All divorces in the county are processed through the Sullivan County Supreme Court, which is the only court with the authority to grant a divorce here. After the judge signs a Judgment of Divorce, the clerk files it and stamps the entry date. You can request copies of divorce decrees from the clerk or get a state-level divorce certificate from the New York State Department of Health for cases dating back to 1963. This page explains the steps, fees, and access rules for Sullivan County divorce records.

Sullivan County Clerk's Office

The Sullivan County Clerk's Office is at 100 North Street, Monticello, NY 12701. The phone number is 845-794-3000. This office maintains court records for the county, including all divorce judgments and related case documents.

To get a copy of a divorce decree, you must be named in the case or be the attorney of record. Third parties need notarized permission from one of the parties. A court order also works. Bring a valid photo ID for any in-person request. The staff follows standard New York rules for sealed files.

You can visit during regular business hours or send a written request by mail. Include your name, the approximate year of the divorce, and the index number if you have it. A self-addressed stamped envelope should go in with your request.

Sullivan County Divorce Record Fees

The cost for a certified copy of a divorce judgment at the Sullivan County Clerk is about $5.00 for documents up to four pages. Each page after that adds $1.25. A search fee of $5.00 per name per two-year block also applies.

For a state certificate, the New York State Department of Health charges $30 by mail. Phone and online orders cost $45 plus a vendor processing fee. The DOH keeps certificates for divorces granted on or after January 1, 1963.

Note: Contact the clerk to verify current fees before submitting payment.

How to File for Divorce in Sullivan County

All divorce cases in Sullivan County go through Supreme Court. Filing starts with buying an index number for $210. This number is used to track the case through every step.

New York has five residency options. You must satisfy at least one before you can file. The most common ones are that you married in New York and one spouse has been a resident for at least a year, or that one spouse has lived in the state for two continuous years. The full list is spelled out in the Domestic Relations Law and on the NYS CourtHelp site.

After filing, you have 120 days to serve the other spouse. Service must be done in person by someone at least 18 years old who is not part of the case. If your spouse does not respond, wait 40 days after service to file a Note of Issue. The Note of Issue costs $125. If your spouse signs an Affidavit of Defendant, you skip the wait and file right away.

For uncontested divorces, the minimum total is around $335. That covers the index number and Note of Issue. A certified copy of the judgment is about $8 extra. Motions, if needed, are $45 each. People who cannot afford the fees may apply as a Poor Person through an affidavit and supporting documents.

Searching Sullivan County Divorce Records Online

You can check on divorce case filings in Sullivan County through the NYSCEF electronic filing system. NYSCEF allows searches by index number, party name, or attorney name. Sullivan County is in the 9th Judicial District, and electronic filing is available for Supreme Court matters.

Remember that divorce files are sealed under New York law. You can see that a case exists and check basic status details, but the actual documents are only visible to the parties and their lawyers. No public browsing of the full file is allowed.

The image below shows the main page of the NYS Department of Health vital records site, which handles divorce certificate requests for all counties including Sullivan.

The NYS Department of Health Vital Records page is where you begin the process of ordering a divorce certificate by mail or online.

This state-level site covers divorce certificates for all 62 counties, including Sullivan County cases from 1963 onward.

Confidentiality of Sullivan County Divorce Files

New York seals all matrimonial records for 100 years. The Domestic Relations Law Section 235 governs these rules. Only the parties, their attorneys, or someone with proper authorization can view the files. The public cannot inspect or copy any part of a divorce case during the seal period.

For older records that have passed the 100-year mark, the New York State Archives can help with guidance. Divorce records since July 1, 1847 are filed with the county clerk in the county where the case took place.

Nearby Counties

Sullivan County is in the Catskill region of New York. If your divorce was granted in a nearby county, contact that county's clerk for records.