Access Tompkins County Divorce Records

Tompkins County divorce records are kept at the County Clerk's Office in Ithaca, New York. The Supreme Court in Tompkins County is the sole court that can grant a divorce, and the clerk stores every Judgment of Divorce once the judge signs it. Whether you need to pull a certified copy of a divorce decree for legal purposes or just want to confirm when a case was finalized, the County Clerk is the first place to check. The state Department of Health also has shorter divorce certificates on file for cases from 1963 onward. This guide covers how to search for and obtain Tompkins County divorce records.

Tompkins County Clerk's Office

The Tompkins County Clerk's Office is at 320 N. Tioga Street, Ithaca, NY 14850. You can reach them by phone at 607-274-5431. The office maintains court records, land records, and other public filings for the county.

Divorce records fall under sealed matrimonial files. Only parties to the case or their attorney of record can request copies. If someone else needs access, they must present a notarized authorization letter signed by one of the parties, or obtain a court order. Valid photo ID is needed for all in-person requests.

Mail requests are an option. Send a letter that includes your full name, the approximate year the divorce was granted, and the index number if you have it. Put a self-addressed stamped envelope in with your letter so the clerk can send back the results.

Divorce Records Fees in Tompkins County

Certified copies of a Judgment of Divorce typically cost $5.00 for documents up to four pages. After that, extra pages run $1.25 each. The search fee is $5.00 per name for each two-year period.

The New York State Department of Health handles state divorce certificates. Mail orders are $30. Online and phone orders are $45 plus a vendor processing fee. The DOH has records for divorces since January 1, 1963 only. Before that date, the County Clerk is the only place to get records.

Payment methods at the clerk's office can vary. Money orders and certified checks are widely accepted. Call the Ithaca office to confirm before mailing anything.

Note: Fees can change, so check the latest schedule before you send in a request.

Filing for Divorce in Tompkins County

Every divorce case in Tompkins County goes through Supreme Court. You start by purchasing an index number for $210. That number stays with the case through every filing and hearing.

New York residency rules must be met first. One common path: you married in New York and one spouse has lived here for a year. Another path: one spouse has been a continuous New York resident for two years. There are five options total, and you can find them all on the NYS CourtHelp site.

Once the case is filed, the other spouse must be served within 120 days. The server has to be at least 18 and not a party to the case. If the other spouse does not respond, you wait 40 days after service before filing the Note of Issue. The Note of Issue costs $125. When your spouse cooperates and signs an Affidavit of Defendant, you can skip the waiting period. The minimum cost for an uncontested divorce is around $335, covering the index number and Note of Issue.

Online Search for Tompkins County Divorces

The NYSCEF electronic filing portal lets you search for cases filed in Tompkins County Supreme Court. Searches can be done by index number, party name, or attorney. E-filing is available for Supreme Court cases in the 6th Judicial District.

Since matrimonial files are sealed, you will not be able to view the full case documents online. The sealed status means only the parties or their attorneys can access the file contents. Basic case status information, like whether a case has been disposed of, may still appear.

The image below shows the NYS Courts divorce forms page, which provides packets and instructions for anyone filing in Tompkins County or elsewhere in the state.

The NYS Courts divorce page has forms for both contested and uncontested filings.

This resource covers all the paperwork you need to file a divorce in Tompkins County Supreme Court.

Tompkins County Divorce Record Privacy

All divorce files in New York are sealed for 100 years from the date of the final decree. Under Domestic Relations Law Section 235, the public cannot inspect these files during the seal period.

Access is limited to the parties in the divorce, their attorneys, and those with written notarized permission. A New York Court Order can also unlock a sealed file. For genealogical research, records become public after the 100-year period ends. The New York State Archives provides guidance on getting copies of very old divorce decrees.

State Divorce Certificates

The NYS Department of Health keeps a Certificate of Dissolution of Marriage for every New York divorce since 1963. This is a short form document. It confirms the divorce happened and lists names, dates, and the county. It is not the full court decree.

Either spouse can request it. You can order by mail for $30, or online/by phone for $45 plus a vendor fee. Processing takes around 10 to 15 business days by mail. You will need a valid photo ID or two documents that show your name and address.

Nearby Counties

Tompkins County is in central New York, surrounded by several other counties. If the divorce took place in a different county, you will need to contact their clerk.