Ulster County Divorce Records

Ulster County divorce records are maintained at the County Clerk's Office in Kingston, New York. The Supreme Court in Ulster County processes all divorce filings, and the clerk keeps the Judgment of Divorce and the full case file after the judge signs off. If you need a certified copy of a divorce decree or want to look up when a case was filed, the clerk's office can help. The New York State Department of Health also stores divorce certificates for all cases statewide since 1963. Here is what you need to know about finding and requesting divorce records in Ulster County.

Ulster County Clerk's Office

The Ulster County Clerk's Office is at 244 Fair Street, Kingston, NY 12401. The phone number is 845-340-3040. The clerk stores all court records for the county, which covers divorce judgments, civil actions, land filings, and more.

You must be a party to the divorce or the attorney of record to get a copy of the judgment. If someone else needs access, they will need a notarized letter from one of the named parties or a court order. Photo ID is required for anyone walking in. The office will not release sealed files without proper identification and proof of eligibility.

For mail requests, send a letter with your full name, the index number if known, and the approximate year the divorce was granted. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for the response.

Divorce Records Fees in Ulster County

A certified copy of a Judgment of Divorce from Ulster County costs roughly $5.00 for up to four pages. Each page beyond that adds $1.25. There is a search fee of $5.00 per name for each two-year period.

The New York State Department of Health has a separate fee for state certificates. Mail orders cost $30 per copy. Online or phone orders cost $45 plus a vendor processing fee. These certificates cover divorces from 1963 to the present. For cases before that date, only the County Clerk has the records.

Note: Call the clerk's office to confirm current fees and accepted payment methods before mailing your request.

Filing for Divorce in Ulster County

Divorce cases in Ulster County are filed at the Supreme Court. The first step is to buy an index number for $210. This number identifies your case throughout the entire process. You file your papers with the Supreme Court Clerk in Kingston.

Before filing, you must meet one of New York's residency requirements. The options include: you married in New York and one spouse has lived here a year, you lived together in the state as a married couple and one spouse has been a resident for a year, the grounds for divorce arose in New York and one spouse has been a resident a year, both spouses are residents and the grounds happened here, or one spouse has lived in New York for two continuous years. The NYS CourtHelp site explains each one in detail.

After filing, the other spouse must be served within 120 days. The server must be at least 18 and not a party to the case. If your spouse does not respond, you wait 40 days before filing the Note of Issue ($125). If both sides agree and the defendant signs an affidavit, you can file right away. Total minimum cost for an uncontested case runs about $335.

Search Ulster County Divorce Cases Online

You can search for case filings in Ulster County through the NYSCEF electronic filing system. Search by index number, party name, or attorney. Ulster County falls in the 9th Judicial District, and e-filing is available for Supreme Court cases.

Matrimonial files are sealed. That means the public cannot view the actual documents in a divorce case. You may be able to see that a case exists and whether it has been disposed of, but the details stay locked to the parties and their lawyers.

The image below shows the NYS Archives page that explains where to get a copy of a divorce decree. This resource covers all counties in New York, including Ulster.

The New York State Archives provides guidance on locating divorce decree copies across the state.

This page explains that divorce records since 1847 are kept by the county clerk in the county where the case was filed.

Ulster County Divorce Record Privacy

All divorce records in New York are sealed for 100 years. This rule is set by Domestic Relations Law Section 235. It applies to every county, including Ulster. The general public cannot view or copy any divorce file during that time.

Only the parties, their attorneys, or someone with proper authorization can get access. Notarized written consent from a party or a court order is needed for third parties. After the 100-year period, records become available for research purposes. The New York State Library vital records page is a good starting point for genealogical searches involving older records.

State Divorce Certificates

The NYS Department of Health issues a Certificate of Dissolution of Marriage for all New York divorces from 1963 forward. This certificate is a short form. It lists names, the divorce date, and the county. It does not contain the full terms of the court order.

Either spouse can request it. The fee is $30 by mail, or $45 plus a processing fee online or by phone. You need valid photo ID or two documents that show your name and address. Mail processing typically takes 10 to 15 business days, but can run longer during busy times.

Nearby Counties

Ulster County is in the mid-Hudson region. If your divorce was filed in a neighboring county, contact that county's clerk for records.