Greece Divorce Decree Records

Greece is one of the largest towns in Monroe County, and residents looking for a divorce decree need to go through the Monroe County Clerk's Office in Rochester. The town itself does not keep divorce records. All divorce decrees in New York are filed with the county clerk where the case was heard, which for Greece means Monroe County Supreme Court. Whether you need a certified copy for legal use or just want to confirm a case exists, the clerk's office at 39 W. Main Street handles all such requests. You can search for case details through the state court system or visit the office in person.

Greece Divorce Decree Filings

Greece does not have its own court that grants divorces. In New York, only the Supreme Court can end a marriage. For Greece residents, that means the Monroe County Supreme Court in Rochester. Once the court signs the divorce decree, it gets filed with the Monroe County Clerk's Office. The clerk's office is at 39 W. Main Street, Rochester, NY 14614. You can call them at (585) 753-1600.

If you lived in Greece when the divorce was filed, your decree is most likely on file in Monroe County. Some people move after filing, which can cause confusion. The key is where the case was heard, not where you live now. The Monroe County Clerk keeps divorce decree records dating back to 1847. That is a long time. The office also holds land records, civil case files, and other court documents, so they deal with a high volume of requests each day.

To get a certified copy of a divorce decree from Monroe County, you need to show valid photo ID. The clerk will ask for the names of both parties and the approximate year of the divorce. An index number speeds up the search. The fee for a certified copy starts at $5 for the first four pages. Extra pages cost $1.25 each. If you do not have the index number, the clerk charges $5 for every two-year period they search through.

How to Get a Greece Divorce Decree

There are three ways to get a copy of a divorce decree filed in Monroe County. You can visit the clerk's office in person, send a written request by mail, or search for case info online first. Each method has its own steps and timeline.

For in-person requests, go to 39 W. Main Street in Rochester. Bring your photo ID and know the names of both parties. The clerk can usually pull the file the same day. If the record is old, it may take longer. Mail requests take more time. Send a letter with the full names of both spouses, the approximate date of the divorce, and a check or money order for the search and copy fees. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail it to the Monroe County Clerk, 39 W. Main Street, Rochester, NY 14614. Plan for two to four weeks of processing time. The clerk's office gets many requests by mail, so it is not instant.

The Monroe County marriage and divorce records page has details on what you need to submit. It also explains the difference between a divorce decree and a divorce certificate. The decree is the full court document. The certificate is a shorter form from the state health department.

Divorce Decree Access Rules in Greece

Divorce decree records in New York are not public documents. Section 235 of the Domestic Relations Law limits who can see the full case file. Only the parties to the divorce or their attorneys can get copies. A court order can also open access. This rule stays in place for 100 years from the date of the final decree. After that, the records become open to anyone.

There is a partial workaround. Under subdivision 3 of Section 235, any person can request a "certification of disposition" from the Monroe County Clerk. This short document confirms that a divorce case happened and states the outcome. It does not include the terms of the decree, the testimony, or the pleadings. It is useful for verifying that a divorce took place without getting into the details.

Section 255 of the Judiciary Law requires the clerk to search records and provide copies when asked by an eligible person who pays the right fees. The clerk must look through all files and either hand over the copies or certify that the records cannot be found. For Greece residents, this all happens at the Monroe County Clerk's office in Rochester.

Monroe County Clerk Resources for Greece

The Monroe County Clerk's website provides details on how to request divorce decree copies and what records are on file. You can visit their land and court records search page for more info.

This is the main page for the Monroe County Clerk. It lists the services available, including divorce decree copies, land records, and court filings. The office is at 39 W. Main Street in Rochester, which is the closest location for Greece residents.

For divorces that happened on or after January 1, 1963, the NYS Department of Health also keeps a divorce certificate on file. This is not the same as a decree. The certificate only lists the names and the date the marriage ended. Getting one from the state costs $30 by mail. Online orders run $45 plus a vendor fee. The state health department phone number is (855) 322-1022.

You can also check the NYSCEF electronic filing system to see if any documents from a Monroe County divorce case were filed electronically. Not all cases are on NYSCEF, but it is worth a look if you have a recent case number.

Greece Divorce Decree Assistance

If you need help finding or understanding a divorce decree in Greece, there are several places to turn. The NYS Unified Court System has free divorce forms and instructional booklets. These cover the basics of filing for divorce and what to expect. The court system recommends using a lawyer even for uncontested cases.

The New York State Bar Association runs a referral service at 1-800-342-3661. They can connect you with a family law attorney in the Monroe County area. For people who cannot afford a lawyer, the Ask a Law Librarian service from the court system is free. You can ask questions about divorce decree records, court procedures, and legal terms. The service is staffed by law librarians who know the system well.

The New York State Archives also has information about where to find older divorce decree records. For Greece residents with cases going back before 1847, the Archives may hold the relevant files. Most people looking for records from the last 100 years will find what they need at the Monroe County Clerk's office.

Nearby Cities

These nearby cities and towns also have divorce decree information pages with details on how to get records.