New Rochelle Divorce Decree Records

New Rochelle divorce decree records are kept by the Westchester County Clerk in White Plains. The city does not hold divorce files on its own. If you need a copy of a divorce decree from a case that went through the courts in Westchester County, that clerk's office is where you go. New Rochelle sits in the 9th Judicial District, and all divorce cases here are heard in the Westchester County Supreme Court. Searching for these records starts with the County Clerk's Legal Division, which stores all civil court files including divorce judgments.

Westchester County Clerk and New Rochelle Divorce Records

The Westchester County Clerk handles all divorce decree files for New Rochelle. The office is in White Plains, not in New Rochelle itself. You will need to visit or write to the Legal Division at Room 330, 110 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., White Plains, NY 10601. The phone number is (914) 995-3070. You can also reach them by email at CC-Legal@westchestergov.com. The current County Clerk is Timothy C. Idoni.

Divorce files in Westchester County are sealed. Only the people named in the case or their lawyers can get copies. You must bring a valid photo ID like a driver's license or passport. If you are not a party to the divorce but need access, you will need a notarized release from one of the parties. There is no way around this rule. The clerk checks every request before handing over any files.

The fee is $1.25 per page, with a minimum charge of $5.00 and a cap of $40.00. If you do not have the case index number, add $5.00 for a search fee. Make checks out to the Westchester County Clerk.

How to Get a Divorce Decree in New Rochelle

There are two main ways to get a New Rochelle divorce decree. You can go in person or send a request by mail. For in-person visits, head to the Westchester County Clerk's office in White Plains. Bring your ID and know the names of both parties. The index number helps too, if you have it. The office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

For mail requests, send a letter to the Office of the Westchester County Clerk, Legal Division, Room 330, 110 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., White Plains, NY 10601. Include the full names of both spouses, the year the divorce was granted, and a copy of your ID. Attach a check for the fees. The clerk will mail back the copies once they process your request. Processing times can vary, so plan for a few weeks if you need documents for a deadline.

The Westchester County Clerk divorce records page has more details on the request process and forms you may need.

The City of New Rochelle website provides general info but does not handle divorce records directly.

New Rochelle Divorce Cases in Supreme Court

All divorce cases for New Rochelle residents go through the Westchester County Supreme Court. The court is at 111 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., White Plains, NY 10601. The civil department is on the 9th floor. Call (914) 824-5300 for civil matters. The Chief Clerk is Lisa D'Angelo.

Under New York law, the Supreme Court has sole power over divorce cases. Family Court cannot grant a divorce. This is true across the whole state. So if you lived in New Rochelle when the case was filed, it went through Westchester County Supreme Court. After the judge signs the decree, the County Clerk gets the file. That is where you pick up your copy later on.

Divorce Decree Access Rules for New Rochelle

Domestic Relations Law Section 235 makes divorce files sealed in New York. This law applies to every county. For New Rochelle cases held in Westchester, the same rules apply as anywhere else in the state. Only the named parties or their attorneys of record can view or copy the file. Third parties need a court order.

A certification of disposition is different, though. Any person can request one. This document just says that a divorce took place and gives the date. It does not show the terms or the settlement details. The fee is $5.00 for every two-year period searched. Under Judiciary Law Section 255, the clerk must provide this when asked and paid.

New Rochelle Divorce Certificate vs Divorce Decree

A divorce decree is the full court judgment. It has the property split, custody terms, and all the orders the judge made. The Westchester County Clerk keeps this file. A divorce certificate is a short form from the NYS Department of Health. It shows just the names and the date the marriage ended. The DOH only has certificates for divorces from January 1, 1963 onward.

If the divorce happened before 1963, the only record is the decree at the County Clerk's office. The state certificate costs $30 by mail or $45 online. Both spouses can request one, as well as anyone with a court order. For New Rochelle residents, the county clerk route is often faster if you need the full decree with all the details. The DOH line is (855) 322-1022 for questions about certificates.

Older Divorce Decree Records in New Rochelle

Westchester County divorce records go back many years. The County Clerk holds files from across the county's history. For very old cases, the NYS Archives can point you in the right direction. After 100 years from the date of the final decree, the records become open to the public. That mostly helps genealogy researchers.

The New York State Library also has guides on finding older vital records. For genealogical copies, the Department of Health charges $22. Mail those requests to the Vital Records Section, Genealogy Unit, P.O. Box 2602, Albany, NY 12220-2602.

Nearby Cities

Other cities near New Rochelle also have divorce decree records handled at the county level. Check these pages for details on nearby locations.