Chemung County Divorce Decree Search
Chemung County divorce decree records are stored at the County Clerk's Office at 203 Lake Street in Elmira. The clerk serves as the clerk of the Supreme Court within the 6th Judicial District and keeps divorce files going back to 1836 when the county was first created from Tioga County. To get a copy of a divorce decree from Chemung County, you can visit the clerk in person, submit a written request by mail, or check case details online through WebCivil Supreme. Bring the names of both parties and your photo ID when you make any request.
Chemung County Divorce Decree Overview
Chemung County Divorce Decree Office
The Chemung County Clerk's Office is at 203 Lake Street, Elmira, NY 14901. Phone is (607) 737-2920. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The clerk holds marriage records from 1908, divorce records, court records from 1836, and land records going back to 1791. This office is the main place to get a divorce decree in Chemung County.
To request a Chemung County divorce decree, you need to fill out a Divorce File/Document Request Form. The form asks for the full names of both parties, the date of divorce, and the index number if you have it. You must show proper ID to prove you are eligible to see the file. The search fee is $5 for each two-year period. Certified copies cost $5 for the first four pages and $1.25 for each additional page.
Under DRL Section 235, divorce decree records in Chemung County are sealed from public view. Only the parties, their lawyers, or someone with a court order can look at them. This rule stays in place for 100 years after the final decree date.
Chemung County Divorce Decree Lookup
The Chemung County Supreme Court sits at 226 Lake Street in Elmira, NY 14901. You can call them at (607) 737-2910. Court hours are 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. All divorces in Chemung County go through this court. No other court can grant a divorce in New York State.
WebCivil Supreme is the free online search tool for divorce cases statewide. You can look up Chemung County cases by name, index number, or attorney. The tool shows case status and dates. It will not display the divorce decree itself because of privacy laws. But it gives you the index number to use when you visit the clerk for copies. The NYSCEF system may have some Chemung County case filings too.
The Chemung County Law Library is inside the courthouse at 226 Lake Street. Phone number is (607) 737-2980. It is open 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM on weekdays. The library has legal research databases and reference materials about divorce proceedings. Public computer terminals are available for online case searches.
Chemung County Divorce Decree Records
The Chemung County Clerk keeps several types of divorce decree records on file. Court case files hold pleadings, motions, and judgments. Financial affidavits are sealed. Records involving minor children have limited access. Contact the clerk to find out what is available for your case.
Here is the Chemung County divorce records information page with details on requesting copies.
This resource explains the process for getting divorce decree copies from the Chemung County Clerk.
If your divorce took place on or after January 1, 1963, the NYS Department of Health also has a divorce certificate. This is a short form that lists names and the date. It does not include the full decree terms. The fee is $30 by mail. For divorces before 1963, the Chemung County Clerk's copy is the only one that exists anywhere.
Note: The Chemung County Clerk's office has a specific Divorce File/Document Request Form that must be completed for all records requests.
Divorce Decree Legal Rules
Section 255 of the Judiciary Law says the clerk must search files and provide copies to eligible people who pay the fees. The clerk has a duty to check the papers, records, and dockets. For Chemung County divorce cases, your ID gets checked first. Then the clerk runs the search and either gives you what you need or tells you nothing was found.
Anyone can request a "certification of disposition" from the Chemung County Clerk. This short document confirms what happened in a case without giving away details. The cost is $5 for each two-year search. It is the fastest way to confirm a divorce took place here. The New York State Archives may hold very old Chemung County divorce records from before 1847.
Chemung County Divorce Decree Help
Free divorce forms and instructions are available from the NYS Unified Court System. The system offers instruction booklets for both contested and uncontested cases. The New York State Bar Association has a referral line at 1-800-342-3661 if you need a lawyer.
For questions about divorce decree records, the Ask a Law Librarian service is free and can help clarify the difference between a divorce decree and a divorce certificate. The 6th Judicial District covers Chemung County along with Broome, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Madison, Otsego, Schuyler, Tioga, and Tompkins counties.
Nearby Counties
Counties near Chemung County that maintain their own divorce decree records through their clerk offices.
Cities in Chemung County
No cities in Chemung County meet the population threshold for a dedicated page. For divorce decree copies, reach out to the Chemung County Clerk in Elmira.