Kings County Divorce Decree Records

Kings County divorce decree records are managed by the Kings County Clerk's Office in Brooklyn. Kings County is one of the five boroughs of New York City, covering all of Brooklyn. It is the most populated county in the state, so the volume of divorce cases filed here is very high. The County Clerk serves as the clerk of the Supreme Court, which is the only court in New York with the power to grant a divorce. Whether you need a certified copy of a Kings County divorce decree or just want to check case status, this page covers the steps you need to take.

Kings County Divorce Decree Office

The Kings County Clerk's Office is at 360 Adams Street in Brooklyn, NY 11201. You can reach them by phone at (347) 404-9772. The office is open Monday through Friday. As one of the busiest clerk's offices in the state, Kings County processes a large number of divorce decree requests. The clerk holds divorce records from 1847 to the present day. The office also maintains land records, civil court files, and other public documents.

To get a copy of a Kings County divorce decree, you must provide valid photo identification. The clerk needs the full names of both spouses. Having the index number makes the process much faster. Without it, the clerk will search for the case, but a $5 fee applies for every two-year period they check. A certified copy of the divorce decree costs $5 for the first four pages. Each extra page is $1.25. Plain copies cost about $0.65 per page.

Because Kings County is part of New York City, the process can take longer than in smaller upstate counties. The volume of records is enormous. Plan ahead and bring all the information you can. If you send a request by mail, use the Adams Street address and include a check or money order. A self-addressed stamped envelope is required for all mail requests.

Search Kings County Divorce Decrees

The Kings County Supreme Court handles all divorce cases in Brooklyn. It is part of the 2nd Judicial District. The courthouse is at 360 Adams Street, the same building as the clerk's office. Kings County Supreme Court has a Matrimonial Term that deals specifically with divorce and family matters. Judges in the Matrimonial Term handle both contested and uncontested divorces.

WebCivil Supreme is a free online tool you can use to look up Kings County divorce decree cases. Search by party name, index number, or attorney name. The results show case status, party names, and key dates. The full divorce decree is not viewable online because of privacy rules. But you can get the index number and confirm a case exists. This makes your in-person or mail request to the clerk go faster.

The NYSCEF electronic filing system handles many Kings County Supreme Court filings. Some divorce documents may be accessible through NYSCEF if the case was e-filed. You need an account to use it. Keep in mind that matrimonial cases in Kings County have specific rules about which documents can be e-filed and which must go through the clerk in paper form.

Kings County Divorce Decree Access

As a New York City borough, Kings County residents can also use NYC 311 for information about divorce records. The 311 service can explain which office handles your request and how to get started. Call 311 or visit the website for guidance on divorce decree copies in Brooklyn.

The NYS Department of Health keeps divorce certificates for cases on or after January 1, 1963. This is not the same as the full divorce decree. The certificate is a short form that shows names and dates but not the terms of the decree. The cost by mail is $30. For divorces before 1963, the Kings County Clerk's Office is the only source for the divorce decree.

The NYS Department of Health page explains the difference between a divorce decree and a divorce certificate, and how to order each one.

For a Kings County divorce decree, you need to go through the County Clerk at 360 Adams Street in Brooklyn. The state only holds the shorter certificate form.

Under Section 235 of the Domestic Relations Law, divorce decree records are sealed. Only the parties, their attorneys, or someone with a court order can access the full file. A "certification of disposition" is available to anyone for $5 per two-year search. This confirms the case outcome without revealing private details.

Divorce Decree Laws for Kings County

Section 255 of the Judiciary Law requires the Kings County Clerk to search records and make copies when asked by an eligible person who pays the right fees. The clerk must search the files and either provide copies or certify that the records cannot be found. With the high volume of cases in Kings County, having the index number and exact party names saves a lot of time.

The New York State Archives has information about historical divorce records. For Kings County, divorce records from before July 1, 1847, are held at the New York County Clerk's Office at 31 Chambers Street in Manhattan, not at the State Archives in Albany. This is because Kings County is a downstate county. Records from 1847 forward stay with the Kings County Clerk.

Kings County Divorce Decree Help

Brooklyn has many legal resources for divorce. The NYS Unified Court System offers free forms and instruction booklets. The court system strongly suggests hiring a lawyer, even for simple cases. The New York State Bar Association referral line is 1-800-342-3661. Brooklyn also has the Collaborative Family Law Center, which provides reduced-fee or free collaborative law services for New York City residents.

Legal Aid Society of New York serves Kings County and can help low-income residents with family law matters. Brooklyn Legal Services also offers free help with certain civil matters. Ask a Law Librarian is a free service that can answer questions about divorce decree records and court forms. For genealogy research, the New York State Library has vital records resources. Kings County divorce decree records over 100 years old are open to the public.

Nearby Counties

Kings County borders these other New York City counties, each with its own County Clerk that holds divorce decree records.

Cities in Kings County

Kings County is coterminous with the borough of Brooklyn, which is part of New York City. For divorce decree information specific to the city, see the page below.