Livingston County Divorce Decree Search
Livingston County divorce decree records are filed with the County Clerk's Office in Geneseo. The clerk serves as the clerk of the Supreme Court, which is the only court in New York with the power to issue a divorce decree. Whether you are looking for a certified copy of a recent divorce decree or trying to track down an older case, the Livingston County Clerk's Office is your main source. You can use free state tools to search for case information online, then contact the clerk for the actual documents.
Livingston County Divorce Decree Overview
Livingston County Divorce Decree Office
The Livingston County Clerk's Office is at 2 Court Street in Geneseo, NY 14454. The office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The clerk holds divorce decree records from 1847 to the present day. Livingston County is part of the 7th Judicial District, which also includes Monroe, Ontario, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne, and Yates counties.
Getting a copy of a Livingston County divorce decree starts with valid photo ID. The clerk needs the full names of both parties. The index number is helpful but not required. If you do not have it, the clerk will search for the case, but a $5 fee applies for each two-year period searched. Certified copies cost $5 for the first four pages and $1.25 per extra page. Plain copies run about $0.65 per page. For mail requests, send a check or money order to the Geneseo address with a self-addressed stamped envelope.
The Supreme and County Court in Livingston County is led by Sarah E. Durbin as Chief Clerk. The court handles all divorce filings. You can reach the court at 585-371-3920 or by email at livingstonsandc@nycourts.gov. Judges Thomas E. Moran, Jennifer M. Noto, and Kevin G. Van Allen preside over cases in the district.
Search Livingston County Divorce Decrees
WebCivil Supreme is a free online tool for looking up divorce decree cases in Livingston County. Search by party name, index number, or attorney name. The results show case status, party names, and key dates. The full text of the divorce decree is not available online due to privacy rules under state law. But you can confirm a case exists and get the index number for your request.
E-filing through NYSCEF is now available in Livingston County for approved case types. Matrimonial filings follow specific protocols under Appendix B of the e-filing rules. The court also offers a DIY Uncontested Divorce Program with free forms and guides. If you are going through a divorce in Livingston County, the court system has resources to help you file correctly.
Note: E-filing for matrimonial cases in Livingston County is currently voluntary, not mandatory, for most filers.
Livingston County Divorce Decree Access
The NYS Department of Health keeps divorce certificates for all divorces on or after January 1, 1963. This is a different document from the divorce decree. The certificate is a short form that lists names and dates but does not include the full terms. The mail-in fee is $30. For divorces before 1963, the Livingston County Clerk is the only source for the decree.
The NYS Archives page explains how to find older divorce records and where they are held across the state.
The New York State Archives holds divorce records from before July 1, 1847, for upstate counties. Livingston County records from 1847 forward are at the County Clerk's office in Geneseo. After 100 years from the final decree, the records become public.
Divorce Decree Laws in Livingston County
Section 235 of the Domestic Relations Law makes all matrimonial files in Livingston County confidential. The clerk cannot let anyone see the pleadings, testimony, or the divorce decree unless you are a party or an attorney of record. Subdivision 3 of Section 235 lets any person request a "certification of disposition" that confirms the outcome without revealing details. That costs $5 per two-year search.
Section 255 of the Judiciary Law requires the clerk to search records and provide copies when an eligible person pays the fees. The clerk must look through the files and either give copies or say the records cannot be found. For Livingston County divorce cases, the clerk checks your ID before releasing any documents.
Livingston County Divorce Decree Help
The NYS Unified Court System offers free divorce forms and instruction guides. The court system recommends using a lawyer, even for uncontested cases. The New York State Bar Association referral line is 1-800-342-3661. For people who cannot afford a lawyer, the Volunteer Legal Services Project of the 7th Judicial District covers Livingston County and can assist with family law matters.
Ask a Law Librarian is a free service through the court system that can answer questions about divorce decree records and court forms. The New York State Library has vital records information for genealogy research. Livingston County divorce decree records older than 100 years are open to the public without any restrictions.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Livingston County and keep their own divorce decree records at their County Clerk offices.
Cities in Livingston County
Livingston County does not have any cities that meet the population threshold for a dedicated page. Geneseo is the county seat. For divorce decree records, contact the Livingston County Clerk's Office directly.