Access Monroe County Divorce Decree

Monroe County divorce decree records are kept at the County Clerk's Office at 39 West Main Street in Rochester. The clerk serves as the clerk of the Supreme Court and holds all divorce files for the county. Monroe County is part of the 7th Judicial District, and the Hall of Justice at 50 West Main Street is where the Supreme Court handles all divorce proceedings. You can search for case details online, visit the clerk's office, or send a mail request. Rochester is the county seat and the third largest city in New York, so the clerk processes a high volume of divorce record requests each year.

Monroe County Divorce Decree Office

The Monroe County Clerk's Office at 39 West Main Street, Room 101, Rochester, NY 14614, is where all divorce decree records are filed. Call (585) 753-1600. The County Clerk is Ms. Jamie Romeo. The office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The clerk maintains court files for civil and criminal matters, including all divorce cases handled by the Supreme Court. An online records search called Monroe Records Online is also available for some document types.

Here is the Monroe County Clerk's main page, which lists services and contact information for the office in Rochester.

The clerk's site provides details about court records, land filings, and other services. For divorce decree copies, you can visit in person, call, or submit a request by mail.

Divorce files in Monroe County are sealed documents. Only the plaintiff, the defendant, or an attorney of record can view the file. You need identification to access it. To get a copy, you can visit the office at Room 105, send a notarized letter by mail to 39 West Main Street, Room 105, Rochester, NY 14614, or call Customer Service at (585) 753-1600 for instructions. Family Court judgments are handled separately at (585) 371-3544.

A certified copy costs $5 for the first four pages. Each page after that is $1.25. Plain copies run $0.65 per page. The search fee is $5 for every two-year period. You can also fax requests to (585) 753-1650 if needed.

Search Monroe County Divorce Decrees

The Monroe County Marriage and Divorce Records page lays out the specific steps for getting a divorce decree. For contested divorce matters, call the Supreme Court at (585) 371-3758. For uncontested (pro se) divorce filings, the same number connects you with the clerk who can provide a checklist and forms. The Supreme Court handles all divorce proceedings for the 7th Judicial District.

Here is the Monroe County marriage and divorce records page, which explains how to access sealed divorce files.

This page details who can view divorce files, how to request copies, and the difference between contested and uncontested cases in Monroe County.

WebCivil Supreme is a free online tool to search for Monroe County divorce cases. Enter the party name, index number, or attorney name. The results show case status and filing dates. The full divorce decree text is not available online because of privacy rules under DRL Section 235. But the search confirms whether a case exists and gives you the index number to use when requesting the record.

The NYSCEF system handles electronic filings. Matrimonial filings in Monroe County are currently voluntary for e-filing. The 7th Judicial District also has a DIY Uncontested Divorce Program for people filing without a lawyer.

Monroe County Divorce Decree Access

The Monroe County Land Records and Court Documents page gives access to an online document database. While full divorce decree files are not viewable online due to the confidentiality rules, the database covers other types of court and land records. You can use it to search for related filings or to check index numbers before visiting the office.

Here is the Monroe County records search page, showing the online document access system.

This search tool covers land records and some court documents. For divorce decree copies specifically, contact the clerk's office directly at Room 105.

For divorces finalized after January 1, 1963, the NYS Department of Health keeps a short-form divorce certificate. This lists names and the date the marriage ended but not the full terms. It costs $30 from the state. If you need the complete decree from Monroe County, the clerk's office is the only source.

Divorce Decree Laws in Monroe County

Section 235 of the Domestic Relations Law makes all matrimonial files in Monroe County confidential. The clerk cannot show the pleadings, testimony, findings, or the decree to anyone other than a party or attorney of record. This seal lasts 100 years. Subdivision 3 of Section 235 lets anyone request a certification of disposition, which confirms the case outcome without revealing details. The fee is $5 per two-year search period.

Judiciary Law Section 255 requires the clerk to search records and provide copies for eligible people who pay the fees. ID is checked before any divorce file is released. Monroe County follows these rules the same as every other county in the state.

Monroe County Divorce Decree Help

The NYS Unified Court System has free divorce forms and instructions. The 7th Judicial District runs a self-help center in Rochester. The DIY Uncontested Divorce Program is available for people who want to file without a lawyer. Even so, the court system recommends legal representation. The New York State Bar Association referral line is 1-800-342-3661.

The Legal Aid Society of Rochester serves Monroe County residents who cannot afford a private attorney. Ask a Law Librarian is a free court system service that can answer questions about divorce decree records. Rochester has a large legal community with many attorneys who handle matrimonial law. The New York State Library has vital records guides for genealogy researchers looking for older Monroe County divorce decree records.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Monroe County and keep their own divorce decree records at their County Clerk offices.

Cities in Monroe County

The following cities in Monroe County have their own divorce decree information pages with local details and resources.