Richmond County Divorce Decree Records

Richmond County divorce decree records are held at the County Clerk's Office on Staten Island, one of the five boroughs of New York City. If you need a copy of a divorce decree from Richmond County, you can visit the clerk in person at 18 Richmond Terrace. The clerk serves as the keeper of all Supreme Court civil records, and that includes divorce cases filed in this borough. Staten Island divorce decree searches can be done in person or by mail, and the WebCivil Supreme system lets you look up case status online. The 13th Judicial District handles all divorce proceedings in Richmond County, though the clerk's records office is the place to get a certified copy of a final decree.

Richmond County Divorce Decree Office

The Richmond County Clerk's Office is the main source for divorce decree records on Staten Island. It sits at 18 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island, NY 10301. You can call the office at (718) 675-7700. They are open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The clerk holds all Supreme Court files, which includes every divorce decree that was granted in Richmond County. Since divorce cases in New York can only go through the Supreme Court, this is the one place where the full judgment of divorce gets filed. The office also keeps land records, liens, and other court documents on behalf of the county.

To get a certified copy of your Richmond County divorce decree, you need to show a valid photo ID. A driver's license, passport, or state-issued ID will work. You must be a party to the divorce or an attorney of record. The clerk will ask for the full names of both spouses and the index number if you have it. Without the index number, the staff can run a search, but there is a $5 fee for each two-year period they look through. A certified copy costs $5 for the first four pages. Each page after that is $1.25. Plain copies are less, running about $0.65 per page. Cash, check, and money order are accepted at the front counter.

The office can get busy. Staten Island has a large population, and the clerk handles more than just divorce decrees. Plan to arrive early if you want to avoid a wait.

Search Richmond County Divorce Decrees

The Richmond County Supreme Court handles all divorce filings on Staten Island. It is part of the 13th Judicial District. The courthouse shares the same address as the clerk at 18 Richmond Terrace. When a couple files for divorce in Richmond County, the case goes to a Supreme Court justice who reviews the papers, hears the case if it is contested, and issues the final divorce decree. That decree is then filed with the County Clerk for permanent record keeping.

You can search for Richmond County divorce decree cases online through WebCivil Supreme. This free tool from the New York State court system lets you search by party name, index number, or attorney name. The results show case status, filing dates, and party names. Keep in mind that you cannot view the full divorce decree online. Privacy rules under DRL Section 235 keep all matrimonial files sealed. But a WebCivil search can tell you that a case exists and give you the index number you need to request records from the clerk.

The NYSCEF electronic filing system may also have documents for some Richmond County divorce cases. Not every case shows up in NYSCEF, so if you can't find what you need there, check with the clerk directly. E-filing has been mandatory for certain civil cases in Richmond County, and some newer divorce filings may be in the system.

Divorce Decree Access in Richmond County

Because Richmond County is part of New York City, you have access to city-wide resources that other counties do not offer. The NYC311 service can help direct you to the right office for divorce decree requests. You can call 311 from anywhere in the city or dial (718) 675-7700 to reach the Richmond County Clerk directly. The 311 system is useful if you are not sure which office holds the records you need, since New York City has five separate county clerks.

For divorces granted on or after January 1, 1963, the New York State Department of Health also has a divorce certificate on file. This is a short form document, different from the full divorce decree. It lists the names of both parties and the date the marriage ended, but it does not include the terms of the divorce. The fee for a mail-in copy from the Department of Health is $30. Online and phone orders cost $45 plus a vendor processing fee. For divorces before 1963, the Richmond County Clerk has the only record.

Here is the NYS Department of Health page for ordering divorce certificates, which covers all New York counties including Richmond.

This page explains the difference between a divorce decree from the county clerk and a divorce certificate from the state health department. Both are valid records, but they serve different purposes.

Divorce Decree Laws for Richmond County

Section 235 of the Domestic Relations Law sets the rules for who can see Richmond County divorce decree files. The law makes all matrimonial papers confidential. That means the pleadings, testimony, findings, and the divorce decree itself are off limits to the general public. Only the parties to the case, their lawyers, or someone with a court order can view the full file. This rule lasts for 100 years from the date of the final decree.

There is one thing anyone can request. Subdivision 3 of Section 235 allows any person to ask for a "certification of disposition." This short document confirms the outcome of the case without sharing private details. It is useful for proving that a divorce happened without revealing the terms. The fee is $5 for each two-year period the clerk searches.

Section 255 of the Judiciary Law says the clerk must search records and provide copies when asked by an eligible person and paid the right fees. The clerk checks your identity before handing over any Richmond County divorce decree records. For genealogy or historical work, the New York State Archives has information about older divorce records. Files more than 100 years old are open to anyone regardless of their connection to the case.

Richmond County Divorce Decree Help

If you need help with a divorce case in Richmond County, start with the NYS Unified Court System website. It has free divorce forms and step-by-step instruction booklets. The court system covers uncontested and contested divorce procedures. They strongly suggest using a lawyer even for simple cases, but the forms are there if you plan to go it alone.

The New York State Bar Association runs a lawyer referral line at 1-800-342-3661. They can connect you with an attorney who handles divorce cases on Staten Island. For people who cannot afford a lawyer, Ask a Law Librarian is a free service that answers questions about divorce decree records and court procedures. It is not full legal representation, but it can point you in the right direction on forms, fees, and filing steps.

Staten Island also has legal aid organizations that serve low-income residents. The Legal Aid Society has an office that covers Richmond County for family law matters. While Family Court does not handle divorces in New York, some legal aid groups help with related issues like custody and support that often come up during a divorce case.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Richmond County and maintain their own divorce decree records through their County Clerk offices.

Cities in Richmond County

The following city in Richmond County has its own divorce decree information page with details on which court handles filings.