Steuben County Divorce Decree

Steuben County divorce decree records are maintained by the County Clerk in Bath. The clerk acts as the filing office for the Supreme Court in this part of the 7th Judicial District. All divorce decrees granted in Steuben County wind up in the clerk's permanent files at 3 East Pulteney Square. If you need to search for a divorce decree here, you can look up cases through WebCivil Supreme online or visit the office in person. The files the clerk keeps are permanent and used regularly by attorneys and the public. Records go back to 1847, and the staff can help you find what you need if you have the right to access the file.

Steuben County Clerk Divorce Decree Office

The Steuben County Clerk's Office is at 3 East Pulteney Square, Bath, NY 14810. Judith M. Hunter is the County Clerk. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. The phone number is (607) 664-2563 and the fax is (607) 664-2158. The clerk serves as clerk of the Supreme and County Courts and also handles land records including deeds, mortgages, and liens. Pistol permits, notary qualifications, and oaths of office are also processed here.

The files kept by the Steuben County Clerk are permanent. Attorneys and the public use them on an ongoing basis. Divorce decree records are among the most commonly requested court documents, along with judgments and liens. When a Supreme Court judge signs a judgment of divorce in Steuben County, the decree gets filed with the clerk and stays there forever. The clerk's office is the only local source for the original divorce decree file.

Divorce decree files are sealed under DRL Section 235. Only the named parties or their attorneys can get copies. Non-parties need a court order.

Divorce Decree Filings in Steuben County Courts

The Supreme and County Court building is at 3 East Pulteney Square in Bath, the same address as the clerk's office. Call (607) 622-8219 or fax (607) 622-8244. Jennifer MacPhail is the Chief Clerk and Jennifer Roth is the Deputy Chief Clerk. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The criminal department is on the second floor. For civil matters like divorce, call the main number.

Steuben County also has a Family Court on the third floor at 3 East Pulteney Square. April L. Din is the Chief Clerk and Kirsten VanAtta is the Deputy Chief Clerk. The phone is (607) 622-8218 and the fax is (607) 622-8239. The window is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with filings accepted until 4:45 PM. Keep in mind that Family Court does not handle divorce in New York. All divorce decree cases go through the Supreme Court.

Steuben County Divorce Decree Images

The Steuben County Clerk's website has details on the office's services, hours, and how to request divorce decree records and other court filings.

Use that site to find current hours and contact details before visiting the office for a divorce decree copy.

Getting a Steuben County Divorce Decree Copy

Walk into the clerk's office during business hours with your photo ID. Tell the staff you need a divorce decree. Give them the names and approximate year, or the index number. Certified copies cost $5 for the first four pages and $1.25 each page after that. Plain copies are about $0.65 per page. The search fee is $5 per two-year period if the index number is not known.

For a mail request, send a letter to the Steuben County Clerk at 3 East Pulteney Square, Bath, NY 14810. Include the case details, your ID copy, and a check payable to the Steuben County Clerk. The NYS Department of Health has divorce certificates for cases from 1963 forward. That costs $30 by mail. The certificate is a short form record and does not include the full divorce decree terms. Call the Vital Records line at (855) 322-1022 for more info.

Under Judiciary Law Section 255, the clerk has a duty to search the files and make copies for eligible requesters who pay the fees. The New York State Archives can help with very old cases from before 1847.

Steuben County Divorce Decree Access Rules

All divorce decree records in Steuben County are sealed for 100 years. Only parties and their attorneys have access. A court order is needed for anyone else. After the 100-year period, the records open up. This is the same across all 62 New York counties. The rule exists to protect the privacy of the people in the case. For genealogy, records from before 1926 are now public.

Nearby Counties

Divorce decrees are filed in the county where the plaintiff lived. Check these neighbors if needed.