Tompkins County Divorce Decree Search

Tompkins County divorce decree records are maintained at the County Clerk's Office at 320 N. Tioga Street in Ithaca. Maureen Reynolds serves as County Clerk. The county falls in the 6th Judicial District, and all divorce judgments are filed through the Supreme Court. If you need to search for or get a copy of a Tompkins County divorce decree, you can visit the clerk in person during office hours, send a mail request, or use online tools to look up basic case information. The office is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Tompkins County Divorce Decree Office

The Tompkins County Clerk's Office is at 320 N. Tioga Street, Ithaca, NY 14850. Call (607) 274-5431 for questions. The office keeps all Supreme Court records, including divorce decrees, land records, and other court filings. Maureen Reynolds heads the office. Hours are 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday.

To request a Tompkins County divorce decree, you must be a party to the case or an attorney of record. Bring a valid photo ID like a driver's license or passport. The clerk needs the names of both spouses. The index number speeds things up if you have it. Certified copies cost $5 for the first four pages and $1.25 for each page after that. Plain copies run $0.65 per page. A $5 search fee applies for every two-year period the clerk has to look through if you lack the case number.

Under Section 235 of the Domestic Relations Law, Tompkins County divorce files are sealed for 100 years. Only the parties, their lawyers, or someone with a court order can see the full file. After 100 years, the records become public.

Find Divorce Decrees in Tompkins County

The Tompkins County Supreme Court is at 320 North Tioga Street, P.O. Box 70, Ithaca, NY 14851-0070. The phone is (607) 216-6610 and the email is TPKSC@nycourts.gov. Kimberly Record is the Chief Clerk and Lindsey M. Chaffee is the Deputy Chief Clerk. Supreme Court Justices Hon. Elizabeth Aherne and Hon. Mark G. Masler hear divorce cases. The court is open 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM weekdays.

Here is the Tompkins County Court page, which lists court contact details and judges for the 6th Judicial District.

This page covers the court structure, staff, and contact information for Tompkins County divorce cases.

WebCivil Supreme is a free online tool for searching Tompkins County divorce cases. You search by party name, index number, or attorney. It shows case status, party names, and filing dates. The full decree is not viewable online. But getting the index number from a WebCivil search makes your visit to the clerk faster. The NYSCEF electronic filing system may also have documents for some cases.

Tompkins County Divorce Records Access

The Tompkins County Clerk keeps all divorce decree files as part of the Supreme Court records. You can request copies in person or by mail.

This resource explains the difference between a divorce decree from the county clerk and a divorce certificate from the state health department.

Two types of divorce records exist in New York. The divorce decree is the full court document with all the terms. It is filed with the Tompkins County Clerk. The divorce certificate is a short form kept by the NYS Department of Health. Certificates are only available for divorces after January 1, 1963. They cost $30 by mail or $45 online. The certificate just lists names and the date the marriage ended.

Family Court does not handle divorces in Tompkins County or anywhere in New York. The Family Court at 320 North Tioga Street, phone (607) 216-6640, handles custody, support, and other family matters. But for a divorce, you must go through the Supreme Court. Lisa Brant is the Family Court Chief Clerk. If you mistakenly go to Family Court for a divorce decree, they will direct you to the Supreme Court or the County Clerk.

Divorce Decree Laws in Tompkins County

Section 255 of the Judiciary Law says the clerk must search records and make copies for eligible people who pay the fees. The clerk looks through files and dockets and provides copies or says the records were not found. This applies to all divorce decree requests in Tompkins County.

The New York State Archives has details about very old divorce records. Cases before July 1, 1847 may be at the State Archives in Albany. After that date, Tompkins County kept its own files. The NYS Unified Court System has free forms and guides if you need to file for divorce or want to understand what documents make up a divorce decree file.

Tompkins County Divorce Decree Help

The Ask a Law Librarian service is free and answers questions about court records. The New York State Bar Association referral line is 1-800-342-3661. Ithaca has a strong legal community, and there are several legal aid organizations in the area that help people who cannot afford a lawyer.

Tompkins County is home to Cornell University and Ithaca College, which gives the area a large population relative to its size. The clerk's office handles a steady volume of record requests. If you plan to visit in person, bring all your documents, your ID, and payment. Mail requests should go to 320 N. Tioga Street, Ithaca, NY 14850 with a self-addressed stamped envelope and the proper fees.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Tompkins County and maintain their own divorce decree records.