How Can I Obtain a Divorce Decree in New York?
Obtaining a copy of your divorce decree in New York is relatively simple. There are two forms of divorce records in New York: divorce decrees and divorce certificates. If you were divorced before January 1, 1963, you will request a divorce decree. If you were divorced on or after January 1, 1963, you will request a divorce certificate. All divorce certificates are filed with the New York State Department of Health. Only the husband, wife or a person with a New York court order is allowed to obtain divorce records.
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Instructions
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Obtain your decree from the county court. If your divorce occurred before January 1, 1963, your divorce decree is filed with the Clerk of the Court in the county where the divorce was finalized. A New York courts finder is listed in the Resource section.
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Order your divorce certificate online. If your divorce occurred in 1963 or later, you can order a copy online.The link to VitalChek is located in the Resource section. A divorce certificate cost $30.00, with a $15.00 priority handling charge. VitalChek charges an additional $7.25 transaction fee, which makes the total fee $52.25. Requests are processed within five to seven business days.
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Order your divorce certificate by phone. The VitalChek phone number is 1-877-854-4481. The total charge is the same as for Internet orders, $52.25. Requests are processed within five to seven business days.
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Order your divorce certificate by mail. The fee for regular processing, which takes six to eight weeks, is $30.00. The website for mail-in order forms is located in the Resource section. For regular processing, mail your form to:
New York State Department of Health
Vital Records Section
Certification Unit
P.O. Box 2602
Albany, NY 12220-2602.For priority processing, the fee is $45.00 and you will receive your certificate within two to three weeks. For priority processing, mail your form to:
New York State Department of Health
Vital Records Section
Certification Unit
800 North Pearl Street
Menands, NY 12204
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit senior male with his certificate image by Peter Baxter from Fotolia.com
