New York Public Records
As a resident of the state of New York, you have a statutory right to inspect public records using the state’s Freedom of Information Law . There are no limitations on which members of the public can request records. This ensures that the various governmental bodies in the state operate in a transparent manner and can be kept accountable by the citizens of New York. The state also maintains other records on behalf of its residents which have some access restrictions. The following questions and answers cover the most common types of public records requests in the state.
Are birth records public in New York?
Where can you order a copy of a certified birth certificate in New York?
Are adoption records public in New York?
Are New York marriage records public?
Where can you order a certified copy of a marriage license in New York?
Are divorce records public in New York?
Where can you order divorce decrees, certificates or records in New York?
Are New York death records public?
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What Is A New York Divorce Decree
New York state divorce decrees are sealed documents that contain all of the information included in a divorce certificate, plus the court’s final judgement. Generally, a divorce decree serves the purpose of stating the rights and responsibilities of both parties. This includes spousal support, child support, child custody, visitation schedules, division of property, life and health insurance responsibilities, and how the parties will divide debt or future payments. Most often, a divorce decree is requested by one of the parties when they wish to review and make changes to it. This document is available for purchase by either spouse, and also by anyone with a New York State Court Order.
How To Access New York Divorce Records Online
The online portal for accessing divorce case files in New York is the New York State Department of Health online platform. This platform provides records of divorce case files in all 62 counties of New York. The information required to obtain a copy of a divorce record online include:
- A $30 fee payable by credit card only
- A $15 fee for priority handling
- A $8 vendor processing fee
- A valid photo-ID or copy of one
- A proof of address or copy of one
Should accessing or finding a record prove difficult, third party websites can help not only locate, but obtain a record in question. Note that records obtained in this way may not be considered official or certified, and record availability may vary from government sources.
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What Typically Happens If I Go To A Ny Court To Obtain My Divorce Myself
This is not an easy question to answer because there are too many variables. You could possibly get your divorce and it not be unfavorable to you. However, if your spouse hires an attorney, you will need to deal with someone who has the education and experience to know the law and this could result in an outcome that may not be as favorable to you if you had hired an attorney.
How Can I Get A Certified Copy Of A Divorce Certificate
If you wish to get either a simple or a certified copy of a divorce certificate, you will need to contact the Vital Records office in the state where the divorce was granted. Below, you will find a table in which you can find the office located at your State of interest:
Alternatively, a divorce record may be obtained from the county clerk at the county where marriage dissolution occurred. Depending on the place where the request is made, i.e. in the State Archives or at a local county office, records may vary widely in date and availability.
The application procedures, fees and processing times depend on the State or place of issuance, and they can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
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What Is The Purpose Of A Divorce Certificate
A divorce certificate may be used for the following reasons:
- To prove you are divorced
- To change your name
- To show proof of divorce without revealing your divorces specific details
- To obtain a travel visa
- For inheritance purposes, to prove you are single
- To get a passport, provided your name change is on the certificate
If you are considering a divorce, you should first consult with a compassionate attorney. Contact our firm today to speak with an experienced divorce attorney.
If you need strong legal representation regarding matters of divorce, family law, and estate law, in Suffolk County, New York, contact the Law Offices of Susan A. Kassel, P.C. to schedule a consultation today.
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Are Pennsylvania Divorce Records Public
The Pennsylvania state open records law 65 Pa. Cons. Stat. Secs. 67.101 to 67.3104, also known as the Right to Know Act or the Pennsylvania Sunshine Law, is a series of laws created to assure that the public has access to public records of governmental bodies in Pennsylvania.
Any citizen of the United States of America, including the citizens of Pennsylvania, may request public records. The records are often kept in the Prothonotarys Office in the county where the divorce was filed and finalized, and this process has been in place since 1804. Because they are kept in the Prothonotarys office, Pennsylvania divorce records and marriage records may also be available at the courthouse where the divorce was finalized. Most other requests are handled by the Pennsylvania Division of Vital Records. In order to obtain general divorce records, it is necessary to contact the court in the Pennsylvania county where the divorce was finalized. Requesting parties can access a Pennsylvania divorce record through mail, fax, online websites, or in person.
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A If Youre Getting A Recent Divorce Record
Get in line at Window 9 . There are a couple of computers at that desk, where you can look up the index number for your divorce. There is someone at the counter who can walk you through the process.
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If youre getting a copy of your own divorce decree, remember that youll need your photo ID and $8.00 in cash, money order, certified check, or New York State attorneys check. As I said before, they do not accept personal checks or credit cards.
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If youre picking up a copy of someone elses recent divorce decree on their behalf, youll need the above two items, plus an affidavit or notarized letter from one of the people who got divorced, granting you permission to pick up their divorce decree.
Youll hand over your documents and payment to the clerk at Window 9, and theyll get you sorted. The folks at Window 9 are really nice, by the way, and are happy to help if you have questions.
Now, jump to the end!
How Long Do I Have To Live In New York To Obtain A Divorce
New York has multiple residency categories that a party can rely upon to bring an action for divorce, separation, annulment or nullity of a void marriage thereby allowing the New York courts to have jurisdiction to decide the matter. These requirements are as follows:
- Parties were married in New York and either party is a resident of New York when the action was commenced and has been a resident for a continuous one year period immediately prior to the commencement of the action. OR
- Parties have lived in New York as husband and wife and either party is a resident of New York when the action was commenced and has been a resident for a continuous one year period immediately prior to the commencement of the action. OR
- The cause of action happened in New York and either party has been a resident of New York for a continuous one year period immediately prior to the commencement of the action. OR
- The cause of action happened in New York and both parties are residents of New York at the time of the commencement of the action. OR
- Either party has been a resident of New York for a continuous period of at least two years immediately prior to the commencement of the action.
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New York Divorce Records
New York divorce records are kept in the Vital Records Office in New York and/or the county where the couple filed for divorce. You can request one of two types of documents an original divorce decree or a divorce certificate. The original divorce decree states the significant details of the separation and is signed by the judge. It can be used for legal proceedings, if necessary. The divorce certificate reveals only sketchy details such as when and where the divorce was granted and the full names of the people involved. This document is for information purposes only and cant be used as a legal vehicle.
Do The Other Issues Support Custody Alimony And Property Have To Be Decided Before Finalizing A Divorce In Ny
Yes. The question only becomes when they must be decided. For every ground for divorce, except the No-Fault ground, these matters will be decided after the court makes a decision on whether the ground for divorce has been proven. If not proven, then these matters are never considered and decided upon by the court and the parties simply remain married.
However, with the No-Fault divorce, these matters must be agreed upon by the parties or resolved by the court before the court can render a No-Fault divorce.
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How To Get A Divorce Record From Brooklyn
Getting a divorce record from Brooklyn is a little bit like a Choose Your Own Adventure game, where they payoff at the end is a divorce . Its not a bad payoff, actuallyhistorical divorce records are super interesting. .
If youre looking to get a record of your own divorce , or youre trying to get a copy of your ancestors divorce file, youve come to the right place.
A few housekeeping items before we begin:
What Proof Will I Need To Validate My Foreign Divorce In New York
You’ll needto obtain a certified copy of the foreigndivorce decree from the court in the foreign country where it was issued. Youshould have the document authenticated for use in the United States, and makesure to get a certified English translation of the divorce decree made so thecourt can read it.
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How To Find Pennsylvania Divorce Records Online
It is also possible to access divorce records in Pennsylvania online through the website of the courthouse or county seat where the divorce took place. These records may also be available through nongovernment third party websites, though record availability may vary. Some divorce records may remain sealed should sufficient cause be found. After receiving a records request, the government body in questions may determine that the record is unavailable or may take additional time to deliver. These reasons include:
- There is information in the record that requires redaction
- The records are stored in a distant or remote facility and will take additional time to deliver
- Staffing restrictions dictate a time extension
- The government body decides more legal knowledge of the record must be known before allowing the record to be seen by the public. In this instance further legal advice is sought
- It is determined that the requestor did not follow rules regarding how to ask for records.
- It is determined that the requestor did not pay the fees required for the request.
What Is A Pennsylvania Divorce Decree
Divorce decrees in Pennsylvania are also considered public record. Divorce decrees contain all of the information that is in a divorce certificate, and also state the courts judgments about the divorce and a case number. Usually, this document is requested when one of the parties wants to review their rights and responsibilities, or make changes to them. These rights and responsibilities include spousal and child support, child custody, schedules and terms for visitation, property division, insurance responsibilities, and debt division. In Pennsylvania, divorce decrees are available from the county clerk in the county where the divorce was finalized.
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To Obtain A Certified Copy Of A Religious Corporation Certification By Mail:
A search will have to be conducted. The fee for a search and a certificate recording the result of the search, called either a “Find on File” or a “Fail to Find” certificate, is $10. This fee covers a two-year search. If more years need to be searched, an additional $5 is required for every additional two years or portion thereof. Please send separate bank or postal money orders for each two-year search period. We will return any bank or postal money orders that were not used.
The cost is $.65 per page with a minimum charge of $1.30 for copies of the documents. This does not include the $8 certification fee. We will notify you of the exact fee for obtaining the certificate.
Please note: if you wish to obtain a copy of a religious corporation certification for a small claims court proceeding, the copy does not need to be certified. In your request, you will need to provide the name of the business located in Brooklyn. All fees are payable to the Kings County Clerk by bank or postal money order, certified check, or NYS attorney’s check. No personal checks will be accepted. Please mail your request with a self-addressed, stamped envelope to:
The Kings County Clerk, Room 189, Window #10360 Adams Street
If you have any questions, you can email us
Get A Copy Of A Divorce Certificate By Mail
A mail request is another way that a person can get a copy of a divorce certificate. The individual will have to send a money order or check with the request for the divorce certificate. The customer will have to be sure to write down all pertinent information so that the clerk can get the certificate out as quickly as possible. A mailed divorce certificate may take seven to 10 business days to get to the customer.
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To Obtain A Certified Copy Of A Supreme Court Paper & Exemplification By Mail If You Have The Index Number:
This office will notify you of the exact cost. The certification fee is $8 plus $.65 per page with a minimum of $1.30 for copying. In your request give the index number and the names of the parties. You can find the Index number by going to: . Please note: if you are in need of an exemplification of a supreme court paper there is an additional fee of $25 and there is approximately a 2 week waiting period. All fees are payable to the Kings County Clerk by bank or postal money order, certified check, or NYS attorney’s check. No personal checks will be accepted. Please mail your request with a self-addressed, stamped envelope to:
Kings County Clerk, Room 189, Window #6360 Adams StreetBrooklyn, NY 11201
If you have any questions, you can email us
Are Marriage Records Public In Ny
If that is how you define public record, then the simple answer is no, marriage records are not publicly available. They may be available, however, if one of the following applies: You are a party to the marriage. The records are more than 50 years old, and both spouses are known to be deceased.
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Verifying An Apostille/certificate Of Authentication
- The Department of State now allows you to verify whether an Apostille or Certificate of Authentication was issued by the New York State Secretary of State’s office. Apostilles and Certificates of Authentication issued on or after April 9, 2013 may be verified here.
- If you are unable to locate an Apostille or Certificate of Authentication or you wish to verify an Apostille or Certificate of Authentication issued prior to April 9, 2013, please contact the New York Department of State at 474-4429.
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Get A Copy Of A Divorce Certificate In Person
One way that a person can get a copy of a divorce certificate quickly is by visiting the city or county clerk. The person will have to show identification and pay a nominal fee for a copy of the certificate. The clerk will give the divorced person an official divorce certificate copy that he or she can use in any situation. An official copy is a copy that has a raised seal on it. Persons who visit the city clerk will receive their documents the same day.
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