Search Kings County Dissolution Of Marriage
Kings County dissolution of marriage records are maintained at the County Clerk's Office on Adams Street in Brooklyn. As one of the most populated counties in New York, Kings County processes a high volume of matrimonial cases each year through its Supreme Court in the 2nd Judicial District. You can search for dissolution of marriage cases using the state's WebCivil system or the eCourts portal. For certified copies of a divorce decree, the clerk's office handles all requests in person or by mail. Brooklyn residents who need to find or obtain dissolution of marriage records will deal with this office for everything from basic case lookups to getting certified documents.
Kings County Dissolution Of Marriage Overview
Kings County Clerk and Dissolution Records
The Kings County Clerk's Office is at 360 Adams Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201. The phone number is 347-404-9694. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. This office keeps the full case file for every dissolution of marriage action heard in Kings County Supreme Court. The file includes the summons, complaint, financial disclosures, any stipulations, and the final judgment.
To get copies, visit in person during business hours. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID like a driver's license or passport. You need the full names of both parties and the case index number or the year the case started. The clerk can search by name, but having the index number makes the process faster. Non-parties must bring an original notarized letter from one of the parties or their attorney granting access to the file. The letter should include the bearer's name, the parties' names, and the index number.
Mail requests work too. Send your written request to the Adams Street address with payment for the applicable fees. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return.
Online Search for Kings County Dissolution Cases
The Kings County Clerk's Office website provides information on how to access dissolution of marriage records and what you need to bring when visiting in person.
The site covers hours, fees, and the ID rules for viewing sealed matrimonial files.
Kings County has two main online tools for searching dissolution of marriage cases. The eCourts portal covers cases filed electronically in Kings County Supreme Court. You can look up cases by party name and see basic filing information. The statewide WebCivil Supreme system is another option. Select Kings County, enter a name, and set the case type. Both tools show index numbers, filing dates, and case status, but full documents stay restricted under Section 235.
The eCourts system provides another way to search for Kings County dissolution of marriage case information online.
Neither tool displays the actual divorce decree or other sealed documents. You need those from the clerk in person.
Note: Kings County matrimonial files are sealed for 100 years under Domestic Relations Law Section 235, and only the named parties or their attorneys can access the full case file.
Dissolution Of Marriage Fees in Kings County
The fee schedule at Kings County is straightforward. The search fee is $10.00 for every two-year period. Copies cost 25 cents per page. Certification is $8.00 per document. If you need an exemplified copy, that adds $25.00 on top of the certification fee. These are the standard rates set by state law for New York City counties.
Filing a new dissolution of marriage case costs $210 for the index number. The Request for Judicial Intervention is $95. A Note of Issue is $30. Those who cannot afford the fees can ask for a fee waiver. The NYS Courts website has the forms. A judge reviews the request and decides based on your income and expenses.
Who Can Access Kings County Dissolution Files
Section 235 of the Domestic Relations Law makes all dissolution of marriage records in Kings County confidential. Only the plaintiff, defendant, or their attorney of record can view the file. If you are not a named party, you need either a court order or a notarized letter from one of the spouses. The Kings County Clerk strictly enforces these rules. Everyone who requests a file must show valid photo ID.
A Certificate of Disposition is available to anyone. It confirms a dissolution was entered without revealing case details. Brooklyn residents often use this when they need proof of a prior dissolution for a new marriage license. The clerk issues it on request.
Kings County dissolution records from more than 100 years ago are public. The seal lifts after a century from the original filing date. Historical researchers and genealogists can access those older records freely.
State Resources for Brooklyn Residents
Brooklyn residents can also get dissolution of marriage certificates from the New York State Department of Health. These certificates cover dissolutions from 1963 to the present. Mail orders cost $30. Online orders are $45 plus a processing fee. The certificate shows names and the date the marriage ended. It does not have the terms from the decree.
The Department of Health mailing address is P.O. Box 2602, Albany, NY 12220-2602. Processing takes 10 to 12 weeks by mail. For questions, call 855-322-1022. NYSCEF is available for cases that were e-filed in Kings County. Attorneys and parties can access documents through that system with a login. The New York State Archives holds records from before 1847 for downstate counties, though those would be at the New York County Clerk's Office at 31 Chambers Street.
Cities in Kings County
Kings County is coextensive with the Borough of Brooklyn. All dissolution of marriage cases for Brooklyn residents are filed in Kings County Supreme Court at 360 Adams Street.
Nearby Counties
Dissolution of marriage cases filed in neighboring counties require contacting that county's clerk instead. Here are the counties near Kings County.