Monroe County Dissolution Of Marriage
Monroe County dissolution of marriage records are held at the County Clerk's Office on West Main Street in Rochester. As the largest county in the Finger Lakes region, Monroe County handles a high number of matrimonial cases through its Supreme Court in the 7th Judicial District. You can search for dissolution of marriage records through the clerk's online document request system or visit the office in person. Whether you need to find a past case, get a certified copy of a decree, or check on a filing status, the Monroe County Clerk is where you start. Rochester is the county seat and the main city in the area.
Monroe County Dissolution Of Marriage Overview
Monroe County Clerk and Dissolution Filings
The Monroe County Clerk's Office is at 39 West Main Street, Room 105, Rochester, NY 14614. Phone: 585-753-1600. The office is open Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM. The clerk stores all case files from dissolution of marriage actions in Monroe County Supreme Court. Each file has the summons, verified complaint, financial disclosures, any stipulations, and the final judgment of dissolution.
You can visit the office to request records. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. You need the full names of both spouses and the index number or the year the case was filed. The clerk can look up cases by name if you don't have the index number. For mail requests, send a notarized letter to the West Main Street address. Include all the case details and payment for fees. The clerk handles a large volume of requests, so allow extra time for processing.
The Monroe County Clerk's Office website provides information about services and how to request dissolution of marriage records.
The site also has details about the office location, hours, and contact numbers for the different departments within the clerk's office.
Searching Monroe County Dissolution Records Online
Monroe County has an online document request system through the clerk's website. This portal lets you search for land and court records and place orders for copies. For dissolution of marriage cases, the system can help you find the index number and basic case information. Full documents are still restricted under Section 235 of the Domestic Relations Law, but the online request form lets you start the process from home.
You can view the Monroe County Clerk's online document ordering page, which allows residents to search records and request copies remotely.
The online system saves a trip to the courthouse for people who already know their case index number.
The WebCivil Supreme system is the other option. Pick Monroe County and search by name. Results go back to 1983. The system shows case index numbers, filing dates, and status. No account needed. Both tools are free and give you what you need before contacting the clerk for copies of sealed dissolution files.
Note: Monroe County dissolution of marriage files are sealed for 100 years under Domestic Relations Law Section 235, so only the parties and their attorneys can access the full case documents.
Monroe County Supreme Court Dissolution Cases
The Monroe County Supreme Court handles all dissolution of marriage proceedings in the county. The court phone for divorce filing information is 585-371-3758. The court is part of the 7th Judicial District, which also covers several surrounding counties. All matrimonial cases in Monroe County must be filed here. The Supreme Court is the only court in New York with authority to grant a dissolution of marriage.
The Monroe County Supreme Court website has information about filing dissolution of marriage cases and the court's matrimonial procedures.
The court works with the County Clerk, who receives and stores all filed documents.
New York is an equitable distribution state. The court divides marital property in a way it considers fair. Factors include the length of the marriage, each spouse's income, and future earning potential. Child custody follows the best interests of the child standard. The NYS Courts website has forms for both uncontested and contested cases.
Monroe County Dissolution Copy Fees
Copy fees at Monroe County follow the standard schedule. Plain copies are $0.65 per page with a $1.30 minimum. Certified copies cost $5.00 to $8.00 per certification depending on the type. The search fee is $5.00 for each two-year period. If you need an exemplified copy for use in another state, add $25.00 to the certification fee.
Filing for dissolution of marriage in Monroe County costs $210 for the index number. The RJI fee is $95 and the Note of Issue is $30. Fee waivers are available for people who can show financial hardship. The Department of Health issues dissolution certificates for $30 by mail or $45 online for cases since 1963.
Dissolution Record Access in Monroe County
Monroe County dissolution of marriage records are sealed documents. The clerk's office has strict rules about who can view them. Section 235 of the Domestic Relations Law limits access to the plaintiff, defendant, or their attorneys. Non-parties need a court order. The clerk requires valid photo ID every time someone requests a dissolution file. There are no exceptions to the ID rule.
Anyone can request a Certificate of Disposition. This one-page document confirms a dissolution was entered. It does not show the terms or any testimony. Municipal clerks accept it as proof of a prior dissolution for marriage license applications. After 100 years, Monroe County dissolution records become fully public.
Cities in Monroe County
Several cities and towns in Monroe County file for dissolution of marriage at the county Supreme Court. All records go through the Monroe County Clerk's Office in Rochester.
Nearby Counties
If a dissolution of marriage was filed in a county near Monroe, contact that county's clerk. Here are the bordering counties.