Find Dissolution Of Marriage in Ontario County
Ontario County dissolution of marriage records are filed and kept at the County Clerk's Office in Canandaigua. The clerk stores all case files from divorce and annulment proceedings heard in the Ontario County Supreme Court. If you want to search for a dissolution of marriage record or request a certified copy, the clerk's office on Ontario Street is the right place to start. Ontario County also has an online record search tool for checking indexes, though full documents are not available through the web. The county sits in the Finger Lakes region and is part of the 7th Judicial District.
Ontario County Dissolution Of Marriage Overview
Ontario County Clerk and Dissolution Records
The Ontario County Clerk's Office handles all dissolution of marriage records for the county. The main office is at 20 Ontario Street, Canandaigua, NY 14424. The phone number is 585-396-4200. You can walk in during business hours to request records. Bring a valid government photo ID and be ready to give the full names of both parties. If you have the index number, that speeds things up.
The Ontario County Supreme Court is at 27 North Main Street in Canandaigua. Phone: 585-412-5100. All dissolution of marriage cases in Ontario County are filed here. The Supreme Court is the only court in New York that can grant a divorce. After the court signs the judgment, the clerk files and stores the full case record. The clerk's office then handles all future requests for copies.
Copies cost 65 cents per page with a minimum of $1.30. A certified copy starts at $5.00. If you send a mail request, include a notarized letter with the case details, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and payment for the copy fees. There may be up to a 7-day wait to retrieve files, so plan ahead if you need something on a tight schedule.
Searching Ontario County Dissolution Cases Online
Ontario County has an online record search tool on its website. This portal lets you search indexes for various record types. Images of documents are not available through the online system. It only shows index data like case numbers and filing dates. For dissolution of marriage records, that still helps. You can confirm a case exists and get the index number before making a trip to the clerk's office.
The Ontario County Clerk's website provides details about divorce actions and how to request records.
The page covers fees, mailing instructions, and the forms available for filing new dissolution cases.
You can also use the state's WebCivil Supreme system to look up Ontario County cases. Select Ontario from the county menu, enter a name, and the tool returns index numbers, dates, and case statuses. This free system covers cases from 1983 to the present and works for all 62 New York counties. For matrimonial cases, the results are limited to basic data. No full documents show up online.
The county also offers an online record search portal through their website.
This tool covers index searches but does not provide images of sealed dissolution of marriage files.
Ontario County Dissolution Filing Process
If you want to file for dissolution of marriage in Ontario County, the process starts at the clerk's office. New York requires all divorce cases to go through the Supreme Court. The clerk assigns an index number when you submit your initial papers. The standard filing fee is $210 for the index number. Additional fees include $95 for a Request for Judicial Intervention and $30 for a Note of Issue.
Ontario County has free divorce kits available at the clerk's office. These kits come from the New York State court system and include all the forms and instructions needed for an uncontested dissolution. There are versions for couples with children under 21 and for those without. You can also download them from the state courts website. The clerk's staff cannot give legal advice, but they can point you to the right forms and tell you where to file them.
Note: Ontario County dissolution of marriage files are sealed under Domestic Relations Law Section 235, and it may take up to 7 days to retrieve files from storage after a request is made.
Who Can Access Ontario County Dissolution Records
Dissolution of marriage records in Ontario County are sealed. The law is clear on this. Only the parties named in the case and their attorneys of record can view or get copies of the full file. If you are someone else and you need access, the only path is a court order. You would file a motion with the Ontario County Supreme Court explaining why you need the records. The court decides whether to grant access.
A Certificate of Disposition is available to anyone. This document confirms the nature and outcome of a dissolution case without revealing any details. It is useful for things like proving a prior marriage ended when applying for a new marriage license. Municipal clerks across the state accept it as proof of dissolution.
The New York State Department of Health also issues dissolution certificates for all cases from 1963 to the present. Either spouse can order one. Mail orders cost $30. Online orders are $45 plus a processing fee. These certificates show the names, dates, and county but not the terms of the judgment.
Nearby Counties
Ontario County does not have any cities with individual pages on this site. All residents file for dissolution of marriage at the Ontario County Supreme Court in Canandaigua. If a case was filed in a neighboring county, contact that county's clerk for records.