Search Queens County Dissolution Of Marriage

Queens County dissolution of marriage records are kept by the County Clerk at 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard in Jamaica. The clerk's office holds all Supreme Court case files for divorce and annulment actions filed in the county, with a case index that goes back decades. If you need to find a case, get a copy of a decree, or check on a filing, the Queens County Clerk's Records Search Department is the place to start. The county sits in the 11th Judicial District and serves one of the largest populations in New York State.

Queens County Clerk Dissolution Records

The Queens County Clerk's Records Search Department handles all requests for dissolution of marriage records. The office is at 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Room 106, Jamaica, NY 11435. Call 718-298-0609 for general questions. The Matrimonial Office is in Room 140 and can be reached at 718-298-0950. All search requests must be in writing. You cannot just walk in and ask for a verbal search. The clerk needs a written request with the names of the parties, the case index number if you have it, and the year the case was filed.

Getting a certified copy of a divorce decree from Queens County takes a few steps. You must be a party to the case, the attorney of record, or have a notarized letter from one of those people granting you access. Bring valid photo ID. Call 718-298-0616 first to make sure the judgment has been entered before you go to the courthouse. Copies take two to three weeks to be ready after a judgment is signed, so checking first saves a trip.

Dissolution of marriage files in Queens County are sealed under New York law. The public cannot view them. Only the named parties and their lawyers can see the full case file. Anyone else needs a court order to get access.

The Queens County Clerk's Records Search Department page lists all fees, procedures, and contact details for dissolution of marriage requests.

The page spells out what you need to bring and how to submit a written search request for Queens County divorce records.

Queens County Dissolution Case Search Online

Queens County offers an online case index search that covers cases from 1992 to the present. This is a free tool. You can look up index numbers and see what documents are on file for each case. If a case has had any activity since 2006, the details will show up in this system no matter when the case started. It is one of the more useful tools for finding Queens County dissolution of marriage filings without visiting the courthouse in person.

For cases with index numbers before 1992, the records are on microfiche. You have two choices. Go to the clerk's office in person and search the microfiche yourself, or ask the staff to do a search for you. Staff searches come with the standard fee of $10 for a two-year search plus $5 for each added two-year block.

Cases that were e-filed go through NYSCEF. Those will not show up in the local Queens County search tool. Check NYSCEF for newer e-filed dissolution of marriage cases.

The Queens County Court divorce records page gives an overview of how the court system handles dissolution of marriage cases.

This resource covers the Matrimonial Part of the Supreme Court Civil Term Division, which is where all Queens County dissolution of marriage cases are heard.

Queens County Dissolution Of Marriage Fees

Queens County has a clear fee schedule for dissolution of marriage record requests. The search fee is $10 and covers a two-year period. Each added two-year block costs $5. Keep in mind that cases are filed by when they started, not when they ended. If your case began in 1995 and wrapped up in 2005, the search starts from 1995. Certified copies cost $8 per certification. An exemplified copy runs $25 plus the certification fee. Allow 48 to 72 hours for exemplification to be done.

Copy fees are $0.65 per page with a $1.50 minimum. Payment must be by U.S. postal money order, certified check, or a New York State attorney's check. Personal checks are not accepted. This is different from some other New York counties that take personal checks, so plan your payment method before you go.

The New York State Department of Health also sells dissolution of marriage certificates for $30 by mail. These cover divorces from 1963 to the present and show basic facts only. For the full decree with all terms and conditions, you need the Queens County Clerk.

The Queens County Clerk provides detailed case index data through the online search tool for dissolution of marriage records.

Use this portal to find index numbers and document lists for Queens County dissolution cases from 1992 forward.

Filing for Dissolution Of Marriage in Queens

All dissolution of marriage cases in Queens County go through the Supreme Court. The Matrimonial Part of the Civil Term Division handles these cases. The courthouse is at 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard in Jamaica. Contact the Matrimonial Department at 718-298-0950 or 718-298-0600 for filing questions. Free uncontested divorce packets are available at the court and online at the NYS Courts website.

New York's no-fault ground under Domestic Relations Law Section 170(7) is the most common basis for filing. One spouse states that the marriage has broken down for at least six months. Residency rules under DRL Section 230 still apply. At least one spouse must have lived in New York for a continuous year before filing, or the marriage must have taken place in the state and one spouse must still live there.

Dissolution Of Marriage Access Rules

Dissolution of marriage records in Queens County follow the same access rules as every other New York county. Under Domestic Relations Law Section 235, all matrimonial case files are sealed for 100 years. The public cannot look at them. This rule covers divorce, separation, and annulment files.

Only these people can see the records:

• The plaintiff in the dissolution of marriage case
• The defendant in the case
• The attorney of record for either party
• A person with a notarized letter of authorization from a party or attorney
• Anyone who gets a court order granting access

Valid photo ID is required every time. The clerk will not release records without it.

Cities in Queens County

Queens County is one of the five boroughs of New York City. All dissolution of marriage records for Queens residents are handled by the Queens County Clerk in Jamaica. Residents file at the Queens County Supreme Court.

Nearby Counties

Queens County borders several other New York City counties. If the dissolution of marriage was filed in a neighboring county, contact that clerk's office for records.