Find Suffolk County Dissolution Of Marriage

Suffolk County dissolution of marriage records are filed and stored through the County Clerk's Office in Riverhead and the Supreme Court Matrimonial Centers in Central Islip and Riverhead. With two court locations serving one of the most populated counties on Long Island, the system handles a large volume of cases each year. If you need to search for a dissolution of marriage record in Suffolk County, the state court system offers a free online lookup tool. You can also go to the clerk's office in person or send a request by mail. The clerk keeps all case files from the first petition through the final judgment of dissolution.

Suffolk County Clerk and Dissolution Records

The Suffolk County Clerk's Office sits at 300 Center Drive in Riverhead, NY 11901. The phone number is 631-852-2000. This office is the main hub for all dissolution of marriage filings in the county. The clerk keeps every document tied to a case, from the summons and complaint to the final judgment. If you want copies of any part of a dissolution file, this is where you go. You can visit in person during business hours or mail a written request to the Court Actions division.

To get records, bring a valid photo ID. You also need the names of both parties and either the index number or the year the case was filed. The clerk will pull the file so you can view or copy what you need. Non-parties must have a notarized letter from one of the spouses that gives them permission. That letter has to include your name, the names of both parties, and the case index number.

Suffolk County is part of the 10th Judicial District. The Suffolk County Supreme Court runs two Matrimonial Centers. One is at 400 Carleton Avenue in Central Islip, NY 11722. The other is at 1 Court Street in Riverhead. The phone for the Matrimonial Center is 631-740-3850. The Chief Clerk can be reached at 631-852-2334. All dissolution of marriage cases in Suffolk County must be filed through the Supreme Court because it is the only court in New York State with the power to grant a divorce or annulment.

Searching Suffolk County Dissolution Cases Online

The WebCivil Supreme system is the main free tool for looking up dissolution of marriage cases in Suffolk County. Pick Suffolk from the county list, type in a party name, and set the case type to matrimonial. Results show the index number, party names, filing date, and status. You will not see full documents online. Domestic Relations Law Section 235 keeps matrimonial files sealed. But the search gives you the index number you need to request copies from the clerk.

WebCivil is free to use. No sign-up is needed. It covers cases going back to 1983 for all 62 New York counties. For Suffolk County dissolution cases, only basic case data shows up on the screen. Full files stay sealed and can only be viewed at the clerk's office.

Suffolk County also has its own clerk records portal where you can search for certain court documents. The portal lets you check case indexes and find filing dates. It does not give you access to the sealed parts of a dissolution file. For anything beyond basic index data, you will need to visit the Clerk's Office at 300 Center Drive in Riverhead or call 631-852-2000.

Suffolk County Dissolution Filing Process

Filing a new dissolution of marriage case in Suffolk County costs $210 for the index number. The Request for Judicial Intervention adds $95. A Note of Issue costs $30. Fee waivers exist for people who can show financial hardship. The court can waive all filing fees if you qualify. Standard copy fees apply when you request documents from an existing case file. Contact the clerk's office for the current fee schedule since rates can change.

The Suffolk County Clerk's website has forms you can use to request divorce records by mail or in person.

Submit the completed form to the Court Actions division at the Riverhead office along with your payment and a copy of your photo ID.

The New York State Department of Health also issues dissolution of marriage certificates for cases from 1963 to the present. Mail orders cost $30 per copy. Online and phone orders run $45 plus a processing fee. These certificates show basic facts like names and the date the marriage ended. They do not include the terms of the divorce decree. You can order from the Vital Records office in Albany or use the state's online ordering system.

The Suffolk County Supreme Court handles all the proceedings for dissolution cases in the county. Below is a look at the court system that processes these filings.

Both the Central Islip and Riverhead Matrimonial Centers accept new filings and handle ongoing cases throughout the year.

Who Can Access Suffolk County Dissolution Records

Dissolution of marriage records in Suffolk County are not open to the general public. Section 235 of the Domestic Relations Law makes all matrimonial files confidential. Only the parties named in the case, their attorneys of record, or someone with a court order can see the full file. If you are not a party, you need a notarized letter from one of the spouses giving you permission. The letter must include your name, the names of both parties, and the index number.

There is one thing anyone can get. A Certificate of Disposition shows that a dissolution of marriage was entered in Suffolk County. It confirms the nature and effect of the judgment but does not reveal the details. Town clerks accept this as proof of a prior dissolution when someone applies for a new marriage license. The certificate costs a small fee and can be requested from the County Clerk's Office.

For dissolution cases older than 100 years, the records become fully public. Researchers doing genealogy work can access these older files without restriction. Contact the Suffolk County Clerk's Office to check what historical records they have on file.

State Resources for Suffolk County Residents

Suffolk County residents have state-level options for dealing with dissolution of marriage records. The New York State Department of Health keeps dissolution certificates for all cases from 1963 forward. You can order these by mail or online. The mailing address is P.O. Box 2602, Albany, NY 12220-2602. The toll-free number is 855-322-1022. Processing takes 10 to 12 weeks by mail.

The NYS Courts website has free divorce forms you can download. These include packets for uncontested cases with or without children. You can also pick up forms at the Suffolk County Clerk's Office or the court's self-help center in Central Islip. The forms come in both English and Spanish. Legal aid groups in Suffolk County can help you fill them out if you cannot afford a lawyer.

Cities in Suffolk County

Suffolk County is one of the largest counties in New York by both area and population. It covers the eastern portion of Long Island. All residents file for dissolution of marriage at the Suffolk County Supreme Court. The clerk's office in Riverhead handles all record requests for every town and city in the county.

Nearby Counties

If a dissolution of marriage was filed in a neighboring county, you will need to contact that county's clerk instead. Here are the counties near Suffolk County.