How to Get Certified Copies of Your Divorce Decree in New York

You need a certified copy of your divorce decree for many post-divorce updates — updating your Social Security card, changing your driver's license, refinancing the mortgage, dividing retirement accounts. Requirements vary by agency or institution; a regular photocopy may not work.

Here's exactly how to get them in New York.

Where to Request Copies

Your certified copies of the Judgment of Divorce come from the County Clerk's office in the county where your divorce was filed and entered — not from your attorney. The New York State Department of Health can issue divorce certificates, which are a different record.

You'll need your Index Number to request copies. This is the case number assigned when your divorce action was commenced — it's printed on every court filing and on the Judgment of Divorce itself. If you've lost it, the County Clerk's office can look it up by the parties' names and approximate filing date.

Important privacy rule: Matrimonial records in New York are sealed and confidential under DRL § 235. Only the parties to the divorce or their attorneys of record can access the file. Third parties — even family members — cannot obtain copies without a court order.

How to Request (In Person or by Mail)

In person: Visit the County Clerk's office with a valid photo ID. Request certified copies of the Judgment of Divorce. Processing times vary by office.

By mail: Send a written request to the County Clerk that includes your full name, your ex-spouse's full name, the Index Number (if available), the approximate date of the divorce, and the items the county requires. Some counties require a notarized signature, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and payment by money order or certified check.

What It Costs

Fees vary by county. Examples include New York County ($8 plus $0.25 per page), Kings County ($10 search/certification fee plus $0.65 per page), Westchester County ($1.25 per page, $5 minimum and $40 maximum), and Monroe County ($5 flat fee). Check the local County Clerk's current schedule.

Order enough copies for the agencies and institutions that require them. Common recipients include:

• Social Security Administration (name change)
• NY DMV (license update)
• U.S. Department of State (passport)
• Your mortgage lender (refinance or deed transfer)
• Each retirement plan administrator (QDRO filing)
• Your employer's HR department (benefits and tax withholding)
• Life insurance companies (beneficiary updates)

Ordering extras upfront is far cheaper and faster than going back for more later.

Certified Copy vs. Regular Copy

A certified copy has the County Clerk's raised seal and signature, confirming it's a true copy of the official court record. A regular photocopy — even one your attorney gave you — doesn't carry legal weight with government agencies.

If your attorney provided you with a "conformed copy" (stamped with "Filed" and the date), that's useful for your records but won't satisfy the Social Security Administration or the DMV.

What If Your Divorce Was Filed in a Different County?

You must contact the County Clerk where the divorce was originally filed and entered, not the county where you currently live. If you've moved since the divorce, you'll likely need to request copies by mail.

If the County Clerk says the divorce is archived, ask that office whether the New York State Archives is the current records custodian and how to request a copy.

Next Steps After You Have Your Copies

With certified copies in hand, the administrative updates follow a strict sequence. Social Security must be updated first (the DMV verifies your identity against the SSA database in real time), then the DMV, then your passport. The New York After-Divorce Guide maps out the complete sequence with every form number, fee, and processing timeline.

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