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

You need a certified copy of your divorce decree for almost everything that comes after — updating your Social Security card, changing your driver's license, refinancing the mortgage, dividing retirement accounts. A regular photocopy won't work. Agencies require the original certified version with the County Clerk's raised seal.

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

Where to Request Copies

Your certified copies come from the County Clerk's office in the county where your divorce was filed and entered — not from the court, not from your attorney, and not from the New York State Department of Health (which handles birth and death certificates, not divorce records).

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. Most offices process same-day requests, though larger counties like Kings (Brooklyn) or New York (Manhattan) may take longer during peak periods.

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, a photocopy of your valid ID, and a check or money order for the fees. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for return delivery.

What It Costs

Fees vary by county, but most New York County Clerks charge $5–$10 per certified copy. Some counties charge a separate search fee ($5–$10) if you don't have the Index Number.

Order more copies than you think you need — at minimum 8–10. Here's what requires a separate original certified copy:

• 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 divorce is very old and the county has transferred records to the New York State Archives, you may need to contact the Division of Old Records or the State Archives directly.

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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