Records of divorce in Queens County, New York, are available through several channels. QueensCourt.us allows you to start searching for publicly available divorce information in the county. Additionally, documents can be obtained directly from the Supreme Court Queens County, the Queens County Clerk's office, or the New York State Department of Health, which maintains vital records. Online tools, in-person visits, and mail requests all work depending on the type of document you need.
Queens Divorce Records Search
In New York State, divorce cases are exclusively handled by the Supreme Court. For Queens County, this means that all case materials—from the complaint to the final judgment of divorce—are stored in the Queens County Clerk's office. This office also serves as the clerk of the Supreme Court.
The collection of records includes:
- Judgment of Divorce
- Property settlement and alimony agreements
- Child custody decisions, if they are part of the case
- Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law
- Related procedural documents (motions, stipulations)
Separately, the New York State Department of Health maintains divorce certificates—brief documents that confirm the fact of divorce without case details. According to NYC311 information on divorce records, requests for court documents should be directed to the Queens County Clerk.
Queens County Clerk (Supreme Court)
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Queens
Two different types of documents are stored in two different institutions. Understanding this difference will save time.
Supreme Court / Queens County Clerk
When a Supreme Court judge signs a judgment of divorce, the County Clerk's office records this judgment and stores the complete case file. This is where you can obtain certified copies of the court's decision, review property settlement agreements, or check the procedural history of the case. The New York State Courts Electronic Filing (NYSCEF) system is available for online case searches, where you can find documents for electronically filed cases.
New York State Department of Health (Vital Records)
The state Department of Health issues divorce certificates—documents that contain only the names of the parties, the date, and the place of the divorce, without case details. Such a certificate is often needed for remarriage or name changes. Requests can be submitted by mail or online through the VitalChek portal.
In brief—where to apply:
| What you need | Where to apply |
|---|---|
| Full court judgment (judgment of divorce), case materials | Queens County Clerk |
| Divorce certificate to confirm the fact | NYS Department of Health |
| Copies of custody or alimony agreements from the case | Queens County Clerk |
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Queens
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document (uncertified), Queens County Clerk | $0.65 per page | During visit or 5–10 business days by mail |
| Certified copy of court document, Queens County Clerk | $1.25 per page (minimum $5.00 for certification) | During visit or 5–10 business days by mail |
| Divorce certificate, NYS Department of Health (mail request) | $30.00 | Approximately 4–6 weeks |
| Divorce certificate, NYS Department of Health (via VitalChek, expedited) | $30.00 + additional processing fee | Approximately 2–3 weeks |
| Divorce record search, NYS Department of Health (if record not found) | $30.00 (non-refundable) | 4–6 weeks |