Records of divorce in Westchester County, New York, are available through several channels. WestchesterCourt.us allows you to quickly start searching for public divorce information in the county. Additionally, records are kept at the County Supreme Court, the County Clerk's office, and the New York State Department of Health — Vital Records Section. Depending on the type of document — court decree or certificate — you should contact the appropriate institution.
Westchester Divorce Records Search
In New York State, divorce cases are handled by the Supreme Court. For Westchester County, this is the Westchester County Supreme Court, located in White Plains. The court's office (Office of the County Clerk) stores original divorce decrees, settlement agreements, custody orders, and related procedural documents.
The New York State Department of Health maintains a separate registry and issues divorce certificates — a brief document confirming the fact of marriage dissolution, without details of property or alimony arrangements. State records cover divorces registered since 1963.
Main contact information for court record searches:
Westchester County Clerk
This is where you can obtain certified copies of court decisions or view the case in person.
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Westchester
The structure of divorce record storage in New York differs from many other states because divorces here are under the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, not the Family Court.
- Westchester County Supreme Court — handles all divorce cases. After a judgment of divorce is made, it is registered by the County Clerk.
- Office of the County Clerk — stores the full text of the decision, including appendices: maintenance agreements, property distribution, child custody. If a full copy of the court decision is needed, contact here.
- New York State Department of Health, Vital Records Section — issues the divorce certificate. This is a concise document useful for confirming marital status when remarrying, changing names, or applying for benefits.
Where to contact depends on the purpose of the request:
- Need the full text of the court decision, custody conditions, or financial arrangements → County Clerk, White Plains.
- Need only confirmation of the divorce → NYS Department of Health.
NYS Department of Health — Vital Records Section
Requests to Vital Records can be sent by mail or through the state's online portal. Note: the divorce certificate from the Department of Health does not replace the full court decision — it contains only the names of the parties, the date, and place of the divorce.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Westchester
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Certified copy of divorce court decision (County Clerk) | $1.30 per page + $5.00 for certification | During visit or 5–10 business days by mail |
| Divorce certificate (NYS Department of Health) | $30.00 | Up to 6–8 weeks by mail |
| Search in Vital Records registry (NYS DOH) for each additional 3 years | $15.00 | Included in the main processing time |
| Expedited processing via VitalChek (NYS DOH) | Additional processing and delivery fee | Approximately 2–3 weeks |