Records of divorce in Ontario County, New York, are available through several channels. OntarioCourt.us allows you to quickly find public information regarding divorce records in this county. Additionally, you can contact the court that issued the decision directly, the County Clerk's office, or the New York State Department of Health (NYS Department of Health), which maintains the registry of vital records, including divorce certificates.
Ontario Divorce Records Search
In Ontario County, divorce records are stored in two main locations. First, the Supreme Court—this court handles divorce cases in New York State. The court's decision (divorce decree), property division agreements, custody orders, and related documents remain in the case files, which are kept by the Clerk to the Courts.
Secondly, the NYS Department of Health registers divorce certificates—a brief document confirming the fact of divorce, without details of property or alimony arrangements. If you need a full copy of the court's decision, contact the County Clerk. For the certificate, contact the state department.
The collection of records includes:
- Divorce decrees
- Divorce certificates
- Property division and alimony agreements
- Child custody orders
- Related procedural documents
Main office for county-level inquiries:
Ontario County Clerk's Office
Indexes of land records and court cases can be viewed through the online record search on the county's website.
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Ontario
In New York State, divorce cases are handled exclusively by the Supreme Court. This is not an appellate court, as the name might suggest—for family matters, it is a court of first instance. Once a judge signs the decision, it is registered in the County Clerk's office of the county where the case was filed.
Separately, the NYS Department of Health maintains a registration record for each divorce filed in the state since 1963. This record is not a full court decision but merely a confirmation of the divorce with basic party information.
Where to contact depending on your needs:
- Full copy of the court decision, property agreements, custody orders — Ontario County Clerk (as Clerk to the Courts)
- Divorce certificate (short form) — NYS Department of Health, Vital Records Section
Ontario County Clerk — Divorce Actions department
To obtain a copy by mail, send a notarized request, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and payment.
NYS Department of Health — Vital Records Section
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Ontario
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Certified copy of divorce decree (Ontario County Clerk) | from $5 | Depends on request method; in-person usually the same day or a few business days |
| Mail request for certified copy (Ontario County Clerk) | from $5 + self-addressed stamped envelope | From 1 to 4 weeks |
| Divorce certificate (NYS Department of Health) | $30 | From 4 to 6 weeks (standard processing) |