Divorce records in Nassau County, New York, are available through several channels. NassauCourt.us allows quick access to public divorce information related to this county. Additionally, court records are stored at the county clerk's office, which serves the Supreme Court of Nassau County. Divorce certificates can also be ordered through the New York State Department of Health, which is the official civil registration authority. To obtain copies of specific documents, contact the relevant institution directly.
Nassau Divorce Records Search
In New York State, divorce cases are handled exclusively by the Supreme Court — a court of general jurisdiction, which, despite its name, is not the highest court. After a judgment of divorce is issued, the case materials are transferred for storage to the Nassau County Clerk's office.
The collection of divorce records includes:
- Judgment of divorce / divorce decree
- Settlement agreements
- Custody orders
- Related procedural documents — motions, responses, court orders
Divorce certificates as civil status documents are separately maintained by the New York State Department of Health. These certificates confirm the fact of divorce but do not contain case details. To request court files, you can use the online court file requisition form of Nassau County.
Nassau County Clerk's Office
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Nassau
The structure for storing divorce records in Nassau County is determined by New York State's legal system. Below are the main institutions and their roles.
Supreme Court of the State of New York, Nassau County
This court issues divorce judgments. All paper case materials from the Supreme Court since 2015, as well as microfiche and microfilm with earlier records, are stored at the county clerk's office. If you need a complete copy of the court case — motions, hearing transcripts, judgments — contact this office.
New York State Department of Health — Vital Records Section
The State Department of Health issues divorce certificates for divorces processed after January 1963. This document confirms the fact of divorce and contains basic information: names of the parties, date, and place. It does not replace the full court judgment.
Which Institution to Choose?
| What You Need | Where to Go |
|---|---|
| Full copy of court judgment or case materials | Nassau County Clerk's Office |
| Divorce certificate (vital record) | NYS Department of Health |
| Information on a current court case | Nassau County Courts & Legal Services |
For divorces processed before 1963, the certificate can only be obtained through the court clerk who issued the judgment.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Nassau
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Divorce certificate (NYS Department of Health) | $30 | 4–6 weeks |
| Registry search (NYS DOH, if exact date unknown) | Included in $30 | Up to 8 weeks |
| Copy of court judgment (Nassau County Clerk) | $1.25 per page (regular copy); $5.00 for the first 4 pages + $1.25 for each additional page (certified copy) | Depends on the volume of the case; typically 5–10 business days |
| Court File Requisition | Free (request submission) | Times are communicated individually |