Records of divorce in Steuben County, New York, are available through several channels. SteubenCourt.us allows for quick access to public information regarding divorce cases in this county. Additionally, records can be obtained directly from the court that issued the decision, the county clerk's office, and the New York State Department of Health (NYS Department of Health), which serves as the state office of vital records.
Steuben Divorce Records Search
In New York State, divorce cases are handled by the Supreme Court, which has jurisdiction over matrimonial matters. In Steuben County, the Supreme Court clerk maintains court materials: divorce decrees, property settlement agreements, child custody orders, and related procedural documents.
Simultaneously, the NYS Department of Health maintains a registry of divorce certificates for divorces filed after 1963. These certificates are a shorter form that confirms the fact of divorce without the details of the court decision.
Main office for court record searches:
Steuben County Clerk's Office
The county clerk handles requests for copies of court decisions and related documents. If you need the certificate itself, contact the state Department of Health.
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Steuben
Once a Supreme Court judge signs a divorce decree, the document is filed with the county clerk's office. There it becomes part of the public court record. At the same time, the court notifies the state Department of Health, which records the divorce in its database.
Where to apply depends on what you need:
- Full court record (court decision, property settlement agreement, custody orders) — Steuben County Clerk's office or directly the Supreme Court.
- Divorce certificate (short form to confirm the fact of divorce) — NYS Department of Health, Vital Records Section.
Steuben County Supreme Court
NYS Department of Health — Vital Records Section
Note: Divorce certificates from the Department of Health are available only for divorces registered since 1963. For earlier records, you need to contact the clerk of the county where the decision was made.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Steuben
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Divorce certificate (NYS Department of Health) | $30.00 | 4–6 weeks |
| Additional certificate copy (ordered simultaneously) | $30.00 each | 4–6 weeks |
| Copy of court decision (County Clerk) | $1.25 per page; $5.00 for certification | Depends on request complexity; usually a few business days |
| Registry search (County Clerk) | $5.00 for every two years searched | During visit or within a few days by mail |