Livingston County Divorce Records
How To Find a Divorce Record In Livingston County in 2026
LivingstonCountyRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to divorce records in Livingston County, New York. Members of the public may find case filing dates, party names, court orders, and final decrees through official channels. Available record categories include dissolution judgments, separation agreements, custody orders, support determinations, and property division documents. Access and completeness of records may vary depending on the age of the case and any applicable court-ordered restrictions.
Divorce records in Livingston County may be searched through official resources including the Livingston County Clerk's office, the New York State Unified Court System's public access terminals, and online case search tools. Under New York Domestic Relations Law, divorce proceedings are filed in the Supreme Court of the county where either spouse resides, and the county clerk serves as the official custodian of those records.
Online Searches
1. Clerk of Court Case Search
The New York State Unified Court System provides the eCourts case search portal, which allows members of the public to search civil Supreme Court cases, including divorce proceedings, by party name or index number. Basic case information is available at no charge; fees apply for certified copies of documents.
2. State Court System Portal
The New York Courts WebCivil Supreme system consolidates case information across all New York counties, including Livingston County. Users may search by party name, index number, or attorney name to locate divorce proceedings statewide.
3. State Vital Records
New York State does not issue divorce certificates through the Department of Health for divorces granted after 1963. The New York State Department of Health Vital Records office maintains divorce records only for the period of 1963 through 1967. For all other periods, the county clerk's office where the divorce was granted is the appropriate repository.
In-Person Searches
Clerk of Court — Livingston County Supreme Court:
Livingston County Clerk's Office
6 Court Street, Room 201
Geneseo, NY 14454
Phone: (585) 243-7010
Livingston County Clerk
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Services available in person:
- Search case files by party name or index number
- View filed documents at public access terminals
- Request certified copies of divorce decrees and judgments
- Staff assistance for locating older or archived cases
By Mail
Written Request:
- Mail to: Livingston County Clerk's Office, 6 Court Street, Room 201, Geneseo, NY 14454
- Include the following with each request:
- Full names of both parties (including maiden names where applicable)
- Approximate date of divorce or index number if known
- Your name, return address, and daytime phone number
- Payment by check or money order payable to the Livingston County Clerk
- A self-addressed stamped envelope for return of documents
- Processing time: Requests are processed within approximately one to two weeks, depending on volume and whether records require retrieval from archives.
By Phone
Limited Information Available:
Livingston County Clerk's Office: (585) 243-7010
Staff may confirm the following by phone:
- Whether a case exists under a given name
- The index number assigned to a case
- General case status
- Filing date
Staff are not able to provide detailed document contents, copies of filed papers, or any information subject to court-ordered restriction by telephone.
Through Attorneys
An attorney licensed in New York may access divorce case files on behalf of a client, request sealed documents through appropriate motion practice, and obtain certified copies. The New York State Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service connects members of the public with qualified family law attorneys for complex record retrieval matters.
Information Needed for Search
Essential Information:
- Full legal names of both spouses at the time of the divorce
- Maiden names, if applicable
- Approximate year the divorce was finalized
- Index number, if previously obtained
Helpful Information:
- Date and location of marriage
- County of residence at the time of filing
- Names of attorneys of record, if known
Search in Correct County
Under New York Domestic Relations Law § 230, a divorce action must be commenced in the county where either party resides. Members of the public searching for a divorce record must identify the county of residence at the time of the proceeding. Searching the county where the marriage ceremony occurred will not yield results unless one spouse also resided there at the time of filing.
Time Considerations
Recent Divorces: Cases finalized within the past several weeks may not yet appear in online search systems. Members of the public should allow a processing period of several days to several weeks following the final hearing before searching electronically.
Older Divorces: Cases predating electronic filing systems may exist only in paper form and may require retrieval from off-site storage. Additional time should be anticipated for such requests.
What If You Cannot Find a Record
Common reasons a record may not appear in a search include:
- Searching the wrong county
- Name variations between maiden and married names
- Spelling differences in party names
- The case remains pending and has not been finalized
- The record is sealed by court order
- Very old records stored in archives not yet digitized
If a record cannot be located, contact the Livingston County Clerk's Office at (585) 243-7010, attempt alternate name spellings, search under both spouses' names, or consult the New York State Archives for guidance on historical records.
What Are Livingston County Divorce Records?
Divorce records in Livingston County are official court documents generated during and after a dissolution of marriage proceeding in the New York Supreme Court. These records are maintained by the Livingston County Clerk and constitute part of the permanent civil court file. As the New York State Archives notes, "Divorce records dating since July 1, 1847, are filed in the office of the county clerk where the divorce proceeding occurred."
Types of Divorce Records:
Court Case Files
- Petition for dissolution of marriage (Summons with Notice or Summons and Verified Complaint)
- Verified answer or response filed by the respondent
- Financial disclosure affidavits (Net Worth Statements)
- Parenting plans and custody stipulations
- Settlement agreements and stipulations of settlement
- Motions, orders to show cause, and interim court orders
- Transcripts of court proceedings (where ordered)
- Final Judgment of Divorce
Final Decree
The Final Judgment of Divorce is the official court order that legally dissolves the marriage. It establishes:
- The date the marriage is dissolved
- Division of marital property and debt
- Spousal maintenance (if awarded)
- Child custody and parenting time arrangements (if applicable)
- Child support orders (if applicable)
- Restoration of a former surname (if requested)
Certified copies of the Final Judgment of Divorce are available from the Livingston County Clerk's Office.
Supporting Documents
- Original marriage certificate (submitted as an exhibit)
- Financial disclosure documents and tax returns
- Property appraisals and valuations
- Parenting plan attachments
- Post-judgment modification orders
Who Maintains Divorce Records:
Clerk of Court
The Livingston County Clerk is the primary custodian of all divorce records originating in Livingston County Supreme Court. The Clerk maintains complete case files, provides certified copies, and indexes records by party name and index number.
Livingston County Clerk's Office
6 Court Street, Room 201
Geneseo, NY 14454
Phone: (585) 243-7010
Livingston County Clerk
State Vital Records Office
The New York State Department of Health maintains divorce records only for the limited period of 1963 through 1967. For all other years, the county clerk's office is the sole official repository.
Legal Framework:
Divorce proceedings in New York are governed by New York Domestic Relations Law § 170, which establishes the grounds for divorce, and by the New York Civil Practice Law and Rules, which govern court procedure. Public access to court records is addressed under the New York Judiciary Law and the state's Freedom of Information Law (Public Officers Law § 84 et seq.).
Are Livingston County Divorce Records Public?
Divorce records filed in Livingston County Supreme Court are public court records subject to the presumption of openness under New York law. Members of the public may access basic case information, docket entries, and most filed documents without demonstrating a specific need. However, certain categories of information within divorce files are subject to restriction or redaction under court rules and state statute.
What Is Public:
- Index number and filing date
- Names of both parties (petitioner and respondent)
- Names of attorneys of record
- Court hearing dates and scheduled appearances
- Docket entries reflecting the chronological history of the case
- Court orders and judgments, including the Final Judgment of Divorce
- Property division orders
- General case status
What May Be Restricted:
Financial Information:
- Social Security numbers (redacted pursuant to court rules)
- Bank account and financial account numbers (redacted)
- Detailed tax returns (may be filed under seal or with restricted access)
- Credit card and loan account numbers (redacted)
Children's Information:
- Residential addresses of minor children
- Names of schools children attend
- Medical and psychological records pertaining to children
- Custody evaluation reports (may be sealed by court order)
- Guardian ad litem reports (restricted access)
Sensitive Personal Information:
- Domestic violence allegations and supporting evidence
- Mental health and substance abuse treatment records
- Personal addresses in cases involving protective orders
- Mediation communications (confidential by statute)
Sealed Records:
A court may seal all or part of a divorce file upon a showing of good cause. Sealed records are not accessible to the general public. Parties to the case and their attorneys retain access to sealed materials in their own proceedings.
Who Can Access Records:
- General public: May access public portions of the case file, view docket summaries, and obtain copies of non-restricted documents upon payment of applicable fees.
- Parties to the case: Retain full access to their own case file, including documents subject to restricted public access.
- Attorneys of record: Access case files in their capacity as counsel; may seek access to sealed materials through motion practice.
- Researchers and media: Access is limited to the public portions of the file; court permission is required for sealed records.
Prohibited Uses:
Members of the public who obtain divorce records may not use them for stalking, harassment, identity theft, or any purpose that violates a court-issued protective order. Permitted uses include legal proceedings, genealogical research, background verification, and news reporting protected under the First Amendment.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in Livingston County?
The Livingston County Clerk's Office charges standard fees for copies and certified copies of divorce records. Current fees are established pursuant to New York County Law § 909 and applicable court rules.
Standard Fee Schedule:
| Service | Current Fee |
|---|---|
| Plain copy (per page) | $0.65 per page |
| Certified copy of judgment or decree | $5.00 per document |
| Certification seal/stamp | Included in certified copy fee |
| Search fee (when no index number provided) | $5.00 per two-year period searched |
| Exemplified (triple-certified) copy | $10.00 per document |
Accepted Payment Methods:
- Personal check or money order payable to the Livingston County Clerk
- Cash (in-person only)
- Credit and debit cards may be accepted in person; confirm current availability with the Clerk's office
Fee Waivers:
Parties who have been granted poor person status by the court pursuant to New York Civil Practice Law and Rules § 1101 may be entitled to obtain copies of records in their own case at reduced or no cost. A copy of the court's poor person order must be presented at the time of the request.
What Is Available at No Charge:
- Viewing case docket entries and case status through the eCourts public portal online
- In-person review of a case file at the Clerk's office (no charge to inspect; copying fees apply)
What's Included in Divorce Records in Livingston County
A complete divorce case file maintained by the Livingston County Clerk contains all documents filed with the court from the commencement of the action through any post-judgment proceedings. The scope of the file depends on whether the divorce was uncontested or contested and whether children or significant assets were involved.
Basic Case Information:
- Index number assigned at filing
- Court name (Supreme Court, Livingston County)
- Names of petitioner and respondent
- Name of the assigned judge
- Names and contact information of attorneys of record
- Date of filing and case type designation
Initial Pleadings:
The Summons with Notice or Summons and Verified Complaint initiates the action and sets forth the grounds for divorce, the date and place of marriage, the date of separation (if applicable), information regarding any children of the marriage, and the relief requested by the petitioner. The respondent's Verified Answer addresses each allegation and may include a counterclaim for divorce.
Financial Affidavits:
Both parties are required to file a Net Worth Statement disclosing income from all sources, monthly expenses, assets (real property, vehicles, bank accounts, retirement accounts, investments, and personal property), and liabilities (mortgages, loans, and credit obligations). These affidavits form the evidentiary basis for property distribution and support determinations.
Children-Related Documents (if applicable):
Where the parties have minor children, the file includes a parenting plan or custody stipulation addressing legal custody (decision-making authority), physical custody (primary residence), a detailed parenting time schedule including holidays and vacations, transportation arrangements, and provisions for relocation. A child support worksheet reflecting each parent's income, the number of overnights, and applicable costs for health insurance and childcare accompanies the support order.
Settlement Documents:
In uncontested matters, a Stipulation of Settlement or Separation Agreement signed by both parties and acknowledged before a notary resolves all issues including property division, debt allocation, spousal maintenance, and child-related matters. This agreement is incorporated by reference into the Final Judgment of Divorce and becomes enforceable as a court order.
Final Judgment of Divorce:
The Final Judgment of Divorce is the court's definitive order dissolving the marriage. It contains findings of fact, conclusions of law, and directives regarding all issues resolved in the proceeding. The judgment bears the judge's signature and the court's seal and is the document most frequently requested for certified copy.
Post-Judgment Documents:
Following entry of the Final Judgment, the file may be supplemented with petitions to modify custody or support, enforcement motions, income deduction orders, contempt proceedings, and Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs) directing the division of retirement plan benefits.
What Is Typically Confidential or Sealed:
- Social Security numbers and financial account numbers (redacted from all public copies)
- Residential addresses of minor children
- Mental health evaluations and substance abuse records
- Domestic violence evidence in cases with active protective orders
- Mediation communications (confidential by statute)
- Settlement negotiations not reduced to a filed stipulation
How to Get Proof of Divorce in Livingston County?
Proof of divorce in Livingston County is obtained through a certified copy of the Final Judgment of Divorce issued by the Livingston County Clerk's Office. A certified copy bears the Clerk's official seal and signature and is accepted by government agencies, financial institutions, and courts as legal proof that a marriage was dissolved.
Steps to Obtain a Certified Copy:
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Identify the index number of the divorce proceeding. If the index number is unknown, contact the Livingston County Clerk's Office at (585) 243-7010 or search the eCourts case search portal using the names of both parties.
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Submit a request in person, by mail, or by phone to the Livingston County Clerk's Office at 6 Court Street, Room 201, Geneseo, NY 14454.
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Provide identifying information: Full names of both parties, approximate year of divorce, and index number if available.
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Pay the applicable fee: The current fee for a certified copy is $5.00 per document. Payment by check or money order should be made payable to the Livingston County Clerk.
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Receive the certified copy: In-person requests are processed at the counter during business hours. Mail requests are processed within approximately one to two weeks.
For divorces granted between 1963 and 1967, members of the public may also contact the New York State Department of Health Vital Records Section at Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12237, telephone 855-322-1022 (toll-free), as the state maintained a divorce registry during that period.
As the New York State Archives advises, members of the public seeking to obtain birth, death, marriage, and divorce records should contact the appropriate county clerk for records outside the state's limited vital records period.
Livingston County Clerk's Office
6 Court Street, Room 201
Geneseo, NY 14454
Phone: (585) 243-7010
Livingston County Clerk
Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Livingston County?
A divorce proceeding in Livingston County may be made fully or partially confidential only by court order. New York courts apply a balancing test weighing the public's presumptive right of access against the privacy interests of the parties and any minor children involved.
The following circumstances may support a court order sealing or restricting access to divorce records:
- Domestic violence: Cases in which disclosure of a party's address or identifying information could endanger a victim of domestic violence may be sealed in whole or in part pursuant to New York Family Court Act and related protective statutes.
- Children's sensitive information: Psychological evaluations, custody evaluations, and guardian ad litem reports involving minor children are routinely restricted from public access.
- Mental health and medical records: Records reflecting a party's mental health treatment or medical history submitted as evidence may be filed under seal.
- Confidential settlements: Terms of settlement reached through mediation are confidential under New York's Domestic Relations Law § 170-a and related court rules and are not part of the public record unless incorporated into a filed stipulation.
- High-profile cases: A court may seal records in cases where public disclosure would cause substantial harm disproportionate to the public interest in access.
A party seeking to seal records must file a motion with the Supreme Court, demonstrate good cause, and provide notice to the opposing party. The court rules on the motion on a case-by-case basis.
How Long Does Livingston County Keep Divorce Records?
Livingston County retains divorce records in accordance with the New York State Archives and Records Administration (SARA) retention schedules applicable to county court records. Divorce records are among the most permanently retained categories of court documents in New York.
Retention periods for divorce-related records are as follows:
- Final Judgments of Divorce: Retained permanently. These records are never destroyed and remain accessible through the Livingston County Clerk's Office indefinitely.
- Complete case files (contested and uncontested): Retained for a minimum of 50 years following the close of the case under current New York court records retention schedules.
- Post-judgment modification and enforcement records: Retained as part of the original case file for the same period applicable to the underlying action.
- Financial affidavits and supporting financial documents: Retained as part of the case file; Social Security numbers and account numbers are redacted from publicly accessible copies but retained in the official record.
- Pre-1847 records: Records predating July 1, 1847, may be held by the New York State Archives rather than the county clerk, as statewide divorce jurisdiction was not established until that date.
Members of the public seeking records from cases closed more than several decades ago should contact the Livingston County Clerk's Office directly to confirm whether the file remains on-site or has been transferred to off-site storage, as retrieval of archived materials may require additional processing time.