Divorce records in Bronx County, New York, can be accessed through several channels. BronxCourt.us can help you find publicly available divorce record information for Bronx County. You can also obtain records directly from the Supreme Court that issued the divorce decree, the Bronx County Clerk's Office, or the New York State Department of Health's Vital Records Section. The path you take depends on whether you need the full court file or a vital records certificate.
Bronx Divorce Records Search
In New York, divorce cases are handled by the Supreme Court — despite the name, this is the state's trial-level court of general jurisdiction. The Bronx County Clerk's Office maintains court records for divorces granted in Bronx County, including divorce decrees, judgments of divorce, settlement agreements, custody orders, and related filings. The NYC 311 divorce records page directs requesters to the County Clerk for court-filed divorce documents.
Separately, the New York State Department of Health maintains divorce certificates — shorter documents that confirm a divorce occurred but do not include the full terms of the settlement. These certificates cover divorces recorded statewide since 1963. For divorces in New York City prior to 1963, the NYC Department of Health may hold records.
The primary office for court-filed Bronx divorce records is:
Bronx County Clerk's Office
For divorce certificates (vital records), contact:
New York State Department of Health – Vital Records Section
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Bronx
Understanding which office holds the record you need saves time. The filing structure in Bronx County works as follows:
- Supreme Court, Bronx County — handles all divorce actions. The judgment of divorce and all related filings (property settlement, custody orders, support orders) become part of the court case file.
- Bronx County Clerk's Office — serves as the clerk of the Supreme Court and maintains the official court records after entry. When a divorce judgment is signed by the judge and entered, the County Clerk files and indexes it. This is where you request copies of the full divorce decree or any document from the court file.
- New York State Department of Health — receives a Certificate of Dissolution of Marriage from the court after each divorce is granted. The Department of Health issues divorce certificates, which verify the divorce but do not contain the detailed terms.
Use this guide to determine where to go:
| What You Need | Where to Go |
|---|---|
| Full divorce decree or judgment | Bronx County Clerk's Office |
| Settlement agreement or custody order from the case file | Bronx County Clerk's Office |
| Divorce certificate (proof divorce occurred) | NYS Department of Health – Vital Records |
| Pre-1963 NYC divorce certificate | NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene |
Bronx County Supreme Court
NYS Department of Health – Vital Records Section
If you are unsure which office holds a specific record, call the Bronx County Clerk at (718) 618-3300 to confirm before visiting.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Bronx
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Certified copy of divorce decree (Bronx County Clerk) | $5.00 per page (first page); $1.00 each additional page; certification fee $1.25 per document | Same day if requested in person; 2–4 weeks by mail |
| Divorce certificate (NYS Department of Health) | $30.00 | 4–6 weeks by mail |
| Additional copy of divorce certificate (same order, NYS DOH) | $30.00 each | Included with original order |
| Expedited processing (NYS DOH, via VitalChek) | Additional fees apply | Approximately 2 weeks |