Divorce records in Chemung County, New York, can be accessed through several channels. ChemungCourt.us can help you find publicly available divorce record information for the county. You can also request records directly from the Supreme Court that issued the decree, the Chemung County Clerk's Office, or the New York State Department of Health. The path you take depends on whether you need the full court file or a divorce certificate, and whether you are a party to the case.
Chemung Divorce Records Search
In New York, divorce cases are handled by the Supreme Court — despite its name, this is the state's trial-level court of general jurisdiction. The Chemung County Clerk serves as clerk of the Supreme Court and maintains divorce case files, including decrees, judgments, settlement agreements, custody orders, and related filings. The New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Records also maintains divorce certificates dating from 1963 forward.
Because divorce records are considered sealed in Chemung County's online records search system, they are not available through the Landex remote portal. To obtain copies, you must contact the County Clerk's office directly or submit a written request.
Chemung County Clerk's Office
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Chemung
Understanding which office holds what you need will save time. Here is how divorce records are organized in Chemung County:
- Supreme Court (via County Clerk): All divorce actions in Chemung County are filed in the New York State Supreme Court, Sixth Judicial District. The County Clerk's office stores the complete case file — the judgment of divorce, findings of fact, settlement or separation agreements, custody and support orders, and any motions filed during the proceeding.
- New York State Department of Health: The Bureau of Vital Records keeps a statewide index of divorce certificates from 1963 onward. A divorce certificate is a summary document confirming the divorce occurred; it does not include the full terms of the settlement or custody arrangements.
Who Can Obtain Divorce Records
The Chemung County Clerk's office can provide divorce records to the parties named in the action — either spouse (or their attorney of record). If you are not a party to the divorce, you will need to obtain a Supreme Court Order authorizing the Clerk's office to release the records to you. The county provides a Divorce File/Document Request Form that outlines the process and requirements.
Contact Information by Record Type
| What You Need | Contact |
|---|---|
| Full divorce file, judgment, settlement agreement, custody orders | Chemung County Clerk's Office — (607) 737-2920 |
| Divorce certificate (summary confirmation of divorce, 1963–present) | NYS Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Records — (855) 322-1022 |
| Local vital records assistance | Chemung County Vital Records |
New York State Department of Health — Vital Records
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Chemung
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Divorce certificate from NYS Dept. of Health | $30.00 | 4–6 weeks by mail |
| County Clerk — copy of divorce document (per page) | $0.65 per page | Varies; contact office |
| County Clerk — certified copy of divorce document (per page) | $1.25 first page; $0.65 each additional page | Varies; contact office |
| County Clerk — certification fee | $5.00 per document | Included with copy request |
| Landex online records search (browsing) | $0.15 per minute; $0.10 per page loaded | Immediate (note: divorces excluded from online portal) |