Records of divorce in Wayne County, New York, are available through several channels. On the website WayneNYCourt.us, you can find publicly accessible information regarding divorce records. Additionally, records are stored in the court that issued the decision, at the county clerk's office, and at the New York State Department of Health, Vital Records Section. Each of these resources provides different types of documents depending on the applicant's needs.
Wayne Divorce Records Search
In the state of New York, divorce cases are handled by the Supreme Court — despite the name, this is the court of first instance for civil cases, including divorces. The Wayne County Supreme Court maintains complete court materials: divorce decrees, settlement agreements, custody orders, and related procedural documents.
The Wayne County Clerk is also involved with these records — court decisions are registered through this office. Separately, the New York State Department of Health maintains a registry of divorce certificates starting from January 1963.
For records prior to 1963, you should contact the clerk of the court that issued the decision directly.
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Wayne
The structure of filing and storing records in New York has its own characteristics. Here's how it works in Wayne County:
- Supreme Court of Wayne County — handles all divorce cases. After a decision is made by the judge, the decree is recorded in the court clerk's office. This is where the full set of court documents is stored: the complaint, response, party agreements, custody, and alimony decisions.
- Wayne County Clerk — registers court judgments, including divorce decrees. If you need a certified copy of the court's decision itself, contact this office.
- NYS Department of Health, Vital Records Section — issues divorce certificates for divorces processed in the state from 1963 onwards. This is a short document confirming the fact of divorce but does not contain agreement details.
What you need specifically determines where to apply.
| What is needed | Where to apply |
|---|---|
| Full court decision (decree), property settlement agreement, custody documents | Wayne County Supreme Court / County Clerk |
| Divorce certificate (short form, from 1963) | NYS Department of Health, Vital Records |
| Records prior to 1963 | Court clerk that issued the decision or Wayne County Clerk |
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Wayne
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Divorce certificate (NYS DOH Vital Records) — search and one certified copy | $30.00 | 6–8 weeks (by mail) |
| Additional certified copy of divorce certificate (in one order) | $15.00 | Along with the main order |
| Copy of court document (Wayne County Clerk) | $1.25 per page; $5.00 for certification | Typically 5–10 business days |
| County Clerk record search | $5.00 for every two years searched | Depends on the volume of the request |