Get your certified New York Divorce Certificate

Divorce certificates serve as important documents to verify the legal dissolution of a marriage, changes in marital status, as well as the date and location of the divorce. It’s important to note that divorce certificates are different from divorce decrees. A divorce decree is a document prepared by the court that details the terms and conditions of the divorce and may be required for specific legal purposes. They are available at the county clerk's office that filed the dissolution of marriage. Divorce certificates are commonly needed for various reasons, including legal matters such as obtaining marriage licenses, passports, and making name changes. Additionally, they are often required for financial purposes, such as pensions, Social Security benefits, and insurance. These certificates also play a role in personal records for genealogy, assessing legal status, and employment verification.

Divorce certificates are often useful or required for:

Applying for a driver's license

Applying for a new passport

Issuing or obtaining a Social Security Card

Applying for Social Security benefits

Claiming pension or insurance benefits

Genealogy research

Claiming family inheritance

Applying for a new job

Enrolling in school

Enlisting in military

Obtaining a marriage license

Certified divorce certificates have distinct characteristics that differ by state, with each state's vital records office adding unique authentication features, resulting in variations in appearance depending on the year of issuance. Official divorce certificates typically include important elements such as a raised, embossed, or multicolored state seal, and they are printed on secure, specialized paper to prevent forgery. Additionally, these certificates contain the registrar's signature, the full names of both parties, and information regarding the date and location of the divorce. It's important to note that there are two types of divorce records issued in New York: divorce decrees issued by the county clerk's office and divorce certificates issued by the New York State Health Department.

• Full Name of the Person: The full legal names of the spouses.
• Date of Birth: The exact date of divorce of the spouses.
• State Seal: A raised, embossed, or printed multicolor or black and white seal of the issuing authority, which validates the document.
• Signature of State Registrar: The signature of the state registrar or authorized official responsible for issuing the divorce certificate.
• Printed on Security Paper: Printed on specialized paper to prevent counterfeiting.

In some instances, a certified divorce certificate may also include:

If you lose your divorce certificate:

1. Apply for a certified replacement copy by mail through the state office or online through VRO. You must complete the application, gather the required identification and documents, and pay the fees determined by the New York State Department of Health Bureau of Vital Records.
2. 1. For applying by mail: Send your application, documents, and a check or money order for the replacement fee to the NYSDOH-BVR at:
      New York State Department of Health Vital Records Certification Unit P.O. Box 2602 Albany, NY 12220-2602
      
   2. For online submissions: Complete the application and upload your documents through the VRO website (payable by credit card online).
2. NYSDOH-BVR will mail the certified copy(s) after processing.

Corrections or amendments to a New York divorce certificate are allowed when errors were made in the original document. The NYSDOH-BVR oversees this process and requires specific documentation based on the nature of the correction.

To request a correction, applicants must:

1. Complete the Amendment Request Form provided by NYSDOH-BVR
2. Provide supporting documentation verifying the correct information, such as:
3. • A certified copy of a court order (for significant changes).
   • Government-issued identification showing the correct name.
   • Marriage or birth certificates to support corrections to personal details.
3. Pay the amendment processing fee, which varies based on the complexity of the change.

Typically, requests to correct or amend a divorce certificate will require the following:

• A completed amendment application
• Supporting documentation
• Appropriate fee(s)

You can request New York divorce certificate apostilles through the New York Department of State or online with VRO's Apostille Express Service. An apostille is required when submitting your divorce certificate to a foreign government that is a member of the Hague Convention. It's important to note that apostilles are only issued by the Department of State for records that were initially filed with the NYSDOH-BVR.

If you need to manually obtain an Apostille for a public document issued in New York State, follow these steps carefully to ensure your documents are properly notarized, certified, and submitted for authentication:

1. Have your document notarized or a certified copy of your Divorce record issued by the NYSDOH-BVR. Application for a certified copy of the NY Divorce Certificate Form
2. Get your document certified by the County Clerk. Certificate of Divorce issued by a local or county official or the county Department of Health must first be certified by the County Clerk of the county where the document was issued.
3. Complete the Apostille/Certificate of Authentication Request Form.
4. Submit your documents to be apostilled/authenticated along with the completed request form.
5. Include applicable fees of $10.00 per document and mailing instructions as specified on the first page of the request form.
6. For in-person service, visit one of the following locations: NYS Department of State Division of Licensing Services,, 123 William St. 2nd Fl. New York, NY 10038-3804
   NYS Department of State Division of Licensing Services 1 Commerce Plaza 99 Washington Avenue, 6th Floor Albany, NY 12231

By following these steps, you will be able to secure the necessary authentication for your documents efficiently.

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