Where to File Your Paperwork in Rockland County?
To start your divorce in Rockland County, you must file your initial paperwork with the Rockland County Clerk’s Office. In New York, divorce actions are handled by the Supreme Court, but the County Clerk serves as the clerk for the court and processes all the filings.
Address: 1 South Main Street, Suite 100, New City, NY 10956
Phone: (845) 638-5070
Business Hours: Monday–Thursday, 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.; Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Where to File: Submit your Summons and Complaint at the County Clerk’s office to purchase an Index Number, which officially opens your case.
📋
Divorce Requirements: Do You Qualify?
To file for divorce in Rockland County, you must meet New York’s residency requirements. Generally, this means:
- Either you or your spouse has lived in New York State continuously for at least two years before filing; OR
- If you were married in NY, lived in NY as a married couple, or the grounds for divorce happened in NY, the requirement is usually reduced to one year of residency.
Using document preparation service like ours helps ensure you meet these specific NY standards and that your documents are tailored for the Rockland County Supreme Court.
📌
Filing for an Uncontested Divorce (When Both Spouses Agree)
An uncontested divorce is the most efficient way to end a marriage in New York. Under DRL § 170(7), couples can file for a “no-fault” divorce if the relationship has broken down irretrievably for at least six months, provided all financial and custody issues are resolved.
The process follows these steps:
- File the Summons and Complaint: You begin by purchasing an Index Number (currently $210) at the County Clerk’s office.
- Serve Your Spouse: You must have the papers delivered to your spouse. In an uncontested case, your spouse can sign an Affidavit of Defendant, which acknowledges the service and fast-tracks the process.
- No Mandatory Waiting Period: Unlike some states, New York does not require a 90-day waiting period once the papers are filed, though it often takes several months for the court to review and sign the final judgment.
- Submit the Divorce Packet: Once the defendant has responded or waived their time to contest, you submit the “Uncontested Divorce Packet.” This includes the Note of Issue (fee of $30) and the Request for Judicial Intervention (fee of $95).
- The Decree: A judge will review your agreement. If everything is in order, they will sign the Judgment of Divorce without requiring a court appearance.
Note: Even though there isn’t a mandatory “cooling off” period, you should have a signed Settlement Agreement ready. This contract settles how you divide your home in New City, retirement accounts, and other marital assets.
🗂️
Common Rockland County Divorce Forms You Will Need
New York requires a specific “Uncontested Divorce Packet.” The forms can vary depending on whether you have children under 21. Basic forms include:
- Summons With Notice (UD-1) or Summons and Verified Complaint (UD-1a/UD-2): The documents that start the action.
- Affidavit of Service (UD-3): Proof the spouse was served.
- Sworn Statement of Removal of Barriers to Remarriage (UD-4): Required if the marriage was a religious ceremony.
- Affidavit of Plaintiff (UD-6) & Affidavit of Defendant (UD-7): Sworn statements from both parties.
- Proposed Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law (UD-10): The legal basis for the divorce.
- Proposed Judgment of Divorce (UD-11): The final document for the judge to sign.
If you have children, you must also include the Child Support Worksheet (UD-8(3)) and a Qualified Medical Child Support Order (UD-8b).
💳
Divorce Filing Fees and Costs
In 2026, the baseline court fees for a divorce in Rockland County total approximately $335, broken down as follows:
- Index Number: $210
- Request for Judicial Intervention (RJI): $95
- Note of Issue: $30
If you cannot afford these fees, you may file an “Affirmation in Support of Application to Waive Court Costs” (Poor Person’s Relief) to ask the court to waive the filing fees based on your financial situation.
Start Divorce in 3 Simple Steps
Our service can complete the paperwork for your agreed-upon divorce, minimizing your stress and the risk of submitting the wrong forms.
Check Your Eligibility
Answer several simple questions on our platform to see if our service is suitable in your specific circumstances.
Fill out a Questionnaire
Complete a full online questionnaire, providing the details of your case so the system can select and fill in the right forms.
Print out the Papers
Download the completed documents from your account, print, sign, and notarize them to start the case with the local court.
- Court-Approved Divorce Packet 📂
We prepare all the forms for your uncontested divorce in Jefferson County. You won’t waste hours searching which papers you need. Everything comes complete and ready to file at the courthouse. - Forms Filled Automatically Based on Your Answers 📝
Our simple guided questionnaire fills out the forms for you. No confusing legal language or hours spent figuring out instructions – we make it easy. - Step-by-Step Filing Instructions 🛠️
Along with your forms, you’ll get simple instructions that show how to file with the court. This makes the process easier and less stressful.