N.Y. Domestic Relations Law Section 235
Information as to details of matrimonial actions or proceedings


1.

An officer of the court with whom the proceedings in a matrimonial action or a written agreement of separation or an action or proceeding for custody, visitation or maintenance of a child are filed, or before whom the testimony is taken, or his clerk, either before or after the termination of the suit, shall not permit a copy of any of the pleadings, affidavits, findings of fact, conclusions of law, judgment of dissolution, written agreement of separation or memorandum thereof, or testimony, or any examination or perusal thereof, to be taken by any other person than a party, or the attorney or counsel of a party, except by order of the court.

2.

If the evidence on the trial of such an action or proceeding be such that public interest requires that the examination of the witnesses should not be public, the court or referee may exclude all persons from the room except the parties to the action and their counsel, and in such case may order the evidence, when filed with the clerk, sealed up, to be exhibited only to the parties to the action or proceeding or someone interested, on order of the court.

3.

Upon the application of any person to the county clerk or other officer in charge of public records within a county for evidence of the disposition, judgment or order with respect to a matrimonial action, the clerk or other such officer shall issue a “certificate of disposition”, duly certifying the nature and effect of such disposition, judgment or order and shall in no manner evidence the subject matter of the pleadings, testimony, findings of fact, conclusions of law or judgment of dissolution derived in any such action.

4.

Any county, city, town or village clerk or other municipal official issuing marriage licenses shall be required to accept, as evidence of dissolution of marriage, such “certificate of disposition” in lieu of a complete copy of the findings of fact, conclusions of law and judgment of dissolution.

5.

The limitations of subdivisions one, two and three of this section in relation to confidentiality shall cease to apply one hundred years after date of filing, and such records shall thereupon be public records available to public inspection.

Source: Section 235 — Information as to details of matrimonial actions or proceedings, https://www.­nysenate.­gov/legislation/laws/DOM/235 (updated Sep. 22, 2014; accessed Mar. 23, 2024).

230
Required residence of parties
231
Residence of married persons
232
Notice of nature of matrimonial action
233
Sequestration of defendant’s property in action for divorce, separation or annulment where defendant cannot be personally served
234
Title to or occupancy and possession of property
235
Information as to details of matrimonial actions or proceedings
236
Special controlling provisions
237
Counsel fees and expenses
238
Expenses in enforcement and modification proceedings
239
Stay in divorce or separation action on default of payment
240
Custody and child support
240–A
Judgment or decree
240–B
Order of support by parent
240–C
Review and cost of living adjustment of child support orders
240–D
Support orders for certain adult dependents
241
Interference with or withholding of visitation rights
243
Security for payments by defendant in action for divorce, separation or annulment
244
Enforcement by execution of judgment or order in action for divorce, separation or annulment
244–A
Enforcement of arrears which accrue during pendency of an enforcement proceeding
244–B
Child support proceedings and enforcement of arrears
244–C
Child support proceedings and enforcement of arrears
244–D
Child support proceedings and enforcement of arrears
245
Enforcement by contempt proceedings of judgment or order in action for divorce, separation or annulment
246
Persons financially unable to comply with orders or judgments directing the payment of alimony
247
Alimony or maintenance payments suspended during confinement in prison
248
Modification of judgment or order in action for divorce or annulment
249
Trial preferences in matrimonial actions
250
Agreements relating to marriage
251
Filing of order in family court
252
Effect of pendency of action for divorce, separation or annulment on petition for order of protection
253
Removal of barriers to remarriage
254
Confidentiality
255
Prerequisites for judgments under articles nine, ten and eleven of this chapter

Accessed:
Mar. 23, 2024

Last modified:
Sep. 22, 2014

§ 235’s source at nysenate​.gov

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