The following is from: http://www.familysearch.org/sg/New_York.html Divorce Records Before 1787, divorce was practically nonexistent in New York. Some petitions for divorce were made to the governor or legislature, but only a few were granted. Records of divorces granted by acts of the legislature consist both of the legislative act and petitions that were sent to the legislature. Acts of divorce are indexed in the index mentioned under “Law and Legislation” in this outline. >From 1787–1847, divorces were recorded in chancery court records. Chancery court divorces are at the state archives or for the New York City area at: New York County Clerk's Office Division of Old Records 31 Chambers Street 7th floor New York, NY 10007 Telephone: 212-788-8580 or 212-566-5292 Fax: 212-385-4253 Since 1846, the supreme court has recorded divorce proceedings. Many people before 1966 found it easier to obtain a divorce out of state. Access to supreme court divorce records less than 100 years old is prohibited without judicial permission. You must obtain a court order to see a file. The actual trial records are sealed. The Family History Library has microfilmed very few divorce judgements. For New York County, only the index to divorce records has been microfilmed: New York County (New York). County Clerk. Index to Matrimonial Actions, 1784–1910. Salt Lake City: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1977. (FHL films 1017465–67; computer number 258893.)