What Documents Do I Need for a Suffolk County Divorce?

Starting a divorce in Suffolk County feels more manageable when you know what paperwork the court expects and what records will help you prove your case. Think of this guide as your working checklist. It covers the standard New York Supreme Court forms, plus the supporting documents judges and clerks commonly look for in Suffolk County.

The Core Court Filings You Will Need

These are the foundational documents that open and move a New York divorce forward. Names of forms can vary slightly depending on whether your case is contested or uncontested, and whether you begin with a Summons with Notice or a Summons and Verified Complaint.

Summons with Notice or Summons and Verified Complaint. This starts the case and lays out the grounds for divorce and basic relief requested, such as custody, support, and property distribution.
Notice of Automatic Orders. New York requires service of automatic financial and parenting restraints that apply to both spouses for the life of the case.
Notice Concerning Continuation of Health Care Coverage. You must serve this notice with the initial papers.
Affidavit of Service. The sworn statement from the process server confirming how and when your spouse was served.
Affidavit of Defendant or Answer. In an uncontested matter your spouse signs an Affidavit of Defendant. In a contested matter your spouse files an Answer.
Request for Judicial Intervention (RJI). This places your case on a judge’s docket when court attention is needed.
Child Support and Maintenance Guideline Documents. If support is at issue you will use the statutory worksheets and required notices so the court can see how numbers were calculated.
Proposed Judgment of Divorce and Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law. These finalize the case. In an uncontested divorce they are part of the judgment packet submitted for signature.

Suffolk County uses New York’s statewide e-filing system for most Supreme Court cases. If you file electronically, include a Notice of E-Filing. Some judgment packets still require original hard copies with wet signatures, so plan ahead to avoid delays.

Proof You Are Eligible to File in Suffolk County

Proof of Residency. A New York driver’s license, non-driver ID, voter registration, lease, deed, or utility statement that shows you meet New York residency rules for divorce.
Certified Marriage Certificate. If yours is lost, order a certified copy from the jurisdiction where you married. Foreign certificates should include a certified translation.
Prior Orders or Agreements. Bring any Family Court orders for custody, visitation, or support, and any prenuptial or postnuptial agreements. The court cannot rule in a vacuum, and these documents frame what the judge can or should do.

Financial Disclosure Package

Judges in Suffolk County rely heavily on clear, comprehensive financial disclosure. Whether your case is contested or you are negotiating an uncontested settlement, gather:

Statement of Net Worth. A sworn, detailed snapshot of income, expenses, assets, and debts. Expect to attach exhibits and sign before a notary.
Tax Returns and W-2 or 1099 Forms. Provide the last two to three years, including all schedules and K-1s for business interests.
Recent Pay Stubs. Usually the last three months at minimum.
Bank and Brokerage Statements. Three to twelve months of statements, longer if questions arise about separate versus marital property.
Retirement and Deferred Compensation Statements. 401(k), IRA, pension benefit statements, and plan summaries. Keep quarter-end and year-end statements.
Real Estate Documents. Deeds, recent mortgage statements, HELOC statements, property tax bills, and appraisals if available.
Business Records (if self-employed). Profit and loss statements, ledgers, balance sheets, corporate tax returns, and payroll records.
Insurance Information. Health, dental, vision, life, homeowner’s, and auto policy declarations pages.
Debt Documentation. Credit card statements, student loans, personal loans, and promissory notes.

Tip for smoother processing: organize these into labeled folders, keep a digital set in a single PDF per category, and remove duplicates. Clerks and law assistants appreciate clean submissions, and your attorney can work faster.

Parenting and Child-Related Documents

If you have children under 18, expect to provide:

Proposed Parenting Plan. Weekday and weekend schedules, holidays, school breaks, transportation, and decision-making authority for education, health, and activities.
Child Support Worksheet and Proof. Daycare invoices, health insurance premiums, out-of-pocket medical costs, and proof of who claims the child tax credit.
School and Health Information. Report cards, IEPs, attendance records, and names of pediatricians or therapists if relevant.
Proof of Child-Related Expenses. Activities, tutoring, uniforms, and other recurring costs.

Courts want a plan that is specific and child-focused. The more clear and practical your paperwork, the less likely you will need repeated conferences to iron out details.

Property, Debt, and Separate Property Backup

Equitable distribution in New York looks at what is marital and what is separate. To support your position:

Evidence of separate property. Pre-marital account statements, gift letters, inheritance documents, and records showing that you kept separate funds segregated.
Proof of contributions. Receipts and records of capital improvements to the marital home or a spouse’s separate property, including contractor invoices and permits.
Vehicle titles and loan statements. Include insurance cards and Blue Book valuations if you are discussing a buyout.
Personal property inventory. Photos and lists for high-value items such as jewelry, art, or collectibles, with purchase receipts or appraisals where possible.

Special Situations to Prepare For

Religious divorces and barriers to remarriage. Some cases require a sworn statement that you have taken steps to remove religious barriers to remarriage.
Military service. Servicemembers Civil Relief Act protections may affect timing and default procedures, so gather duty orders and deployment documentation.
Protection orders. If there are orders of protection, provide copies and let the court know about safety concerns for service and court appearances.
Immigration documents. Visas or status filings can affect travel with children and timing of name changes.

Practical Filing Notes Unique to Suffolk County Practice

Index number and purchase receipts. You cannot file the case without an index number. Keep your purchase confirmation with the file.
Notarization. Many affidavits must be notarized. Ensure the notary block is complete and matches your name exactly as it appears in the caption.
Consistent names and dates. Double check that every document uses the same spelling and that marriage and birth dates match official records.
Translations. Any non-English document must have a certified translation. Include the translator’s certification.
Service method. Personal service is the standard to start a case. If personal service is not possible, you will need a motion for alternative service with supporting proof of diligent efforts.

Common Mistakes That Slow Suffolk County Divorces

Filing incomplete judgment packets, which leads to rejection.
Omitting required notices from the initial service.
Submitting stale financials. Update pay stubs and bank statements if months have passed.
Forgetting to include schedules and attachments with tax returns.
Mixing exhibits into a single, unlabeled PDF. Use clear bookmarks and exhibit labels.

Bottom Line

Every divorce has its own wrinkles, but most Suffolk County cases run on the same set of core forms, eligibility proof, and thorough financial and parenting documentation. The better you prepare these materials, the faster your case can focus on fair terms rather than missing paperwork.

A Quick Checklist to Start Today

Certified marriage certificate and proof of New York residency
Any prenuptial or postnuptial agreements and Family Court orders
Last two to three years of tax returns with W-2s or 1099s
Recent pay stubs and three to twelve months of bank and investment statements
Retirement, mortgage, and debt statements
Proposed parenting plan and child support documents, if you have children
Evidence of separate property and appraisals or receipts for major assets
Completed initial court papers with required notices and proper service

Thinking about filing or cleaning up a stalled case? The Law Office of Chris Palermo helps Suffolk County clients prepare the right documents the first time, negotiate practical settlements, and move cases to judgment efficiently. For guidance tailored to your situation, reach out to Chris Palermo to schedule a confidential consultation.