N.Y. Domestic Relations Law § 235

NEW YORK DOMESTIC RELATIONS LAW (Chapter 14) § 235 — Information as to details of matrimonial actions o DRL § 235 Information as to details of matrimonial actions orproceedings. 1 ARTICLE 13 Provisions Applicable to More Than One Type of Matrimonial Action § 235. Information as to details of matrimonial actions orproceedings. 1. An officer of the court with whom the proceedings in amatrimonial action or a written agreement of separation or an action orproceeding for custody, visitation or maintenance of a child are filed,or before whom the testimony is taken, or his clerk, either before orafter the termination of the suit, shall not permit a copy of any of thepleadings, affidavits, findings of fact, conclusions of law, judgment ofdissolution, written agreement of separation or memorandum thereof, ortestimony, or any examination or perusal thereof, to be taken by anyother person than a party, or the attorney or counsel of a party, exceptby order of the court.2. If the evidence on the trial of such an action or proceeding besuch that public interest requires that the examination of the witnessesshould not be public, the court or referee may exclude all persons fromthe room except the parties to the action and their counsel, and in suchcase may order the evidence, when filed with the clerk, sealed up, to beexhibited only to the parties to the action or proceeding or someoneinterested, on order of the court.3. Upon the application of any person to the county clerk or otherofficer in charge of public records within a county for evidence of thedisposition, judgment or order with respect to a matrimonial action, theclerk or other such officer shall issue a "certificate of disposition",duly certifying the nature and effect of such disposition, judgment ororder and shall in no manner evidence the subject matter of thepleadings, testimony, findings of fact, conclusions of law or judgmentof dissolution derived in any such action.4. Any coun judgment ororder and shall in no manner evidence the subject matter of thepleadings, testimony, findings of fact, conclusions of law or judgmentof dissolution derived in any such action.4. Any county, city, town or village clerk or other municipal officialissuing marriage licenses shall be required to accept, as evidence ofdissolution of marriage, such "certificate of disposition" in lieu of acomplete copy of the findings of fact, conclusions of law and judgmentof dissolution.5. The limitations of subdivisions one, two and three of this sectionin relation to confidentiality shall cease to apply one hundred yearsafter date of filing, and such records shall thereupon be public recordsavailable to public inspection. Source: NYSenate.gov Open Legislation | Laws of New York Page 1