Find Albany County Divorce Records
Albany County divorce records are kept by the County Clerk at 16 Eagle Street in the city of Albany. The office holds divorce case files going back to 1847, which makes it one of the more complete collections in the state. If you need a copy of a divorce decree or want to look up a case filed in Albany County Supreme Court, you can visit the clerk in person, send a mail request, or search online through the state court system. The Albany County Clerk also works with the New York State Department of Health, which holds divorce certificates for all cases from 1963 on. Both offices can help you get the records you need, though each has its own set of forms and fees.
Albany County Overview
Albany County Clerk Divorce Records
The Albany County Clerk's Office sits in Room 128 of the Albany County Courthouse at 16 Eagle Street, Albany, NY 12207. The current County Clerk is Hon. Bruce A. Hidley. The main phone line is (518) 487-5100, and the fax is (518) 487-5099. You can also reach them by email at countyclerk@albanycounty.com. Business hours run Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The Records Room keeps slightly different hours, from 9:00 AM to 4:45 PM on weekdays.
The clerk holds divorce decrees, divorce judgments, and full Supreme Court case files. They also keep deeds, mortgages, powers of attorney, lis pendens, and UCC filings. Albany County divorce records go back to 1847. Supreme Court records from after 1919 are also on file there. That gives researchers over 175 years of court history to work with.
Divorce files are sealed under New York law. Only the parties, their lawyers, or someone with a court order can get copies.
How to Search Divorce Records in Albany County
You have a few ways to look up Albany County divorce records. The fastest is to go in person. Bring valid photo ID that matches your name on the divorce file. You will need the full names of both spouses, the rough date of the divorce, and the case index number if you have it. The clerk staff can pull the file while you wait. Keep in mind that only a party to the case or their attorney can view the actual documents under Domestic Relations Law Section 235, which seals all matrimonial records.
If you can't visit in person, mail a written request to Albany County Clerk, 16 Eagle Street, Room 128, Albany, NY 12207. Include the names of both parties, the approximate date, and any other identifying details. Send a check or money order for the fees. The search fee is $5.00 per name per year. Uncertified copies cost $0.65 per page with a $1.30 minimum. A certified copy runs $8.00 per document. Cash, check, and money order are all accepted in person.
You can also use the WebCivil Supreme system to look up case information online. Select Albany County from the dropdown, enter a party name, and choose "All" for case status. This shows basic details like the case index number, filing date, status, and judge. But it won't show you the actual divorce documents. Those still have to be obtained from the clerk's office.
The portal below shows the WebCivil Supreme search system used for looking up Albany County divorce cases online.
This resource from the NYS Unified Court System covers all 62 counties, including Albany.
Divorce Filing Fees in Albany County
Filing for divorce in Albany County Supreme Court costs $210 for the index number. The Note of Issue is $125. A Request for Judicial Intervention is $95. So the total minimum for an uncontested divorce comes to $335. If you can't pay, you may file an "Affidavit in Support of Application to Proceed as Poor Person" to ask for a fee waiver.
Getting copies of your divorce judgment from the clerk costs extra. A record search is $5.00 per name per year searched. Each certified copy is $8.00. Uncertified copies are $0.65 per page. These fees are set by state law and can change. Payment is accepted by cash, check, or money order at the clerk's window.
Albany County Divorce Records by Mail
Mail requests for Albany County divorce records should go to the County Clerk at 16 Eagle Street, Room 128, Albany, NY 12207. Put all the details in writing. Include both party names, maiden names if known, and the rough date. Add a check or money order for the search and copy fees. Make it out to "Albany County Clerk." Allow extra time for the clerk to process mail requests. These typically take longer than in-person visits since staff must search, pull the file, and mail back copies.
For divorce certificates from 1963 or later, you can also write to the New York State Department of Health. Send your request to the Vital Records Certification Unit, P.O. Box 2602, Albany, NY 12220-2602. The DOH charges $30 per copy by mail. Processing takes 10 to 12 weeks right now. If you need it faster, priority handling costs an extra $15 and cuts the wait to about two weeks. You can also order online or by phone for $45 plus a vendor fee through the DOH site.
The image below shows the NYS Department of Health divorce certificate request page, which covers Albany County records from 1963 forward.
This state page is the main resource for getting certified divorce certificates from any county in New York.
Note: Allow 10 to 12 weeks for DOH mail orders and plan ahead for any deadlines.
Albany County Supreme Court Information
The Albany County Supreme Court is in Room 102 of the courthouse at 16 Eagle Street. The phone number is 518-285-8989. David Cardona is the Chief Clerk and Sean Quillinan is the Deputy Chief Clerk. Office hours are 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. The public entrance is on Lodge Street, on the opposite side from the Eagle Street address.
This court has sole power over divorce in Albany County. Family Court cannot grant a divorce. The Supreme Court handles both contested and uncontested divorce cases, along with separations and annulments. They also run a Matrimonial Center that helps low-income and self-represented people with procedural questions. The center won't act as your lawyer, but they can answer specific questions about forms and court steps. Divorce forms are available at the clerk's window or can be downloaded from the NYS Courts divorce page.
Albany County also uses NYSCEF for electronic filing. Attorneys must e-file in most civil cases. If you represent yourself, you can choose to file on paper or through NYSCEF. The system lets you file 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You get confirmation right away and can track your case status online after that.
Getting Copies of Albany County Divorce Judgments
Once a judge signs the divorce judgment, it gets filed with the Albany County Clerk. The clerk stamps it with the entry date. That date matters. The divorce is not final until the judgment is officially entered. After filing, the defendant must be served a copy of the judgment and a "Notice of Entry." The plaintiff cannot serve this. Someone over 18 who is not a party to the case must do it.
You should get a certified copy of the judgment. You might need it to prove your divorce to a government agency, to change your name on official documents, or if you want to remarry. The fee at the Albany County Clerk is $8.00 per certified copy. Bring your photo ID to the clerk's office in Room 128 during regular hours. If you need the document for use in another country, the New York State Archives notes that you will first need a certified copy from the clerk, then get it authenticated by the NYS Department of State Apostille Unit at 99 Washington Avenue in Albany. The phone there is 518-474-4429.
The NYS Archives site below provides guidance on where to get divorce decree copies for Albany County and all other New York counties.
This page explains the 100-year sealing rule and tells you where to send requests.
Note: Divorce files remain sealed for 100 years from the date of the final decree under state law.
Legal Help for Albany County Divorce Cases
If you need legal help with a divorce in Albany County, a few resources are available. The Albany County Help Center in Room 140 of the courthouse (518-285-8989) gives out divorce forms and can explain court steps. They cannot give legal advice or act as your attorney. The Albany County Law Library in Room 100 (518-487-5090) lets you use legal research databases for free. Staff there can help you find resources but cannot interpret the law for you.
The NYS CourtHelp website lists additional legal aid contacts across the state. Law Help New York at lawhelp.org/ny also connects people with free or low-cost legal services. New York requires at least one party to have lived in the state for two years continuously before filing, or for one year under certain other conditions spelled out in Domestic Relations Law Section 170. Seven grounds for divorce exist in New York, but the most common is "irretrievable breakdown" under DRL Section 170(7), which is the no-fault option.
Cities in Albany County
Albany is the county seat and the largest city in the county. Residents of Albany file divorce cases in Albany County Supreme Court. For city-specific records information, see the page below.
Nearby Counties
If your divorce was filed in a neighboring county, you will need to contact that county's clerk. These counties border Albany County.