Clinton County Divorce Records Search

Clinton County divorce records are maintained by the County Clerk in Plattsburgh. The clerk serves as the filing point for all Supreme Court records, which includes every divorce case heard in the county. If you need a copy of a divorce decree, want to verify that a case was filed, or are looking to start the divorce process, the Clinton County Clerk's Office on Margaret Street is your main resource. The office holds both civil and criminal court records as well as land records. For divorce certificates from 1963 onward, the NYS Department of Health is another option. The statewide WebCivil system also lets you search for Clinton County case data online.

Clinton County Clerk Divorce Records Office

The Clinton County Clerk's Office is at 137 Margaret Street, Suite 205, Plattsburgh, NY 12901. Phone: 518-565-4701. The clerk serves as the Clerk of the Supreme and County Courts. This means the office handles filing, storage, and retrieval of all divorce records for the county. Regular business hours apply on weekdays.

Records available at the Clinton County Clerk include divorce records, civil and criminal court records, and land records. The standard New York State procedures apply for requesting divorce records. You must be a party to the case, an attorney of record, or have a court order to access the file. Certified copies carry a standard fee. The search fee is typically $5.00 per name per two-year period. Certification costs $5.00 to $8.00 depending on the document.

Divorce files in Clinton County are sealed under DRL Section 235. The 100-year sealing rule keeps these records confidential.

How to Search Clinton County Divorce Cases

The WebCivil Supreme case search system covers Clinton County. To use it, pick Clinton County from the dropdown, type in a party name, and select "All" for case status. The results show the index number, filing date, case type, and whether the case is active or closed. This is a free tool from the NYS Unified Court System.

Keep in mind that this tool only shows basic case data. You will not see the actual divorce decree or any filings. Matrimonial records are confidential. The NYSCEF electronic filing system is also available. If your case was filed through NYSCEF, you can log in and track documents. Public access to e-filed documents is limited for cases filed after April 15, 2013.

For in-person searches, visit the clerk at 137 Margaret Street in Plattsburgh. Bring photo ID. Provide both party names and the approximate date of the divorce. The more details you can give, the faster the search will go.

The NYS Courts electronic filing system shown below is used for Clinton County Supreme Court cases.

Registered users can file documents and track case status through this portal.

Filing for Divorce in Clinton County

Clinton County is in the 4th Judicial District. All divorce cases are filed in the Supreme Court. The process starts with purchasing an index number for $210 from the clerk. You then serve the defendant within 120 days using someone over 18 who is not the plaintiff. The Note of Issue costs $125 or $30 depending on the case. The total minimum for an uncontested divorce is around $335.

New York has seven grounds for divorce under DRL Section 170. The no-fault ground is "irretrievable breakdown" for six months, which is the most used. Other grounds include cruel treatment, abandonment, imprisonment, adultery, and living apart under a separation agreement. Residency requirements apply. At least one spouse must have lived in New York for one or two years depending on the circumstances.

Free divorce forms can be downloaded from the NYS Courts divorce page. People who cannot afford the fees can apply for poor person status through the court. Both parties must provide sworn financial disclosure statements under DRL Section 236-B.

Note: The plaintiff has exactly 120 days from filing to complete service on the defendant.

Clinton County Divorce Decree Copies

To get a certified copy of a Clinton County divorce decree, contact the clerk at 137 Margaret Street, Suite 205, Plattsburgh, NY 12901. You can visit in person or mail a written request. Include the full names of both parties, the approximate date, and any case number you may have. Fees for certified copies follow the standard New York schedule.

The NYS Department of Health holds divorce certificates for cases from 1963 to the present. The fee is $30 by mail or $45 online plus a vendor fee. Send mail requests to Vital Records Certification Unit, P.O. Box 2602, Albany, NY 12220-2602. Processing takes 10 to 12 weeks. Priority handling is available for $15 extra and cuts the time to about two weeks.

The New York State Archives confirms that divorce records from 1847 forward are filed with the county clerk in the county where the case occurred. For pre-1847 records, contact the NYS Archives directly.

The state archives page below provides details on obtaining divorce decree copies from any county in New York.

This resource explains who can request records and the 100-year sealing period.

Legal Resources in Clinton County

The NYS CourtHelp website lists court help centers statewide. These centers provide free procedural help, forms, and referrals. Staff cannot give legal advice but can explain how the divorce process works. The 4th Judicial District covers Clinton County along with several other counties in northern New York.

Law Help New York at lawhelp.org/ny connects people with free or low-cost legal services. The NYS Library Vital Records page has information about vital records available for research. If you need a divorce judgment authenticated for use abroad, first get a certified copy from the clerk and then contact the NYS Department of State Apostille Unit at 99 Washington Avenue in Albany.

Nearby Counties

Clinton County borders several other counties in northern New York. Contact the correct county clerk if the divorce was filed elsewhere.