Search Lewis County Divorce Records

Lewis County divorce records are maintained at the County Courthouse in Lowville, New York. The County Clerk handles all divorce decrees and court filings for the area. If you are looking for a certified copy of a judgment of divorce or need to search for case information, the clerk's office at 7660 N. State Street is the place to start. Lewis County is part of the 5th Judicial District, and the Supreme Court there oversees all divorce proceedings. Because this is a smaller county, the process can sometimes move faster than in busier courts downstate.

Lewis County Clerk and Court Contacts

The Lewis County Courthouse is at 7660 N. State Street, Lowville, NY 13367. The Supreme Court phone number is 315-570-2435. The Family Court can be reached at 315-570-2440. The County Clerk handles divorce records and can be contacted by email at jakemoser@lewiscounty.ny.gov.

The Supreme Court Justice for Lewis County is Hon. Candace L. L. Randall. The Chief Clerk is Isabelle M. Savage. For County, Family, and Surrogate matters, Hon. Daniel R. King presides. The office is open Monday through Friday during regular business hours. It is a good idea to call ahead if you plan to visit, since hours can vary for smaller county offices in the region.

When you go to pick up a copy of a divorce decree, bring a valid photo ID. Only the parties listed on the case or their attorney of record can get copies. If someone else needs to pick up documents for you, they must have a notarized letter granting that authority.

How to Get Lewis County Divorce Records

The County Clerk keeps the Judgment of Divorce on file for every case decided in Lewis County. To get a certified copy, visit the clerk in person or send a written request by mail. Include the full names of both parties, the approximate date of the divorce, and the index number if you have it. The standard fee for a certified copy is $5.00 for up to four pages. Extra pages cost $1.25 each.

For a search of court records, the clerk charges $5.00 per name for each two-year period. If you do not know the exact year of the divorce, you may need to pay for a wider search. Mail requests should include a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment by money order or certified check.

Note: Personal checks may not be accepted at all county offices, so call ahead to confirm payment methods.

Divorce Records Access and Privacy in Lewis County

Under New York law, all matrimonial records are sealed for 100 years from the date of the final decree. This means divorce files are not open to the public. Only the parties or their attorneys can view the court file or get copies. This rule applies to every county in New York State, including Lewis County. The restriction comes from Section 235 of the Domestic Relations Law.

There are limited exceptions. A court order can grant access to someone who is not a party to the case. Researchers and genealogists sometimes use this path, but it requires a judge to approve the request. For records older than 100 years, they become part of the public record and can be accessed more freely.

Filing for Divorce in Lewis County

Divorce cases in Lewis County are filed in the Supreme Court. The filing fee for an index number is $210. You will also need to pay $125 for the Note of Issue when your case is ready for the judge to review. These fees are set by the state and are the same in every county.

New York has both no-fault and fault-based grounds for divorce. The no-fault ground requires that the marriage has broken down for at least six months and that all financial and custody issues are resolved. Fault-based grounds include things like cruel treatment, abandonment, or imprisonment. Most people file under the no-fault option.

You must also meet a residency requirement. The most common paths are that one spouse has lived in New York for at least one year before filing (with certain ties to the state), or that either spouse has lived in the state for two or more continuous years. The NYS Courts divorce page has forms and detailed instructions for both contested and uncontested cases.

Lewis County Divorce Records by Mail

If you cannot visit the courthouse in person, you can request divorce records by mail. Send your request to the Lewis County Clerk at 7660 N. State Street, Lowville, NY 13367. Your letter should include the full names of both spouses, the date of the divorce, and your relationship to the case. You must also include a notarized letter if you are not one of the parties.

Include payment for the certified copy fee and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Processing times vary. During busy periods, expect a wait of one to two weeks for mail requests. The clerk's office will reach out if they need more information from you.

State-Level Divorce Certificates

The New York State Department of Health has divorce certificates for every New York divorce since 1963. This includes Lewis County cases. The certificate is a summary document, not the full court file. It lists the names, date, and county. Mail orders cost $30 per copy. Online or phone orders are $45 plus a vendor fee.

Only the spouses or someone with a court order can request a certificate. You need to provide both names, the date of the divorce, and the county. Mail processing takes 10 to 15 business days on average. The DOH Vital Records page has the mail-in application form.

Online Tools for Lewis County Cases

You can use the NYSCEF electronic filing system to search for cases in Lewis County. This tool lets you look up filings by index number, party name, or attorney. Keep in mind that matrimonial files have limited public visibility. You may see that a case exists, but the documents themselves are restricted.

The New York State Archives is another resource. They provide guidance on where to find divorce decrees dating back to 1847. For Lewis County, all records from that date forward are on file with the County Clerk.

Note: The State Archives does not hold the actual divorce records; they direct you to the correct county office.

Screenshot of State Court Resources

The New York State Courts website provides forms, instructions, and court contact details for every county, including Lewis County.

You can download uncontested divorce packets and find the address for your local Supreme Court on this page.

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