Madison County Divorce Records
Madison County divorce records are filed with the County Clerk in Wampsville. The Supreme Court handles all divorce cases for the county, and every judgment of divorce ends up at the clerk's office once the judge signs it. If you need to search for a divorce decree or get a certified copy, you can visit the clerk at 138 North Court Street or reach out by phone. Madison County is part of the 6th Judicial District, and the court staff can walk you through the steps for requesting records, understanding fees, and knowing what documents you need to bring along.
Madison County Overview
Madison County Clerk Office Details
The Madison County Clerk's Office is located at 138 North Court Street, Building 4, Wampsville, NY 13163. The phone number is 315-366-2261. The current County Clerk is Michael T. Keville II. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
This is the office that stores all divorce judgments filed in Madison County. When a divorce case wraps up and the judge signs the final judgment, the document goes to the clerk for filing. The clerk stamps it with the date, and the divorce is officially on record. You pick up certified copies here as well. The Supreme Court for Madison County can be reached at 315-231-5301, and the presiding justice is Hon. Patrick J. O'Sullivan.
The screenshot below shows the Madison County Clerk's online page with office details and contact information.
This is a helpful starting point for anyone looking to request divorce records from Madison County.
Getting Divorce Records in Madison County
Only certain people can get divorce records. You must be a party to the divorce or their attorney. A valid photo ID is required. If you are sending someone else to pick up records on your behalf, they need a signed and notarized letter from you authorizing them.
Certified copies cost $5.00 for up to four pages. Each additional page is $1.25. If you need a search because you do not have the index number, the fee is $5.00 per name for each two-year period. For mail requests, include a self-addressed stamped envelope along with your payment and case details. The clerk will process your request and mail back the copies.
Madison County Divorce Filing Process
To file for divorce in Madison County, you go to the Supreme Court in Wampsville. The first step is buying an index number for $210. This is the case number that follows your divorce from start to finish. You will also need to pay $125 for the Note of Issue when the case is ready for review.
New York offers no-fault divorce. The ground is that the marriage has been broken down irretrievably for at least six months. You can also file on fault-based grounds such as cruel treatment, abandonment for at least one year, or imprisonment for three or more consecutive years. The NYS Courts divorce page provides the forms and detailed instructions for each type.
After filing, you must serve your spouse within 120 days. Someone over 18 who is not a party to the case must do the serving. If your spouse does not respond, you wait 40 days after service before moving forward. If they cooperate and sign the Affidavit of Defendant, you can file the Note of Issue immediately. Once the judge signs the judgment, you file it with the County Clerk.
Note: E-filing through NYSCEF may be available for Madison County cases, which lets you file and track documents online.
Divorce Records Privacy in Madison County
Divorce records in New York are not public. They are sealed under Section 235 of the Domestic Relations Law. This keeps all matrimonial records confidential for 100 years from the date of the final decree. In Madison County, as in every other county, only the named parties or their lawyers can view or copy the file.
If a third party needs access, they can apply to the court for an order. This is not common and requires a showing of good cause. For genealogy research, records older than a century can be accessed through the clerk or the State Archives.
State-Level Certificates for Madison County Divorces
The New York State Department of Health keeps certificates for all divorces from 1963 onward. This includes Madison County. The certificate is a summary, not the full court record. It confirms the divorce, the names, the date, and the county.
Mail orders cost $30. Online or phone orders are $45 plus a vendor fee. Only the spouses or someone with a court order can get a copy. Processing takes 10 to 15 business days by mail. You need to provide the full names of both parties, the date of the divorce, and the county.
If you need the full court file or the actual Judgment of Divorce, that comes from the County Clerk in Madison County, not the state. The New York State Archives website explains where to go for divorce decrees dating back to 1847.
Online Search Options
The NYSCEF system lets you search for electronically filed cases in Madison County. You can look up case information by party name, index number, or attorney. Matrimonial files will have limited public visibility due to the confidentiality rules.
WebCivil Supreme is another statewide resource. It covers civil case records across all counties in New York. You may see a case listed, but the details of matrimonial cases stay sealed. For more background on getting older records, the NYS Library Vital Records page has helpful links and historical information.
Legal Assistance in Madison County
The NYS Court Help Centers provide free procedural information and forms. Court staff in Madison County can answer questions about how to file, what forms to use, and what fees apply. They cannot give legal advice or represent you. The CourtHelp website has a full section on divorce.
If you qualify for legal aid, organizations in the 6th Judicial District may offer free or low-cost help with divorce cases. Contact the court or check with the local bar association for referral services.