Find Putnam County Divorce Records

Putnam County divorce records are held by the County Clerk's Office in Carmel, New York. The office operates by appointment only. All divorce cases in Putnam County are processed through the Supreme Court of the 9th Judicial District, and the clerk stores the decrees, judgments, and full court files once the cases are decided. If you want to find or get copies of a divorce record from Putnam County, you will need to contact the clerk ahead of time to set up a visit or submit your request by mail.

Putnam County Clerk Divorce Files

The Putnam County Clerk's Office is at 40 Gleneida Avenue, Carmel, NY. The phone number is 845-808-1142. This office works by appointment only, so you need to call ahead before showing up. The clerk maintains all Supreme Court records for Putnam County, including divorce judgments, decrees, and the full matrimonial case files.

Getting a copy of a divorce record here follows the same rules as every other county in the state. DRL Section 235 limits who can see the files. You must be one of the parties in the divorce, their attorney, or have a notarized letter from one of the parties granting you permission. A valid photo ID is required at every visit. The clerk will not release records without it.

Certified copies run about $5 for the first four pages. Additional pages cost $1.25 each. The search fee is $5 per two-year period if the clerk needs to look for a case. Plain copies are around $0.65 per page. Payment should be by money order or certified check when mailing your request.

Search Putnam County Divorce Records Online

Putnam County does not have its own online portal for searching divorce records. You can use statewide tools instead. The WebCivil Supreme system allows searches by party name, index number, or attorney across all New York counties. It shows case status and basic filing details. The full divorce decree is not viewable online because of the state's confidentiality rules for matrimonial files.

The NYSCEF electronic filing system is also worth checking. The 9th Judicial District, which includes Putnam County, participates in NYSCEF. If a divorce case was filed electronically, basic case details may be available through the system. For older cases or those filed on paper, you will need to contact the Putnam County Clerk directly.

The NYS Unified Court System provides comprehensive information about divorce procedures at nycourts.gov/divorce. This site has forms, filing instructions, and answers to common questions. It is a useful resource whether you are looking for an old record or thinking about filing a new case.

Putnam County Divorce Court

Putnam County is part of the 9th Judicial District. This district also includes Dutchess, Orange, Rockland, and Westchester counties. All divorce cases in Putnam County go through the Supreme Court. No other court in the county has the power to grant a divorce. Family Court handles custody, visitation, and support matters but cannot end a marriage.

The filing fee for a new divorce case is $210 for the index number. The note of issue costs $125 and motions run $45 each. These are standard state fees. If you cannot afford them, the court has a poor person application process. You fill out an affidavit about your finances and submit it with proof of income. The judge reviews it and decides if you can proceed without paying.

New York requires that at least one spouse meet a residency requirement before filing. The most straightforward option is two years of continuous residence in the state before the filing date. There are also one-year options if the couple married in New York or if both spouses are residents when filing. The no-fault ground requires that the marriage has been irretrievably broken for at least six months.

Getting Copies of Putnam County Divorce Records

The NYS Department of Health has divorce certificates for all New York divorces from January 1, 1963 forward. This certificate is a basic document that confirms the divorce happened. It shows names and the date of the dissolution. It does not include the full terms you would find in the decree. The cost is $30 by mail or $45 by phone or online. Either spouse can request it, along with anyone who has a court order.

For the full divorce decree with all the details, you need the Putnam County Clerk. If the divorce predates 1963, the clerk's file is the only record that exists. The New York State Archives handles inquiries about very old records from before 1847. The Putnam County Clerk has divorce records from 1847 to the present.

Once a divorce record hits the 100-year mark, it opens to the public. This is important for genealogists and family history researchers. Before that point, only the parties, their lawyers, or someone with proper authorization can see the file. The NYS Library publishes guides on finding historical vital records across the state.

Putnam County Divorce Filing Process

After filing the initial papers, the plaintiff has 120 days to serve the defendant. Service must be personal and done by someone over 18 who is not the plaintiff. If the defendant agrees to the divorce and signs an affidavit, the case can move forward quickly. If the defendant does nothing, the plaintiff waits 40 days after service before filing the note of issue.

The judge signs the judgment of divorce after reviewing the case. That judgment goes to the Putnam County Clerk for official filing. The clerk stamps it with the filing date. That stamp date is when the divorce becomes final. You should get at least one certified copy for your records. You may need it if you plan to remarry or need to show proof of the divorce for any government purpose.

Putnam County Records Screenshot

The NYSCEF electronic filing system serves Putnam County Supreme Court and is one way to check on divorce case filings in the county.

NYSCEF provides 24/7 access to file documents and check case status for divorce cases filed electronically in Putnam County.

Nearby Counties

These counties are next to Putnam County and each has a County Clerk who stores divorce records.

Cities in Putnam County

Putnam County does not have any cities that meet the population threshold for a dedicated page. All divorce record requests for Putnam County residents go through the County Clerk's Office in Carmel.