Washington County Divorce Records

Washington County divorce records are kept by the County Clerk's Office in Fort Edward, New York. Every divorce in this county goes through the Supreme Court, and the clerk files the Judgment of Divorce once a judge signs it. The entry date stamped on the judgment marks the official end of the marriage. If you need a copy of a divorce decree from Washington County or want to request a state-level divorce certificate, this page explains the steps, fees, and rules you should know. The New York State Department of Health can also provide certificates for cases from 1963 onward.

Washington County Clerk's Office

The Washington County Clerk's Office is at 383 Broadway, Fort Edward, NY 12828. Call 518-746-2170 for questions about records. The clerk keeps all court filings for the county, including divorce judgments and other Supreme Court documents.

Access to divorce records is restricted. You must be a named party in the case or the attorney of record. Third parties can only get copies with a notarized letter of authorization from a party, or with a court order. Bring a valid photo ID for any in-person visit.

Mail requests are accepted too. Your letter should include your full name, the approximate year of the divorce, and the index number if available. Send a self-addressed stamped envelope so the office can mail the response.

Washington County Divorce Record Fees

A certified copy of a divorce judgment costs about $5.00 for documents four pages or less. Extra pages are $1.25 each. The search fee is $5.00 per name for every two-year block.

State certificates are handled by the New York State Department of Health. Mail orders are $30 per copy. Online or phone orders cost $45 plus a vendor fee. The DOH has certificates for all New York divorces since January 1, 1963. Older records are held only by the county clerk.

Note: Fees may change, so contact the Washington County Clerk before sending payment.

Filing for Divorce in Washington County

All divorces in Washington County are processed at the Supreme Court. You start the case by buying an index number for $210. File your paperwork with the court clerk in Fort Edward.

You need to meet New York's residency requirements before the court will take the case. The most straightforward option is that one spouse has been a New York resident for two continuous years. There are four other paths, all listed in the Domestic Relations Law on the CourtHelp site. At least one must be satisfied.

Service on the other spouse has to happen within 120 days of filing. Someone at least 18 years old who is not part of the case must do the serving. If the other side does nothing, wait 40 days and then file the Note of Issue for $125. When both parties cooperate and the defendant signs an affidavit, you can file the Note of Issue right away. The total minimum for an uncontested divorce is about $335.

Online Search for Washington County Divorce Cases

The NYSCEF electronic filing system lets you search for cases filed in Washington County Supreme Court. You can look up cases by index number, party name, or attorney name. Washington County is part of the 4th Judicial District.

Divorce files are sealed under New York State law. That means the public can see limited case information but cannot open the full file. Only the named parties and their legal representatives have access to the documents themselves.

The screenshot below shows the NYS DOH mail request page used to order divorce certificates for any county, including Washington.

Use the NYS DOH mail request page to order a divorce certificate for a Washington County case.

This page covers how to submit a mail order for a Certificate of Dissolution of Marriage from the state.

Privacy Rules for Washington County Divorce Files

New York law seals all matrimonial files for 100 years. The Domestic Relations Law Section 235 sets this restriction. During the seal period, public access is not allowed. That covers every document in the divorce file, not just the final judgment.

The parties, their attorneys, or someone with proper authorization can still access the files. After 100 years, the records become available for research. The New York State Archives guides people to the right office for older divorce records. Records since July 1, 1847 are held by the county clerk where the divorce took place.

State Divorce Certificates

The New York State Department of Health keeps a Certificate of Dissolution of Marriage for all divorces since 1963. The certificate is a short form that lists both names, the date, and the county. It does not include the full court terms.

Either spouse or someone with a court order can request one. Mail orders cost $30 and take about 10 to 15 business days. Phone and online orders cost $45 plus a vendor fee. Valid ID is needed for all requests.

Nearby Counties

Washington County borders several counties in the eastern part of New York State. If a divorce was filed elsewhere, contact that county's clerk for the records.