Clinton County Divorce Decree
Clinton County divorce decree records are filed at the County Clerk's Office in Plattsburgh. The clerk serves as clerk of the Supreme Court for the 4th Judicial District and holds all divorce decrees granted in Clinton County. Located in the northeast corner of New York along Lake Champlain, this county has kept court records for well over two hundred years. You can get a copy of a divorce decree by visiting the office, mailing a written request, or searching for case details online through the WebCivil Supreme system. Valid ID and the names of both spouses are needed.
Clinton County Divorce Decree Overview
Clinton County Divorce Decree Office
The Clinton County Clerk's Office is at 137 Margaret Street, Suite 104, Plattsburgh, NY 12901. Call (518) 565-4701. The clerk serves as Clerk of Supreme and County Courts and maintains divorce records, land records, and other court documents for Clinton County.
Getting a copy of a Clinton County divorce decree takes a few steps. Bring a valid photo ID to the clerk's office. Give the full names of both parties in the divorce. If you have the index number, the search goes much faster. Without it, the clerk can search the records for $5 per two-year block. Certified copies of the divorce decree cost $5 for the first four pages, then $1.25 for each extra page. Plain copies run less. Mail requests need a written letter with all the details plus a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Clinton County divorce decree files fall under Section 235 of the Domestic Relations Law. Only the parties to the divorce, their lawyers, or someone with a court order can view the full record. This restriction lasts for 100 years from the date the court signed the final decree. After that, anyone can see the file.
Search Clinton County Divorce Decrees
The Clinton County Supreme Court is part of the 4th Judicial District. The courthouse is at 137 Margaret Street in Plattsburgh. Call (518) 565-4710. All divorce cases in Clinton County are heard here. Family Court does not grant divorces in New York State. The Supreme Court judge signs the divorce decree, and it gets filed with the County Clerk.
You can look up Clinton County divorce cases online through WebCivil Supreme for free. Search by party name, index number, or attorney name. The system shows case status and filing dates but not the full divorce decree. Privacy rules block that. A search on WebCivil can confirm that a case exists and give you the index number for your in-person request. The NYSCEF electronic filing system may have documents for some Clinton County cases as well. You need an account to use it.
Here is the NYS Unified Court System page showing information about divorce forms and the court process.
This statewide resource provides forms and instructions that apply to all Clinton County divorce cases.
Clinton County Divorce Decree Laws
Section 255 of the Judiciary Law requires the clerk to search records and make copies when asked by someone who is eligible and pays the fees. The clerk checks ID first. Then they look through files, papers, records, and dockets. If the record is found, you get copies. If not, the clerk issues a statement saying the search turned up nothing.
For divorces before January 1, 1963, the decree on file at the Clinton County Clerk's office is the only record that exists. After that date, the NYS Department of Health also has a divorce certificate. That certificate just has names and the date the marriage ended. It costs $30 by mail. The divorce decree from the clerk has the full terms and conditions.
Anyone can ask for a "certification of disposition" under subdivision 3 of DRL Section 235. This document confirms the outcome of the case without revealing the details. It costs $5 for each two-year search. The New York State Archives holds very old Clinton County divorce records from before July 1, 1847.
Note: Clinton County borders Vermont and Canada, so some residents may also need to check records in those jurisdictions if the divorce was granted elsewhere.
Clinton County Divorce Decree Resources
Free divorce forms and instruction booklets are available from the NYS Unified Court System. The court system recommends using a lawyer even for an uncontested case. The New York State Bar Association referral line is 1-800-342-3661.
For questions about records, the Ask a Law Librarian service is free and explains the difference between a divorce decree and a divorce certificate. The 4th Judicial District covers Clinton County along with several other northern New York counties including Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Saratoga, St. Lawrence, Warren, and Washington.
Nearby Counties
Counties near Clinton County that maintain divorce decree records at their clerk offices.
Cities in Clinton County
No cities in Clinton County meet the population threshold for a dedicated page. Contact the Clinton County Clerk's Office in Plattsburgh for divorce decree requests.