Clinton County Public Records /Clinton County Divorce Records

Clinton County Divorce Records

How To Find a Divorce Record In Clinton County in 2026

ClintonCountyRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to divorce records in Clinton County. Members of the public may find case numbers, party names, filing dates, final decrees, and related court documents through official channels. Record categories available through authorized sources include:

Divorce decrees and final judgments
Dissolution of marriage petitions
Marital settlement agreements
Child custody and support orders
Post-judgment modification records

Divorce records in Clinton County, New York, are maintained by the Clinton County Clerk and the New York State Supreme Court, which has jurisdiction over matrimonial actions. Members of the public may search for these records through several official resources, including in-person visits, written requests, and online portals.

Online Searches

1. Clerk of Court Case Search

The New York State Unified Court System provides an online case search tool through the New York State Courts Electronic Filing system (NYSCEF), which allows members of the public to search for electronically filed matrimonial cases. Basic case information is available at no charge, while copies of filed documents may require payment of applicable fees.

2. State Court System Portal

The New York Courts case search portal provides access to civil and matrimonial case information across New York State jurisdictions. Users may search by party name, case number, or attorney name to locate divorce proceedings filed in Clinton County Supreme Court.

3. State Vital Records

New York State does not issue divorce certificates through the Department of Health for divorces granted after 1963. The Office of Vital Records maintains an index of divorces granted between 1963 and 1967. For all other periods, the official record is held by the court. Members of the public seeking verification of divorce status may contact the New York State Department of Health Vital Records for guidance on available indexes.

In-Person Searches

Clerk of Court — Clinton County:

Clinton County Clerk's Office
137 Margaret Street, Suite 104
Plattsburgh, NY 12901
Phone: (518) 565-4700
Clinton County Clerk

Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Services available:
- Search divorce case files by party name or index number
- View documents at public access terminals
- Request certified copies of final decrees
- Staff assistance for locating archived records

Clinton County Supreme Court — Matrimonial Part:

Clinton County Supreme Court
137 Margaret Street
Plattsburgh, NY 12901
Phone: (518) 285-8300
New York State Unified Court System — Clinton County

By Mail

Members of the public may submit written requests for divorce records to the Clinton County Clerk's Office by mail. Requests should be directed to:

Clinton County Clerk's Office
137 Margaret Street, Suite 104
Plattsburgh, NY 12901

Each written request should include:

Full names of both parties (including maiden names where applicable)
Approximate date the divorce was finalized
Index number or case number, if known
Requestor's full name and mailing address
Purpose of the request, if required
Payment for applicable copy and certification fees
A self-addressed stamped envelope for return correspondence

Processing time for mailed requests is typically one to two weeks, depending on the volume of requests and whether records require retrieval from archives.

By Phone

The Clinton County Clerk's Office may be reached at (518) 565-4700 during regular business hours. Staff can confirm:

Whether a case exists in the index
The assigned index number
The current status of a case
The filing date

Staff are not able to provide detailed document contents, copies of filed papers, or any information classified as confidential by court order over the telephone.

Through Attorneys

An attorney licensed in New York State may access divorce case files on behalf of a client, including requesting documents that may be subject to restricted access. The New York State Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service can assist members of the public in locating qualified family law counsel for complex record retrieval matters.

Information Needed for Search

Essential Information:

Full legal names of both spouses at the time of the divorce
Maiden names, if applicable
Approximate year the divorce was finalized
Index number or case number, if available

Helpful Information:

Date and location of marriage
Names of attorneys of record
County where either spouse resided at the time of filing

Search in the Correct County

Under New York Domestic Relations Law § 230, a matrimonial action must be commenced in the county where either party resides at the time of filing, or where the parties last resided together as a married couple. Members of the public who are uncertain of the filing county may need to search multiple county clerk indexes. Divorce records are not indexed by the county where the marriage occurred unless that county also served as the residence of one of the parties.

Time Considerations

Recent Divorces:

Records may not appear in online systems immediately following the final hearing
Allow several days to several weeks for processing after the judgment is entered
Electronic filing cases are indexed more rapidly than paper filings

Older Divorces:

Records predating electronic filing systems may be stored in physical archives
Retrieval of archived records may require additional processing time
Some older records may not be digitized and must be reviewed in person

What If You Cannot Find a Record

Common Issues:

The divorce was filed in a different county
Name variations between married and maiden names
Spelling differences in the index
The case has not yet been finalized
Very old records stored off-site or in limited-access archives
The case has been sealed by court order

Next Steps:

Contact the Clinton County Clerk at (518) 565-4700
Attempt alternate name spellings for both parties
Search under both spouses' names
Consult the New York State Courts case search portal
Retain a licensed attorney for complex retrieval situations

What Are Clinton County Divorce Records?

Clinton County divorce records are official court documents generated during and after matrimonial proceedings adjudicated in the New York State Supreme Court, Clinton County. These records constitute part of the permanent court file maintained by the Clinton County Clerk and are subject to the public access provisions of the New York Civil Practice Law and Rules and applicable court rules.

Types of Divorce Records:

Court Case Files include the full set of documents filed with the court throughout the proceeding:

Summons with notice or summons and complaint
Verified complaint for divorce
Defendant's answer and counterclaim, if any
Financial disclosure affidavits (Statement of Net Worth)
Parenting plans and custody stipulations
Motions, orders to show cause, and court orders
Transcripts of court proceedings
Final judgment of divorce

Final Decree (Judgment of Divorce): The judgment of divorce is the official court order dissolving the marriage. It establishes:

The date the marriage is legally dissolved
Division of marital property and debt
Spousal maintenance (if awarded)
Child custody and parenting time arrangements
Child support obligations
Restoration of a former surname, if requested
Certified copies are available through the Clinton County Clerk

Supporting Documents filed as part of the case record may include:

Marriage certificate
Statement of Net Worth (financial disclosure)
Property appraisals and valuations
Parenting plan details
Post-judgment modification orders

Purpose of Divorce Records:

Divorce records serve a range of legal and personal purposes, including:

Proof of marital status for remarriage
Name change documentation
Property transfer and title proceedings
Estate planning and beneficiary designations
Immigration and naturalization proceedings
Social Security and pension benefit claims
Genealogical and family history research

Who Maintains Divorce Records:

The Clinton County Clerk serves as the primary custodian of all divorce case files originating in Clinton County Supreme Court. The Clerk indexes records by party name and index number, issues certified copies, and maintains both active and archived case files. The New York State Department of Health maintains a limited divorce index for the period 1963–1967 only; all other divorce records are held exclusively by the court of jurisdiction.

Legal Framework:

Divorce proceedings in New York are governed by New York Domestic Relations Law § 170, which sets forth the grounds for divorce, and by the Equitable Distribution Law codified within the Domestic Relations Law. Public access to court records is governed by the New York State Unified Court System's rules on public access to court records, which establish a presumption of openness subject to specific statutory and judicial exceptions.

Are Clinton County Divorce Records Public?

Divorce records filed in Clinton County Supreme Court are public court records under New York law. Members of the public may access basic case information, docket entries, and most filed documents without demonstrating a specific need or interest. However, certain categories of information within divorce files are subject to restriction, redaction, or sealing pursuant to court rules and applicable statutes.

What Is Public:

Index number and filing date
Names of the parties (petitioner and respondent)
Names of attorneys of record
Scheduled court hearing dates
Docket entries reflecting the chronological history of the case
Court orders and judgments, including the final judgment of divorce
Property division orders
General case status

What May Be Restricted:

Financial Information:

Social Security numbers are redacted from all publicly accessible documents pursuant to court rules
Bank account and credit card numbers are redacted
Detailed tax returns filed as exhibits may be subject to limited access
Salary and income details may carry partial restrictions depending on how they were submitted

Children's Information:

Names and addresses of minor children may be redacted in publicly accessible versions
Schools attended by children are not disclosed in public records
Medical and psychological evaluations of children are restricted
Child custody evaluation reports and guardian ad litem reports are subject to sealing

Sensitive Personal Information:

Domestic violence allegations and supporting evidence may be sealed upon motion
Mental health and substance abuse treatment records are restricted under applicable privacy laws
Personal addresses of parties in domestic violence cases may be withheld

Sealed Records:

A court may seal all or part of a case file upon a showing of good cause
Cases involving allegations of abuse or domestic violence are candidates for partial sealing
Mediation communications are confidential and do not become part of the public record

Who Can Access Records:

General public: May access most case information, view docket summaries, and obtain copies of public documents upon payment of applicable fees
Parties to the case: Have full access to their own case file, including documents subject to restricted public access
Attorneys of record: Have professional access to case files and may petition the court for access to sealed materials upon a proper showing
Researchers and media: May access public portions of the record; sealed records require a court order

Prohibited Uses:

Using divorce records to stalk, harass, or intimidate any individual
Identity theft or fraudulent purposes
Any use that violates an existing protective or restraining order

Obtaining Confidential Records:

A party seeking access to sealed or restricted records must file a motion with the court demonstrating a legitimate legal basis for access. The court applies a balancing test weighing the public interest in transparency against the privacy interests of the parties and any minor children involved. Certain governmental entities, including child protective services and law enforcement agencies, may have statutory authority to access restricted records without a court order.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in Clinton County?

The Clinton County Clerk's Office charges standard fees for searching, copying, and certifying divorce records. Current fees are established pursuant to New York County Law § 909 and the New York State Unified Court System fee schedule.

Standard Fee Schedule:

Service	Current Fee
Search of index (per two-year period searched)	$5.00
Plain copy of filed document (per page)	$0.65
Certified copy of judgment of divorce	$10.00
Additional certification per document	$5.00
Exemplified (triple-sealed) copy	$15.00

Additional Fee Information:

Inspection of records at the public access terminal in the Clerk's office is available at no charge
Electronic copies, where available through NYSCEF, may be downloaded for a per-page fee established by the court system
Fees for certified copies of the judgment of divorce are set by statute and are not subject to waiver except in limited circumstances authorized by court order
Accepted payment methods at the Clinton County Clerk's Office include cash, check, and money order made payable to the Clinton County Clerk; credit card acceptance should be confirmed directly with the office

Fee Waivers: Parties who have been granted poor person status by the court pursuant to New York Civil Practice Law and Rules § 1101 may be entitled to obtain copies of records from their own case at reduced or no cost. A formal application for poor person relief must be filed with the court.

What's Included in Divorce Records in Clinton County

A complete Clinton County divorce case file contains all documents filed with the Supreme Court from the commencement of the action through any post-judgment proceedings. The scope of the file depends on whether the divorce was uncontested or contested and whether children or significant marital assets were involved.

Basic Case Information:

Index number assigned at filing
Court name (Supreme Court, Clinton County)
Names of petitioner and respondent
Name of the assigned judge
Names and contact information of attorneys of record
Filing date and case type designation

Initial Pleadings:

The Summons with Notice or Verified Complaint sets forth:

Identifying information for both parties
Date and place of marriage
Date of separation, if applicable
Grounds for divorce (in New York, the no-fault ground of irretrievable breakdown of the marriage for a period of at least six months is the most common basis, as established under Domestic Relations Law § 170(7))
Names and birthdates of children of the marriage
Relief requested, including property division, maintenance, and custody

The Statement of Net Worth is a comprehensive financial affidavit required of both parties, disclosing:

All sources of income
Monthly living expenses
All assets, including real property, vehicles, bank accounts, retirement accounts, and personal property
All liabilities, including mortgages, loans, and credit card debt

Discovery Documents may include interrogatories, responses to document requests, deposition transcripts, and financial records such as tax returns, pay stubs, and account statements.

Property-Related Documents:

Inventory of marital and separate assets with estimated values
Inventory of marital debts
Real property appraisals
Business valuations
Expert reports on asset values

Children-Related Documents (where applicable):

Parenting plan or custody stipulation specifying legal and physical custody, parenting time schedules, holiday arrangements, and decision-making authority
Child support calculation worksheet prepared in accordance with the New York Child Support Standards Act
Income information for both parties
Health insurance and childcare cost documentation
Child support order specifying amount, payment schedule, and method
Custody evaluation reports (subject to restricted access)
Guardian ad litem reports (subject to restricted access)

Support Documents:

Spousal maintenance orders specifying type, amount, duration, and termination conditions
Calculation worksheets reflecting income, standard of living, and statutory factors

Settlement Documents:

Stipulation of Settlement or Separation Agreement, if the parties resolved issues by agreement, addressing all property, support, and custody matters
Mediation agreement, if applicable (note: mediation communications themselves are confidential and not part of the public record)

Court Orders and Judgments:

Temporary orders for custody, support, or use of marital property
Pendente lite orders
Final Judgment of Divorce, which is the court's definitive order dissolving the marriage and resolving all ancillary issues
Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs), if retirement accounts were divided

Post-Judgment Documents (where applicable):

Petitions to modify custody or support
Court orders on modification applications
Income deduction orders for support enforcement
Contempt motions and orders
Enforcement proceedings

What Is Typically Confidential or Redacted:

Social Security numbers
Bank and financial account numbers
Children's residential addresses and school information
Mental health and substance abuse evaluation records
Domestic violence evidence (subject to sealing)
Trade secrets in business valuations
Mediation communications

How to Get Proof of Divorce in Clinton County?

Proof of divorce in Clinton County is obtained through a certified copy of the Judgment of Divorce issued by the Clinton County Clerk. A certified copy bears the Clerk's official seal and signature and is accepted as legal proof of the dissolution of marriage for purposes of remarriage, name change, immigration proceedings, and other legal matters.

Steps to Obtain a Certified Copy:

Identify the index number of the divorce case. This can be located through the New York Courts case search portal or by contacting the Clinton County Clerk at (518) 565-4700.
Submit a request in person, by mail, or through NYSCEF (for electronically filed cases):

In Person:

Clinton County Clerk's Office
137 Margaret Street, Suite 104
Plattsburgh, NY 12901
Phone: (518) 565-4700
Clinton County Clerk

Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Provide identifying information: Full names of both parties, approximate year of divorce, and index number if known.
Pay applicable fees: The current fee for a certified copy of the Judgment of Divorce is $10.00, with additional fees for exemplified copies if required by a foreign jurisdiction.
Receive the certified copy: In-person requests are processed while the requestor waits or within the same business day for archived records. Mailed requests are processed within one to two weeks.

For divorces finalized through electronic filing, parties and their attorneys may download certified copies directly through NYSCEF upon payment of the applicable fee.

Members of the public who are not parties to the case may obtain a certified copy of the Judgment of Divorce, as it is a public document, by following the same process and paying the applicable fees.

Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Clinton County?

Divorce proceedings in Clinton County are presumptively public, but New York law and court rules permit certain records or portions of records to be treated as confidential under defined circumstances.

Circumstances Under Which Records May Be Confidential:

Court-ordered sealing: A party may move the court to seal all or part of the case file upon a demonstrated showing of good cause, such as the presence of sensitive personal information, trade secrets, or safety concerns
Domestic violence cases: Information that could identify the location or contact details of a domestic violence victim may be withheld from public access pursuant to New York's address confidentiality protections
Children's information: Names, addresses, schools, and medical or psychological information pertaining to minor children are subject to redaction in publicly accessible documents
Mental health and medical records: Records reflecting a party's mental health treatment or medical history are restricted under applicable privacy statutes
Mediation communications: All communications made during court-ordered or voluntary mediation are confidential and do not become part of the public court record
Financial account identifiers: Social Security numbers and financial account numbers are redacted from all publicly accessible filings pursuant to court rules

The New York State Unified Court System's rules on public access govern the procedures for sealing and restricting access to matrimonial records. A court will not seal records solely because the parties prefer privacy; a legal basis must be established.

How Long Does Clinton County Keep Divorce Records?

Clinton County divorce records are maintained as permanent court records under New York State's records retention requirements. The New York State Archives establishes retention schedules for court records, and matrimonial case files are among the categories subject to permanent or long-term retention.

Retention Periods by Record Type:

Final Judgments of Divorce: Retained permanently as part of the official court record; these documents do not expire or become unavailable over time
Complete case files (active and closed): Retained for a minimum period established by the New York State Archives retention schedule for court records; matrimonial files are generally retained for extended periods given their legal significance
Electronic records: Cases filed through NYSCEF are maintained in the electronic system and remain accessible through the court portal
Paper records (pre-electronic filing): Older paper case files may be transferred to off-site storage or microfilmed; retrieval may require additional processing time
Post-judgment modification records: Retained as part of the original case file and subject to the same retention schedule as the underlying divorce record
Financial affidavits and discovery documents: Retained as part of the case file for the applicable retention period

Members of the public seeking records from older cases should contact the Clinton County Clerk directly at (518) 565-4700 to confirm availability and arrange retrieval from archives if necessary.