Divorce records in Clinton County, New York, can be accessed through several channels. ClintonCourt.us can help find publicly available divorce record information. Beyond that, records are available through the Supreme Court that issued the decree, the Clinton County Clerk's Office, and the New York State Department of Health's Vital Records Section. The path you take depends on whether you need the full court file or a divorce certificate.
Clinton County Divorce Records Search
In New York, divorce cases are handled exclusively by the Supreme Court. The Clinton County Clerk's Office serves as clerk of the Supreme Court and maintains divorce-related court records filed in Clinton County. These records can include:
- Judgments of divorce (divorce decrees)
- Settlement agreements and stipulations
- Custody and support orders issued as part of the divorce
- Motions, affidavits, and other case filings
The New York State Department of Health also maintains divorce certificates — shorter documents that confirm a divorce took place, listing the names of the parties, the date, and the county. Divorce certificates from the Department of Health cover divorces granted statewide since 1963.
The Clinton County Clerk's Office is the primary local office for accessing Supreme Court divorce records.
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Clinton County
Understanding New York's filing structure helps you contact the right office:
Clinton County Supreme Court (via the County Clerk)
All divorce actions in Clinton County are filed in New York Supreme Court. The County Clerk's Office handles fees, filings, and certification of Supreme Court records. If you need the full divorce decree, the settlement agreement, or any documents from the court case file, this is where to start.
New York State Department of Health — Vital Records Section
The Department of Health issues divorce certificates for divorces granted anywhere in New York State from 1963 to the present. A divorce certificate is not the same as a divorce decree — it is a summary document. If you need proof that a divorce occurred but do not need the full court file, a certificate from the state may be sufficient.
Which Office Should You Contact?
| What You Need | Contact |
|---|---|
| Full divorce decree or judgment | Clinton County Clerk's Office |
| Settlement agreement or custody order from the case | Clinton County Clerk's Office |
| Divorce certificate (summary record, 1963–present) | NYS Department of Health, Vital Records |
| Divorce records prior to 1963 | Clinton County Clerk's Office |
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Clinton County
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Divorce certificate from NYS Department of Health | $30 per copy | 4–6 weeks by mail |
| Expedited divorce certificate (NYS DOH, via VitalChek) | $30 + processing/shipping fees | 5–7 business days |
| Certified copy of divorce decree (County Clerk) | $1.25 per page + $5.00 certification fee | Varies; in-person requests may be same day |
| Search of court records (County Clerk) | $5.00 per name, per type of case | Varies |