Warren County Divorce Records
How To Find a Divorce Record In Warren County in 2026
WarrenNYRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to divorce records in Warren County, New York. Members of the public may find case filings, final decrees, docket entries, and related court documents through official channels. Available record categories include dissolution of marriage filings, final judgments, property settlement agreements, custody orders, and support determinations. Access and completeness of records may vary depending on the age of the case and any applicable court-ordered restrictions.
Divorce records in Warren County may be searched through official resources including the Warren County Clerk's office, the New York State Unified Court System, public access terminals at the courthouse, and online search tools. The following methods are available to members of the public seeking divorce-related court records.
Online Searches
1. Clerk of Court Case Search
The Warren County Clerk On-Line Records portal allows members of the public to search civil action court cases, including divorce proceedings filed in Warren County Supreme Court. Searches are conducted by party name or index number. Basic case information is available at no charge; fees apply for certified copies or document retrieval.
2. New York State Court System Portal
The New York State Unified Court System maintains the eCourts case search platform, which provides access to Supreme Court civil cases, including matrimonial actions, across all New York counties. Users may search by party name, index number, or attorney name. This consolidated database covers cases filed statewide and is accessible without charge for basic docket information.
3. New York State Vital Records
New York State does not issue divorce certificates through the vital records system in the same manner as birth or death certificates. The New York State Department of Health maintains divorce index records for dissolutions granted between 1963 and the present. Verification letters confirming that a divorce was granted are available upon request; these are not certified copies of the court decree but serve as official confirmation of the dissolution.
In-Person Searches
Warren County Clerk – Supreme Court Records:
Warren County Clerk's Office
1340 State Route 9
Lake George, NY 12845
Phone: (518) 761-6355
Warren County Clerk
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Services available in person:
- Search divorce case files by party name or index number
- View filed documents at public access terminals
- Request certified copies of final decrees and orders
- Staff assistance for locating case records
- Review of docket entries and case chronology
Warren County Supreme Court – Matrimonial Part:
Warren County Supreme Court
1340 State Route 9
Lake George, NY 12845
Phone: (518) 761-6200
New York State Unified Court System – Warren County
By Mail
Written Request:
Mail requests for divorce records to the Warren County Clerk at the address listed above. Written requests should include:
- Full legal 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, mailing address, and contact information
- Purpose of the request, if required by the court
- Payment for applicable copy and certification fees
- A self-addressed stamped envelope for return correspondence
Processing time for mail requests is two to four weeks, depending on case volume and whether records require retrieval from archive storage.
By Phone
Limited Information Available:
- Warren County Clerk: (518) 761-6355
- Staff may confirm whether a case exists, provide the index number, and advise on case status
- Staff cannot provide detailed document contents, copies of filed instruments, or information from sealed or restricted portions of a case file
Through Attorneys
An attorney licensed in New York State may access divorce case files on behalf of a client, request sealed documents upon a proper showing of need, and obtain certified copies through the clerk's office. The New York State Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service connects members of the public with qualified family law attorneys for complex record retrieval or legal matters arising from divorce proceedings.
Information Needed for Search
Essential Information:
- Full legal names of both spouses at the time of filing
- Maiden names, if applicable
- Approximate date of divorce or filing year
- Index number or case number, if known
Helpful Information:
- Date and location of marriage
- Prior addresses in Warren County
- Names of attorneys of record, if known
- Names of minor children, if applicable
Search in Correct County
In New York, divorce actions are filed in the Supreme Court of the county where either spouse resided at the time of commencement. Members of the public searching for a divorce record should confirm the county of residence at the time of filing. A divorce cannot be located by searching the county where the marriage ceremony occurred unless one spouse also resided there. Under New York Domestic Relations Law § 230, at least one party must have been a resident of New York State for a minimum of two years immediately preceding the commencement of the action, or one year if the parties were married in New York, lived in New York as a married couple, or the grounds for divorce arose in New York.
Time Considerations
Recent Divorces:
- Finalized cases may require several days to weeks before appearing in online search systems
- Members of the public should allow processing time following the final hearing before searching
Older Divorces:
- Cases predating electronic filing may be stored in physical archives
- Retrieval of archived paper records may require additional processing time
- Pre-1990 records may not be digitized and require in-person or mail requests
What If You Cannot Find a Record
Common Issues:
- Incorrect county of filing
- Name variations between married and maiden names
- Spelling differences in party names
- Case still pending and not yet finalized
- Very old records held in off-site archive storage
- Case sealed by court order
Next Steps:
- Contact the Warren County Clerk at (518) 761-6355
- Attempt alternate name spellings or maiden name variations
- Search both spouses' names independently
- Check the New York State Department of Health divorce index
- Consult the New York State Unified Court System eCourts portal
- Retain a licensed attorney for complex retrieval matters
What Are Warren County Divorce Records?
Warren County divorce records are official court documents generated during and after divorce proceedings filed in Warren County Supreme Court. These records constitute part of the permanent court file maintained by the Warren County Clerk and are subject to New York's public records framework under the New York Freedom of Information Law (Public Officers Law § 87).
Types of Divorce Records:
Court Case Files contain the complete record of the proceeding, including:
- Petition or summons with notice commencing the action
- Verified complaint setting forth grounds and relief requested
- Answer or response filed by the opposing party
- Financial disclosure affidavits
- Motions, orders to show cause, and interim court orders
- Stipulations and settlement agreements
- Transcripts of court proceedings
- Final judgment of divorce
Final Decree (Judgment of Divorce):
- The official court order dissolving the marriage
- Establishes the legal date of dissolution
- Addresses division of marital property
- Sets forth any spousal maintenance (alimony) obligations
- Incorporates child custody and parenting time arrangements, if applicable
- Establishes child support obligations, if applicable
- Authorizes restoration of a former surname, if requested
- Certified copies are available through the Warren County Clerk
Supporting Documents may include financial disclosure statements, property appraisals, parenting plans, child support worksheets, and post-judgment modification orders.
Purpose of Divorce Records:
Divorce records serve numerous legal and personal purposes, including:
- Establishing proof of marital status for remarriage
- Supporting name change documentation
- Facilitating property transfers and estate planning
- Providing evidence in immigration proceedings
- Supporting Social Security benefit claims
- Enabling genealogical and family history research
Who Maintains Divorce Records:
The Warren County Clerk serves as the primary custodian of all divorce case files originating in Warren County Supreme Court. The New York State Department of Health maintains a statewide divorce index and issues verification letters for dissolutions granted from 1963 forward, though the complete case file remains with the originating county clerk.
Are Warren County Divorce Records Public?
Divorce records filed in Warren County Supreme Court are public court records subject to the presumption of openness 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.
What Is Public:
- Index number and filing date
- Names of both parties to the action
- Names of attorneys of record
- Scheduled court hearing dates
- Court orders and judgments, including the final judgment of divorce
- Property division orders
- General case status and docket entries
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 and financial statements may be subject to limited access upon court order
Children's Information:
- Names and addresses of minor children may be redacted in certain circumstances
- Schools attended by children are not disclosed in public portions of the record
- Custody evaluations and guardian ad litem reports may be sealed by court order
- Psychological evaluations of children are restricted
Sensitive Personal Information:
- Domestic violence allegations and supporting evidence may be sealed
- Mental health and medical records incorporated into the file are restricted
- Substance abuse treatment information is protected
- Addresses of domestic violence victims are withheld from public access
Sealed Records:
A court may seal all or part of a divorce case file upon a showing of good cause. Sealed records are not accessible to the general public. Parties to the action, their attorneys, and certain authorized government agencies retain access to sealed materials.
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: Retain full access to their own case file, including any restricted or confidential portions
- Attorneys: Access case files on behalf of clients 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
Restrictions on Use:
Use of divorce records for stalking, harassment, identity theft, or violation of any protective order is prohibited. Permitted uses include legal proceedings, background verification, genealogical research, news reporting protected under the First Amendment, and academic research.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in Warren County?
The Warren County Clerk charges standard fees for copies and certified copies of divorce records. Under New York County Law § 909, county clerks are authorized to collect fees for the search and certification of records.
Current Fee Schedule:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Plain copy (per page) | $0.65 per page |
| Certified copy of judgment or order | $5.00 per document |
| Search fee (when no record is found) | $5.00 |
| Exemplified (triple-sealed) copy | $10.00 per document |
- Fees are subject to change; members of the public should confirm current fees with the Warren County Clerk prior to submitting a request.
- Payment is accepted by cash, check, or money order made payable to the Warren County Clerk. Credit card acceptance should be confirmed directly with the office.
- No fee is charged to inspect public records at the clerk's office; fees apply only to copies and certifications.
- Fee waiver provisions may apply in limited circumstances, such as for indigent parties in active proceedings; requests for fee waivers must be directed to the court.
New York State Department of Health – Divorce Verification Letter:
- A divorce verification letter from the New York State Department of Health Vital Records costs $30.00 per search.
- This fee covers a search of the statewide divorce index and issuance of a verification letter; it does not provide a certified copy of the court decree.
What's Included in Divorce Records in Warren County
A complete Warren County divorce case file contains the full record of the matrimonial proceeding from commencement through final judgment and any post-judgment proceedings. The following categories of documents are part of the official court record.
Basic Case Information:
- Index number assigned at filing
- Court name (Warren County Supreme Court) and part designation
- Names of petitioner/plaintiff and respondent/defendant
- Judge assigned to the matter
- Attorneys of record for each party
Initial Pleadings:
The Summons with Notice or Verified Complaint sets forth the petitioner's identifying information, the respondent's identifying information, the date and place of marriage, the date of separation if applicable, the grounds for divorce (in New York, the no-fault ground under Domestic Relations Law § 170(7) is the most common basis, citing an irretrievable breakdown of the marriage for a period of at least six months), information regarding any children of the marriage, claims regarding marital property, and the relief requested. The Answer or Response sets forth the respondent's position, admissions or denials, and any counterclaims.
Financial Affidavits submitted by both parties disclose income from all sources, monthly expenses, assets including real property, vehicles, bank and investment accounts, and retirement accounts, as well as all liabilities.
Discovery Documents may include interrogatories and responses, requests for production of financial records, tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, investment and retirement account statements, and business financial records where applicable.
Property-Related Documents:
- Inventory of marital assets with descriptions and values
- Inventory of marital debts
- Real property appraisals
- Business valuations
- Expert reports on asset values
Children-Related Documents (if applicable):
- Parenting plan or custody agreement specifying legal and physical custody, parenting time schedules, holiday and vacation provisions, and decision-making responsibilities
- Child support worksheet reflecting income of both parties, number of overnights, health insurance costs, and childcare expenses
- Custody evaluation reports (which may be sealed)
- Guardian ad litem reports (which may be restricted)
Support Documents:
- Spousal maintenance (alimony) terms, including type, amount, duration, and termination conditions
- Income analysis worksheets
Settlement Documents:
- Marital Settlement Agreement or Stipulation of Settlement resolving all issues including property division, debt allocation, spousal maintenance, and child-related matters
- Mediation agreement, if the parties participated in mediation
Court Orders and Judgments:
- Temporary orders addressing interim custody, support, and use of property
- Final Judgment of Divorce incorporating all terms of the dissolution
- Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO), if retirement accounts are divided
Post-Judgment Documents (if applicable):
- Petitions to modify custody or support
- Court orders on modification requests
- Contempt motions and enforcement orders
- Income deduction orders
What Is Typically Confidential or Sealed:
- Social Security numbers (redacted from all public documents)
- Bank account and financial account numbers (redacted)
- Children's residential addresses and school information
- Domestic violence details (may be sealed by court order)
- Mental health evaluations and medical records
- Substance abuse treatment records
- Mediation communications (confidential by statute)
- Settlement negotiations not incorporated into filed documents
How to Get Proof of Divorce in Warren County?
Proof of divorce in Warren County is obtained through the Warren County Clerk's office or, for a statewide verification, through the New York State Department of Health. The appropriate document depends on the purpose for which proof is required.
Certified Copy of the Judgment of Divorce:
A certified copy of the final judgment of divorce is the most comprehensive and legally recognized proof of dissolution. Members of the public may obtain a certified copy by:
- Visiting the Warren County Clerk's office in person at 1340 State Route 9, Lake George, NY 12845, during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
- Submitting a written mail request to the same address, including the names of both parties, the approximate date of divorce, the index number if known, and payment of the applicable certification fee
- Searching the Warren County Clerk On-Line Records portal to locate the index number before submitting a copy request
New York State Divorce Verification Letter:
For purposes that require only confirmation that a divorce was granted rather than a full certified copy, a divorce verification letter is available from the New York State Department of Health Vital Records. This letter confirms the names of the parties, the county of divorce, and the date the divorce was granted. It does not reproduce the terms of the decree.
Warren County Clerk's Office
1340 State Route 9
Lake George, NY 12845
Phone: (518) 761-6355
Warren County Clerk
New York State Department of Health – Vital Records
Vital Records Section, P.O. Box 2602
Albany, NY 12220-2602
Phone: (518) 474-3077
New York State Department of Health Vital Records
Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Warren County?
Divorce proceedings in Warren County are presumptively public, but New York law and court rules permit certain records or portions of records to be sealed or restricted under defined circumstances.
- A party may move the court to seal all or part of a case file upon a demonstrated showing of good cause, such as the presence of sensitive personal information, domestic violence concerns, or the need to protect minor children.
- Pursuant to New York court rules, Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and the names and addresses of minor children are subject to automatic redaction from publicly accessible documents.
- Domestic violence allegations and supporting evidence may be sealed by court order to protect the safety of a victim.
- Mental health evaluations, psychological assessments of children, and substance abuse treatment records incorporated into the case file are restricted from general public access.
- Mediation communications are confidential under New York law and are not part of the public court record.
- Custody evaluations and guardian ad litem reports may be sealed at the court's discretion to protect the best interests of minor children.
- High-profile cases may be sealed upon a specific court order; however, the mere notoriety of the parties does not automatically seal a record.
- The New York Freedom of Information Law (Public Officers Law § 87) governs the balance between public access and privacy in court-related administrative records.
Members of the public seeking access to a sealed divorce record must file a motion with the court demonstrating a legitimate legal basis for disclosure.
How Long Does Warren County Keep Divorce Records?
Warren County maintains divorce records in accordance with the New York State Archives records retention schedules applicable to Supreme Court civil case files.
- Final judgments of divorce and the complete case files associated with contested and uncontested matrimonial actions are retained permanently by the Warren County Clerk, as these records establish legal status and property rights that may be referenced indefinitely.
- Docket books and indexes to matrimonial cases are also retained permanently and serve as the finding aid for locating individual case files.
- Temporary orders, interim motions, and procedural documents that do not affect the final judgment may be subject to shorter retention periods under applicable schedules, though the final judgment itself remains permanently on file.
- Paper records predating electronic filing systems are maintained in physical archive storage and may require additional retrieval time for access.
- Post-judgment modification orders and enforcement proceedings are retained as part of the original case file and are subject to the same permanent retention requirement.
- The New York State Archives publishes retention schedules for court records under the authority of New York Arts and Cultural Affairs Law § 57.25, which governs the management and disposition of government records statewide.
- Members of the public seeking records from archived or older case files should contact the Warren County Clerk directly to confirm availability and retrieval timelines.