Search Hamilton County Dissolution Of Marriage

Hamilton County dissolution of marriage records are held at the County Clerk's Office in Lake Pleasant. Hamilton County is the least populated county in New York State, and its small clerk's office manages all Supreme Court files including dissolution of marriage cases. If you need to search for a case or get copies of a divorce decree, the Lake Pleasant office is the only local option. You can also check the statewide WebCivil Supreme system to look up basic case data. The county has court records going back to its formation in 1816.

Hamilton County Clerk's Office

The Hamilton County Clerk's Office is at 102 County View Drive in Lake Pleasant. The mailing address is P.O. Box 204, Lake Pleasant, NY 12108. Phone 518-548-7111. Email countyclerk@hamiltoncountyny.gov. The office is open during standard county business hours, but it is best to call ahead and confirm before making the drive. Hamilton County is deep in the Adirondacks and travel times can be long.

The clerk keeps all court records for Hamilton County, including dissolution of marriage files. These records go back to 1816 when the county was formed. Land records, state census records from 1825, 1892, 1905, 1915, and 1925, and other historical documents are also in the archive. Some earlier census records from 1835 through 1875 have been lost.

To request dissolution of marriage records, you must be a party to the case, an attorney, or have notarized written permission from one of the spouses. Bring a valid photo ID. Provide names and an index number or approximate year. The clerk will search the files.

The Hamilton County website at hamiltoncounty.com has contact information and details about county departments.

Call ahead to verify hours before visiting. Hamilton County's remote location makes it important to plan your trip for dissolution of marriage record requests.

Searching Hamilton County Dissolution Cases

Hamilton County has limited online access for dissolution of marriage records. The main search tool is WebCivil Supreme, run by the New York State Unified Court System. Pick Hamilton County from the list and type a name. You get case index numbers, party names, and filing dates. WebCivil goes back to 1983. It is free and does not require any registration.

Full dissolution of marriage documents are not viewable online. They are sealed for 100 years under Section 235 of the Domestic Relations Law. WebCivil only gives you the case number and basic data. After you find that, contact the Hamilton County Clerk to request copies.

In-person visits to the Lake Pleasant office provide the most thorough results. The clerk can dig into older records that are not in any online database. Some files may be in archive storage. Given the county's small size and population, the staff is often able to provide personal attention to records requests that larger counties cannot match.

Hamilton County Courts and Dissolution

The Hamilton County Supreme Court handles all dissolution of marriage proceedings. The court is part of the 4th Judicial District. Only the Supreme Court in New York can grant a dissolution of marriage. Family Court and Surrogate's Court do not have that power.

The Surrogate's Court Chief Clerk's Office is at 79 White Birch Lane, P.O. Box 780, Indian Lake, NY 12842. Phone 518-648-5411 or 518-548-3211. While the Surrogate's Court does not handle dissolution of marriage cases, it deals with estate matters that sometimes come up during or after a divorce. If you need records related to probate or estate issues tied to a dissolution, this is the office to contact.

Filing a dissolution of marriage in Hamilton County costs the same as anywhere in New York. The index number is $210. The RJI is $95. A Note of Issue is $30. Free forms are at the NYS Courts website. The no-fault ground under DRL Section 170(7) lets either spouse state the marriage broke down for six months or more.

Hamilton County Dissolution Record Access and Fees

Dissolution of marriage files in Hamilton County are sealed for 100 years under Domestic Relations Law Section 235. Only the spouses, their lawyers, or someone with a court order can review the full case. This is a statewide rule. After 100 years, the file opens to the public.

Anyone can request a Certificate of Disposition from the Hamilton County Clerk. This confirms a dissolution judgment was entered. It does not reveal any private details about the case. It serves as proof of a prior dissolution when needed for a new marriage license.

Contact the clerk at 518-548-7111 for the current fee schedule. Standard New York fees apply. Plain copies are typically $0.65 per page. Certified copies cost about $5.00. Search fees run $5.00 per name for each two-year period. The Department of Health also keeps dissolution of marriage certificates for $30 by mail for cases from 1963 onward.

Nearby Counties

Hamilton County is surrounded by other Adirondack counties. If the dissolution of marriage was filed in a different county, you will need to contact that county's clerk for records.