Putnam County Dissolution Of Marriage Lookup
Putnam County dissolution of marriage records are handled by County Clerk Michael C. Bartolotti at 40 Gleneida Avenue in Carmel. The clerk's office serves as the filing office for all Supreme Court matrimonial cases in the county. One thing that makes Putnam County different is that the clerk's office operates by appointment only for certain services. If you need to search for a dissolution of marriage case, get copies of a decree, or check on a filing, plan ahead and call to set up a time before you visit.
Putnam County Dissolution Of Marriage Overview
Putnam County Clerk Dissolution Records
The Putnam County Clerk's Office is at 40 Gleneida Avenue, Room 100, Carmel, NY 10512. Call 845-808-1142 to schedule an appointment or ask questions. County Clerk Michael C. Bartolotti runs the office. Regular hours are Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM. During summer months, the hours shift to 8 AM to 4 PM.
The clerk serves as the clerk of both the Supreme Court and County Court. The office keeps all papers in actions and special proceedings for civil and criminal courts. For dissolution of marriage cases, this means the clerk holds the original filed documents, including the judgment of divorce, financial disclosures, and other papers from the case. The office also maintains judgment and lien dockets.
Because Putnam County operates by appointment only for some services, do not just show up expecting to walk in and get dissolution of marriage records. Call first. The staff can tell you what to bring and when to come. This is different from most other New York counties where you can walk in during regular hours.
The Putnam County Clerk's webpage lists office services, contact details, and the appointment requirement for visiting the office in Carmel.
The page includes information on court records, land records, and other services available through the clerk's office.
How to Get Putnam County Divorce Records
Start by calling 845-808-1142. Tell them you need dissolution of marriage records. They will set up an appointment for you if an in-person visit is needed. When you go, bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Have the names of both parties and, if possible, the case index number or year the case was filed.
Mail requests work too. Write a letter explaining what you need. Include the case details, a copy of your photo ID, and payment for the fees. Send it to Putnam County Clerk's Office, 40 Gleneida Avenue, Room 100, Carmel, NY 10512. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return.
Putnam County also accepts FOIL requests electronically or by mail. However, dissolution of marriage records are not available through FOIL. Vital records and sealed court files are exempt. A FOIL request for a sealed matrimonial file will be denied.
Note: Putnam County Clerk services require an appointment for in-person visits, so call 845-808-1142 before going to the office.
Putnam County Dissolution Access Rules
Like every other county in New York, Putnam County seals all dissolution of marriage files for 100 years. Domestic Relations Law Section 235 controls this. Only the plaintiff, the defendant, or an attorney of record can see the full file. If you are someone else, you need either a notarized letter from a party or a court order granting access.
The Putnam County Clerk can issue a Certificate of Disposition to anyone who asks. This is a public document that confirms a dissolution of marriage took place and states the outcome. It does not contain any of the details from the case. No financial terms, no testimony, no pleadings. County offices and other government agencies accept this as proof of divorce.
Online Search Options for Putnam County
Putnam County has a land records search available online, but it does not have a dedicated portal for dissolution of marriage records. Your best option for online searching is the statewide WebCivil Supreme system. Select Putnam County from the list, enter a party name, and you can find basic case data going back to 1983. Results show the index number, case type, filing date, and party names.
The NYSCEF e-filing system may also have some Putnam County cases. Matrimonial documents on NYSCEF are restricted to parties and attorneys. The public can see that a case exists but cannot view the papers.
Putnam County also offers a Fraud Alert service that notifies property owners when documents are recorded. This is for land records, not dissolution of marriage files, but it shows the county is working to put more services online.
Putnam County Dissolution Fees
Putnam County follows the standard New York State fee schedule for court records. Copies are $0.65 per page with a $1.30 minimum. Certified copies cost $5.00 for the first four pages, plus $1.25 per page after that. Search fees apply if the clerk needs to look up your case without an index number. Contact the office at 845-808-1142 for the current rate.
The Department of Health issues dissolution of marriage certificates by mail for $30. These cover cases from 1963 onward. The certificate has basic facts. For the full divorce decree, go through the Putnam County Clerk.
Filing Dissolution Of Marriage in Putnam County
Putnam County is part of the 9th Judicial District. All dissolution of marriage cases go through the Supreme Court. Free uncontested divorce packets are on the NYS Courts website. The filing fee is $210 for the index number and $95 for the RJI.
Most filings in Putnam County use the no-fault ground under DRL Section 170(7). Either spouse states the relationship has been irretrievably broken for six months or more. You must meet the residency requirement too. At least one spouse needs to have lived in New York for a full year before filing the case. The NYS Department of Health and the State Archives can also help with obtaining records once a case is complete.
Nearby Counties
Putnam County is in the lower Hudson Valley. If the dissolution of marriage was filed in a different county, reach out to that county's clerk for records.