Clinton County Court Records

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    Clinton County occupies the northeastern corner of New York State, with Plattsburgh as its county seat. The county's court system operates within the Fourth Judicial District and includes Supreme Court, County Court, Family Court, Surrogates Court, Plattsburgh City Court, and more than a dozen town and village justice courts. These courts collectively produce a broad range of records — from criminal indictments and civil filings to family court orders and probate proceedings — maintained by various court clerks and county offices throughout the county.

    New York gives you several ways to find court records, including in-person visits to clerk offices, public access terminals at courthouses, and electronic search tools run by the state's Unified Court System. The New York State Courts website offers access to multiple case search databases for criminal history, civil filings, and Surrogates Court records. NewYorkCourts.us may also be useful for locating publicly available court case information across New York counties, including Clinton County.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Clinton County?

    Where you start depends on the case type. You can search online through the Unified Court System's free portals, or contact the clerk's office directly for older or more complex requests.

    Online Search Tools

    The New York State Unified Court System provides several free electronic search portals:

    • WebCivil Local: The WebCivil Local portal covers active and disposed local civil court cases. Search by index number, party name, judge, or attorney.
    • WebCivil Supreme:WebCivil Supreme eCourts lets you search Supreme Court civil cases filed statewide, including Clinton County, by index number or party name.
    • WebSurrogate:WebSurrogate is a free tool for searching Surrogates Court files by party name or file number. It covers estate proceedings, probate filings, and historical index records.
    • Criminal History Record Search (CHRS): The Office of Court Administration runs a searchable portal for criminal records that requires account registration. This service charges $95 per name search.
    • NYSCEF: The New York State Courts Electronic Filing system provides access to documents filed electronically in Supreme and Surrogates Court cases. E-filing is mandatory for certain case types in Clinton County Surrogates Court.

    In-Person Searches

    The Clinton County Clerk's Office handles Supreme Court and County Court records and is the main office for in-person civil and criminal case file requests.

    Clinton County Clerk's Office
    Address: Clinton County Government Center (First Floor), 137 Margaret Street, Plattsburgh, NY 12901
    Phone: (518) 565-4700
    Fax: (518) 565-4718
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

    Document copies cost $0.65 per page, with a minimum charge of $1.30. No recordings or filings are accepted after 3:45 p.m. The office accepts cash, checks, and credit cards.

    Are Court Records Public in Clinton County?

    Under New York's Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), government records — including many court records — are generally presumed public. The law requires agencies to make records available for inspection and copying upon request, subject to specific exemptions.

    For court records specifically, the Unified Court System has its own policies on public access. The following record types are generally available for public inspection in Clinton County:

    • Civil case files in Supreme Court, County Court, and City Court
    • Criminal case disposition records
    • Surrogates Court estate filings (with some exceptions)
    • Judgments and court orders
    • Land records and liens filed with the County Clerk

    Records That Are Not Public

    Several categories of court records are restricted from public access under state law and court rules:

    • Sealed records: Cases sealed by court order, including certain criminal records eligible for sealing under CPL 160.50 (dismissed cases), CPL 160.55 (violation/infraction convictions), and CPL 160.59 (eligible convictions). New York's Clean Slate Act, effective November 16, 2024, will eventually result in additional automatic sealing of eligible convictions, though the Office of Court Administration has up to three years to implement these processes.
    • Adoption records: All adoption proceedings are sealed and not available for public inspection.
    • Juvenile proceedings: Family Court proceedings involving minors, including juvenile delinquency cases, are confidential.
    • Divorce files: Divorce actions in Clinton County are sealed files accessible only to the parties involved or their attorneys.
    • Records that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy or that could interfere with ongoing judicial proceedings.

    When requesting confidential documents, court staff may ask for valid government-issued photo identification and verification of the requester's relationship to the case.

    Personal Identifier Protections

    Under Section 207.64 of the Uniform Rules for Surrogates Courts, parties filing documents are responsible for redacting confidential personal information (CPI). The WebSurrogate system restricts access to files and documents covered by this rule, though it does not redact documents itself.

    Clinton County Criminal Court Records

    Criminal cases in Clinton County are handled at multiple levels. Indictable offenses (felonies) and more serious misdemeanors are prosecuted in County Court, while minor offenses, violations, and traffic matters are handled in Plattsburgh City Court and the various town and village justice courts.

    Searching Criminal Records at the State Level

    Two state agencies provide access to criminal history information.

    The Office of Court Administration (OCA) conducts statewide name-based criminal history record searches. Each search costs $95.00 and covers conviction records reported to OCA by courts across New York State. You can submit a request in two ways:

    1. Online: Register for an account on the OCA Criminal History Record Search portal and submit your search electronically.

    2. By mail: Complete the Criminal History Records Search application form, enclose a $95 money order or check payable to N.Y.S. Office of Court Administration, and mail the application with a self-addressed stamped envelope to:

      Criminal History Record Search Unit
      NYS Office of Court Administration
      Division of Technology and Court Research
      25 Beaver Street, 8th Floor, Room 830
      New York, NY 10004
      Email: CHRS@nycourts.gov

    The Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) maintains New York's official fingerprint-based criminal history records. Unlike OCA's name-based search, DCJS requires applicants to submit fingerprints on an FD-258 fingerprint card through an approved vendor. When requesting records through DCJS, specify the record type code: 15465F for unsuppressed records (includes sealed and suppressed entries) or 15464Z for suppressed records (excludes sealed information). DCJS criminal history records are not public records and cannot be obtained under FOIL. For more information, contact DCJS at RecordReview@dcjs.ny.gov or (518) 457-9847.

    Local Criminal Records

    The Clinton County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records and can provide information on local criminal activity. Direct arrest record requests to:

    Clinton County Sheriff's Office
    Address: 25 McCarthy Drive, Plattsburgh, NY 12901
    Phone: (518) 565-4300
    Fax: (518) 565-4333
    Administration Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

    Criminal case records from Clinton County's town and village justice courts are held by the individual courts. These include courts in Altona, AuSable, Beekmantown, Black Brook, Champlain, Chazy, Clinton (town), Dannemora (town and village), Ellenburg, Mooers, Peru, Plattsburgh (town), Saranac, and Schuyler Falls. Contact information for each court is available through the Clinton County government directory.

    Clinton County Civil Court Records

    The Clinton County Clerk has jurisdiction over Supreme Court and County Court civil records. The Clerk's Office is the filing office for all civil actions commenced in these courts and issues certified copies of court documents.

    Filing Fees for Civil Actions

    To start a civil action in Supreme or County Court, you'll need to file an Application for an Index Number along with a Summons with Notice, a Summons and Complaint, or a Petition (in a special proceeding). Key fees at the Clinton County Clerk's Office include:

    Filing TypeFee
    Index number (general civil action)$210.00
    Index number (foreclosure action)$400.00
    Motion or cross-motion$45.00
    Stipulation of settlement or voluntary discontinuance$35.00
    Document copies$0.65 per page (minimum $1.30)

    After purchasing an index number, check with the County Clerk's Office for any additional fees. All paperwork must comply with Part 130 signing requirements.

    Searching Civil Records Online

    Clinton County civil court records can be searched through the Unified Court System's online tools:

    • WebCivil Local for local civil court cases, searchable by index number, party name, judge, or attorney.
    • WebCivil Supreme eCourts for Supreme Court cases, searchable by index number or party name.

    The Clinton County Clerk's Office also offers online document searching for recorded documents, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

    Plattsburgh City Court

    Small claims and local civil matters within the City of Plattsburgh are handled by:

    Plattsburgh City Court
    Address: 24 US Oval, Plattsburgh, NY 12903
    Phone: (518) 536-3870

    Clinton County Family Court Records

    Clinton County Family Court hears matters involving children and families, including adoption, guardianship, foster care approval and review, juvenile delinquency, family offenses, custody and visitation, child support, paternity, and persons in need of supervision (PINS) cases. The court is located at:

    Clinton County Family Court
    Address: 137 Margaret Street, Plattsburgh, NY 12901
    Phone: (518) 536-3820

    Access Restrictions

    Family Court records are among the most heavily restricted in New York's court system. Key limitations include:

    • Juvenile delinquency proceedings are confidential and not available for public inspection.
    • Child protective cases are sealed from public view.
    • Adoption records are sealed by statute. Only parties to the adoption or persons with a court order may access these files.
    • Orders of protection (family offense proceedings) carry specific confidentiality protections.

    Generally, only parties to the case, their attorneys, and certain authorized agencies may access Family Court records. Anyone else seeking access must obtain a court order.

    Divorce Records

    Divorce actions filed in Clinton County are maintained by the County Clerk's Office as sealed files. Only the parties to the divorce or their attorneys of record may access the case file. To get a copy of a divorce decree:

    • In person: Bring a valid photo ID (preferably a driver's license) to the County Clerk's Office. The minimum fee is $5.00.
    • By mail: Send a written, signed request with a minimum $5.00 fee and a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the Clinton County Clerk's Office at 137 Margaret Street, Plattsburgh, NY 12901. Call ahead at (518) 565-4700 to confirm the exact fee before sending your request.

    The New York State Department of Health also issues divorce certificates for divorces granted after January 1, 1963. To request one by mail, send a completed divorce record application form, a copy of a valid ID, and a $30 check or money order payable to NYS Department of Health to:

    New York State Department of Health
    Vital Records Certification Unit
    P.O. Box 2602
    Albany, NY 12220-2602

    Marriage Records

    Marriage certificates can be obtained from the city or town clerk where the marriage took place, or from the NYS Department of Health. A state-level request requires a completed marriage record request form, a valid ID, and a $30 fee (check or money order payable to NYS Department of Health), mailed to the Vital Records Certification Unit address above. The Department of Health releases marriage records only to the record subject, a person authorized by court order, or a person with a demonstrated judicial need.

    Birth and Death Records

    Birth and death certificates are maintained by local town or city clerks and the NYS Department of Health. Birth records are released to the record subject, parents, legal guardians, family members, or individuals with a court order. Requests to the state agency require a completed birth record application (or death record application), a photocopy of a valid ID, and a $30 fee. Mail these to the Vital Records Certification Unit at the Albany address above.

    Clinton County Probate Court Records

    Probate matters in Clinton County go before the Surrogates Court, which has jurisdiction over the administration of decedents' estates, probate of wills, guardianships of property for minors, and related filings. The Surrogate is Hon. William A. Favreau.

    Clinton County Surrogates Court
    Address: 137 Margaret Street, Plattsburgh, NY 12901
    Phone: (518) 536-3830
    Chief Clerk: Madeline Weidner

    Types of Probate Records

    The Surrogates Court maintains records including:

    • Wills admitted to probate
    • Letters testamentary and letters of administration
    • Accountings
    • Guardianship of minors' property
    • Trust proceedings
    • Small estate affidavits
    • Petitions for estate administration

    Searching Probate Records Online

    The state's WebSurrogate system offers free access to Clinton County Surrogates Court filings. Available search options include:

    • Name Search: Locate estate files by party name, with an optional date-of-death filter.
    • File Search: Look up files by their assigned file number.
    • Old Index Search: Search historical records by file number or file name (availability varies by county).
    • Index Book Pages: Browse available images of pages from Surrogates Court index books.
    • Will Search: Find records of wills filed for safekeeping by testator name (note: wills filed for safekeeping are not available for public viewing).

    Documents filed on or after February 19, 2014 are accessible through WebSurrogate as document images. Documents filed before that date may need to be viewed on public access computers inside the Surrogates Court.

    E-Filing in Surrogates Court

    E-filing through NYSCEF is mandatory for certain proceedings in the Clinton County Surrogates Court. Documents that must be e-filed include petitions, citations, accountings, and most other papers unless a specific exemption applies. Filers who are exempt from e-filing — such as self-represented parties without internet access — may still file paper documents directly with the Clerk's Office.

    In-Person Requests

    You can view probate records in person at the Surrogates Court during regular business hours. For verified copies or searches of estate records, contact the Surrogates Court Clerk's Office at (518) 536-3830. Note that the Clinton County Real Property Office is a separate office that handles property assessment records, not probate filings. It is located at 137 Margaret Street, Suite 210, Plattsburgh, NY 12901, and can be reached at (518) 565-4760.