Washington County Court Records Search

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    Washington County occupies a rural stretch of northeastern New York State, bordered by Vermont to the east along Lake Champlain and the Green Mountains. The county seat is the village of Fort Edward, where the principal courthouse complex at 383 Broadway houses the Supreme and County Court, Family Court, and Surrogate’s Court. Court records produced across Washington County’s judicial system — spanning criminal prosecutions, civil lawsuits, family matters, probate proceedings, and local ordinance violations — are filed with and preserved by the relevant court clerk or the Washington County Clerk’s office.

    Locating court records in New York can be approached through multiple channels, including local clerk offices, courthouse public-access terminals, and the state’s electronic case-search tools. NewYorkCourts.us may help users find court directories and publicly available case data across the state. Within Washington County, the County Clerk’s office maintains land records, judgments, and certain court filings, while the individual court clerks for Supreme, Family, and Surrogate’s courts manage their respective case files. The New York State Unified Court System also operates several eCourts search portals that provide remote access to case information without requiring a trip to Fort Edward.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Washington County?

    Washington County is part of New York’s 4th Judicial District, which covers eleven counties in the Adirondack and upper Hudson Valley region. The county’s courts operate under the New York Unified Court System. At the trial level, Washington County has a Supreme and County Court (handling felonies, major civil actions, and appeals), a Family Court (handling domestic and juvenile matters), a Surrogate’s Court (handling probate, estate, and adoption matters), and numerous town and village justice courts scattered across the county’s municipalities.

    Washington County Supreme and County Court
    Address: 383 Broadway, Fort Edward, NY 12828
    Phone: (518) 480-6920
    Email: WashingtonSupremeCo@nycourts.gov
    Hours: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Monday–Friday

    Washington County Family Court
    Address: 383 Broadway, Building C, Fort Edward, NY 12828
    Phone: (518) 480-6950
    Hours: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Monday–Friday

    Washington County Surrogate’s Court
    Address: 383 Broadway, Building C, Fort Edward, NY 12828
    Phone: (518) 480-6970
    Email: WashingtonSurrogate@nycourts.gov
    Hours: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Monday–Friday

    Washington County Clerk’s Office
    Address: 383 Broadway, Building A, Fort Edward, NY 12828
    Phone: (518) 746-2170
    Fax: (518) 746-2177
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (last filing at 4:15 p.m.)

    In addition to these centralized courts, Washington County has more than a dozen town and village justice courts handling traffic violations, minor criminal matters, and small claims in communities including Argyle, Cambridge, Easton, Fort Ann, Fort Edward, Granville, Greenwich, Hampton, Hartford, Hebron, Jackson, Kingsbury, Putnam, Salem, White Creek, and Whitehall. Contact information for individual justice courts is available through the New York State Unified Court System website.

    Online case searches can be performed through the state’s eCourts platforms:

    • WebCivil Supreme — search Supreme Court civil case records by index number, party name, or attorney.
    • WebFamily — look up active Family Court cases by file number, attorney, or court calendar.
    • WebCriminal — search criminal case information in Supreme and County courts.

    Cases heard in town and village justice courts are generally not included in the eCourts portals. For those records, contact the specific justice court directly.

    In-person access. Visit the appropriate court clerk’s office during business hours to inspect case files or request copies. The County Clerk’s office also maintains court records filed in that office, including judgments, liens, and lis pendens filings.

    Copy fees. Under the Washington County Clerk’s fee schedule, court record copies cost $1.30 per page, with a $5.00 certification fee. For non-court land and recording documents, copies are $0.65 per page, up to a maximum of $30.00 per record. General civil copy fees at the court level are $0.50 per page with a minimum of $1.00, and certification of an already-prepared document costs $0.50 per page with a minimum of $4.00.

    Are Court Records Public in Washington County?

    Court records in New York are generally open to public inspection. Section 255 of the New York Judiciary Law requires a court clerk to search for and provide copies of any court record upon request and payment of the applicable fees. The New York Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) further establishes a presumption of public access to government records, including many court-related documents.

    Records that are generally accessible include:

    • Criminal case filings, indictments, and disposition records (for non-sealed cases)
    • Civil complaints, answers, motions, orders, and judgments
    • Probate petitions, wills admitted to probate, inventories, and accountings
    • Divorce decrees and judgments (filed with the County Clerk)
    • Land records, judgments, liens, and lis pendens filings
    • Property records through Image Mate Online

    Records that are restricted or confidential include:

    • Sealed criminal records under CPL §§ 160.50, 160.55, 160.58, and 160.59
    • Youthful offender adjudications (CPL § 720.35)
    • Juvenile delinquency and persons-in-need-of-supervision (PINS) records
    • Family Court proceedings, which are subject to limited access under Section 166 of the Family Court Act
    • Adoption records
    • Mental health records
    • Matrimonial records containing sensitive financial information
    • Records sealed by specific court order

    New York’s Clean Slate Act, which took effect November 16, 2024, provides the Office of Court Administration up to three years to develop processes for automatically sealing eligible conviction records. Until those processes are fully implemented, previously public convictions that will eventually qualify for sealing remain accessible through existing channels.

    Washington County Criminal Court Records

    Criminal cases in Washington County are prosecuted in Supreme and County Court for felonies and in the town or village justice courts for misdemeanors, violations, and traffic offenses. The court clerks maintain criminal case files including accusatory instruments, motions, plea records, sentencing orders, and certificates of disposition.

    Searching criminal case records online. The eCourts WebCriminal portal covers criminal cases in Supreme and County courts. Users can search by defendant name or indictment number. Justice court criminal records are not available through eCourts and must be requested directly from the relevant town or village court.

    Arrest records. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office is the primary law enforcement agency for the county and publishes recent arrest information on its Recent Arrests page.

    Washington County Sheriff’s Office
    Address: 399 Broadway, Fort Edward, NY 12828
    Phone: (518) 746-2475
    Fax: (518) 746-2385

    Statewide criminal history searches are available through two separate pathways:

    1. OCA Criminal History Record Search (CHRS) — The New York State Office of Court Administration provides a publicly available search of conviction data. A CHRS request costs $95.00 and can be submitted through the Online Direct Access portal or by mailing a completed CHRS application form to:

      NYS Office of Court Administration
      Division of Technology and Court Research
      Criminal History Record Search Unit
      25 Beaver Street (Room 830 – Front Counter)
      New York, NY 10004

      The requester must provide the subject’s exact full name and date of birth. Results include only conviction information on charges not resulting in fingerprinting and exclude sealed or expunged records. Results can be delivered by mail or email.

    2. DCJS Fingerprint-Based Records Review — For official criminal history records (rap sheets), applicants must submit fingerprints through the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services. Schedule an appointment with the state’s fingerprinting vendor (IdentoGo) online or by phone. Bring a valid photo ID and pay the fee of $47.50 (as of February 2026). Processing takes three to four weeks, with results mailed to the applicant. These records are confidential and available only to the record subject — they cannot be released under FOIL.

      For applicants outside New York State, fingerprints can be taken on an FBI (FD-258) fingerprint card at a local law enforcement agency, then mailed to the vendor after enrolling online for a Card Scan submission.

    Washington County Civil Court Records

    Civil litigation in Washington County is handled by the Supreme Court for matters involving larger claims, equitable relief, and matrimonial actions, and by the town and village justice courts for small claims and minor civil disputes. The County Clerk files and maintains civil Supreme Court records, including index numbers, judgments, and liens.

    Key civil court fees (from the County Clerk’s fee schedule):

    Filing TypeFee
    Index number (new civil action)$210.00
    Index number (foreclosure action)$400.00
    Note of issue$30.00
    Request for Judicial Intervention (RJI)$95.00
    Demand for jury trial$65.00
    Motion / cross-motion$45.00
    Filing stipulation / voluntary discontinuance$35.00
    Notice of appeal$65.00
    Judgment transcript (filing)$10.00
    Judgment transcript (issuance)$5.00

    Copy fees for civil court records filed with the County Clerk run $1.30 per page for court documents, with a $5.00 certification fee. Copies obtained directly from a court clerk under Judiciary Law § 255 cost $0.50 per page (minimum $1.00) for plain copies and $0.50 per page (minimum $4.00) for certification of a prepared copy.

    Online civil case searches. Use the WebCivil Supreme portal to search active and disposed Supreme Court civil cases by index number, party name, or attorney name. The system displays case summaries, calendaring information, and appearance details.

    Land and property records filed with the County Clerk — including deeds, mortgages, and UCC filings — can be searched remotely through the SearchIQS online public records platform. Property assessment data is accessible through Image Mate Online, which allows searches by municipality, tax ID, owner name, or street address.

    For information on court forms, the County Clerk’s office directs users to the New York State Unified Court System forms page.

    Washington County Family Court Records

    Family Court proceedings in Washington County address child custody, visitation, child support, family offense (domestic violence) petitions, persons in need of supervision (PINS), juvenile delinquency, foster care, adoption, and guardianship of minors. The Family Court operates out of Building C at 383 Broadway, Fort Edward, with the clerk reachable at (518) 480-6950.

    Access restrictions. Family Court records in New York are not open to indiscriminate public inspection. Section 166 of the Family Court Act restricts access to authorized parties, attorneys, and individuals with a demonstrated legitimate interest. Adoption records are sealed. Juvenile delinquency and PINS records carry heightened confidentiality protections.

    Online searching. The WebFamily portal provides information on active Family Court cases across all 62 New York counties, including Washington County. Users can search by file/docket number, attorney or firm name, or court calendar date. Access is limited to non-confidential case data.

    Marriage licenses and records. In Washington County, marriage licenses are issued by the town or city clerk in the municipality where the couple applies — not by the County Clerk. The license fee and procedures vary slightly by municipality. To obtain a copy of a marriage certificate, contact the town or city clerk that originally issued the license. If the issuing municipality is unknown, a request can be submitted to the New York State Department of Health using the Marriage Record Application form. Copies from a local clerk cost $10.00; copies from the Department of Health cost $30.00 by mail or $45.00 (plus vendor processing fee) through the state’s online ordering service. Mail requests go to:

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

    Marriage records are not public. Only a spouse, an individual with a court order, or a person with a documented judicial or proper purpose (such as claiming a benefit, supported by a letter from the requiring agency) may obtain a copy.

    Divorce records. The Washington County Supreme Court has exclusive jurisdiction over divorce in the county. Once a divorce is finalized, the judge signs the decree and it is filed with the County Clerk. Eligible parties can request a copy of the divorce decree at the County Clerk’s office. Divorce certificates (a summary document) are available from the Department of Health using the Divorce Certificate Application for $30.00 by mail, or through the state’s online vendor for $45.00 plus processing fees. Only the parties to the divorce or an individual with a court order may obtain these records. Divorces finalized before January 1, 1963, have only decrees available — no separate certificates.

    Birth and death records. Town and city clerks in Washington County register births and deaths occurring within their jurisdictions. Eligible requesters can obtain certificates from the local clerk for $10.00 per copy, or from the New York State Department of Health for $30.00 by mail. Birth certificates may be requested using the Birth Record Application and death certificates using the Death Record Application. Both birth and death records are confidential and available only to eligible individuals: the record subject (for birth records, if 18 or older), parents named on the record, individuals with a court order, and — for death records — the spouse, child, sibling, or parent of the decedent, or a person with a documented lawful right or claim.

    Washington County Probate Court Records

    Probate matters in Washington County are handled by the Surrogate’s Court, which has jurisdiction over the administration of decedents’ estates, will contests, trusts, guardianship of the property of incapacitated persons, and adoptions. The court is staffed by Chief Clerk Rachel Clothier and Deputy Chief Clerk Gloria O’Hara.

    Washington County Surrogate’s Court
    Address: 383 Broadway, Building C, Fort Edward, NY 12828
    Phone: (518) 480-6970
    Email: WashingtonSurrogate@nycourts.gov

    Types of probate proceedings include:

    • Probate of a will (testate estates)
    • Administration of an estate without a will (intestate estates)
    • Accounting proceedings
    • Guardianship of the property of minors or incapacitated adults
    • Trust proceedings
    • Adoption petitions (records sealed upon completion)
    • Wrongful death proceedings
    • Small estate proceedings

    Filing fees. Surrogate’s Court filing fees are set by SCPA § 2402 and vary depending on the value of the estate. For probate and administration proceedings, fees are calculated on a sliding scale: estates valued under $10,000 pay $45.00, while estates valued at $500,000 or more pay $1,250.00. Certain proceedings have fixed fees — for example, a petition to punish for contempt under SCPA § 607 carries a set filing fee.

    How to access probate records:

    1. In person — Visit the Surrogate’s Court Clerk’s office at 383 Broadway, Building C, during business hours to review or request copies of probate filings. Bring as much identifying information as possible, including the decedent’s name, date of death, and file number.
    2. By mail — Send a written request to the Surrogate’s Court at the address above, specifying the estate name, file number (if known), and the particular documents needed. Include payment for copy fees.
    3. Online — Some Surrogate’s Court filings may be accessible through the New York State Courts Electronic Filing (NYSCEF) system for counties that participate. Check with the Surrogate’s Court clerk to confirm whether Washington County estate filings are available electronically.

    Probate records — including petitions, wills admitted to probate, letters testamentary, inventories, and accountings — are generally public documents. Adoption records processed through Surrogate’s Court are sealed and not available for public inspection. Guardianship reports containing medical or financial details about a ward may be restricted by the court.

    For probate forms and filing instructions, the New York State Unified Court System maintains a library of Surrogate’s Court forms that are accepted statewide, including in Washington County.