Divorce records in Putnam County, New York, are available through several channels. PutnamCourt.us allows quick access to public divorce information in the county. Additionally, records can be obtained directly from the court that issued the decision, at the Putnam County Clerk's office, as well as from the New York State Department of Health, which serves as the central office for vital records.
Putnam Divorce Records Search
In New York State, divorce cases are handled by the Supreme Court, which has jurisdiction over matrimonial matters at the county level. After a decision is made, the case materials are stored in the Putnam County Supreme Court Clerk's office. Simultaneously, the New York State Department of Health maintains a registry of divorce certificates for divorces filed since 1963.
The collection of divorce records includes:
- Divorce decree/judgment of divorce
- Divorce certificate issued by the state
- Settlement agreements
- Custody orders
- Associated procedural documents — motions, responses, financial disclosures
Putnam County Clerk
The County Clerk's office also keeps records of civil and criminal proceedings, including Supreme Court materials. To search for records, you can use the Application for Public Access to Records.
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Putnam
Understanding where documents are filed will save time and unnecessary calls.
Putnam County Supreme Court
This is the only court in New York State authorized to handle divorce cases. The judgment of divorce remains in the court's office. If you need a copy of the judgment or any procedural documents from the case, contact this office.
Putnam County Clerk
The County Clerk acts as the registrar for Supreme Court documents. Copies of judgments and other court papers can also be requested through this office. Contact the County Clerk's office to verify the availability of a specific document.
New York State Department of Health — Vital Records Section
The department maintains divorce certificates from 1963 onwards. This is a short document confirming the fact of divorce; it does not contain details of property agreements or custody. It is usually sufficient for confirming marital status or remarriage.
What to choose:
- Need a full copy of the court decision or case materials → Supreme Court or County Clerk
- Need a divorce certificate to confirm the fact → Department of Health
- Divorce occurred before 1963 → contact the Supreme Court office of the county where the decision was made
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Putnam
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Divorce certificate — NYS Department of Health | $30.00 | 4–6 weeks (by mail) |
| Department of Health registry search (if record not found) | $30.00 (non-refundable) | 4–6 weeks |
| Copy of court decision — County Clerk | $1.25 per page; $5.00 for certification | Typically 5–10 business days |
| Certified copy of court decision — Supreme Court Clerk | $1.25 per page; $5.00 for certification | Depends on office workload |