Divorce records in Albany County, New York, can be accessed through several channels. AlbanyNYCourt.us can help you find publicly available divorce record information for Albany County. You can also obtain records directly from the court that issued the divorce decree, the Albany County Clerk's office, or the New York State Department of Health's Vital Records Section. The approach you take depends on whether you need the full court file or a divorce certificate confirming the event.
Albany Divorce Records Search
In New York, divorce cases are handled by the Supreme Court — which, despite its name, is the state's trial-level court of general jurisdiction. The Albany County Supreme Court maintains case files that include divorce decrees, judgments of divorce, settlement agreements, custody and support orders, and related filings. The Albany County Clerk's office also stores divorce records because Supreme Court records are filed through the county clerk.
Separately, the New York State Department of Health maintains divorce certificates — shorter documents that confirm a divorce took place, listing the parties' names, date, and county. These certificates are available for divorces granted statewide from January 1, 1963, onward. For divorces before that date, or for the full court file, you'll need to contact the Albany County Clerk directly.
Albany County Clerk
New York State Department of Health – Vital Records Section
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Albany
Understanding which office holds the record you need saves time. Albany County follows New York's standard filing structure:
- Albany County Supreme Court — hears and decides divorce cases. The complete case file — including the summons, complaint, answer, stipulation of settlement, findings of fact, and the judgment of divorce — is part of the court record.
- Albany County Clerk — acts as clerk of the Supreme Court. After a judgment of divorce is signed by the judge, it is entered and filed with the county clerk. This is where you request copies of the judgment or other filed documents from the case.
- New York State Department of Health — maintains a statewide index of divorce certificates for divorces granted on or after January 1, 1963. A divorce certificate is not the full judgment; it is a vital record confirming the divorce occurred.
Which Office to Contact
| What You Need | Contact |
|---|---|
| Full judgment of divorce or court filings | Albany County Clerk (Supreme Court Records) |
| Divorce certificate (1963–present) | NYS Department of Health, Vital Records Section |
| Divorce records before 1963 | Albany County Clerk |
| Custody or support modifications | Albany County Supreme Court or Family Court |
If you are unsure which court handled your case, start by calling the Albany County Clerk at 518-487-5100. For government records requests more broadly, the City of Albany processes requests under New York's Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), though divorce court records are typically obtained through the county clerk rather than a FOIL request. The Personal Privacy Protection Law also grants individuals rights to access records about themselves maintained by state agencies.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Albany
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Certified copy of divorce certificate (NYS Dept. of Health – by mail) | $30 | 4–6 weeks |
| Additional copy of same divorce certificate (same order) | $15 | Included with original order |
| Court record copy (Albany County Clerk – per page) | $0.65 per page | Varies; in-person requests often same day |
| Certified court document copy (Albany County Clerk) | $1.25 per page (minimum $5.00) | Varies |
| Search fee (Albany County Clerk – per two-year period searched) | $5.00 | Varies |