Clinton County Civil Court Records
Clinton County civil court records are on file at the County Clerk's office in Plattsburgh. The clerk maintains records from 1788, making it one of the older record collections in the state. The 4th Judicial District handles cases here. You can search for civil filings online through the SearchIQS portal or the state WebCivil Supreme system. In-person access is available at 137 Margaret Street during regular business hours. If you need to track a case, pull old court papers, or get certified copies of civil court documents in Clinton County, both online tools and walk-in visits can get you the records you need.
Clinton County Overview
Clinton County Clerk and Civil Records
The Clinton County Clerk serves as Clerk of the Supreme Court and County Court. The main office is at 137 Margaret Street in Plattsburgh. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Phone: (518) 565-4701. The clerk holds land records going all the way back to 1788, along with civil court filings, business certificates, and notary records. Passport services are also handled here.
Clinton County sits in the northeastern corner of New York, near the Canadian border. Despite its location, it has full access to the state court system tools. The County Clerk stores records for Supreme Court and County Court cases. Staff can look up civil filings by name or case number. Walk-in visitors can view records and request copies during business hours. Under Judiciary Law Section 255, the clerk has a legal duty to search files and provide copies when you ask and pay the set fees.
| Office | Clinton County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address |
137 Margaret Street Plattsburgh, NY 12901 |
| Phone | (518) 565-4701 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM |
How to Search Clinton County Civil Cases
The Clinton County Records Search is an online portal with indexed records from 1788 to the present. You can search by name for deeds, mortgages, and court records. Guest access is free for basic searches.
For Supreme Court civil cases, WebCivil Supreme covers all 62 counties including Clinton County. Search by party name, index number, or attorney. It shows case status and docket entries for both active and closed cases. Cases only appear after a Request for Judicial Intervention is filed. E-filed cases can also be searched through NYSCEF under 22 NYCRR Sections 202.5-b and 202.5-bb.
The 4th Judicial District page for Clinton County lists court contact info. The courthouse is at 135 Margaret Street in Plattsburgh. Supreme and County Court: (518) 565-4710. Family Court: (518) 565-4720. Surrogate's Court: (518) 565-4730. The Clinton County contact page has general office details and hours.
Note: Clinton County civil court records from the late 1700s may be on microfilm or in physical storage, so allow extra time for those older searches.
Clinton County Court Records Tools
The WebCivil Supreme search system gives free access to Supreme Court civil cases across the state, including Clinton County.
This state tool shows case data, party names, and docket entries for both pending and disposed civil matters.
Clinton County Court Record Fees
Copy fees at the Clinton County Clerk follow state rules under CPLR Section 8019(f). Copies cost 50 cents per page with a one-dollar minimum. Certified copies add 50 cents per page with a four-dollar minimum. Search certification under CPLR Section 8020(g) runs five dollars for each two-year period.
Court transcripts cost between $2.50 and $6.50 per page under 22 NYCRR Section 108. The rate depends on delivery speed and who is paying. Regular delivery is cheapest. Rush orders cost the most. Viewing civil court records online is free. You only pay when you need paper copies or certified documents.
Clinton County Court System
The Clinton County Surrogate's Court sits at 135 Margaret Street in Plattsburgh. Phone: (518) 565-4730. This court handles probate, estates, guardianships, and adoptions. Probate records from the county's formation are on file. Adoption files are sealed under Domestic Relations Law Section 114 and need a court order to open.
Most civil court records in Clinton County are public. Docket books stay open during business hours under Judiciary Law Section 255-b. Matrimonial files are sealed for 100 years under Domestic Relations Law Section 235. Family Court records are confidential under Family Court Act Section 166. For all other civil matters, anyone can come to the courthouse, review files, and get copies by paying the proper fees.
How to Get Clinton County Civil Court Copies
Visit the Clinton County Clerk at 137 Margaret Street in Plattsburgh to get copies of civil court records in person. The staff can search by name or case number and pull files. You pay at the counter and get copies right away. Bring cash, check, or money order.
Mail requests go to the Clinton County Clerk at 137 Margaret Street, Plattsburgh, NY 12901. Include party names, the case number if you know it, and a clear description of the documents you want. Add a certified check or money order for the fees. The clerk will process the request and send copies back by mail. Allow extra time for mailed requests since the office has to pull files and prepare copies. For cases filed through NYSCEF, you can view documents online for free, but certified copies still come from the clerk's office with proper payment under Judiciary Law Section 255.
Nearby Counties
Clinton County is in the far northeast of the state near Lake Champlain. Check these neighboring counties if the civil case may have been filed elsewhere.