Search Washington County Public Records

Washington County public records are maintained by the County Clerk in Fort Edward. This eastern New York county borders Vermont and covers a mostly rural area with farmland and small villages. The Clerk's office records deeds, mortgages, liens, and court documents for the entire county. As Clerk of the Supreme and County Courts, this office manages civil case files and other court-related filings. You can search records in person at the courthouse on Broadway, by mail, or use state online tools for court case searches. Washington County is part of the Fourth Judicial District.

Washington County Clerk

The Washington County Clerk records all land documents and manages court filings for the county. Deeds, mortgages, mortgage discharges, liens, and judgments pass through this office. The Clerk serves as Clerk of the Supreme and County Courts, handling civil case files and court orders.

Fees follow state law. Plain copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies of recorded documents are $5.00 for the first page and $1.25 for each additional page. Court record copies cost $5.00 per document. Recording a new deed or mortgage starts at $15.00 for the first page. Cash, checks, and money orders are accepted at the counter.

Washington County is a rural county with a lower volume of filings than urban areas. The staff at the Clerk's office can sometimes assist with phone inquiries and help narrow down a search before you visit. If you need a specific deed or mortgage, call ahead with the names or property location and they can let you know what they can find. The office also handles passport applications, which is a common service in smaller county clerk offices. Military discharge papers (DD-214 forms) can be filed here for safekeeping and certified copies can be issued later.

How to Search Records

Court cases are online. The eCourts system lets you look up Supreme Court civil cases from Washington County. Search by name or index number. It is free and covers all counties.

Land records are best found in person. The Clerk's office has index books organized by grantor and grantee names. You search by name and find the liber and page number for each document. Bring the property address or the names of the people involved in the transaction. The staff can help point you to the right section of the index.

The Criminal History Record Search checks for criminal convictions statewide. You need a name and date of birth, plus a fee. This covers all New York courts, not just Washington County.

FOIL requests let you ask for any government record. Write to the agency that holds it. Be specific. The agency has five business days to respond. The FOIL page from the Department of State has sample letters and process details.

Available Record Types

The Clerk files deeds, mortgages, mortgage satisfactions, easements, liens, lis pendens, and maps. Court records include Supreme Court and County Court civil files, judgments, and orders. Business certificates (DBAs) and military discharges are also recorded.

Vital records come from other offices. The Department of Health handles birth and death certificates at the state level. Local registrars in each town also have copies. Marriage licenses are issued by town clerks. The County Clerk does not handle vital records.

Surrogate's Court records cover wills, estates, and probate in Washington County. Family Court handles custody, support, and juvenile matters. Most Family Court records are sealed. Contact each court directly for access to their files. The County Clerk does not maintain those records.

Property tax records are managed by the county's Real Property Tax Service Agency. The County Clerk records transfers and mortgages, but tax bills and assessment rolls are separate. Each town in Washington County has its own assessor. For property tax details, contact the Real Property office or the local town assessor.

FOIL Requests

The Freedom of Information Law covers all government agencies in Washington County. Any person can request records. Write to the records access officer at the agency. You do not need to give a reason.

The response comes within five business days. If denied, the agency must explain. You can appeal to the head of the agency. The Committee on Open Government can help if your appeal is rejected. FOIL copies cost $0.25 per page.

FOIL covers a wide range of documents. Police reports, meeting minutes, government contracts, budget records, and emails are all subject to the law. Some records have exemptions, such as active investigation files, sealed court records, and certain personnel matters. But the default in New York is that government records are open to the public.

State Court Search Portal

The eCourts portal lets you search civil court cases from Washington County Supreme Court. Enter a name or index number. The tool is free and covers all 62 New York counties.

Washington County Resources

• Washington County Clerk - Land records, court filings, recording
• NYS eCourts - Search Supreme Court civil cases
• Criminal History Record Search - Criminal conviction records
• NYS Vital Records - Birth, death, marriage certificates
• FOIL Information - Records access rights

Cities and Towns in Washington County

Washington County has no cities that meet the population threshold for a dedicated page. Fort Edward is the county seat. Other communities include Greenwich, Granville, and Whitehall. The Washington County Clerk handles land records and court filings for all of these areas. Town clerks in each community handle marriage licenses and some local matters.

Nearby Counties