Clinton County Death Index Search

Clinton County death index records go back to the 1880s, when New York State began requiring all counties to register vital events. Located in the North Country region near the Canadian border, Clinton County was formed in 1788 and is one of the original counties in New York State. Plattsburgh serves as the county seat. The county was named for George Clinton, the first governor of New York and the fourth Vice President of the United States. Death records are filed with local town clerks and copies are held by the NYS Department of Health. Researchers searching the Clinton County death index should contact local registrars or the state office.

Clinton County Death Records Sources

The Clinton County Clerk maintains land records, court filings, and other county documents. Death records are not held by the county clerk. Vital records in Clinton County are filed with the local town or city clerk where the death occurred.

Plattsburgh, the county seat, has its own city clerk who registers deaths within city limits. Other towns in Clinton County each have their own clerk acting as a local registrar. These include Altona, Au Sable, Beekmantown, Black Brook, Champlain, Chazy, Clinton, Dannemora, Ellenburg, Mooers, Peru, Plattsburgh (town), Saranac, and Schuyler Falls.

For deaths in the City of Plattsburgh, contact the city clerk. For deaths in the Town of Plattsburgh (a separate municipality), contact the town clerk. This distinction can confuse researchers new to New York's system of separate city and town governments.

State Death Index for Clinton County

The NYS DOH Vital Records Section holds copies of all Clinton County death records from 1881 forward. The state office is at PO Box 2602, Albany, NY 12220-2602. Call the toll-free line at (855) 322-1022 for questions.

The NYS Archives has microfiche death indexes. These are free to view in person at the archives in Albany. The indexes list names, dates, places of death, and certificate numbers. The certificate number is what you need to order a full copy.

Genealogy copies cost $22 for a search covering 1 to 3 years. Wider searches cost more. The maximum is $202 for an 81 to 90 year span. State processing takes 8 months or longer. Local Clinton County clerks are generally faster.

North Country Death Records Research

Clinton County's location in the North Country near the Canadian border adds a layer to death index research. Families in this area often had cross-border connections. Some Clinton County residents died in Canada, and some Canadian residents died in Clinton County. Cross-border records searches may be needed.

The North Country is rural. Many Clinton County towns are small. Town clerk hours vary, and some offices are open just a few days per week. Call ahead to confirm hours before making a trip. A phone call can also verify whether the record you need is on file.

Clinton County was formed in 1788, making it one of the oldest counties in the state. Records from before the 1881 vital records mandate do not exist in official form. Church records, cemetery records, and military records are the main sources for deaths before that date.

Death Index Access and Legal Rules

Death indexes in New York become public after 50 years. Under 10 NYCRR 35.4, the state sets rules for death record filing and access. Vital records are not available through FOIL requests. The Public Health Law has its own access framework for vital records.

Genealogy copies are for research only. They cannot be used for legal purposes. Certified copies are available to qualified applicants, including family members and legal representatives. The NYS DOH genealogy page has forms and detailed instructions.

Local registrars in Clinton County follow the same access rules. Fees may differ from the state. Processing is typically faster through local offices. If you know the town where the death occurred, contact the local clerk for the quickest response.

Genealogy Resources for Clinton County

The NYS Archives maintains microfiche death indexes that include Clinton County records. You can access them in Albany or through interlibrary loan at some libraries. The NYS Department of Health death index downloads are another free option for searching North Country records from home.

The Clinton County Historical Association may have compiled indexes, cemetery transcriptions, and family files that supplement the official death index. Local historical societies in the North Country often hold records not available elsewhere.

Military records are another source for Clinton County death information. The area has a long military history, including the Battle of Plattsburgh in 1814 and the presence of Plattsburgh Air Force Base (now closed). Military death records may be held at the National Archives or through the Department of Veterans Affairs.

For deaths of inmates at Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, records would be filed with the town clerk in Dannemora. The state Department of Corrections may also have records. These deaths are part of the Clinton County death index.

Ordering Clinton County Death Certificates

Contact the town or city clerk where the death occurred. Include the deceased's full name, date of death, and place of death. Most clerks accept mail requests with a check or money order. For state requests, write to the NYS DOH at PO Box 2602, Albany, NY 12220-2602.

The state charges $22 minimum for a genealogy copy. Local fees vary by registrar. The Vital Records Call Center at (855) 322-1022 can help with state-level questions. Local Clinton County clerks are faster and should be your first choice when the death location is known.

Nearby Counties

Essex County is to the south. Franklin County is to the west. The county borders Canada (Quebec) to the north and Lake Champlain to the east. Warren County is to the southeast. Families in the North Country often moved between these counties, and cross-county death index searches can be productive.