FAQs

Office of the County Clerk
Holly Tanner, Columbia County Clerk
Patrizia Gallo, Deputy County Clerk                                                    Stacy Wendelken, Deputy County  Clerk, DMV
FAQs

How can I retain my original documents after filing with the Clerks Office?
          Effective January 1, 2010 the Columbia County Clerk's Office will no longer be mailing back Original Documents after they have 
          been filed and scanned in our office, unless a self-addressed, postage paid envelope is provided for each document at the time of
          filing.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 What is mandatory e-filing?
          Mandatory e-filing in New York State requires the filing of legal papers by electronic means with the County Clerk or
          appropriate court.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When does e-filing begin?
          Mandatory e-filing begins November 20, 2019.
Please note:  Any new cases issued in the Columbia County Clerk's office for filing on or after Wednesday, November 20, 2019 must be e-filed to avoid rejection, unless you or the documents are exempt from e-filing.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What documents must be e-filed?
          All civil actions must be e-filed; there are six exemptions as noted under "what documents are exempt from mandatory e-filing"
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What documents are exempt from e-filing?
  • Article 70 (special proceedings/Writ of Habeas Corpus)
  • Election Law
  • Matrimonial
  • All mental hygiene
  • Article 78 (against a body or officer)
  • Consumer Credit as defined by CPLR 105(f) 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Who is exempt from E-filing?
          Unrepresented litigants are automatically exempt.  Attorneys who lack the knowledge or resources to e-file may file a form with
          the NYS Unified Court System certifying as such for an exemption.  All others must e-file.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How do I e-file?
          You can e-file through the New York State Unified Court System website at www.nycourts.gov/efile.  This system is automatically
          tied to the recording software at the Columbia County Clerk's office, which is the Office of Record.