How To Find Court Records In New York

Court records are documents created and maintained by the state's judiciary system. Depending on the case type and court, court records generally contain details of proceedings, filings, judgments, and related information.

For individuals seeking to locate court records in New York, CourtCaseFinder simplifies the search process. Our Instant Case Court Lookup provides efficiency by allowing users to search multiple New York jurisdictions without visiting various courthouses. It also centralizes case data to save time and reduce the complexity of navigating different court systems.

With access to court documents, you can stay updated on the progress of a case. You can also utilize the information within these records to verify important court dates or confirm the outcome of an important court proceeding.

How To Access New York Public Court Records

CourtCaseFinder offers a convenient way to locate court records in New York. It allows you to search statewide court documents on a single platform. However, it is not the only option that you can use. The methods below are available if you want to obtain records directly from the judiciary.

Online

The New York State Unified Court System (NYS UCS) offers online tools to search court records remotely. Through the eCourts system, you can access numerous portals that give case-type-specific information:

• WebCivil Local - Allows you to look up civil cases in local civil courts.
• WebCivil Supreme - Provides access to civil case information filed in the Supreme Courts.
• WebCriminal - Offers information on pending criminal cases
• WebFamily - Provides case information from Family Courts

In Person

In New York, every court maintains its records, and each court has a clerk's office that typically caters to records requests. At the clerk's office, you may be able to request to view or obtain copies of case files, dockets, or other documents when available.

If you prefer this method, you can use the Court Locator tool to find the address, phone number, and contact details for any courthouse in the state.

By Mail

Another option for accessing court records in New York is through the mail. To do so, you must prepare a mail request with the case number, full names of the parties involved, case type, and other information.

Most courts also require a self-addressed stamped envelope to return the documents, along with any applicable fees.

New York Court Records: What is Public and What is Not?

Court records in New York are generally accessible to the public under the New York Freedom of Information Law. This law promotes government transparency by empowering you to review and obtain government records, including those created in judicial proceedings.

Among the New York court details accessible to the public are:

• Case numbers and docket information
• Names of parties involved in the case
• Type of case (civil, criminal, family, probate, etc.)
• Court filings and motions
• Hearing and trial dates
• Judgments, verdicts, and orders
• Attorneys of record and their contact information
• Case status updates (open, closed, pending)

While the state prioritizes openness, some records are confidential or sealed by statute to protect privacy and sensitive matters. Examples of records that are not open to the public are:

• Juvenile delinquency records
• Adoption records
• Mental health commitment proceedings
• Family court records
• Records of child abuse or neglect cases
• Sealed criminal records
• Grand jury proceedings and related materials
• Matrimonial actions or proceedings
• Personal identifiers such as Social Security numbers or bank account details
• Records sealed by court order at a judge's discretion

To learn more about the protected court information in New York, check the Access to Court Records guide.

Who Oversees the Courts in New York?

The NYS UCS administers and oversees all state and county courts across New York.

At the top of this structure is the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals, currently Chief Judge Rowan D. Wilson, who serves as the state's highest judicial officer and provides overall leadership for the judiciary. Working alongside him is the Chief Administrative Judge, currently Hon. Joseph A. Zayas, who is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the court system.

The responsibilities of the Chief Administrator are outlined in New York Judiciary Law Section 212. Under this statute, the Chief Administrative Judge is expected to:

• Assign judges and justices to courts as needed
• Oversee court personnel and administrative staff
• Establish standards and rules to improve court operations
• Manage the budget and allocation of judicial resources
• Supervise the processing and management of court records
• Implement programs to enhance efficiency and access to justice

The Chief Administrative Judge is supported by Deputy Chief Administrative Judges, who oversee courts in different regions and divisions, including New York City courts and courts outside the city.

What Types of Courts Exist in New York?

The New York State Unified Court System is one of the largest and most complex in the nation. It consists of appellate courts, trial courts of general jurisdiction, and trial courts of limited jurisdiction.

At the top is the Court of Appeals, which serves as the highest court. Below it is the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, which hears appeals from lower trial courts. The Supreme Court functions as the state's trial court of general jurisdiction, while Family Courts, Surrogate's Courts, County Courts, and the Court of Claims handle more specialized matters.

Within New York City, cases are divided between the Civil Court and the Criminal Court, whereas outside the city, local City, Town, and Village Courts deal with a wide range of civil and criminal issues at the community level.

The table below outlines the main court types in New York, their jurisdiction, and the common types of cases each court handles:

Court Type	Jurisdiction	Common Case Types
New York Court of Appeals	The highest court in the state; it hears appeals on significant legal questions, typically from the Appellate Division.	Constitutional issues, statutory interpretation, and statewide precedent-setting cases
New York Appellate Division of the Supreme Court	The intermediate appellate court is divided into four departments; it reviews appeals from trial-level courts.	Civil and criminal appeals, family law appeals, and attorney discipline
New York Supreme Court	Statewide trial court of general jurisdiction; authority over nearly all civil and criminal cases.	Major civil disputes (often exceeding $25,000), felony criminal cases, divorce, and matrimonial matters
County Courts	Found outside NYC; handles felonies and certain civil matters, and hears appeals from local courts.	Felonies, civil claims up to $25,000, appeals from City, Town, and Village Courts
Family Courts	Limited jurisdiction in family and child-related matters.	Custody, visitation, child/spousal support, juvenile delinquency, and family offenses
Surrogate's Courts	Exclusive jurisdiction over probate and estate matters.	Probate of wills, estate administration, adoptions, and guardianship of minors
City Courts and Town and Village Courts	Local courts with limited jurisdiction are also known as justice courts.	Misdemeanors, traffic violations, small claims, landlord-tenant disputes, and preliminary felony hearings
Problem-Solving Courts	Courts with narrowly defined jurisdiction are established by statute.	Small claims, complex business disputes, drug cases, and domestic violence

What Federal Courts Are In New York?

While state courts handle matters arising under New York law, federal courts address issues governed by federal law. They focus on constitutional questions, federal crimes, interstate disputes, lawsuits involving federal agencies, and civil cases between citizens of different states when the amount in controversy meets federal requirements.

In New York, the federal court system is organized in U.S. District Courts, U.S. Bankruptcy Courts, and U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

Refer to the table to see the available federal courts in New York, their jurisdiction, location, and contact information.

Federal Court	Jurisdiction	Location & Contact Information
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York	Handles federal cases in Bronx, Westchester, Orange, and other southern New York counties.	White Plains | (914) 390-4100 Poughkeepsie | (845) 452-4200 Manhattan | (212) 857-8500
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York	Has jurisdiction over federal cases in Kings, Nassau, Suffolk, and other counties in eastern New York.	Brooklyn | (718) 613-2600 Central Islip | (631) 712-6000
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York	Covers federal matters in Albany, Oneida, and surrounding northern New York counties.	Albany | (518) 257-1800 Binghamton | (607) 773-2893 Plattsburgh | (518) 247-4501 Syracuse | (315) 234-8500 Utica | (315) 793-8151
U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York	Oversees federal issues in Erie, Monroe, Niagara, and other western New York counties.	Buffalo | (716) 551-1700 Rochester | 585-613-4000
U.S. Bankruptcy Court - Southern District of New York	Handles bankruptcy filings in the southern region of New York.	Manhattan | (212) 668-2870 Poughkeepsie | (845) 451-6372 White Plains | (914) 467-7250
U.S. Bankruptcy Court - Eastern District of New York	In charge of bankruptcy cases in eastern New York	Brooklyn | (347) 394-1700 Central Islip | (631) 712-6200
U.S. Bankruptcy Court - Northern District of New York	Oversees all bankruptcy proceedings in northern New York.	Albany | (518) 257-1661 Utica | (315) 793-8101 Syracuse | (315) 295-1600
U.S. Bankruptcy Court - Western District of New York	Handles bankruptcy matters in the western portion of the state.	Buffalo | (716) 362-3200 Rochester | (585) 613-4200
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit	Hears appeals from federal courts located in New York.	40 Foley Square New York, New York 10007 Phone: (212) 857-8500

How Many Cases Are Handled Annually in New York Courts?

According to the NYS UCS 2024 Annual Report, the state courts collectively handle millions of cases each year at different levels of the judiciary.

At the highest level, the New York Court of Appeals reported 102 new filings and 126 dispositions during the year. The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court processed a much larger volume, with 8,570 new filings, 8,463 dispositions before argument, and an additional 6,700 dispositions after argument.

The caseload is far greater for the state's trial courts. In 2024, these courts collectively recorded 1.89 million new filings.

The table below outlines a breakdown of filings in several of the most common case types heard in the New York trial courts:

Case Type	Approx. Annual Volume
Felony	~74,000
Misdemeanor	~239,000
Infractions	~34,000
Indictments	~32,000
Civil Cases	~395,000
Housing	~195,000
Small Claims	~28,000
Commercial Claims	~8,000
Divorce	~49,000
Child Protection	~28,000
Child Custody	~154,000
Child Support	~177,000
Probate	~40,000

NOTE: The table above does not include all case types that make up the full 1.89 million trial court filings. If you seek a comprehensive breakdown of New York's trial court caseload, theTrial Court Caseload Trend Dashboard can provide a more detailed and interactive view of filing trends over time.

How Do I File a Case in New York Courts?

Filing a case in New York requires following specific procedures set by the NYS UCS. The process varies depending on the type of case, but generally involves preparing the correct forms, paying applicable fees, and submitting documents to the correct court. Below is a general step-by-step guide for filing a case in New York:

Determine the Proper Court

Before you can file your case, you must identify the court with jurisdiction over your case. For example:

• Supreme Court for civil cases such as divorces, larger civil disputes, and certain special proceedings
• County, City, Town, and Village Courts for local civil and criminal matters
• Family Court for custody, child support, and protection matters
• Surrogate's Court for probate and estate administration

You can use the Court Locator to find the correct court.

Prepare the Required Forms

Each case type has its own set of documents. You can access these documents online through the NYS UCS Forms, where forms are organized by category, such as civil, family, criminal, or surrogate's court matters. Carefully read and follow all instructions provided with each form, and make sure to include all required information.

File the Case

If your case is eligible, you can file electronically through the NYS Courts Electronic Filing (NYSCEF). For cases not eligible for e-filing, you must submit forms at the clerk's office of the court handling your case.

Pay the Applicable Filing Fees

There are applicable fees when filing a case in New York. This fee varies by case type and court. You can obtain the full schedule in the New York Court Filing Fees.

Serve the Other Party

After filing, you are typically required to serve copies of the documents to the other party (defendant or respondent). Service rules vary by case type but must comply with court procedures. Instructions are available in the How Legal Papers Are Delivered guide.

How Is the New York Court System Unique?

New York's court system stands out for both its structure and size. For example, the Supreme Court is actually a trial-level court, while the Court of Appeals is the highest court in the state.

Another unique feature is that it operates over 1,300 courts statewide, including appellate, supreme, county, family, and surrogate courts, and more than 1,200 local courts spread across cities, towns, and villages. The state also has a network of problem-solving courts, such as drug treatment, mental health, and domestic violence courts.

New York Courthouses, Sheriff's Offices, Police Departments, Jails, & Prisons

• Albany
• Allegany
• Bronx
• Broome
• Cattaraugus
• Cayuga
• Chautauqua
• Chemung
• Chenango
• Clinton
• Columbia
• Cortland
• Delaware
• Dutchess
• Erie
• Essex
• Franklin
• Fulton
• Genesee
• Greene
• Hamilton
• Herkimer
• Jefferson
• Kings
• Lewis
• Livingston
• Madison
• Monroe
• Montgomery
• Nassau
• New York
• Niagara
• Oneida
• Onondaga
• Ontario
• Orange
• Orleans
• Oswego
• Otsego
• Putnam
• Queens
• Rensselaer
• Richmond
• Rockland
• Saint Lawrence
• Saratoga
• Schenectady
• Schoharie
• Schuyler
• Seneca
• Steuben
• Suffolk
• Sullivan
• Tioga
• Tompkins
• Ulster
• Warren
• Washington
• Wayne
• Westchester
• Wyoming
• Yates

Where to Find Additional Information About New York Courts?

• New York State Unified Court System
• Coronavirus and the N.Y. State Courts
• New York City Court Information
• New York - Courts - Department of Justice
• Unified Court System
• Cases & Courts - New York Resources

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