Kings County Courts

Kings County, which is coterminous with the Borough of Brooklyn, has an estimated population of 2.6 million, accounting for about 12.9% of New York's total population of 20.2 million. The centralized New York City government controls the county.

Annually, courts in Kings County manage over 253,000 case filings, including 51,744 criminal cases, 152,443 civil cases, 39,167 family-related issues, and 10,161 probate matters. The court system in Kings County comprises several trial courts, which are listed below:

• The Kings County Supreme Court handles felony cases and civil cases that fall outside the jurisdiction of the other County Courts. It has a civil division and a criminal division. The court hears appeals from administrative centers and other courts in the county.
• The Civil Courts of the City of New York in Kings County hear most civil claims with financial disputes of less than $50,000 as well as cases involving real property, small claims, and mortgages.
• The Criminal Courts of the City of New York in Kings County deal with misdemeanors and preliminary hearings for felonies.
• Kings County Family Court has limited jurisdiction over certain family-related cases and juvenile matters, including child neglect and delinquency.
• Kings County Surrogate's Court oversees matters relating to the probate of wills and the administration of decedents' estates.

All the trial courts in Kings County are located in Brooklyn.

How To Access Kings County Court Records

According to Section 255 of the New York Judiciary Law, members of the public are allowed to view and obtain copies of Kings County court records. However, certain court records, such as juvenile records, sealed records, and records related to family law matters, are prohibited from public disclosure. Record seekers may be required to provide valid photo IDs and the case number when searching for court records in Kings County.

Online

To access Kings County court records, individuals may use the Case Search Portal provided by the Kings County Clerk's Office. Requesters may also search court records through the New York State Courts Electronic Filing system for cases filed electronically.

Alternatively, record seekers may seek Kings County court records online through the CourtCaseFinder. Individuals seeking Federal Court case information tried in Kings County may use the PACER Case Locator service. They are required to create a free account and pay specific fees to access the court documents.

In-Person

Individuals may visit the County Clerk's Office or the clerk's offices at the appropriate courthouses to access the court records. Additionally, the County Clerk's Office provides public access terminals for interested individuals to view court records at no cost. However, they must pay certain fees to obtain uncertified or certified copies of the court records.

Old and Archived Court Records

The New York State Archives collects and manages historical court records, which may include probate records, minute books, and other documents from courts in Kings County. Requester may contact the State Archives for old court records at:

Individuals may also access old court records through the New York State Courts Electronic Filing system or by visiting the Kings County Clerk's Office.

How To File a Case in Kings County

In Kings County, NY, an individual or attorney may file a case in any of the following ways:

• Electronically through the New York State Courts Electronic Filing system
• In person at the Kings County Clerk's Office or the clerk of court's office of another courthouse
• By mail

Generally, in Kings County, the process for filing a case varies depending on the type of case and the court. Individuals may file their case online in any Kings County Court through the New York State Courts Electronic Filing system. Certain cases related to mental hygiene law, election laws, and matrimonial issues are exempt from mandatory e-filing.

Individuals may visit the appropriate clerk's office to file their case in person. They may file certain case documents, such as a notice of issues, petitions, or a motion, by mail to the clerk's office. If filing by mail, individuals must send all the documents and a self-addressed envelope to the clerk's office. There are fees associated with filing case documents, which vary depending on the specific court involved and the case type.

Individuals should contact the appropriate clerk of court to determine the filing fee for their type of case. If an individual cannot afford the filing fee, they may apply for a fee waiver. This is often referred to as "poor person's relief." Such an individual may complete an Application to Waive Court Costs, Fees, and Expenses Form and submit it with supporting documents to the court clerk's office. The court's judge will review the application and decide either to grant or deny the waiver.

A typical breakdown of the steps required to file a case in Kings County is listed below:

• Determine the appropriate courthouse -Identify the court that may handle the case type
• Gather all required documents - Prepare all documents needed for the case, including complaints, petitions, and any other relevant documents.
• Court-Approved Forms -Use the court-approved forms, which may be obtained from the court websites or by visiting the clerk's office
• Pay the Filing Fee -Pay the filing fee or apply for a fee waiver
• File and Serve - File your documents either online, in person, or by mail to the courthouse. Remember to serve a copy of the filed documents to the opposing parties

Legal Help and Self-Help Resources

Across the United States, county court systems play a crucial role in delivering access to justice. Legal help and self-help resources are foundational to this access, particularly for self-represented litigants navigating civil, family, probate, or small claims matters. Though these resources vary by jurisdiction or county, they commonly include self-help centers, legal aid organizations, online portals, and court assistance programs.

Kings County residents who are unable to afford legal representation may find legal assistance from some legal aid in the county, including:

• Free Legal Representation for Low-income Persons
• Legal Services NYC (LSNYC): Provides free legal services for a range of civil matters
• Access Justice Brooklyn: Provides free legal representation for civil legal matters
• Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A: Offers legal counsel on landlord litigations, evictions, and domestic violence issues
• Private Lawyer Referral Services
• The Legal Aid Society provides legal assistance in civil disputes and landlord-tenant issues.
• Brooklyn Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP) offers free legal services to residents in matters such as family law, guardianship, and bankruptcy cases.
• New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG): A non-profit law firm that provides free legal services to children, adults, and veterans in the county.
• Brooklyn Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service

The following state-supported legal self-help services and agencies are also available to residents of the county:

• City Bar Justice Center's Legal Hotline
• LawHelp.org/NY
• Help-Centers
• Supreme Court Library, Brooklyn
• Court Help-Centers

Types of Courts in Kings County, New York

Several trial courts serve the residents of Kings County, including the Supreme Court, the Surrogate's Court, the Family Court, the Civil Courts of the City of New York, the Criminal Courts of the City of New York, and federal courts.

Supreme Court in Kings County

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - The Supreme Court is made up of a civil division and a criminal division. Generally, the court hears appeals from administrative agencies and other courts in the county. The criminal division handles felonies, while the civil division deals with civil matters, including foreclosures, name changes, and mental hygiene applications.
• Address and Contact Information -

Kings County Supreme Court (Civil Term/Division)

Kings County Supreme Court (Criminal Term/Division)

Civil Courts of the City of New York

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - has jurisdiction over most civil claims. The court is divided into Small Claims, Housing Court, and General Civil Divisions. The Small Claims Division addresses civil cases with financial disputes of less than $10,000. The Housing Court Division handles landlord-tenant matters and violations of the housing code. On the other hand, the General Division handles cases involving civil matters where the amount in contention does not exceed $50,000.
• Address and Contact Information -

New York City Civil Court

Red Hook Community Justice Center

Criminal Courts of the City of New York

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - handles misdemeanors, traffic violations, and lesser offenses. The court also conducts preliminary hearings for felonies and arraignments for trials.
• Address and Contact Information -

Kings County (Brooklyn)

Red Hook Community Justice Center

Kings County Family Court

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Cases involving children and families fall under this court's jurisdiction, such as adoptions, parental rights termination, child abuse, foster care approval, custody and visitation, and persons in need of supervision matters.
• Address and Contact Information -

Kings County Surrogate's Court

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Presides over cases relating to affairs of a decedent, including probate of wills, guardianship of minors, and administration of estates.
• Address and Contact Information -

Federal Courts in Kings County

The following federal courts preside over federal cases in Kings County, New York:

United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - handles federal legal matters, including criminal and civil cases, as well as other cases relating to the Federal Constitution and the United States Government.
• Address and Contact Information -

United States Bankruptcy Court Eastern District of New York

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - deals with bankruptcy cases
• Address and Contact Information -

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Kings County Courts