Queens County Courts

Queens County is home to over 2.4 million residents, accounting for roughly 12% of New York State's total population of about 20 million. It is one of the five boroughs of New York City and does not have a separate county seat. According to the New York Caseload Trends, the trial courts in Queens County typically handle about 200,000 cases each year. This includes over 40,000 criminal cases, 100,000 civil lawsuits, and about 10,000 probate proceedings.

These courts exercise jurisdiction over the following cases:

• Supreme Courts have two divisions: the civil term with jurisdiction over all civil claims exceeding $25,000 and the criminal term tasked with handling all felony criminal matters.
• The NYC Civil Court in Queens County handles landlord-tenant disputes, small claims up to $10,000, and other civil cases under $25,000.
• The NYC Criminal Court, Queens County, adjudicates misdemeanors, arraignments, and preliminary hearings in felony cases.
• The Family Court handles matters such as child custody, child support, domestic violence, neglect, and juvenile delinquency.
• The Surrogate's Court resolves estate-related matters, including probate of wills, administration of estates, and guardianship proceedings.

Most court facilities in Queens County are located in the Jamaica neighborhood, with additional locations in other parts of the borough for certain legal matters.

How To Access Queens County Court Records

The New York Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) ensures public access to Queens County, NY, court records. These records typically contain case summaries, names of involved parties, complaints, evidence, and court judgments. Anyone may access court records by submitting in-person or mail requests to the Queens County Clerk. Some public case files are also accessible online at no cost.

However, not all court records are open to the public. Sensitive records such as those involving juvenile proceedings, sealed criminal cases, mental health evaluations, and adoptions are typically restricted under the FOIL. Only authorized parties, such as the case participants, their legal representatives, or persons with a court order, may access these confidential files. Requesters may need to present valid photo identification when requesting records in person. Obtaining copies of court records may also involve paying search, copying, or certification fees.

Queens County court records may be accessed using the methods below:

Online

New York's eCourts portal provides online access to most public court records in Queens County. To find a case through the statewide database, select one of the search options (WebCivil, WebCriminal, or WebFamily) and enter party names, index numbers, or attorney names. Individuals interested in court documents maintained by the Queens County Clerk may find them online through the Case Search system.

Requesters may also use the CourtCaseFinder platform to access public court records from Queens County and other jurisdictions across the U.S. Federal case files are typically accessible online through the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system. To use PACER, users must first register for an account and then log in to search by case number, party name, or filing date. Accessing documents on PACER costs $0.10 per page, with a maximum charge of $3.00 per document.

In-Person

To obtain court documents in person, requesters may visit the County Clerk's Records Search Department located at:

Requesters should visit the department during regular business hours and bring a valid photo ID. They may be required to provide key case details such as index number, party names, or filing dates to help staff locate specific records. The department typically charges $0.65 per page for copies and $1.25 per page for certified copies. Before visiting, requesters may call ahead to confirm availability and any specific requirements.

Old and Archived Court Records

Old court records created before 1992 may be accessible in person at the clerk's Records Search Department office. On the other hand, archived court records dated as far back as 1800 are typically preserved by the New York State Archives. Those interested in pre-1800 court records, including civil, criminal, and probate case files, may search online through the State Archives Finding Aid Search. Alternatively, send mail requests or visit the archives at:

How To File a Case in Queens County

Filing a case in Queens County starts with identifying if the case belongs in the Supreme, Family, Surrogate's, or New York City Courts. Litigants may consult the County Clerk's office for guidance on subject matter jurisdiction, court-specific filing procedures, and applicable filing fees.

In Queens County, online filing is mandatory for certain cases but optional for self-represented litigants. To e-file, litigants must create an account on the New York State Courts Electronic Filing (NYSCEF) system. Afterwards, log in with the user ID and password and click on the ‘Start a New Case' option. Guidelines on how to properly submit documents, pay fees, and serve parties are available on the NYSCEF User Manual provided by the state judiciary.

Those who prefer to file by mail or in person may download relevant court forms and submit them to the appropriate courthouse based on the type of case. Ensure that all paperwork is complete, signed, and accompanied by the required number of copies. In-person filings should be made during regular business hours at the local courthouse where the case will be heard. Before filing in person or by mail, contact the Queens County Clerk to verify what documents are necessary for a complete submission.

Filing fees vary depending on the case type and the court in which it is filed. Litigants who are unable to pay these fees may be eligible for a fee waiver. To request a fee waiver, submit an Application for Poor Person Order to Queens County's Court Help Center. Litigants may also need to include supporting documents and complete the poor person affidavit as required under CPLR Article 11. Once approved, individuals who cannot afford court filing fees may proceed with their case.

Filing a case in Queens County involves the following steps:

• Contact the County Clerk to make inquiries about filing procedures and requirements.
• Provide accurate details on court forms.
• Attach necessary documents, such as affidavits, exhibits, and cover sheets.
• Pay the required filing fees in the accepted format or apply for a fee waiver if unable to pay the filing fees
• Serve the other parties according to court-approved service methods
• File proof of service with the court.

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. These resources vary by jurisdiction but commonly include self-help centers, online portals, legal aid organizations, and court-affiliated assistance programs.

Litigants with limited financial resources may find legal assistance through several free or reduced-cost services available across Queens County. Reliable legal aid groups may help indigent litigants complete court forms or refer them to attorney referral programs, pro bono legal services, or community-based legal clinics.

Examples of legal aid and referral programs available in Queens County include:

• Queens County Bar (QCBA) Lawyer Referral Service
• Queens Legal Services

The following statewide legal aid and referral services also offer assistance to Queens County residents:

• New York City Bar Lawyer Referral Service
• New York State Bar Lawyer Referral Service
• NYC Free Lawyers for Tenants - For eligible low-income tenants facing eviction.

Other legal aid services and self-help resources are listed below:

• Law Library of Queens - Publicly accessible legal research materials and resources located at the Queens Supreme Court.
• Queens Volunteer Lawyers Project (QVLP) - For indigent individuals seeking assistance in housing and family law matters.
• City Bar Justice Center - Provides free legal services for eligible immigrants, veterans, small businesses, and more.
• Monday Night Law - A free legal clinic offered by volunteer lawyers through the New York City Bar Association.
• NYC Assigned Counsel Project - Provides court-appointed attorneys for indigent criminal defendants.
• NYC Tenant Legal Services - Legal assistance programs available through the city for renters facing housing court actions.
• NYC Aging's Legal Assistance for the Elderly - Offers free legal help to seniors on matters such as housing, government benefits, and elder abuse.
• Law Help New York - A statewide directory of free and low-cost legal services searchable by location and legal issue.

Types of Courts in Queens County, New York

The Queens County justice system includes the Supreme, Family, Surrogate's, City, and Federal courts. These courts ensure that individuals and organizations have access to a fair and efficient legal system. Here are the contact details and jurisdiction for each major court serving Queens County:

Queens County Supreme Court - Civil Term

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Handles civil cases involving monetary claims exceeding $25,000, as well as matters related to equity, such as injunctions and declaratory judgments.
• Address and Contact Information

Queens County Supreme Court - Criminal Term

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Hears felony cases, including indictments for serious offenses such as homicide, robbery, and drug trafficking.
• Address and Contact Information

Queens County New York City Civil Court

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - The court resolves civil cases involving monetary claims up to $50,000. It also has a Small Claims Part for disputes up to $10,000, and a Housing Part that handles landlord-tenant issues.
• Address and Contact Information -

Queens County New York City Criminal Court

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Presides over arraignments, misdemeanors, violations, and preliminary felony matters. The court also processes summons cases and conducts bail hearings.
• Address and Contact Information -

Queens County Family Court

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Hears cases involving child custody, spousal support, domestic violence, juvenile delinquency, and adoption. It does not handle divorce proceedings.
• Address and Contact Information -

Queens County Surrogate's Court

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - It oversees cases involving probate of wills, guardianships, and administration of estates.
• Address and Contact Information -

Federal Courts in Queens County

The following are the federal courts in the county:

United States District Court Eastern District of New York (Brooklyn Division)

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Handles all federal civil and criminal cases in Queens, Kings (Brooklyn), Staten Island, and Long Island. Its jurisdiction includes constitutional issues, federal crimes, civil rights, immigration, and multi-state disputes.
• Address and Contact Information -

United States Bankruptcy Court - New York Eastern District (Brooklyn Division)

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Handles all bankruptcy cases filed under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in Queens and surrounding counties.
• Address and Contact Information -

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Queens County Courts

The following provides answers to some frequently asked questions related to Queens County, NY, courts.