Bronx County Court Records
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Bronx County, one of New York City's five boroughs, runs a court system that handles tens of thousands of cases every year — from minor civil disputes and traffic violations to serious felony prosecutions, family law matters, and estate proceedings. Several courts serve the borough: the New York State Supreme Court, Bronx County Criminal Court, Bronx County Civil Court, Surrogates Court, and Family Court. Knowing which court holds the records you need is the first step toward getting them.
This guide walks you through how to find, request, and access court records in Bronx County, including which offices to contact, what fees to expect, which online tools to use, and what the law says about public access.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Bronx County?
You can search Bronx County court records through clerk offices, public access terminals inside the courthouses, and electronic tools run by the New York State court system. NewYorkCourts.us is a useful starting point for finding publicly available case data and court information statewide, including for Bronx County proceedings.
There are three main ways to search for a Bronx County court case:
1. Online Case Search
The New York State Unified Court System operates WebCivil Supreme, which lets you search civil case information in Supreme Court and Civil Court by party name, index number, or attorney name. For criminal cases, the WebCrims system gives you public access to criminal court case information across New York City, including Bronx County.
If your case was electronically filed, the New York State Courts Electronic Filing system (NYSCEF) lets you locate documents directly.
2. In-Person Search
You can search records at courthouse public access terminals or ask the clerk's office for help. Key locations are:
- Bronx County Supreme Court / County Clerk
851 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10451
Phone: (718) 618-1300 - Bronx County Civil Court
851 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10451
Phone: (718) 618-2000 - Bronx County Criminal Court
265 East 161st Street, Bronx, NY 10451
Phone: (718) 618-3100 - Bronx County Family Court
900 Sheridan Avenue, Bronx, NY 10451
Phone: (718) 618-2098 - Bronx County Surrogates Court
851 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10451
Phone: (718) 618-2300
3. Mail and Written Requests
Send your written request to the appropriate clerk's office. Include the full case caption or index number, the names of the parties, the approximate filing date, and a return address. Attach the correct fee for copies or certifications when you send your request.
Are Court Records Public in Bronx County?
New York has a strong presumption that court records are open to the public. Under Section 255-b of the Judiciary Law and Part 216 of the Uniform Rules for Trial Courts, court records are generally available for inspection unless they are sealed or restricted by statute or court order.
Records That Are Typically Public:
- Civil case filings, including complaints, answers, motions, and decisions
- Criminal court calendars and disposition information
- Judgments and liens
- Probate filings, including wills admitted to probate
- Land records and recorded instruments filed with the County Clerk
- Court orders (unless sealed)
Records That Are Restricted or Sealed:
- Juvenile delinquency and persons in need of supervision (PINS) proceedings under the Family Court Act
- Adoption records, which are sealed under Domestic Relations Law 114
- Cases sealed under Criminal Procedure Law 160.50 after a favorable termination such as an acquittal or dismissal
- Records sealed under CPL 160.55 for certain non-criminal dispositions
- Grand jury proceedings
- Matrimonial records where a sealing order has been issued
- Mental health proceedings
- Youthful offender adjudications under CPL 720.35
Certain personal identifiers — including Social Security numbers, dates of birth, and financial account numbers — must be removed from filings under 22 NYCRR 202.5(e), which governs confidential personal information in court documents.
If you need access to a sealed record, you'll have to petition the court for an unsealing order. The court will weigh the interests of justice against the privacy rights of the parties before deciding.
Bronx County Criminal Court Records
Where a criminal case is filed depends on the charge. Misdemeanors and violations are handled by the Bronx County Criminal Court, while felonies go to the Supreme Court, Criminal Term.
Searching Criminal Records
The WebCrims database is the quickest way to find criminal case information in Bronx County. Search by defendant name, docket number, or arrest number to pull up scheduling data, charges, and case status. Keep in mind that WebCrims shows basic case information — it doesn't give you copies of filed documents.
For official document copies, contact:
Bronx County Criminal Court Clerk's Office
265 East 161st Street, Bronx, NY 10451
Phone: (718) 618-3100
Criminal History Records
Individual criminal history records — commonly called rap sheets — are not available through the courts. The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) maintains these records. You can request your own criminal history through DCJS. Third-party background checks must go through authorized sources, and employers are subject to restrictions under Correction Law Article 23-A and New York City's Fair Chance Act.
Arrest Information
Current arrest and booking information is not published by the court system. The Bronx County District Attorney's Office handles prosecutions and may be able to provide limited information about pending cases. Arrest records are maintained by the New York City Police Department; you can submit a formal request under the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL).
Key Fees for Criminal Records:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $0.65 |
| Certified copy (per document) | $6.00 |
| Certificate of Disposition | $10.00 |
A Certificate of Disposition is an official document summarizing the outcome of a criminal case. It's frequently requested for employment, licensing, and immigration purposes, and you can get one from the criminal court clerk's office where the case was resolved.
Bronx County Civil Court Records
Civil cases in Bronx County split between two courts based on the dollar amount at stake. Claims above $25,000 are filed in Supreme Court, Bronx County, while claims of $25,000 or less go to Bronx County Civil Court. Small claims disputes of $10,000 or less brought by individuals are handled in the Civil Court's Small Claims Part.
Searching Civil Records Online
The WebCivil Supreme system is free to use and lets you search Supreme Court and Civil Court cases by:
- Party name
- Index or case number
- Attorney or firm name
For electronically filed cases, the NYSCEF portal gives you direct access to filed documents — motions, stipulations, decisions — at no charge. Many Bronx County Supreme Court cases are filed through NYSCEF.
In-Person Requests
The Bronx County Clerk serves as the clerk of Supreme Court and maintains civil case files, judgments, and liens. Stop by or send a written request to:
Bronx County Clerk's Office
851 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10451
Phone: (718) 618-1300
Fees for Civil Records:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Index number search | No charge (online) |
| Copies of filed documents (per page) | $0.65 |
| Certified copies (per document) | $6.00 |
| Filing a judgment | $35.00 |
| Notice of Pendency | $35.00 |
| Satisfaction of Judgment | $5.00 |
Small Claims
If you're an individual seeking $10,000 or less, you can file in Small Claims Court. Filing fees range from $15 to $20 depending on the claim amount. The court's website has forms, filing instructions, and information about how the hearing process works. Businesses, corporations, and partnerships follow a similar process through commercial claims, though with slightly higher filing fees.
Judgments and Liens
The County Clerk's office records civil judgments and liens and issues certified copies on request. You can search UCC liens online through the New York State Department of State, or contact the County Clerk directly to search civil judgments. These records are public and often needed in real estate transactions, credit checks, and litigation.
Bronx County Family Court Records
The Bronx County Family Court handles sensitive matters involving families and children. The court is located at:
Bronx County Family Court
900 Sheridan Avenue, Bronx, NY 10451
Phone: (718) 618-2098
Types of Cases Handled:
- Custody and visitation disputes
- Child support petitions and enforcement
- Domestic violence orders of protection
- Juvenile delinquency proceedings
- PINS (Persons in Need of Supervision) proceedings
- Guardianship of minors
- Foster care approval and review
- Paternity proceedings
- Family offense proceedings
Confidentiality of Family Court Records
Family Court records carry significant confidentiality protections under Family Court Act 166. Access is limited to the parties in the case, their attorneys, and authorized agencies. Members of the public generally cannot inspect Family Court records without a court order.
Adoption records are among the most tightly restricted. Under Domestic Relations Law 114, adoption files are sealed when an adoption order is entered. They can only be opened by court order upon a showing of good cause.
Domestic Violence Records
Orders of protection issued by Family Court are entered into the statewide registry of orders of protection, maintained by the Office of Court Administration. These orders are accessible to law enforcement but are not part of the public court file.
Child Support
The New York State Child Support Enforcement Program helps establish and enforce child support orders. Payment information, arrears, and enforcement actions run through the Support Collection Unit rather than the court clerk.
Divorce Records
Divorces are civil actions filed in Supreme Court, not Family Court. You can search divorce filings through WebCivil Supreme. Under 22 NYCRR 202.5(e), financial disclosure affidavits filed in matrimonial actions contain sensitive information and are subject to restrictions on public access.
Marriage and Birth Records
Marriage licenses and certificates are maintained by the New York City Clerk's Office, not the court system. Birth certificates are issued by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. While neither of these are court records, both are frequently needed in Family Court proceedings involving custody, paternity, or guardianship.
Bronx County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Bronx County go through the Surrogates Court, which has jurisdiction over estates of deceased persons, probate of wills, appointment of guardians for incapacitated adults, and trust administration.
Bronx County Surrogates Court
851 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10451
Phone: (718) 618-2300
Types of Proceedings:
- Probate of wills
- Administration of estates where there is no will
- Accounting proceedings
- Guardianship of incapacitated persons under Article 81 of the Mental Hygiene Law
- Trust proceedings
- Wrongful death claims
- Kinship proceedings to determine inheritance rights
Searching Surrogates Court Records
Start with the Surrogates Court Records Search portal, maintained by the court system. You can search by decedent name, file number, or attorney name, and access filed documents in electronically filed estates.
Requesting Records
For in-person or written requests, contact the Surrogates Court Clerk's Office directly. Include the decedent's name, approximate date of death, and the file number if you have it.
Fees for Surrogates Court:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Filing a probate petition | Varies by estate value |
| Filing an administration petition | Varies by estate value |
| Copies (per page) | $0.65 |
| Certified copies | $6.00 per document |
| Exemplified copies | $12.00 per document |
| Accounting filing fee | Varies |
Filing fees for probate and administration proceedings are set by SCPA 2402 and are calculated based on the gross value of the estate.
Public Access to Probate Records
Probate records — including wills that have been admitted to probate — are generally public. Anyone can inspect a probated will at the Surrogates Court Clerk's Office. However, wills filed for safekeeping but not yet admitted to probate are not available for public inspection. Guardianship proceedings under Article 81 may contain confidential medical and financial information, and access can be limited by court order.
Estate Administration Timeline
Bronx County Surrogates Court typically processes routine probate petitions within several weeks to a few months, depending on the estate's complexity, whether a will contest has been filed, and whether all required parties have been properly notified. Contested matters can take considerably longer. You can check the status of a pending matter through the court's online system or by calling the clerk's office directly at (718) 618-2300.