Cayuga County Court Records Search

Cayuga County sits in the Finger Lakes region of central New York State, with its county seat in the city of Auburn. The county’s judiciary belongs to the 7th Judicial District and includes Supreme Court, County Court, Family Court, Surrogate’s Court, Auburn City Court, and more than two dozen town and village justice courts. These tribunals collectively produce the case records — filings, orders, judgments, transcripts, and related documents — that members of the public, attorneys, and other interested parties may need to locate and review.

Those looking for court case data in New York can work through several channels: clerk offices at individual courthouses, self-service public access terminals, and the state judiciary’s electronic search tools. The website NewYorkCourts.us may help users identify publicly available court case information statewide. In Cayuga County, the primary record custodians are the County Clerk’s office for Supreme and County Court filings, the individual court clerks for Family Court and Surrogate’s Court, and the respective clerks at Auburn City Court and the town and village justice courts.

How to Look Up a Court Case in Cayuga County?

Cayuga County’s courts are housed across a few locations in Auburn, supplemented by justice courts throughout the county’s towns and villages.

Principal Court Locations

Court	Address	Phone
Supreme & County Courts	152 Genesee Street, Auburn, NY 13021	(315) 237-6450
Family Court	157 Genesee Street, 2nd Floor, Auburn, NY 13021	(315) 237-6400
Surrogate’s Court	152 Genesee Street, Auburn, NY 13021	(315) 237-6210
Auburn City Court	157 Genesee Street, Auburn, NY 13021	(315) 237-6420

All courts operate Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except state holidays. Auburn City Court hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

A full directory of town and village courts in Cayuga County — including courts in Weedsport, Moravia, Port Byron, and dozens of other communities — is maintained by the 7th Judicial District.

Cayuga County Clerk’s Office

The County Clerk records and indexes Supreme Court and County Court filings, including civil actions, judgments, liens, and property documents. The office has relocated to Cayuga Community College:

199 Franklin Street, Auburn, NY 13021
Phone: (315) 253-1271
Email: cayugacountyclerk@cayugacounty.us
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Summer hours July & August: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.)

Mail correspondence should be directed to: 160 Genesee Street, Auburn, NY 13021. Time-sensitive or overnight packages should go to the 199 Franklin Street address.

Methods for Searching Court Records

WebCivil Supreme — The Unified Court System’s WebCivil Supreme portal contains case data for active and concluded civil actions in Supreme Court. Users can search by party name, index number, attorney, or justice, filtering results to Cayuga County. Results include case status, filed motions, orders, and attorney information.
WebCivil Local — The WebCivil Local portal covers non-criminal proceedings handled in city courts, including Auburn City Court civil matters.
WebCriminal — The WebCriminal database tracks criminal cases across supreme, county, city, and town courts. Searches can be run by defendant name, case identifier, or court calendar.
WebFamily — This portal provides access to Family Court case information for parties and authorized users.
WebSurrogate — The WebSurrogate system allows free searches of probate and estate proceeding data, including name searches, file number lookups, and will searches.
NYSCEF — The New York State Courts Electronic Filing system stores e-filed documents for Supreme Court civil cases. Since February 16, 2021, attorneys filing civil actions in Cayuga County Supreme Court must use NYSCEF for most case types, with exceptions for matrimonial, Article 78, election law, and mental hygiene matters.
County Clerk Online Records (SearchIQS) — The Clerk’s office provides access to recorded documents through the SearchIQS portal. Index searches are free for all users. Viewing and printing document images costs $5.00 per document for guests. Unlimited monthly subscriptions are available at $100 for New York residents and $300 for out-of-state users.
In person — Records can be inspected at the relevant court clerk’s window during business hours. Walk-in searches of the County Clerk’s electronic records and record books are free.
By mail — Written requests can be sent to the County Clerk or appropriate court clerk. Mail requests to the County Clerk require a $5.00 search fee per name, applicable copy fees, and a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Are Court Records Public in Cayuga County?

Cayuga County court records carry a presumption of public access. Section 255 of the New York Judiciary Law mandates that court clerks, upon request and payment of applicable fees, must search files, provide copies, and certify results. Section 255-b further requires that docket books be kept open during business hours for public search and examination.

New York’s Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), codified in Public Officers Law §§ 84–90, governs access to records held by executive-branch agencies and local government departments. Court records are primarily regulated by the Judiciary Law and court-specific rules, though county administrative records may be requested through FOIL. The Cayuga County Clerk’s office provides a FOIL request form for non-court county records, and the county maintains a separate online FOIL submission process for digital records held by county departments.

Not all records are open to the public. The following categories carry access restrictions:

Sealed records — Cases sealed under CPL § 160.50 (favorable termination), CPL § 160.55 (non-criminal dispositions), or CPL § 160.59 (certain conviction sealing) are removed from public view. Youthful offender adjudications under CPL § 720.15 are also sealed.
Family Court records — Proceedings involving child welfare, juvenile delinquency, persons in need of supervision, and domestic matters are generally restricted to case parties and specifically authorized entities.
Adoption records — Sealed upon finalization in both Family Court and Surrogate’s Court.
Estate tax proceedings — Sealed in Surrogate’s Court and not available for public inspection.
Personal identifiers — Social Security numbers, bank account details, credit card numbers, passport data, and driver’s license information are protected from disclosure.
Health-related data — Mental health and medical records included in case files are restricted in most circumstances.
Active investigations — Records connected to ongoing criminal investigations, arrest records where charges have not been filed, and details about confidential informants may be withheld.

Individuals seeking records that fall outside public access may need to obtain a court order or demonstrate specific legal authorization.

Cayuga County Criminal Court Records

Criminal cases in Cayuga County are distributed among several courts based on the severity of the charges. County Court handles felony prosecutions. Auburn City Court adjudicates misdemeanors and city code violations. Town and village justice courts process misdemeanor cases, vehicle and traffic infractions, and local ordinance violations within their jurisdictions.

Locating criminal case records:

Use the WebCriminal portal to search active and scheduled criminal matters by defendant name, case number, or court calendar across supreme, county, city, and town courts in Cayuga County.
Visit the clerk’s office at the court where the case was heard — County Court at 152 Genesee Street or Auburn City Court at 157 Genesee Street — during regular business hours.
Submit a written request to the appropriate clerk with the defendant’s full name, date of birth if available, and case number.

Statewide Criminal History Record Search

The New York State Office of Court Administration operates a Criminal History Record Search (CHRS) program covering all 62 counties. Important details:

Fee: $95.00 per name and date of birth
Covers open, pending, and convicted cases from County, Supreme, City, Town, and Village courts statewide
Excludes sealed records, youthful offender cases, Family Court matters, civil cases, federal cases, non-criminal offenses (violations and infractions), and convictions subject to the Misdemeanor Redemption Policy
Results are not certified; a certified Certificate of Disposition must be obtained from the originating court
Submit through the online Direct Access portal or by mail to: NYS Office of Court Administration, Criminal History Record Search Unit, 25 Beaver Street, Room 940, New York, NY 10004
Payment by check or money order payable to N.Y.S. Office of Court Administration; online requests accept credit cards

Fingerprint-based criminal history records (rap sheets) are available through the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS). The personal record review program requires fingerprint submission through an authorized IdentoGo location.

Cayuga County Sheriff’s Office

The Sheriff’s Office maintains arrest records, incident reports, and booking data. The office publishes a regularly updated arrest blotter and a weekly active warrants list on its website.

7445 County House Road, Auburn, NY 13021
Main Line: (315) 253-1222 (24 hours)
Records Section: (315) 253-1148
Fax: (315) 253-1609

Local police departments, including the Auburn City Police Department, also maintain arrest and incident records that can be requested directly from the respective agency.

Cayuga County Civil Court Records

Civil litigation in Cayuga County is handled by different courts depending on the claim amount and subject matter. Supreme Court has unlimited monetary jurisdiction and handles cases exceeding $25,000, as well as mortgage foreclosures, divorces, and equitable actions. County Court adjudicates civil matters valued at $25,000 or less. Auburn City Court processes claims up to $15,000 and small claims up to $5,000, while town and village courts handle small claims up to $3,000.

Where civil records are maintained:

Supreme Court and County Court civil filings are indexed and stored by the Cayuga County Clerk’s Office at 199 Franklin Street (mailing address: 160 Genesee Street). City court records stay with the Auburn City Court clerk. Town and village court records remain with the respective justice court.

Searching civil records online:

WebCivil Supreme for Supreme Court civil case data — party search is the most practical option when specific case numbers are unknown
WebCivil Local for non-criminal Auburn City Court proceedings
NYSCEF for electronically filed Supreme Court case documents
SearchIQS for recorded judgments, liens, and property-related filings held by the County Clerk

Key filing and copy fees at the County Clerk’s Office:

Service	Fee
Index number (civil action)	$210.00
Index number (mortgage foreclosure)	$400.00
Request for Judicial Intervention (RJI)	$95.00
Motion / cross-motion	$45.00
Note of issue	$30.00
Jury trial demand	$65.00
Notice of appeal (Supreme to Appellate)	$65.00
Stipulation of settlement / discontinuance	$35.00
Default judgment	$45.00
Copies (per page, minimum $1.30)	$0.65
Customer copy certified at time of recording (minimum $5.20, up to 8 pages; $0.65/page beyond 8)	$5.20+
Clerk-prepared certified copy (minimum $5.00, up to 4 pages; $1.25/page beyond 4)	$5.00+
Certified copy of judgment of divorce	$5.00
Mail search fee (per name)	$5.00

The complete fee schedule is published by the Cayuga County Clerk. Credit card payments are accepted with a 2.65% processing surcharge (minimum $1.00).

Property records — Deeds, mortgages, liens, and related land documents are recorded by the County Clerk. The Real Property Services department maintains assessment rolls, tax maps, and parcel data. Property documents can be searched online through SearchIQS, and the Clerk’s office offers a free Fraud Alert service that notifies homeowners by email when documents are recorded under their name.

Cayuga County Family Court Records

The Cayuga County Family Court handles matters involving families, children, and domestic relationships. Most proceedings are heard at the Old Historic Post Office Building in Auburn.

Cayuga County Family Court
157 Genesee Street, 2nd Floor
Auburn, NY 13021
Phone: (315) 237-6400
Fax: (315) 237-6401
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

The court exercises jurisdiction over child abuse and neglect, termination of parental rights, persons in need of supervision (PINS), adoptions, paternity, child support, custody and visitation, juvenile delinquency, and family offenses (domestic violence proceedings).

Confidentiality of Family Court records:

Family Court proceedings in New York carry significant confidentiality protections. Records involving juvenile delinquency, child protective matters, and PINS cases are generally closed to public inspection. Adoption records are sealed upon finalization. Custody, support, and domestic violence files may contain restricted documents accessible only to the named parties, their attorneys, and authorized agencies. Access by third parties typically requires a court order.

Divorce records:

Dissolution of marriage proceedings are filed in Cayuga County Supreme Court. The County Clerk’s office maintains the resulting judgment and all related filings. A certified copy of a judgment of divorce costs $5.00 and requires valid photo identification. The filing fee for a divorce index number is $210.00, with a $95.00 RJI and $30.00 note of issue. A Certificate of Dissolution of Marriage costs $5.00.

Marriage records:

Marriage certificates in New York are maintained by the municipal clerk (city, town, or village) who issued the license — not by the County Clerk. To obtain a certified copy in Cayuga County, contact the clerk of the municipality where the license was purchased. For marriages licensed in Auburn, the Auburn City Clerk handles requests. Applicants complete a marriage records application and submit it to Memorial City Hall, 1st Floor, 24 South Street, Auburn, NY 13021. Local copies are generally $10.00 each.

Those who do not know where the license was issued or who need a state-issued certificate can contact the New York State Department of Health Vital Records Certification Unit. Mail requests use the DOH-4382 application form, sent to P.O. Box 2602, Albany, NY 12220-2602. State-level copies cost $30.00 by mail or $45.00 through the telephone and online ordering service (excluding transaction processing fees).

Birth and death records:

These vital records are filed with the clerk of the city, town, or village where the event occurred. For births at a hospital, contact the clerk of the municipality where the facility is located. The New York State Department of Health maintains statewide records from 1881 onward and accepts applications for birth certificates and death certificates. Access to birth records is restricted to the registrant, their parents, legal representatives, and parties with court orders. Death record access extends to immediate family members, legal representatives, and individuals with a documented lawful purpose. State-level fees are the same as for marriage records.

Cayuga County Probate Court Records

Probate and estate matters in Cayuga County fall under the jurisdiction of the Surrogate’s Court, located in the Cayuga County Courthouse.

Cayuga County Surrogate’s Court
152 Genesee Street
Auburn, NY 13021
Phone: (315) 237-6210
Fax: (315) 237-6211
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

The court handles the probate of wills, estate administration (with and without a will), guardianship proceedings for minors and incapacitated persons, adoptions, trust matters, wrongful death actions, and small estate proceedings. New York’s Surrogate’s Court Procedure Act (SCPA) and the Estates, Powers and Trusts Law (EPTL) govern practice and procedure in these matters.

Public access to probate records:

Most Surrogate’s Court files are open for public inspection. Adoption records and estate tax proceedings are the two sealed categories not accessible to the general public. The court’s historical files — some dating to 1799 — are frequently used by genealogists and title companies. A guide to Surrogate’s Court records availability is published by the county.

Searching probate records:

The WebSurrogate portal provides free online access to estate proceedings data. Users can search by name, file number, testator’s name (for will searches), or index book pages.
In-person inspection of files is available at the Surrogate’s Court during regular hours. Contact the court at (315) 237-6210 for appointments if reviewing voluminous or older records.
The Cayuga County Records Retention Center, located at 12 Court Street, Auburn, NY 13021 (Phone: (315) 253-1037), maintains certain archived records, though Surrogate’s Court requests should be directed to the Surrogate’s Court office itself.

Copy fees:

Copy and certification fees for Surrogate’s Court documents follow the schedule established by CPLR § 8019: $0.65 per page for copies (minimum $1.30) and $5.00 minimum for clerk-prepared certified copies ($1.25 per page for documents exceeding four pages). A $5.00 search fee applies to mail requests per name. Requesters should include a self-addressed stamped envelope with written requests sent by mail. Contact the Surrogate’s Court clerk for current filing fee amounts, which vary based on the type and value of the proceeding.