Genesee County Court Records Search

Genesee County is located in western New York State within the Eighth Judicial District and has its county seat in the City of Batavia. The county’s court system includes the Supreme Court, County Court, Batavia City Court, Family Court, Surrogate’s Court, and a network of town and village courts spread across its municipalities. Court records generated by these tribunals — encompassing complaints, orders, judgments, docket entries, and case dispositions — are maintained by the respective court clerks and, for certain filings, by the Genesee County Clerk.

Individuals looking for court case data in New York can use several channels. The New York State Unified Court System offers electronic lookup tools through its eCourts portal, which provides separate modules for civil, criminal, family, and surrogate matters. In addition, NewYorkCourts.us may help users locate publicly available case information. Locally, the Genesee County Clerk’s office, individual court clerk windows, and public-access terminals at the courthouse serve as in-person research points.

How to Look Up a Court Case in Genesee County?

The method for locating a Genesee County court case depends on the case type, the court that handled it, and whether the requester needs an informal lookup or certified copies.

Online search tools maintained by the Unified Court System:

WebCivil Supreme — Search active and disposed Supreme Court civil cases by party name, index number, attorney/firm name, or assigned justice at the WebCivil Supreme portal.
WebCivil Local — Look up Batavia City Court civil matters by index number, party name, attorney/firm name, or judge through WebCivil Local.
WebCrims — View criminal cases with future court dates in selected courts of criminal jurisdiction via WebCrims.
WebFamily — Locate divorce file and docket information by selecting “Genesee-Supreme” from the court dropdown and entering a file or docket number on the WebFamily portal.
WebSurrogate — Search probate, estate, and guardianship files at the WebSurrogate site by name, file number, or will.

In-person searches:

All courts in Genesee County are housed in or near the Court Facility Building at 1 West Main Street, Batavia, NY 14020. Requests can be made during regular business hours, generally Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Requesters should bring either a case index number or the full names of the parties involved.

County Clerk records searches:

The Genesee County Clerk maintains closed Supreme Court and County Court case files — including felony criminal records, civil action files, and judgments. The Clerk’s office is at:

Address: County Building 1, 15 Main Street, Batavia, NY 14020 (P.O. Box 379, Batavia, NY 14021-0379)
Phone: (585) 815-7802
Fax: (585) 344-8521
Email: county.clerk@geneseeny.gov
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (summer hours 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; transactions must begin by 4:45 p.m. or 4:15 p.m. in summer)

If you do not have the index number, a search fee of $5.00 per every two years searched will apply. Payment is accepted by cash, personal check, or money order payable to the Genesee County Clerk. Credit and debit cards are accepted in person with a 3% convenience fee (minimum $3.00).

Statewide criminal history search by mail or online:

The New York State Office of Court Administration (OCA) offers a Criminal History Record Search (CHRS) covering all 62 counties. The fee is $95.00 per search. Results are based on an exact match of name and date of birth, cover open and convicted criminal cases from County, Supreme, City, Town, and Village courts, and exclude sealed records. Mail applications go to:

NYS Office of Court Administration
Division of Technology and Court Research
Criminal History Record Search Unit
25 Beaver Street, Room 940
New York, NY 10004

Checks or money orders should be payable to N.Y.S. Office of Court Administration. Inquiries can be directed to CHRS@nycourts.gov.

Are Court Records Public in Genesee County?

Court records in Genesee County are governed by Section 255 of the New York Judiciary Law, which requires a court clerk to search for records and furnish copies upon request and payment of applicable fees. This statute — rather than the New York Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) — controls access to court case files. Under Section 255-b, docket books must remain open during business hours for public inspection.

Notwithstanding this broad right of access, several categories of court records are confidential or sealed by operation of law:

Grand jury minutes and proceedings
Sealed records where the defendant was adjudicated a youthful offender (CPL 720.15)
Records sealed under CPL 160.50 (criminal actions terminated in favor of the accused) and CPL 160.59 (conviction sealing)
Family Court proceedings (generally confidential under the Family Court Act)
Adoption proceedings
Juvenile delinquency records
Mental health records and orders of commitment
Alcohol and drug treatment records
Probation reports and pre-sentence memoranda
Attorney disciplinary proceedings
Matrimonial financial disclosure documents
Juror questionnaires containing personal identifying information
Records identifying victims of sex offenses
Performance evaluations in personnel records of law-enforcement and corrections officers

Only the record subject, their attorney, or law-enforcement agencies may access sealed or confidential records, and a court order is generally required to unseal them.

Genesee County Criminal Court Records

Criminal matters in Genesee County are distributed across several courts based on the severity of the offense:

Court	Jurisdiction	Phone
County Court	Felony trials (exclusive); misdemeanor trials (shared)	(585) 201-5731
Batavia City Court	Misdemeanors, violations, traffic offenses, felony arraignments	(585) 201-5764
Town & Village Courts	Misdemeanors, violations, traffic offenses within their geographic areas	Varies by municipality

All courts are within the Court Facility Building, 1 West Main Street, Batavia, NY 14020, except for town and village courts, which sit at their respective municipal locations.

Requesting criminal records locally:

The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office Records Division provides criminal background checks limited to offenses on file with the Sheriff’s Office. The process requires:

Complete the Authorization for Release of Information form.
Submit the form with a $10.00 fee.
Allow seven to ten business days for processing.

Requests may be made in person or by mail at:

Genesee County Sheriff’s Office — Records Division
165 Park Road
Batavia, NY 14020
Phone: (585) 345-3000 ext. 3560
Fax: (585) 345-3089

Broader background checks:

New York State (DCJS): The Division of Criminal Justice Services provides a fingerprint-based statewide record review for a fee of $17.50. Details and instructions are at criminaljustice.ny.gov or by calling (800) 262-3257.
OCA Criminal History Record Search: The $95.00 statewide court-records search described above covers convictions and open cases from all New York courts.
FBI Identity History Summary: A nationwide fingerprint-based check is available through the FBI CJIS Division at (304) 625-5590.

Closed felony records at the County Clerk’s office:

Felony convictions filed through the Supreme Court and County Court are stored at the Genesee County Clerk’s office. An index number and year of filing help expedite the search. Sealed records are accessible only to the defendant or their attorney of record, and a court order is needed to unseal them.

FOIL requests through the Sheriff’s Office:

For records not covered by routine requests, a Freedom of Information Law application may be submitted using the Sheriff’s Application for Public Access to Records. The Records Access Officer responds within approximately five business days with a page count and cost at $0.25 per page.

Genesee County Civil Court Records

Civil litigation in Genesee County is split among three courts depending on the amount in controversy:

Supreme Court — Civil cases seeking damages exceeding $25,000, as well as injunctive relief. Phone: (585) 201-5728; Fax: (585) 344-8517
County Court — Civil cases with monetary claims of $25,000 or less. Phone: (585) 201-5731
Batavia City Court — Civil claims up to $15,000, small claims up to $5,000, landlord-tenant disputes, and contested parking tickets. Phone: (585) 201-5764; Fax: (585) 371-3954 Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Traffic Court sessions are held on Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m.

Starting or searching a civil action:

A new Supreme Court civil action requires an index number from the County Clerk’s office at a cost of $210.00. A Request for Judicial Intervention (RJI) carries an additional $95.00 fee. If the matter involves a commercial transaction, a Commercial Division Certification form must be completed. These documents are available at the Clerk’s office.

Online civil case searches:

Use WebCivil Supreme for Supreme Court cases.
Use WebCivil Local for Batavia City Court cases.

Searches may be conducted by party name, index number, attorney name, or judge. Both portals are free to use and display case status, filing dates, and scheduled appearances.

Obtaining copies:

The County Clerk provides copies of filed civil-action documents at a fee of $0.65 per page ($1.30 minimum). Certified copies cost $1.25 per page with a $5.00 minimum. Requests may be made in person during office hours. For mail requests, include a stamped, self-addressed envelope and a check or money order payable to the Genesee County Clerk.

Property-related civil records:

Real property records maintained by the County Clerk can be searched through the county’s online records portal. The Clerk also offers a Fraud Alert service that notifies property owners when documents such as deeds or mortgages are recorded under their name.

Genesee County Family Court Records

The Genesee County Family Court has jurisdiction over custody and visitation, child and spousal support, adoption, paternity, child abuse and neglect, juvenile delinquency, persons in need of supervision, and family violence matters. The Family Court does not handle divorce, separation, or annulment — those fall exclusively under the Supreme Court.

Court contact information:

Genesee County Family Court
1 West Main Street
Batavia, NY 14020

Judge: Hon. Thomas D. Williams — Phone: (585) 201-5741; Fax: (585) 371-3956
Chief Clerk: Michele Zastempowski — Phone: (585) 201-5744; Email: mzastemp@nycourts.gov
Deputy Chief Clerk: Marie Williams — Phone: (585) 201-5744; Email: mwilliam@nycourts.gov

Family Court forms are available on the Unified Court System’s forms page.

Access restrictions:

Family Court records are generally confidential under the New York Family Court Act. Access is limited to the parties, their attorneys, authorized agencies, and individuals with a court order. Adoption proceedings and juvenile delinquency records carry additional layers of confidentiality.

Divorce records:

Divorce proceedings are filed in the Genesee County Supreme Court. The court does not treat divorce documents as fully public records — actual divorce judgments may be obtained by the public, but the underlying case documents (financial disclosures, affidavits) are available only to the parties and their attorneys. To search for divorce file information online, use the WebFamily File/Docket Search, select “Genesee-Supreme”, and enter a file or docket number. For copies, contact the Supreme Court at (585) 201-5728. Free uncontested-divorce packets are available at the Court Facility Building, 1 West Main Street.

Marriage records:

Copies of marriage certificates may be obtained from the clerk of the town, village, or city where the marriage occurred. They are also available through the New York State Department of Health Vital Records unit, which issues certificates to spouses and individuals with a documented legal purpose or court order. Methods for requesting copies from the state include:

Online or phone: Through a third-party vendor for $45 plus a processing fee per transaction.
Mail: Submit a completed Application for Copy of Marriage Certificate (DOH-4382), valid photo ID, and a $30 check or money order to:

New York State Department of Health
Vital Records Certification Unit
P.O. Box 2602
Albany, NY 12220-2602

Birth and death records:

These vital records are also available from the local registrar or from the State Department of Health. Eligible requesters include the named individual, a parent, spouse, child, or someone with a court order or documented legal need. The state charges $30 by mail or $45 through its online/phone vendor. Application forms are available for birth (DOH-4380) and death (DOH-4376) certificates.

Genesee County Probate Court Records

Probate matters in Genesee County are handled by the Surrogate’s Court, which has jurisdiction over the probate of wills, administration of estates, distribution of decedent property, and guardianships of minors and incapacitated adults.

Court contact information:

Genesee County Surrogate’s Court
1 West Main Street
Batavia, NY 14020

Surrogate: Hon. Melissa Lightcap Cianfrini — Phone: (585) 201-5725
Chief Clerk: Stephanie Lewandowski — Email: slewando@nycourts.gov
Law Clerk: Douglas Curella, Esq. — Email: dcurella@nycourts.gov
General Phone: (585) 201-5733; Fax: (585) 344-8517

The Surrogate’s Court accepts credit card payments; an authorization application is available on the county courts page.

Online probate search:

The WebSurrogate portal allows free searches of probate files, document retrieval, and review of historical records classified as public information. Users should select “Genesee County Surrogate’s Court” from the court dropdown menu. Available search modes include:

Name search
File number search
Old index search
Index book pages search
Will search

In-person requests:

Visit the Surrogate’s Court clerk’s window at the Court Facility Building during business hours. A copy fee will be required before records are released. Providing a file number or the decedent’s full name and approximate date of death speeds up the retrieval process.

Scope of records:

Surrogate’s Court files typically contain petitions for probate or administration, wills, letters testamentary or of administration, accountings, citations, inventories, and final decrees. Guardianship proceedings for minors under 18 and mentally incapacitated adults are also part of the court’s records. Since 1787, probate records have been filed and maintained by the Surrogate’s Court in each New York county, making them a significant resource for genealogical research as well.

Town and village courts in Genesee County:

For reference, the following town and village courts also operate within Genesee County, handling traffic violations, misdemeanors, and small claims within their respective boundaries:

Court	Address	Phone
Alabama Town Court	2218 Judge Road, Oakfield, NY 14125	(585) 948-9341
Alexander Town Court	3350 Church St, Alexander, NY 14005	(585) 591-2455
Batavia Town Court	3833 West Main St Rd, Batavia, NY 14020	(585) 343-1729 ext 203
Bergen Town Court	10 Hunter Street, Bergen, NY 14416	(585) 494-1121 ext 21
Bethany Town Court	10510 Bethany Center Road, East Bethany, NY 14054	(585) 343-1399 ext 201
Byron Town Court	Route 237, Byron, NY 14422	(585) 548-7123 ext 10
Darien Town Court	10569 Alleghany Road, Darien Center, NY 14040	(585) 547-2274 ext 1026
Elba Town Court	7133 Oak Orchard Rd, Elba, NY 14058	(585) 757-2762 ext 10
LeRoy Town Court	48 Main Street, LeRoy, NY 14482	(585) 768-6910 ext 229
Oakfield Town Court	3219 Drake Street, Oakfield, NY 14125	(585) 948-5835
Pavilion Town Court	1 Woodrow Drive, Pavilion, NY 14525	(585) 584-3850
Pembroke Town Court	1145 Main Road, Corfu, NY 14036	(585) 599-1206
Stafford Town Court	8903 Route 237, Stafford, NY 14143	(585) 344-1554 ext 4
Alexander Village Court	3350 Church St, Alexander, NY 14005	(585) 708-4167
Bergen Village Court	11 North Lake Ave, Bergen, NY 14416	(585) 494-1513
Corfu Village Court	116 East Main Street, Corfu, NY 14036	(585) 599-3327
Elba Village Court	4 South Main St, Elba, NY 14058	(585) 757-6889
LeRoy Village Court	3 West Main St, LeRoy, NY 14482	(585) 768-2527
Oakfield Village Court	37 Main Street, Oakfield, NY 14125	(585) 948-5862