Kings County Court Records
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Kings County — coextensive with the borough of Brooklyn — is the most populous county in New York State and home to one of the busiest court systems in the nation. Multiple courts operate here, each with distinct jurisdiction over criminal, civil, family, and probate matters. If you're trying to locate a case, get copies of court documents, or verify a judgment, knowing which court and clerk's office to contact is the critical first step. This guide covers the courts serving Kings County, the records they maintain, the tools you can use to search them, and the rules that govern public access.
Court records in New York can be found through clerk offices, in-person public access terminals at courthouses, and electronic search tools run by the state court system. NewYorkCourts.us is a useful resource for identifying courts, accessing online case search portals, and finding clerk's office contact information across the state. For Kings County specifically, several dedicated online databases — discussed in detail below — offer free access to civil, criminal, and probate case information.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Kings County?
Kings County's court system includes five distinct courts, each maintaining its own records. Which court you contact depends entirely on the type of case involved.
| Court | Jurisdiction | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kings County Supreme Court Civil Term | Civil cases over $25,000, matrimonial actions, felonies | 360 Adams Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201 | (718) 675-7699 |
| Kings County Supreme Court Criminal Term | Felony prosecutions | 320 Jay Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201 | (347) 296-1076 |
| NYC Criminal Court Kings County | Misdemeanors, violations, summonses | 120 Schermerhorn Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201 | (347) 404-9400 |
| NYC Civil Court Kings County | Civil claims up to $50,000, small claims, housing | 141 Livingston Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201 | (347) 404-9123 |
| Kings County Family Court | Custody, support, domestic violence, juvenile matters | 330 Jay Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201 | (347) 401-9610 |
| Kings County Surrogates Court | Probate, estate administration, adoptions | 2 Johnson Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201 | (347) 404-9700 |
Online Search Options
Several free tools let you search Kings County court records electronically:
- Kings County Clerk's Office Case Search — Search Supreme Court civil case records maintained by the Kings County Clerk by name, index number, or other identifiers.
- WebCivil Supreme — A statewide tool for searching active and disposed civil Supreme Court cases by party name, attorney or firm name, index number, or court calendar.
- NYSCEF (New York State Courts Electronic Filing) — Provides public access to documents filed electronically in Supreme Court and certain other courts, even without an e-filing account.
- WebCrims — Shows scheduling and case information for criminal matters with upcoming court appearance dates in NYC Criminal Court and Supreme Court Criminal Term.
- eCourts — A centralized portal linking to WebCivil, WebCrims, NYSCEF, and other case search tools.
In-Person Access
If you prefer to search in person, public terminals are available at the Kings County Supreme Court Building at 360 Adams Street (Room 189). You can also request assistance directly from the relevant clerk's office. The Kings County Clerk's office is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For general inquiries, email KCCOinfo@nycourts.gov.
Mail Requests
Written requests for court records should go to the clerk's office of the court that handled the case. Include the full case caption, index or docket number, names of the parties, and the approximate filing date. Enclose the applicable fees along with a stamped, self-addressed return envelope. For Supreme Court records, mail your request to:
Kings County Clerk's Office
360 Adams Street, Room 189
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Are Court Records Public in Kings County?
New York law establishes a broad presumption that court records are open to the public. Judiciary Law 255-b directs court clerks to allow members of the public to examine court records during regular business hours. This applies to most civil, criminal, and probate filings in Kings County.
Records Generally Available to the Public:
- Civil complaints, answers, motions, and decisions
- Judgments and liens filed with the County Clerk
- Criminal court calendars and disposition information
- Wills admitted to probate
- Court orders (unless sealed)
- Business certificates and recordings
Records That Are Sealed or Restricted:
Several categories of records are not open for public inspection:
- Sealed criminal records under CPL 160.50, which requires sealing when a criminal action terminates in the accused's favor — such as through dismissal or acquittal
- Juvenile delinquency and PINS records under the Family Court Act
- Adoption records, sealed upon entry of the adoption order under Domestic Relations Law 114
- Youthful offender adjudications under CPL 720.35
- Grand jury proceedings
- Mental health records
- Medical records submitted as exhibits
Beyond sealed files, 22 NYCRR 202.5(e) requires parties to redact sensitive personal information — Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and dates of birth — before filing documents with the court. So even in otherwise public records, certain details may be blacked out.
If you need access to a sealed record, you'll have to petition the court and show sufficient cause for unsealing it.
Kings County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Kings County split between two courts based on the severity of the charge. Misdemeanors, violations, and summons matters are heard in NYC Criminal Court Kings County, while felony prosecutions proceed through Kings County Supreme Court Criminal Term.
NYC Criminal Court Kings County
Address: 120 Schermerhorn Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Phone: (347) 404-9400
Fax: (718) 643-5234
Summons Clerk: (646) 386-4869
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (clerk's offices); Arraignments run Monday–Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.
Kings County Supreme Court Criminal Term
Address: 320 Jay Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Phone: (347) 296-1076
Fax: (347) 296-1977
A satellite criminal court also operates at the Red Hook Community Justice Center, 88–94 Visitation Place, Brooklyn, NY 11231, Phone: (718) 923-8200
Searching Criminal Case Records
The WebCrims system is the go-to online tool for criminal case information. Search by defendant name, case identifier, or court calendar to see scheduling data, charges, and case status for matters with upcoming appearance dates. For Supreme Court felony cases, the eCourts portal links to the WebCriminal Supreme search tool. For general case inquiries, call the NYC Criminal Court information line at (646) 386-4900.
Certificates of Disposition
A Certificate of Disposition is an official document confirming how a criminal case ended. These are commonly needed for employment, immigration, and licensing purposes. Get one from the clerk's office of the criminal court where the case was resolved. The standard fee is $10.
Criminal History Records (Rap Sheets)
Individual criminal history records are not available through the courts — they're maintained by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS). You can request your own record through DCJS. Arrest records, mugshots, and booking information are maintained by the New York City Police Department and can be requested under the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL). For information about incarcerated or formerly incarcerated individuals, contact the New York Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.
Kings County Civil Court Records
Civil matters in Kings County run through two courts depending on the dollar amount at stake. The Kings County Supreme Court Civil Term handles cases involving claims over $25,000 and all matrimonial actions. The NYC Civil Court Kings County covers civil claims up to $50,000, small claims up to $10,000, and landlord-tenant disputes through its Housing Part.
NYC Civil Court Kings County
Address: 141 Livingston Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Civil Clerk: (347) 404-9123
Small Claims: (347) 404-9021
Landlord-Tenant: (347) 404-9201
Kings County Clerk's Office (Clerk of Supreme Court)
Address: 360 Adams Street, Room 189, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Phone: (347) 404-9772
Record Room: Room 079
Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
Email: KCCOinfo@nycourts.gov
Online Civil Case Searches
To look up a Supreme Court civil case online:
- Go to the WebCivil Supreme portal.
- Choose a search method: party name, attorney/firm, index number, or calendar.
- Select Kings from the list of courts.
- Enter your search details and click search.
For electronically filed cases, NYSCEF gives you direct access to filed documents — motions, decisions, and stipulations — at no cost. Civil Court (non-Supreme) cases can be searched through WebCivil Local, which covers NYC Civil Court proceedings.
Key Filing Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Note of Issue (non-matrimonial) | $30 |
| Note of Issue (uncontested matrimonial) | $125 |
| Jury Demand | $65 |
| Request for Judicial Intervention (RJI) | $95 |
| Notice of Appeal | $65 |
| Copies (per page) | $0.65 |
| Certified copy | $6.00 per page |
Fees are payable to the Kings County Clerk by cash, certified check, bank or postal money order, or a New York State attorney's check. Credit cards are not universally accepted, so confirm payment methods before you visit.
Small Claims Court
If you're an individual with a monetary dispute of $10,000 or less, the Small Claims Part of NYC Civil Court is designed for you — no attorney required. The Small Claims Court section of the court system's website has forms, instructions, and hearing schedules. Filing fees range from $15 to $20 depending on the amount of your claim. Businesses, corporations, and partnerships can pursue similar disputes through the commercial claims track, though with slightly different fees.
Kings County Family Court Records
The Kings County Family Court handles a wide range of matters involving families and children — custody and visitation disputes, child support petitions, domestic violence proceedings, juvenile delinquency cases, foster care reviews, paternity actions, guardianship of minors, and adoptions.
Kings County Family Court
Address: 330 Jay Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Phone: (347) 401-9610
Petition Center: (347) 401-9790
Email: kingsfamilycourt@nycourts.gov
Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (doors open at 8:30 a.m.; petitions accepted beginning at 8:30 a.m.)
Supervising Judge: Hon. Gilbert Taylor
On-site interpreter services are available in Spanish, Russian, Mandarin, Cantonese, Haitian-Creole, Arabic, and Bengali. Other languages, including sign language, can be arranged upon request.
Confidentiality of Family Court Records
Family Court records carry significant access restrictions under Family Court Act 166. Unlike most other court records in New York, Family Court files are not open for general public inspection. Access is limited to the parties in the case, their attorneys, and authorized agencies. Getting records as a non-party requires a court order. Adoption records are sealed upon entry of the adoption decree under Domestic Relations Law 114, and reopening a sealed adoption file requires a petition showing good cause.
Divorce and Matrimonial Records
Divorce actions are filed in Supreme Court, not Family Court. You can search them through WebCivil Supreme by selecting Kings County. Financial disclosure affidavits in matrimonial proceedings contain sensitive personal data and are subject to restricted access under 22 NYCRR 202.5(e). The filing fee for a note of issue in an uncontested matrimonial action is $125.
Child Support
The New York State Child Support Enforcement Program handles the establishment and enforcement of child support orders. Payment processing, arrears tracking, and enforcement actions run through the Support Collection Unit rather than the court clerk. The Kings County Office of the NYC Law Department's Family Court Division is located at 350 Jay Street, 9th Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201, Phone: (718) 724-5300
Marriage and Vital Records
Marriage licenses and certificates are issued by the New York City Clerk's Office through its Marriage Bureau, not the court system. Birth and death certificates for Kings County residents are maintained by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Under Public Health Law 4174, vital records are available only to authorized persons, though New York permits public access to death records 50 years after death and birth records 75 years after birth, provided the individual is deceased.
Kings County Probate Court Records
Probate and estate matters in Kings County are handled exclusively by the Kings County Surrogates Court.
Kings County Surrogates Court
Address: 2 Johnson Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Phone: (347) 404-9700
Fax: (718) 643-6237
Email: KingSurr-chiefclerk@nycourts.gov
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.; Wednesday 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon (closed for lunch 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.)
Types of Matters Handled:
- Probate of wills
- Administration of intestate estates
- Accounting proceedings
- Guardianship of incapacitated persons under Mental Hygiene Law Article 81
- Trust administration and disputes
- Wrongful death proceedings
- Kinship proceedings
- Adoptions
Filing Fees
Surrogates Court filing fees are set by SCPA 2402 and calculated based on the gross value of the estate or subject matter:
| Estate Value | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Less than $10,000 | $45 |
| $10,000–$19,999 | $75 |
| $20,000–$49,999 | $215 |
| $50,000–$99,999 | $280 |
| $100,000–$249,999 | $420 |
| $250,000–$499,999 | $625 |
| $500,000 and over | $1,250 |
Other common fees include $6 per page for certified copies, $30 for record searches covering under 25 years, $90 for searches spanning more than 25 years, and $20 for a transcript of a decree.
Searching Probate Records Online
The WebSurrogate portal gives you online access to Kings County Surrogates Court case information and electronically filed documents. Search by decedent name, file number, or attorney name. Cases filed through NYSCEF in Surrogates Court can also be found through the NYSCEF case search.
In-Person and Mail Requests
The Surrogates Court Cashier/Records Search department handles walk-in requests for copies and record searches. Send written requests to Kings County Surrogates Court at the address above. Include the decedent's name, approximate date of death, and the file number if you have it, along with the applicable fees.
Probate records — including wills that have been admitted to probate — are generally public. Wills filed for safekeeping that have not yet been admitted to probate are not available for public inspection. Guardianship proceedings may contain confidential medical and financial information, and access to those files may be restricted by court order.
Property Records
Property records for Kings County are maintained by the Office of the City Register under the NYC Department of Finance — not through the Surrogates Court. Deeds, mortgages, liens, and other recorded instruments can be searched through the Automated City Register Information System (ACRIS). The ACRIS office for Brooklyn is located at 210 Joralemon Street, 2nd Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201.