Kings County Court Records Search
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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 within the county, each with distinct jurisdiction over criminal, civil, family, and probate matters. For anyone trying to locate a case, obtain copies of court documents, or verify a judgment, understanding which court and clerk’s office to contact is the first step toward a successful records search. This guide covers the courts that serve Kings County, the records they maintain, the tools available for searching those records, and the rules that govern public access.
In New York, court records can be located through a combination of official clerk’s offices, in-person public access terminals at courthouses, and electronic search tools operated by the state court system. NewYorkCourts.us offers a starting point for identifying courts, accessing online case search portals, and finding contact information for clerk’s offices across the state. For Kings County specifically, several dedicated online databases — discussed in detail below — provide 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. Identifying the correct court depends 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 Surrogate’s Court | Probate, estate administration, adoptions | 2 Johnson Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201 | (347) 404-9700 |
Online Search Options
Several free tools allow the public to search Kings County court records electronically:
- Kings County Clerk’s Office Case Search — Provides access to Supreme Court civil case records maintained by the Kings County Clerk, searchable by name, index number, or other identifiers.
- WebCivil Supreme — A statewide tool for searching active and disposed civil Supreme Court cases. Users can search by party name, attorney or firm name, index number, or court calendar.
- NYSCEF (New York State Courts Electronic Filing) — Allows public access to documents filed electronically in Supreme Court and certain other courts, even without an e-filing account.
- WebCrims — Provides scheduling and case information for criminal matters with future 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
Visitors can search records at public terminals located in the Kings County Supreme Court Building at 360 Adams Street (Room 189) or request assistance 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 inquiries, email KCCOinfo@nycourts.gov.
Mail Requests
Written requests for court records should be directed to the clerk’s office of the court that handled the case. Include the full case caption, index number or docket number, names of the parties, and the approximate filing date. Enclose the applicable fees and a stamped, self-addressed return envelope. Mail Supreme Court record requests 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 of public access to court records. Judiciary Law § 255-b directs court clerks to permit 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:
New York law limits access to several categories of records. These include:
- Sealed criminal records under CPL § 160.50, which mandates sealing when a criminal action terminates in favor of the accused (dismissal, 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
Additionally, 22 NYCRR § 202.5(e) requires parties to redact confidential personal information — including Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and dates of birth — before filing documents with the court. Portions of otherwise public records may also be redacted when they contain sensitive data that could compromise the privacy of individuals involved.
Anyone seeking access to a sealed record must petition the court and demonstrate sufficient cause for unsealing.
Kings County Criminal Court Records
Criminal prosecutions in Kings County are divided between two courts based on the severity of the charges. Misdemeanors, violations, and summons matters are heard in NYC Criminal Court — Kings County, while felony cases 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 primary online tool for locating criminal case information. It allows searches by defendant name, case identifier, or court calendar, and it displays scheduling data, charges, and case status for matters with upcoming appearance dates. For Supreme Court criminal cases, the eCourts portal provides links to the WebCriminal Supreme search tool, which covers felony-level prosecutions.
The NYC Criminal Court information line can be reached at (646) 386-4900 for general case inquiries.
Certificates of Disposition
A Certificate of Disposition is an official document confirming the outcome of a criminal case. These are commonly needed for employment, immigration, and licensing purposes. They can be obtained 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 are maintained by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS). Individuals may request their own record through DCJS. The New York City Police Department maintains arrest records, mugshots, and booking information, which can be requested under the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL).
The New York Department of Corrections and Community Supervision can provide information regarding incarcerated or formerly incarcerated individuals.
Kings County Civil Court Records
Civil matters in Kings County are adjudicated in two courts. The Kings County Supreme Court — Civil Term handles cases involving claims exceeding $25,000 and all matrimonial actions. The NYC Civil Court — Kings County has jurisdiction over 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:
- Visit the WebCivil Supreme portal
- Select a search method: party name, attorney/firm, index number, or calendar
- Choose “Kings” from the list of courts
- Enter the required information and click search
For electronically filed cases, the NYSCEF system provides direct access to filed documents including 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 New York State attorney’s check. Credit cards are not universally accepted; confirm payment methods before visiting.
Small Claims Court
The Small Claims Part of NYC Civil Court handles disputes involving monetary damages up to $10,000 for individual plaintiffs. The Small Claims Court section of the court system’s website provides forms, instructions, and hearing schedules. Filing fees range from $15 to $20 depending on the amount claimed. Commercial claims — available to businesses, corporations, and partnerships — follow a parallel track with slightly different fees.
Kings County Family Court Records
The Kings County Family Court handles a wide range of matters involving families and children, including 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 to general public inspection. Access is limited to the parties in the case, their attorneys, and authorized agencies. Obtaining records as a non-party requires a court order.
Adoption records are sealed upon the entry of the adoption decree under Domestic Relations Law § 114. Reopening a sealed adoption file requires a petition demonstrating good cause.
Divorce and Matrimonial Records
Divorce actions are technically filed in Supreme Court rather than Family Court. They can be searched through WebCivil Supreme by selecting Kings County. Under 22 NYCRR § 202.5(e), financial disclosure affidavits in matrimonial proceedings contain sensitive personal data and are subject to restricted access. 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 oversees the establishment and enforcement of child support orders. Payment processing, arrears tracking, and enforcement actions are handled 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 Surrogate’s Court.
Kings County Surrogate’s 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
Surrogate’s 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 |
Additional 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 provides online access to Kings County Surrogate’s Court case information and electronically filed documents. Users can search by decedent name, file number, or attorney name. Additionally, cases filed through NYSCEF in Surrogate’s Court can be retrieved through the NYSCEF case search.
In-Person and Mail Requests
The Surrogate’s Court Cashier/Records Search department handles walk-in requests for copies and record searches. Written requests should be sent to Kings County Surrogate’s Court at the address above and should include the decedent’s name, approximate date of death, and the file number if known, along with the applicable fees. Probate records — including wills that have been admitted to probate — are generally public. However, wills filed for safekeeping that have not 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
While not part of the Surrogate’s Court system, property records for Kings County are maintained by the Office of the City Register under the NYC Department of Finance. 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.