New York County Court Records
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New York County — geographically identical to the borough of Manhattan — is home to one of the largest and most active court systems in the United States. As the judicial hub of a densely populated commercial and residential center, the county's courts handle an enormous volume of civil litigation, criminal prosecutions, family proceedings, and estate matters every year. Several distinct courts serve the county, each with its own jurisdiction and clerk's office, and court records are spread across multiple physical locations and online databases. Knowing which court handled a case — and which office holds the records — is essential for anyone trying to retrieve case filings, judgments, or other court documents.
A range of official tools is available to those searching New York State court records: electronic case search systems, clerk offices, and courthouse public access terminals. NewYorkCourts.us can help you identify courts, find contact details for clerk offices, and connect to statewide online search portals that include New York County case data.
How to Look Up a Court Case in New York County?
New York County is part of the 1st Judicial District of the New York State Unified Court System. Cases may be filed in Supreme Court (Civil or Criminal Term), NYC Civil Court, NYC Criminal Court, Family Court, or Surrogates Court, depending on the subject matter and dollar amount involved.
Court Locations and Contact Information
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Supreme Court Civil Term | 60 Centre Street, New York, NY 10007 | (646) 386-3600 |
| Supreme Court Criminal Term | 100 Centre Street, New York, NY 10013 | (646) 386-4000 |
| NYC Criminal Court Manhattan | 100 Centre Street, New York, NY 10013 | (646) 386-4511 |
| NYC Civil Court Manhattan | 111 Centre Street, New York, NY 10013 | (646) 386-5600 |
| Family Court New York County | 60 Lafayette Street, New York, NY 10013 | (646) 386-5200 |
| Surrogates Court New York County | 31 Chambers Street, New York, NY 10007 | (646) 386-5000 |
The New York County Clerk's Office serves as both the County Clerk and Clerk of Supreme Court. It is located at 60 Centre Street, Room 161, New York, NY 10007, and is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Phone: (646) 386-5956
Online Search Tools
Several free databases let you search New York County court records electronically:
- WebCivil Supreme — Search active and disposed civil Supreme Court cases by party name, attorney or firm, index number, or calendar. Select New York from the court list.
- NYSCEF Case Search — Public access to electronically filed documents in Supreme Court and Surrogates Court cases. No e-filing account required to search.
- WebCrims — Scheduling and case information for criminal matters with upcoming court dates in NYC Criminal Court and Supreme Court Criminal Term.
- eCourts Portal — Central hub linking to WebCivil Supreme, WebCivil Local, WebCrims, WebFamily, and WebHousing search tools.
- Criminal History Record Search (CHRS) — Statewide criminal background search run by the Office of Court Administration, available online for $95 per search.
In-Person Access
Walk-in visitors can examine records at the New York County Clerk's main location at 60 Centre Street. The Supreme Court Records Room is in Room 103B (basement level). The Archives Department at 31 Chambers Street, 7th Floor, Room 703, holds historical court files from 1800 through 2003. Archives are open 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Email: NYCC-Archives@nycourts.gov, Phone: (646) 386-5395
Mail Requests
Send written requests for certified documents to the New York County Clerk's Office at 60 Centre Street, Room 161, New York, NY 10007. Include the parties' names, the index number, the approximate year of filing, and the applicable fee. Pay by certified check, attorney check, money order, or official bank check payable to the New York County Clerk. Personal or company checks are not accepted.
Are Court Records Public in New York County?
Court records in New York County are generally open to public inspection. The Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), codified in Public Officers Law Article 6 (Sections 84–90), establishes a right of public access to government records, and Judiciary Law 255 requires court clerks to allow public examination of court records during business hours.
Records Typically Available to the Public:
- Civil case filings (complaints, motions, orders, decisions)
- Criminal case calendars and disposition records
- Judgments and liens
- Probate filings and wills admitted to probate
- Business certificates
- Land records (deeds, mortgages, satisfactions)
Records Subject to Restrictions:
Several categories of court records are sealed or restricted by statute or court order:
- Criminal records sealed under CPL 160.50 following dismissal, acquittal, or other favorable termination
- Youthful offender records sealed under CPL 720.35
- Matrimonial (divorce) case files, restricted under Domestic Relations Law 235 and sealed for 100 years
- Name change records, sealable under Civil Rights Law 64-a
- Adoption records, sealed under Domestic Relations Law 114
- Juvenile delinquency records
- Incompetency records, sealed for 75 years under Mental Hygiene Law 33.14
- Grand jury proceedings
- Records containing confidential identifiers (Social Security numbers, financial account numbers)
Under 22 NYCRR 202.5(e), litigants must redact confidential personal information before filing. Access to sealed records requires a court order from a judge.
New York County Criminal Court Records
Criminal matters in New York County are adjudicated in two primary courts. Misdemeanors, violations, and summons cases go to NYC Criminal Court, while felony cases are handled in Supreme Court Criminal Term. Both operate out of 100 Centre Street.
NYC Criminal Court New York County
Address: 100 Centre Street, New York, NY 10013
Phone: (646) 386-4511
Fax: (212) 374-5293
Arraignments: Monday–Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.
Clerk's Office: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Summons Clerk: (646) 386-4869
The Midtown Community Court at 314 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019, Phone: (646) 264-1300, also handles certain criminal matters in the county.
Supreme Court Criminal Term
Address: 100 Centre Street, New York, NY 10013
Phone: (646) 386-4000
Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday–Friday
Searching Criminal Records
The WebCrims system shows scheduling data for criminal cases with upcoming court dates. For broader criminal background searches, the New York State Office of Court Administration runs the Criminal History Record Search (CHRS), which returns public records of open, pending, and convicted cases from courts across all 62 counties. The fee is $95 per search, based on an exact match of name and date of birth. You can also submit requests by mailing the CHRS application form to:
NYS Office of Court Administration
Criminal History Record Search Unit
25 Beaver Street, Room 940
New York, NY 10004
Email: CHRS@nycourts.gov
The CHRS report does not include sealed records, youthful offender cases, Family Court transfers, non-criminal violations, or federal court cases. It is not a certified document and should not be confused with a Certificate of Disposition, which you must get from the court where the case was originally heard.
Law Enforcement Records
The New York City Police Department maintains arrest records, mugshots, and booking data separately from court files. Direct requests to the NYPD Criminal Records Unit at 375 Pearl Street, Suite 4, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10038, Phone: (718) 610-8457 The New York Department of Corrections and Community Supervision has information about incarcerated or formerly incarcerated individuals. The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services maintains statewide criminal history records (rap sheets), which require fingerprint submission and valid identification to access.
New York County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in New York County splits between two courts based on the amount in dispute and the subject matter. Supreme Court Civil Term handles cases involving claims exceeding $25,000 and all matrimonial actions. The NYC Civil Court handles civil claims up to $50,000, small claims up to $10,000, and landlord-tenant disputes through its Housing Part.
NYC Civil Court Locations in Manhattan
- Main Courthouse: 111 Centre Street, New York, NY 10013 — Phone: (646) 386-5600
- Housing Part: 111 Centre Street, New York, NY 10013 — Phone: (646) 386-5500
- Small Claims Part: 111 Centre Street, New York, NY 10013 — Phone: (646) 386-5484
- Harlem Community Justice Center: 170 East 121st Street, New York, NY 10035 — Phone: (646) 386-5200
Searching Civil Case Records
To search Supreme Court civil cases online:
- Go to WebCivil Supreme.
- Choose a search method (party name, attorney/firm, index number, or calendar).
- Select New York from the court dropdown.
- Enter the required details and click search.
For electronically filed cases, NYSCEF gives you free access to filed documents, including motions, stipulations, and court decisions. Civil Court (non-Supreme) matters can be searched through WebCivil Local via the eCourts portal.
Fees at the New York County Clerk's Office
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copies (per page) | $0.25 |
| Certification (per document) | $8.00 |
| Copy machine (self-service, archives) | $0.35 per page |
| Search Certificate | $5.00 per 2 years searched |
| Certificate of Non-Appeal | $5.00 |
Payment is accepted by cash, certified check, attorney check, credit card, money order, or official bank check payable to New York County Clerk. Personal and company checks are not accepted.
Civil records are available for public examination under Judiciary Law 255, though portions may be redacted when they contain sensitive personal identifiers.
New York County Family Court Records
The New York County Family Court adjudicates matters involving children, families, and domestic relationships. It operates under the New York Family Court Act.
New York County Family Court
Address: 60 Lafayette Street, New York, NY 10013
Phone: (646) 386-5200
Fax: (212) 748-5272
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Types of Cases Handled:
- Custody and visitation
- Child support petitions and enforcement
- Paternity proceedings
- Orders of protection (domestic violence)
- Juvenile delinquency
- Child abuse and neglect
- Foster care reviews
- Guardianship of minors
- Adoption proceedings
Access Restrictions
Family Court records are open to the parties in a case and their attorneys, but general public access is limited under the Family Court Act. Juvenile records and adoption files are sealed. Certain ongoing cases may be viewable through the WebFamily search tool on the eCourts portal, though access is more restricted than for civil or criminal records.
Divorce Records
Divorce is a civil action filed in Supreme Court, not Family Court. Under Domestic Relations Law 235, matrimonial files are confidential and sealed for 100 years. Only the parties to the action (or their attorney of record) may obtain copies. Submit requests to the New York County Clerk's Archives Department at 31 Chambers Street, Room 703, or the Records Room at 60 Centre Street, Room 103B.
To request certified divorce documents in person, bring:
- A non-expired government-issued photo ID
- The parties' names at the time of filing
- The index number or approximate year the divorce began
The fee is $0.25 per page plus $8.00 per certification. Non-parties must also present an original notarized letter from a party or attorney of record granting access. For mail requests, send a notarized request letter with a copy of a party's ID and an $8.00 money order to the New York County Clerk's Office, 60 Centre Street, Room 161, New York, NY 10007. The international request fee is $16 per copy.
Marriage Records
Marriage records are maintained by the NYC Clerk's Office Marriage Bureau, not the court system. A marriage record costs $15 for the first copy and $10 for each additional copy. Extended records for overseas use cost $35. Authentication of the County Clerk's signature costs an additional $3. Appointments for in-person requests can be scheduled online. Marriage records can also be requested through the Vital Records Section of the New York State Department of Health using the application form. Marriage records older than 50 years or for deceased spouses are available to the public.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death certificates are issued by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Under Public Health Law 4174, these records are restricted to authorized persons. Birth certificates cost $10, and certified death certificates cost $8. Mail requests to the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Gotham Center, 42-09 28th Street, Long Island City, NY 11101-4132. In-person appointments can be scheduled online. Public access is permitted 75 years after birth (if the individual is deceased) and 50 years after death.
New York County Probate Court Records
Probate and estate matters in New York County are handled by the New York County Surrogates Court, one of the busiest surrogates courts in the state.
New York County Surrogates Court
Address: 31 Chambers Street, New York, NY 10007
Phone: (646) 386-5000
Fax: (212) 374-3250
Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday–Friday
Record Room (Room 302): 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Matters Handled:
- Probate of wills
- Administration of intestate estates
- Accounting proceedings
- Guardianship of the property of minors and incapacitated persons
- Testamentary trust administration
- Conservatorships
- Wrongful death proceedings
- Kinship hearings
New York County Surrogates Court accepts electronic filings through NYSCEF for all proceedings except miscellaneous filings.
Searching Probate Records
The WebSurrogate portal gives you free online access to filed documents and case information. Search by decedent name or file number. All records from 1964 to the present are available for free in-person inspection at the courthouse. Older records must be ordered and may take up to three weeks to arrive.
Fees for Probate Record Searches
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Mail search (death within past 25 years) | $30.00 per estate |
| Mail search (death over 25 years ago) | $90.00 per estate |
| Certified copies | $6.00 per page |
Filing fees for probate and administration petitions are set by SCPA 2402 and vary based on the gross value of the estate, ranging from $45 (estates under $10,000) to $1,250 (estates of $500,000 or more).
Adoption Records
Adoption files handled by Surrogates Court are sealed and not accessible to the public. A court order is required to unseal an adoption record, and the petitioner must demonstrate good cause.
Requesting Records
In-person requests are handled in Room 302 during the hours listed above. Send written requests to New York County Surrogates Court, 31 Chambers Street, New York, NY 10007. Include the decedent's full name, approximate date of death, and file number if known, along with the applicable search fee. For questions about procedures, call the court at (646) 386-5000 or review the court's instructions for record searches.