Niagara County Court Records Search
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Niagara County occupies the western edge of New York State, bordered by Lake Ontario to the north and the Niagara River to the west. The county seat is the City of Lockport, where the main courthouse complex houses most of the trial-level courts that generate and preserve court records. Niagara County falls within the 8th Judicial District of the New York State Unified Court System, which also covers Erie, Genesee, and several neighboring counties. Four distinct courts operate at the county level — the Supreme Court, County Court, Family Court, and Surrogate’s Court — while three city courts and twelve town courts handle local matters throughout the county’s municipalities and townships.
For individuals looking to locate court records in New York, several pathways exist. The Niagara County Clerk’s office serves as the primary repository for Supreme Court civil filings, land records, and certain criminal case documents, while individual court clerks maintain their own case files for family, surrogate’s, city, and town court proceedings. The state judiciary operates free online portals including WebCivil Supreme, WebCriminal, WebFamily, and WebSurrogate that provide searchable case data across all 62 counties. Additionally, NewYorkCourts.us may help users identify publicly accessible court case information for Niagara County and elsewhere in the state. Public access terminals inside courthouses, telephone inquiries, and mail-in requests round out the available search methods.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Niagara County?
Identifying the correct court is the first step. Civil matters worth more than $25,000, divorce and matrimonial actions, and equity cases are filed in the Supreme Court. The County Court hears felony criminal prosecutions and civil claims up to $25,000. The Family Court handles child custody, support, domestic violence, and juvenile matters. The Surrogate’s Court manages estate and adoption proceedings. City courts in Lockport, Niagara Falls, and North Tonawanda handle misdemeanors, small claims, and civil cases up to $15,000. Town courts process traffic violations, code infractions, and small claims up to $3,000.
Court locations in Niagara County:
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Supreme Court (Niagara Falls) | 775 Third Street, Niagara Falls, NY 14301 | (716) 371-4000 |
| Supreme & County Court (Lockport) | 175 Hawley Street, Lockport, NY 14094 | (716) 280-6400 |
| Family Court (Lockport) | 175 Hawley Street, Lockport, NY 14094 | (716) 280-6500 |
| Family Court (Niagara Falls) | 775 Third Street, Niagara Falls, NY 14301 | (716) 371-4050 |
| Surrogate’s Court | 175 Hawley Street, Lockport, NY 14094 | (716) 280-6460 |
| Lockport City Court | One Locks Plaza, Lockport, NY 14094 | (716) 280-6205 |
| Niagara Falls City Court | 1925 Main Street, Niagara Falls, NY 14302 | (716) 371-4100 |
| North Tonawanda City Court | 216 Payne Avenue, North Tonawanda, NY 14120 | (716) 845-7240 |
Online search tools. The New York State Unified Court System provides several free portals for locating case information:
- WebCivil Supreme — search Supreme Court civil cases by party name, index number, justice, attorney, or filing date. Includes filed motions, case status, and dispositions.
- WebCriminal — contains ongoing criminal case data from Supreme and County courts, showing charges, arrest dates, arresting agency, hearing schedules, and attorney information.
- WebFamily — provides family case records from Niagara County courts.
- NYSCEF — the New York State Courts Electronic Filing system allows guest users to search case records and view documents from Niagara County Supreme Court at no charge. E-filing is mandatory in Niagara County for all Supreme Court case types; only pro se litigants may submit paper filings.
- WebSurrogate — search estate proceedings, probate filings, and adoption records by name, file number, or index.
County Clerk online database. The Niagara County Clerk offers a subscription-based web application through SearchIQS where users can access court documents and land records. Subscription activation costs $50, with quarterly fees of $150 for county residents, $450 for in-state subscribers outside Niagara County, and $600 for out-of-state users.
Niagara County Clerk’s Office
Address: 175 Hawley Street, 1st Floor, Lockport, NY 14095-0461
Mailing: P.O. Box 461, Lockport, NY 14095-0461
Phone: (716) 439-7022
Fax: (716) 439-7189
Email: niagaracounty.clerk@niagaracounty.com
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Record requests can be submitted in person, by mail, email, fax, or telephone. When contacting the clerk by email, include party names, recording dates, and any other identifying information. The office also provides a Record Retrieval Request form and a Criminal Case Record(s) Request form that can be mailed or faxed.
Are Court Records Public in Niagara County?
New York law establishes a broad right of access to court records. N.Y. Judiciary Law § 255 requires the clerk of any court to search files, papers, records, and dockets upon request and to provide copies. This duty extends to the Niagara County Clerk, the Supreme and County Court Chief Clerk, and the clerks of each city, town, family, and surrogate’s court operating within the county.
Beyond the Judiciary Law, the New York Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) — codified in Public Officers Law §§ 84–90 — grants the public a right of access to records maintained by government agencies, including certain court-related administrative records. The Niagara County Legislature accepts FOIL requests through a designated FOIL Request Form submitted to the County Courthouse at 175 Hawley Street, Lockport, NY 14094-2740.
Despite the strong presumption of openness, several categories of court records are restricted or sealed:
- Juvenile proceedings — records of Family Court proceedings involving minors accused of delinquency are confidential under New York Family Court Act provisions.
- Sealed criminal records — under CPL § 160.50, when a criminal action terminates in favor of the accused, arrest records and related court files are sealed and may not be disclosed without a court order.
- Active criminal investigations — law-enforcement files tied to ongoing investigations are generally exempt from disclosure.
- Adoption records — finalized adoption files in Surrogate’s Court are sealed.
- Victim and witness information — personal details of victims, confidential informants, and witnesses may be redacted.
- Sensitive personal data — Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar identifiers are withheld.
Copy and certification fees charged by the Niagara County Clerk follow the published Office Fee Schedule:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Prepare each record (per page) | $0.65 (minimum $1.30) |
| Certify prepared record (per page) | $1.25 (minimum $5.20) |
| Prepare and certify (per page) | $1.25 (minimum $5.00) |
| Exemplification | $10.00 (in addition to certification) |
| Marriage record (prepare and certify) | $5.00 |
| Criminal search (per name, every two years searched) | $5.00 |
The office accepts cash, personal checks up to $500, corporate checks up to $10,000, and money orders payable to Niagara County Clerk. Credit card payments (Visa, MasterCard, Discover) incur a 2.5% convenience fee plus a $0.50 transaction charge.
Niagara County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Niagara County are prosecuted at multiple levels depending on the severity of the charge. The County Court holds exclusive jurisdiction over felonies and can hear appeals from city and town courts. City courts in Lockport, Niagara Falls, and North Tonawanda adjudicate misdemeanors and violations committed within city limits. The twelve town courts handle traffic offenses, code violations, and minor misdemeanors occurring in unincorporated areas.
Searching criminal case records. The WebCriminal portal is the primary free tool for locating active criminal cases in the Supreme and County courts. It displays defendant information, charges, arrest dates, arresting officers, hearing calendars, and attorney assignments. For city and town court criminal cases, contact the specific court directly — online tools such as WebCivil Local cover some city court civil and criminal dockets.
The Niagara County Clerk also processes criminal record searches for $5.00 per name for every two-year period searched. Requests can be submitted using the Criminal Case Record(s) Request form, available on the clerk’s website, and mailed or faxed to:
P.O. Box 461, Lockport, NY 14095-0461
Fax: (716) 439-7189
Arrest records and the Sheriff’s Office. Arrest and booking records are maintained by the arresting agency. The Niagara County Sheriff’s Office operates the county jail and publishes an Incarcerated Individual Search on its website, which displays inmate names, photographs, booking details, bail information, arrest dates, and criminal charges. The office also publishes active arrest warrants showing suspect descriptions and alleged offenses.
Niagara County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 5526 Niagara Street Ext., P.O. Box 496, Lockport, NY 14095-0496
Phone: (716) 438-3393
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Statewide criminal history checks. A comprehensive New York criminal history record search is available through the Office of Court Administration (OCA) for a fee of $95.00. This search covers conviction data from courts across the state. Individuals seeking their own rap sheet can request it from the Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) through a fingerprint-based process.
Records sealed under CPL § 160.50 following a favorable termination — such as an acquittal, dismissal, or adjournment in contemplation of dismissal — are not accessible to the public and will not appear in standard searches.
Niagara County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Niagara County is distributed across several courts based on the amount in dispute and the nature of the claim.
Jurisdictional thresholds:
- Supreme Court — civil cases exceeding $25,000, matrimonial actions (divorce, separation, annulment), and equity matters. The Supreme Court sits in both Niagara Falls (775 Third Street) and Lockport (175 Hawley Street).
- County Court — civil claims up to $25,000.
- City Courts — civil cases up to $15,000 and small claims up to $5,000 within the cities of Lockport, Niagara Falls, and North Tonawanda.
- Town Courts — small claims up to $3,000 and landlord-tenant disputes within their respective townships.
Filing requirements. E-filing through NYSCEF is mandatory in Niagara County Supreme Court for all case types. Only self-represented litigants retain the option of filing on paper or using the electronic system. Filing fees from the County Clerk’s fee schedule include:
| Filing | Fee |
|---|---|
| Index number (new civil action) | $210.00 |
| Third-party index number | $210.00 |
| Foreclosure index number | $400.00 |
| Request for judicial intervention | $95.00 |
| Note of issue | $30.00 |
| Motion or cross-motion | $45.00 |
| Small claims assessment review | $30.00 |
| Jury demand | $65.00 |
| Notice of appeal | $65.00 |
| Trial de novo | $75.00 |
Searching civil records. The WebCivil Supreme portal allows free searches of Supreme Court civil cases by party name, index number, justice, attorney, or filing date. Users can view filed motions, case descriptions, disposition dates, and attorney information. The document search feature retrieves filings by index number, and the court calendar tool shows upcoming hearing dates. For County Court and city court civil matters, WebCivil Local provides basic case details searchable by judge, party, or attorney.
Town court records. The twelve town courts in Niagara County maintain their own records. Individuals must contact the specific town court where the case was heard to obtain copies. Town court locations and phone numbers include:
| Town Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Cambria | 4160 Upper Mountain Road, Sanborn, NY 14132 | (716) 433-3088 |
| Lewiston | 1375 Ridge Road, Lewiston, NY 14092 | (716) 754-8213 |
| Hartland | 8942 Ridge Road, Gasport, NY 14067 | (716) 735-7239 |
| Lockport | 6564 Dysinger Road, Lockport, NY 14094 | (716) 439-9528 |
| Newfane | 2986 Transit Road, Newfane, NY 14108 | (716) 778-9292 |
| Niagara | 7105 Lockport Road, Niagara Falls, NY 14305 | (716) 215-1486 |
| Pendleton | 6570 Campbell Boulevard, Lockport, NY 14094 | (716) 625-8833 |
| Porter | 3265 Creek Road, Youngstown, NY 14174 | (716) 745-7036 Ext. 6 |
| Royalton | 5316 Royalton Center Road, Middleport, NY 14105 | (716) 772-2588 |
| Somerset | 8700 Haight Road, P.O. Box 863, Barker, NY 14012 | (716) 795-9193 Ext. 4 |
| Wheatfield | 2800 Church Road, North Tonawanda, NY 14120 | (716) 694-6793 |
| Wilson | 375 Lake Street, P.O. Box 537, Wilson, NY 14172 | (716) 751-0549 |
Niagara County Family Court Records
The Niagara County Family Court operates at two locations — one inside the Niagara County Courthouse in Lockport and another in the Angelo DelSignore Civic Building in Niagara Falls. The court handles child custody and visitation, child support petitions, orders of protection, juvenile delinquency, persons in need of supervision (PINS), child abuse and neglect proceedings, foster care reviews, guardianship of minors, and family offense matters. Adoptions may be filed in either Family Court or Surrogate’s Court.
Niagara County Family Court — Lockport
Address: 175 Hawley Street, Lockport, NY 14094
Phone: (716) 280-6500
Fax: (716) 280-6241
Chief Clerk: Krista Ventura — kventura@nycourts.gov
Niagara County Family Court — Niagara Falls
Address: 775 Third Street, Angelo DelSignore Civic Building, Niagara Falls, NY 14301
Phone: (716) 371-4050
Fax: (716) 371-4168
The WebFamily portal provides online access to family case information. Users should be aware that many family court records carry access restrictions. Proceedings involving juvenile delinquency, child protective matters, and cases involving minors are generally confidential. Orders of protection and related filings may also have limited public access depending on the circumstances.
Child support. Niagara County residents seeking to establish, modify, or enforce child support orders can contact the Niagara County Child Support Collection Unit at 20 East Avenue, Lockport, NY, with walk-in hours Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. The statewide Office of Child Support Enforcement can also be reached at (888) 208-4485.
Divorce and matrimonial records. Divorce and separation actions are heard in the Supreme Court, not the Family Court. Divorce decrees — containing the full terms of the dissolution — are filed with the Niagara County Clerk. To obtain a copy, submit the Divorce File Request form to the County Clerk’s Office at P.O. Box 461, Lockport, NY 14095-0461, or fax it to (716) 439-7189. The clerk charges $0.65 per page (minimum $1.30) for copies and $1.25 per page (minimum $5.20) for certified copies.
Divorce certificates, which are shorter summary documents, can be ordered from the New York State Department of Health Vital Records for divorces granted on or after January 1, 1963. The fee is $30 per copy by mail. Applicants must complete the Application for Copy of Divorce Certificate (DOH-4378) and mail it with required identification to:
New York State Department of Health
Vital Records Certification Unit
P.O. Box 2602
Albany, NY 12220-2602
Only the named spouses or individuals with valid court orders may obtain divorce certificates and decrees.
Marriage certificates. Marriage certificates in Niagara County are issued by the city or town clerk who recorded the original license. Local copies cost $10.00 each. Statewide copies of marriage certificates (from 1880 forward) can be ordered from the Department of Health using the Application for Marriage Certificate (DOH-4382) for $30 per copy. Eligibility is restricted to the spouses named on the certificate or parties with a demonstrated legal need.
Birth and death records. These vital records are maintained at the local level by the city or town clerk who registered the event, and at the state level by the Department of Health Vital Records division. Birth certificates are available only to the registrant, parents named on the record, or individuals with a valid court order. Death certificates may be obtained by the spouse, children, parents, or siblings of the decedent, by persons with a documented medical purpose, or by parties holding a court order. Local copy fees are typically $10.00 per certificate.
Niagara County Probate Court Records
Estate proceedings in Niagara County are administered by the Surrogate’s Court, located inside the Niagara County Courthouse in Lockport. The court handles probate of wills, administration of intestate estates, trust matters, guardianship of the property of minors, and adoptions.
Niagara County Surrogate’s Court
Address: 175 Hawley Street, Lockport, NY 14094
Phone: (716) 280-6460
Fax: (716) 280-6480
Chief Clerk: Camille Hayes — chayes@nycourts.gov
Deputy Chief Clerk: Angela Myles — amyles@nycourts.gov
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Searching probate records. The WebSurrogate portal is a free service that allows the public to search estate proceedings, retrieve documents, and view historical records. Available search methods include name, file number, old index, will, and index book page searches. The system provides public access to filed documents and docket information for proceedings in Niagara County and other counties statewide.
In-person research is also available during business hours. Courthouse visitors can review files and request copies from the Surrogate’s Court Clerk.
Filing fees. Surrogate’s Court fees are set by New York SCPA § 2402 and are scaled to the value of the estate:
| Estate Value | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Less than $10,000 | $45.00 |
| $10,000 but under $20,000 | $75.00 |
| $20,000 but under $50,000 | $215.00 |
| $50,000 but under $100,000 | $280.00 |
| $100,000 but under $250,000 | $420.00 |
| $250,000 but under $500,000 | $625.00 |
| $500,000 and over | $1,250.00 |
Additional fees apply for specific proceedings, such as appointment of a guardian ($20.00), compulsory accounting ($30.00), and filing objections to probate ($150.00). Certified copies of Surrogate’s Court documents cost $6.00 per page, and a search-and-certify fee runs $30.00 for records under 25 years old or $90.00 for records spanning more than 25 years.
Adoption records. Adoptions may be processed through the Surrogate’s Court. Upon finalization, adoption files involving minors are sealed and cannot be accessed without a court order. The WebSurrogate system will not display sealed adoption records in public search results.
Statewide forms and resources. The Unified Court System publishes Surrogate’s Court forms and checklists to guide petitioners through probate, administration, accounting, and guardianship proceedings. E-filing through NYSCEF is available for Surrogate’s Court matters in Niagara County.