Rockland County Court Records Search
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Rockland County is situated in the lower Hudson Valley region of New York State, with New City serving as the county seat. The county’s judicial system operates through multiple courts — including Supreme Court, County Court, Family Court, Surrogate’s Court, and more than twenty town and village justice courts — all housed within or connected to the Rockland County Courthouse complex and surrounding communities. These courts collectively generate a substantial volume of records each year, spanning criminal prosecutions, civil disputes, family proceedings, estate matters, and local ordinance violations.
For individuals seeking court records in New York, official resources include clerk offices at the county and local level, public-access terminals within courthouse facilities, and several statewide electronic tools maintained by the New York State Unified Court System. The NewYorkCourts.us website can also help users locate publicly available court case information across New York’s counties. In Rockland County specifically, the County Clerk’s office serves as the central repository for Supreme Court and County Court filings, while individual town and village justice courts maintain their own records for matters within their jurisdiction.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Rockland County?
Several methods are available for searching Rockland County court records, depending on the case type, court of origin, and the level of detail required.
Online Search Tools
The Rockland County Clerk operates a digital document search system that provides free viewing access to court records, land records, maps, naturalization records, notary filings, tax warrants, and other documents — some dating back to 1798. Visitors can sign in as a guest to view documents at no charge. Registered users who wish to print documents pay $0.50 per page and must fund a prepaid account by credit card (with a 3% convenience fee) or by mailing a check to the County Clerk’s office.
Beyond the county’s own portal, the New York State Unified Court System maintains several case-lookup tools:
- WebCivil Supreme — searches active Supreme Court civil cases statewide, including Rockland County, by party name, index number, or attorney name
- New York State Courts Electronic Filing (NYSCEF) — provides access to e-filed documents in Supreme Court and Surrogate’s Court cases in participating counties, including Rockland
- WebSurrogate — a free service for searching estate and probate proceedings by party name, file number, or date of death
In-Person Access
Individuals may visit the Rockland County Clerk’s office to inspect publicly available records during business hours. Public photocopiers are generally available at the clerk’s counter, often at a lower per-page rate than formal copy requests submitted under CPLR § 8019.
Rockland County Clerk
Address: 1 South Main Street, Suite 100, New City, NY 10956
Phone: (845) 638-5070
Fax: (845) 638-5647
Email: rocklandcountyclerk@co.rockland.ny.us
Court Records Division Phone: (845) 638-5094
Office Hours:
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday–Thursday | 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. |
| Friday | 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
Mail Requests
Written requests for court record copies may be sent to the County Clerk at the address above. Each request should include the case index number or full party names, the specific documents sought, and a certified check or money order payable to “Rockland County Clerk” for applicable fees.
Copy Fees (County Clerk)
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Uncertified copy | $0.50 per page |
| Certified copy | $1.25 per page ($5.00 minimum) |
| Search fee | $5.00 per name/request |
For records maintained by the courts themselves rather than the County Clerk, requests should be directed to the specific Clerk of the Court. Fees charged by court clerks follow the schedule established in CPLR § 8019, which sets $0.65 per page for copies and $5.20 minimum for certified copies.
Are Court Records Public in Rockland County?
Court records in New York are generally accessible to the public under Section 255 of the Judiciary Law, which requires a clerk of a court to search files upon request and certify the results. This statute — rather than the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) — governs access to court records specifically. FOIL, codified in Article 6 (Sections 84–90) of the Public Officers Law, applies to administrative records maintained by government agencies but does not cover court records or other records of the Judiciary. The New York State Unified Court System clarifies this distinction: requests for court records should be directed to the Clerk of the Court or the County Clerk that possesses the documents, not to the Office of Court Administration.
Under Judiciary Law § 255 and § 255-b, docket books kept by a clerk of a court must remain open for inspection during business hours. The public may inspect records at the clerk’s office without charge, though fees apply for copies and certifications.
Categories of Restricted or Confidential Records
Despite the broad presumption of access, certain records in Rockland County courts are not available to the public:
- Sealed records (by court order)
- Records relating to ongoing law-enforcement investigations
- Adoption proceedings and records
- Mental health records and proceedings
- Alcohol and substance-abuse treatment records
- Juvenile delinquency and persons-in-need-of-supervision (PINS) records
- Youthful offender adjudications (Criminal Procedure Law § 720.35)
- Grand jury proceedings and minutes
- Records subject to protective orders issued by the court
Certain filings in family law and guardianship cases may also contain sealed financial records, medical evaluations, or other confidential attachments that are restricted from general public inspection. Individuals seeking access to sealed or restricted materials must file a motion with the court and obtain a judicial order.
Rockland County Criminal Court Records
Criminal prosecutions in Rockland County proceed through either the County Court or the local justice courts, depending on the severity of the charge. Felony cases — including murder, robbery, arson, and other serious offenses — are handled exclusively in the Rockland County Court, while misdemeanor and violation-level cases may be adjudicated in the County Court or in any of the twenty-one town and village justice courts within the county.
Rockland County Supreme and County Court
Address: 1 South Main Street, New City, NY 10956
Phone: (845) 483-8310
Fax: (845) 638-5312
The Rockland Supreme and County Court sits in the Ninth Judicial District. The County Court hears felony trials and has authority over misdemeanor matters. Supreme Court Justices currently assigned to Rockland County include Hon. John P. Collins, Jr., Hon. Larry J. Schwartz, Hon. Rachel E. Tanguay, and Hon. Thomas Zugibe. County Court Judges include Hon. David Ascher, Hon. Djinsad Desir, and Hon. Kevin F. Russo.
How to Search Criminal Records
Criminal case docket information for cases in the County Court or Supreme Court can be searched through the County Clerk’s digital document search portal. For cases involving e-filed documents, the NYSCEF system may contain relevant filings. Misdemeanor and violation records from local courts must be requested directly from the justice court that handled the case.
Arrest Records
The Rockland County Clerk maintains records related to felony cases where an indictment or information has been filed. For questions about arrests, booking records, or the current status of inmates, the Rockland County Sheriff’s Office is the appropriate contact:
Rockland County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 55 New Hempstead Road, New City, NY 10956
Phone: (845) 638-5400
Website: rocklandsheriffny.gov
The Sheriff’s Corrections Division operates the Rockland County Correctional Center. Inquiries about individuals in custody can be directed to (845) 638-5600.
Statewide Criminal History Searches
The New York State Office of Court Administration (OCA) provides a statewide criminal history record search for a fee of $95.00. This service returns information from court records across all of New York State. Separately, the Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) maintains the state’s official criminal history database, which requires fingerprint submission for access.
Rockland County District Attorney
Address: 1 South Main Street, Suite 500, New City, NY 10956
Phone: (845) 638-5001
Fax: (845) 638-5298
Email: info@rocklandda.org
Prosecution records, police reports, and investigative files are maintained by the District Attorney’s Office and the arresting law-enforcement agency — not by the court clerk. Requests for those materials should be directed to those agencies separately.
Rockland County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Rockland County covers contract disputes, personal injury claims, real property matters, commercial cases, foreclosures, and other non-criminal proceedings. The Supreme Court exercises original jurisdiction over civil cases of all types, while the County Court has limited jurisdiction over civil matters involving claims up to $25,000.
Where Civil Records Are Maintained
The Rockland County Clerk files and records court-related documents for the New York State Supreme and County Courts, including initial filings, subsequent motions, orders, judgments, and settlement agreements. The Clerk’s office accepts filings to commence new actions and processes all subsequent documents in existing cases. For questions about civil court records or to obtain forms, contact the court records division at (845) 638-5094.
Online Searches for Civil Cases
Active civil cases in Supreme Court can be searched through WebCivil Supreme, which allows lookups by case name, index number, or attorney. The county’s own eSearch portal offers broader searching capabilities across court records, land records, judgments, and other filings held by the County Clerk.
For cases where documents have been electronically filed, the NYSCEF system provides direct access to filed papers. E-filing is permitted in Rockland County Supreme Court for approved case types, as outlined in the Ninth Judicial District e-filing information.
Small Claims and Lower-Court Civil Matters
Civil disputes involving smaller dollar amounts and landlord-tenant matters are often heard in the town and village justice courts throughout Rockland County. Each justice court maintains its own records. Below are some of the most commonly contacted justice courts:
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Clarkstown Justice Court | 20 Maple Avenue, New City, NY 10956 | (845) 639-5960 |
| Orangetown Justice Court | 26 Orangeburg Road, Orangeburg, NY 10962 | (845) 359-5100 |
| Ramapo Justice Court | 237 Route 59, Suffern, NY 10901 | (845) 357-5100 |
| Haverstraw Town Justice Court | 1 Rosman Road, Garnerville, NY 10923 | (845) 947-0020 |
| Stony Point Justice Court | 6 Patriot Hills Lane, Stony Point, NY 10980 | (845) 786-2506 |
| Spring Valley Justice Court | 200 North Main Street, Spring Valley, NY 10977 | (845) 573-5820 |
Property and Land Records
Deeds, mortgages, liens, satisfactions, assignments, and other land-related instruments are recorded by the County Clerk’s office. These can be searched through the Clerk’s land records search portal or the eSearch system. Uncertified land-record copies cost $0.50 per page plus a $5.00 search fee; certified copies are $1.25 per page plus the search fee.
Requesting Copies
Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or by fax. Payment is accepted by certified check or money order payable to “Rockland County Clerk”. For in-person visits, visitors should enter via the rear parking lot at 11 New Hempstead Road.
Rockland County Family Court Records
The Rockland County Family Court handles a wide array of domestic matters, including custody and visitation, child support, paternity, domestic violence, juvenile delinquency, persons-in-need-of-supervision (PINS) petitions, adoption, guardianship, and family offense proceedings.
Rockland County Family Court
Address: 1 South Main Street, Suite 300, New City, NY 10956
Phone: (845) 483-8210
Fax: (845) 638-5319
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
The Rockland County Family Court is part of the Ninth Judicial District. Individuals needing to start a case may call the Family Court Helpline at (800) 696-8629 for guidance.
Access Restrictions
Family Court records in New York carry substantial confidentiality protections. Juvenile delinquency records, PINS proceedings, child protective proceedings, and adoption files are not open to public inspection. Access to these records is limited to parties, their attorneys, and other individuals specifically authorized by statute or court order. Even for cases where records are technically available, the court may require valid identification and proof of a direct interest in the proceeding before releasing documents.
Divorce Records
Divorce proceedings in New York are filed in Supreme Court, not Family Court. The Rockland County Clerk maintains divorce decrees and related case files. To request copies, contact the County Clerk’s office at (845) 483-8300 or search the eSearch portal online.
Divorce certificates — which are distinct from divorce decrees and serve as summary proof that a divorce occurred — are issued by the New York State Department of Health, Vital Records Section:
New York State Vital Records
Address: 800 North Pearl Street, Menands, NY 12204
Phone: (877) 854-4481
In-Person Hours: Monday–Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses in New York State are issued by town and city clerks, not the county clerk. The standard marriage license fee outside New York City is $40.00. Copies of marriage certificates are available from the town clerk who issued the license for $10.00 per copy. Eligible applicants include the individuals named on the certificate, their children, a current or former spouse, or a legal representative. A valid photo ID such as a driver’s license or passport is required.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death certificates in Rockland County are available from the local registrar of vital statistics (typically the town or village clerk) where the event occurred or from the New York State Department of Health. The State Vital Records office holds birth records since 1881 for all of New York State outside New York City. Current mail-order fees are $30.00 per copy; online and phone orders placed through VitalChek cost $45.00 plus a vendor processing fee.
Birth records less than 75 years old and death records less than 50 years old are restricted to eligible applicants — generally the individual named on the certificate, a parent listed on the certificate, or a spouse, child, or other person authorized by court order. Older records that have passed these thresholds are considered open to the public and may be obtained from the New York State Archives or the NYC Department of Records.
Rockland County Probate Court Records
Probate and estate matters in Rockland County fall under the jurisdiction of the Rockland County Surrogate’s Court, which handles the probate of wills, administration of decedent estates, guardianship of minors and incapacitated adults, trust administration, and related proceedings.
Rockland County Surrogate’s Court
Address: 1 South Main Street, New City, NY 10956
Phone: (845) 483-8260
Fax: (845) 638-5632
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Surrogate: Hon. Keith J. Cornell
Searching Probate Records Online
The WebSurrogate portal, operated by the New York State Unified Court System, provides free public access to estate proceeding records within Surrogate’s Courts across the state, including Rockland County. Users can search by the decedent’s name, file number, or date of death to retrieve case information and publicly available documents.
For e-filed Surrogate’s Court cases, the NYSCEF system contains filed documents. According to the Rockland County Surrogate’s Court e-filing protocol, mandatory e-filing applies to all new probate, administration, small estate, accounting, and miscellaneous proceedings when the filer is represented by counsel. Guardianship proceedings use consensual e-filing.
Filing a Probate Case
To commence a probate proceeding in Rockland County, the petitioner or attorney must file through NYSCEF for mandatory case types. Key requirements include:
- Run an inquiry on the decedent’s last name in NYSCEF before filing to confirm no existing file is open.
- Contact the Surrogate’s Court to determine whether a will has previously been deposited for safekeeping.
- E-file the petition and all supporting documents, including a scanned copy of the original will and death certificate.
- Deliver the original will and a hard-copy certified death certificate to the court within three business days of the electronic filing, along with a copy of the e-filing confirmation.
- Pay filing fees via credit card through NYSCEF at the time of filing, or submit payment by check at the court. Fees are calculated under SCPA § 2402 based on the size of the estate and the documents filed. If payment is not received within five business days, the filing may be deleted.
Important Filing Notes
- Bonds must be submitted in hard copy — they should not be e-filed or paid through NYSCEF, as they require the Surrogate’s signature before becoming effective.
- Proposed citations are submitted electronically; the court completes and uploads the finalized version to NYSCEF.
- Signed decrees, orders, letters testamentary, and certificates of appointment are mailed to the filer in hard copy. Certified copies must be requested and paid for in advance.
Requesting Copies of Probate Records
Certified copies of probate documents — including letters testamentary, letters of administration, and estate decrees — can be requested through NYSCEF for e-filed cases or in person at the Surrogate’s Court. Standard copy and certification fees apply under CPLR § 8019. Individuals may also inspect publicly available probate files at the court during business hours.
Guardianship Proceedings
The Surrogate’s Court handles guardianships for minors (concerning property) and certain adult guardianship matters. Mental health commitments and related proceedings carry additional confidentiality protections, and records from those cases are not available for public review. Motions to seal specific documents within estate or guardianship files must be submitted on paper with an unredacted version for in-camera review, as detailed in the court’s e-filing protocol.
For historical probate records and genealogical research, the New York State Archives maintains older estate files. The Rockland County Archives, located at 50 Sanatorium Road, Building S, Pomona, NY 10970, Phone: (845) 364-3670, also holds historical county records and is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.