Schenectady County Court Records Search
NewYorkCourts.us is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by the FCRA and does not provide consumer reports. All searches conducted on NewYorkCourts.us are subject to the Terms of Service and Privacy Notice.
Schenectady County sits in the Capital District of New York State, with the City of Schenectady serving as the county seat. The county’s judicial system includes a Supreme Court, a County Court, a Family Court, a Surrogate’s Court, two City Courts, and several Town and Village Courts — all operating under the umbrella of the New York State Unified Court System. Court records generated across these tribunals document everything from felony prosecutions and civil lawsuits to family disputes and estate proceedings. Knowing which court handled a particular matter, and which clerk’s office maintains its files, is the first step toward a successful records search.
For anyone researching court cases in New York, several official tools are available. Records can be searched through clerk of court offices, public access terminals at courthouses, and a suite of online applications maintained by the state judiciary. NewYorkCourts.us may help users connect with court case information, eFiling portals, and self-help resources. The New York State Unified Court System also operates purpose-built databases — including NYSCEF, WebCivil Supreme, WebCrims, and WebSurrogate — that allow the public to query case filings across different court types without visiting a courthouse.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Schenectady County?
The approach to finding a case depends on the court that handled it, the type of case, and whether you need basic docket information or certified copies of documents.
Online Search Options
The Unified Court System provides several free and fee-based portals:
- NYSCEF Case Search — Covers Supreme Court cases that were electronically filed. Users can search by party name, attorney name, case number, or third-party index number without an eFiling account.
- WebCivil Supreme — Contains civil case data from every Supreme Court in the state. Searchable by index number, party, attorney, or justice.
- WebCrims — Provides information on criminal cases with future court dates in select courts of criminal jurisdiction.
- WebSurrogate — A free service for searching Surrogate’s Court estate filings by party name or file number, with the ability to view associated documents.
In-Person Searches
Visitors can inspect publicly available records at any Schenectady County court clerk’s office during business hours, typically 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. The two main courthouse locations are:
Schenectady County Judicial Building
Address: 612 State Street, Schenectady, NY 12305
Houses: Supreme Court, County Court, Surrogate’s Court
Chief Clerk (Supreme & County Courts): (518) 285-8401
Schenectady County Office Building
Address: 620 State Street, Schenectady, NY 12305
Houses: Family Court
Family Court Clerk: (518) 285-8435
Supreme Court and County Court records are also archived with the Schenectady County Clerk’s office, located on the 3rd Floor of 620 State Street. The County Clerk can be reached at (518) 388-4220 during office hours of 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM (9:00 AM to 4:00 PM in July and August).
Key Fees at the County Clerk’s Office
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Document search | $5.00 |
| Staff-prepared copies | $1.00 per page |
| Self-service copies | $0.50 per page |
| Certification (minimum) | $5.00 |
| Exemplified copies | $15.00 |
No appointment is required to visit the County Clerk’s record room.
Are Court Records Public in Schenectady County?
Under Section 255 of the New York Judiciary Law, court clerks are obligated to search their files upon request and furnish copies of records, or certify when no record exists. Section 255-b further provides that docket books kept by court clerks must remain open to the public during business hours.
These provisions create broad public access, but several categories of records are restricted or sealed under New York law:
- Divorce records — Considered confidential; access is limited to parties to the case or individuals with a court order
- Adoption records — Sealed and available only to eligible parties under narrow statutory circumstances
- Sealed and expunged records — Criminal records sealed under CPL 160.50, 160.55, or 160.59 are not disclosed
- Juvenile and youthful offender records — Protected from public disclosure under the Criminal Procedure Law and Family Court Act
- Mental health records — Court records containing psychiatric or mental health evaluations may be restricted
- Pending investigation materials — Records related to active law enforcement investigations
The Surrogate’s Court follows its own confidentiality rules under Section 207.64 of the Uniform Rules for Surrogate’s Courts, which restricts access to documents containing confidential personal information (CPI). Parties filing with the Surrogate’s Court are responsible for redacting CPI from their submissions.
Access to criminal case records held by law enforcement agencies — as distinct from court records — is governed by New York’s Freedom of Information Law (FOIL). Court records themselves fall under Judiciary Law § 255 rather than FOIL.
Schenectady County Criminal Court Records
Criminal jurisdiction in Schenectady County is spread across multiple courts. The Supreme Court holds the broadest authority over criminal matters. The County Court prosecutes felonies and certain other crimes committed within county boundaries. The Schenectady City Court criminal division, along with the various town and village courts, handles misdemeanors, violations, and lesser offenses within their respective municipalities.
Court Locations for Criminal Matters
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Supreme Court / County Court | 612 State Street, Schenectady, NY 12305 | (518) 285-8401 |
| Schenectady City Court – Criminal | 531 Liberty Street, Schenectady, NY 12305 | (518) 453-6989 (Option 4) |
Criminal case records from the Supreme Court and County Court are archived with the Schenectady County Clerk. Town and village court records are maintained by the individual court clerks.
Statewide Criminal History Record Search
The New York State Office of Court Administration (OCA) offers a statewide Criminal History Record Search (CHRS) for $95.00. This search covers open, pending, and conviction records from all 62 counties, based on an exact match of name and date of birth. Results can be submitted online through the Direct Access application or by mailing a completed 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, Family Court or Federal Court data, non-criminal offenses, or dispositions covered by the Misdemeanor Redemption policy. It is not a certified document and should not be confused with a Certificate of Disposition, which can only be issued by the court of original jurisdiction.
Local Criminal Background Checks
The Schenectady Police Department processes local background checks at its headquarters, 531 Liberty Street, Schenectady, NY 12305. Requesters must appear in person with a current photo ID. Fees are:
- Criminal background check (City of Schenectady arrests/convictions): $20.00
- Letter of Good Conduct: $20.00
Records requests are accepted Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
For statewide criminal history maintained by fingerprint records, the Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) administers a Record Review program requiring fingerprint submission.
Sheriff’s Office Records
The Schenectady County Sheriff’s Office processes records requests through its Records Unit. Government agencies should submit requests on agency letterhead. All other requesters must use the Sheriff’s FOIL request form.
Schenectady County Sheriff’s Office – Records Unit
Address: 320 Veeder Ave, Schenectady, NY 12307
Phone: (518) 388-4300
Email: sheriffrecords@schenectadycounty.com
Schenectady County Civil Court Records
Civil case jurisdiction in Schenectady County is divided by claim amount and court type:
- Supreme Court — Unlimited civil jurisdiction; exclusive authority over matrimonial actions. Handles the largest and most complex civil disputes.
- County Court — Civil cases up to $25,000, plus certain real property actions (including foreclosures) without monetary limitation.
- Schenectady City Court – Civil — Claims up to $15,000, located at City Hall, 105 Jay Street, Room 215, Schenectady, NY 12305. Phone: (518) 382-5077
- Town and Village Courts — Civil jurisdiction over claims up to $3,000.
Accessing Civil Records
Civil case filings in Supreme Court can be searched online through the NYSCEF portal or WebCivil Supreme. In-person requests should be directed to the Chief Clerk at 612 State Street or the County Clerk at 620 State Street. City Court civil records are maintained at 105 Jay Street.
Supreme Court Filing Fees (at County Clerk)
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Index number | $210.00 |
| Index number (foreclosure) | $400.00 |
| Request for Judicial Intervention (RJI) | $95.00 |
| Motion / cross-motion | $45.00 |
| Note of issue | $30.00 |
| Proposed judgment | $45.00 |
| Lis pendens (filing or cancellation) | $35.00 |
| Demand for jury | $65.00 |
| Notice of appeal | $65.00 |
| Transcript of judgment (filing) | $10.00 |
| Transcript of judgment (issuance) | $5.00 |
| Small Claims Assessment Review (SCAR) | $30.00 |
Checks should be made payable to “Schenectady County Clerk”. The complete filing and recording fee schedule is published on the County Clerk’s website.
Schenectady County Family Court Records
The Schenectady County Family Court hears matters involving children and families, including child support, custody and visitation, adoption, guardianship, foster care review, juvenile delinquency, persons in need of supervision (PINS), family offense proceedings, and child abuse and neglect cases.
Contact Information
Schenectady County Family Court
Address: 620 State Street, Schenectady, NY 12305
Phone: (518) 285-8435
Fax: (518) 393-1565
Email: schenectadyfamily@nycourts.gov
Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday
Confidentiality of Family Court Records
Family Court records are not fully open to the public. Adoption records, in particular, are sealed and available only to specifically eligible parties. Other Family Court case files — including those involving child abuse, neglect, and juvenile delinquency — carry access restrictions under the Family Court Act. Eligible persons seeking copies should contact the Family Court Clerk’s office directly.
Divorce and Matrimonial Records
The Supreme Court has exclusive jurisdiction over divorces, annulments, and legal separations in New York. Divorce decrees are maintained by the Supreme Court Clerk and are also archived with the County Clerk at 620 State Street. These records are considered confidential, and access is generally limited to parties named in the case or individuals who obtain a court order.
Divorce certificates (as opposed to decrees) for marriages dissolved on or after January 1, 1968, can be obtained through the New York State Department of Health. The Department accepts mail-in requests using its divorce certificate application form at a cost of $30 per copy. Online or telephone orders placed through the Department’s authorized vendors cost approximately $45.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses in Schenectady County are issued by the Town or City Clerk where the license was obtained. The Schenectady City Clerk’s Office at 105 Jay Street accepts in-person and mail requests for marriage certificates. A mail request form is available online. The copy fee is $10, payable by cash, certified check, or money order. Requesters must present photo identification and be an eligible party (generally a spouse named on the record).
Birth and Death Records
Vital records for events occurring in Schenectady County are held by the local Town or City Clerk where the event took place. The Schenectady City Clerk charges $10 per copy of a birth or death certificate and provides downloadable request forms for both birth records and death records. These records are confidential, restricted to the individual named on the record (or a parent, for birth certificates), the decedent’s spouse, parent, child, or sibling over 18, or someone with a court order. Statewide copies may also be requested through the New York State Department of Health Vital Records office.
Schenectady County Probate Court Records
Probate and estate matters in Schenectady County are handled by the Surrogate’s Court, which has jurisdiction over the probate of wills, estate administration, guardianship of the property of minors, and related proceedings including trusts and accounting disputes.
Surrogate’s Court Contact Information
Schenectady County Surrogate’s Court
Address: 612 State Street, Schenectady, NY 12305
Phone: (518) 285-8455
Fax: (518) 451-8732
Email: SchenectadySurrogate@nycourts.gov
Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday
Searching Probate Records Online
The WebSurrogate portal is a free service that allows the public to search Surrogate’s Court filings statewide. Available search options include:
- Name Search — Find files by party name and narrow results by date of death
- File Search — Look up cases by file number
- Old Index Search — Access historical Surrogate’s Court records by file number or name (where available)
- Index Book Pages — Browse scanned pages from the court’s index books
- Will Search — Locate wills filed for safekeeping by testator name (wills held for safekeeping are not viewable online)
Documents filed on or after February 19, 2014, may be viewed online through WebSurrogate. Documents filed before that date are accessible only through the public access computers inside the Surrogate’s Court building, provided they are not restricted under Section 207.64 of the Uniform Rules.
Requesting Probate Records In Person
Visitors may inspect probate files at the Surrogate’s Court Clerk’s office during business hours without an appointment. Copies can be requested through the clerk. For questions about specific estates, guardianship cases, or filing requirements, contact the Chief Clerk at (518) 285-8455. The Surrogate’s Court also handles adoption proceedings, though those records carry strict confidentiality protections and are available only to authorized individuals.