Steuben County Court Records Search
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Steuben County sits in the Southern Tier of New York State, with its county seat in the Village of Bath. The county’s court system operates within the 7th Judicial District, which also encompasses Cayuga, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Seneca, Wayne, and Yates Counties. Residents and attorneys who need to access court records in Steuben County will interact primarily with the County Clerk’s Office, which serves as the official custodian of Supreme Court and County Court records, as well as the separate clerks’ offices maintained by Family Court and Surrogate’s Court. Understanding which office holds the records you need—and how each office handles requests—can save considerable time.
New York State maintains a network of publicly accessible court information tools that can help anyone begin a records search. The statewide court system, along with resources available through NewYorkCourts.us, provides directories, forms, and electronic lookup services that cover every county. In Steuben County specifically, records can be searched in person at the courthouse in Bath, through the County Clerk’s satellite office in Hornell, or via several online portals operated by the New York State Unified Court System. The clerk’s offices, public-access terminals at the courthouse, and web-based case search tools each offer different levels of detail, and the sections below explain exactly how to use them.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Steuben County?
Steuben County court records are housed at the county courthouse complex on Pulteney Square in Bath. The primary point of contact for Supreme Court and County Court case files is the County Clerk’s Office, which operates out of two locations:
Bath Office (Main)
3 East Pulteney Square, Bath, NY 14810
Phone: (607) 664-2029
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, and Friday — 8:30 AM to 4:45 PM
Hornell Satellite Office
Hours: Wednesday and Thursday — 8:30 AM to 4:45 PM
The Steuben County Clerk’s Office processes in-person requests at both locations. Walk-in visitors can review case files, request copies, and conduct index searches during regular business hours. Because the two offices split the work week, anyone planning an in-person visit should confirm which location is open on the day they intend to go.
Online Search Options
New York offers several free electronic tools for locating Steuben County cases without visiting the courthouse:
- WebCivil Supreme — Search civil Supreme Court case information statewide, including Steuben County, by party name, index number, or attorney name. Results include case status, appearances, and scheduled motions.
- NYSCEF Case Search — The New York State Courts Electronic Filing system allows users to view documents in cases that have been e-filed. Steuben County Supreme Court cases filed since mandatory e-filing took effect in October 2018 should appear here.
- eCourts — A newer portal maintained by the Office of Court Administration that consolidates case information and allows searches across multiple court types.
Steps to Search Online
- Navigate to one of the portals listed above.
- Select Steuben County or the 7th Judicial District from the jurisdiction menu.
- Enter the party name, case number, or index number.
- Review the results for case status, filing dates, and scheduled appearances.
- For document-level access, use NYSCEF if the case was e-filed; otherwise, contact the County Clerk’s Office for copies.
Requesting Copies by Mail
Written requests can be mailed to the Bath office. Include the full case caption, index or case number, the specific documents needed, and a return address. Enclose a check or money order payable to “Steuben County Clerk” covering applicable search and copy fees. The office will mail certified or uncertified copies once payment is verified.
Are Court Records Public in Steuben County?
New York law establishes a strong presumption of public access to court records. Under Judiciary Law § 255, the clerk of any court of record must, upon request and payment of required fees, provide copies of filed papers to any person. This right applies broadly to civil and criminal case files maintained by the Steuben County Clerk.
Separate from the judiciary’s own rules, the state’s Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) gives the public the right to inspect and copy records held by government agencies, including court administrative records. The New York Committee on Open Government oversees FOIL compliance and can assist if a records request is denied.
Records That Are Not Public
Despite the general openness, several categories of court records in New York are sealed or confidential by statute or court order:
- Sealed criminal records — Cases that result in a dismissal, acquittal, or adjournment in contemplation of dismissal are sealed under CPL § 160.50 and cannot be disclosed without a court order.
- Youthful offender adjudications — Records of individuals adjudicated as youthful offenders are confidential under CPL § 720.35.
- Grand jury proceedings — Grand jury minutes and testimony are secret under CPL § 190.25.
- Adoption records — Adoption files are sealed under Domestic Relations Law § 114.
- Family Court records — Many Family Court proceedings, including child protective matters and juvenile delinquency cases, are confidential under Family Court Act §§ 166 and 375.1.
- Mental health proceedings — Records from Mental Hygiene Law Article 9 proceedings are not available to the general public.
- Records sealed by judicial order — A court may seal any record when it finds that the interests of justice require it.
Anyone who believes a FOIL request or records request has been improperly denied may appeal through the Committee on Open Government or seek judicial review under CPLR Article 78.
Steuben County Criminal Court Records
Criminal matters in Steuben County are adjudicated at two levels. Felony cases are prosecuted in County Court and, in certain circumstances, Supreme Court. Misdemeanor and violation-level offenses are handled by the various town and village justice courts scattered across the county, as well as the City Courts in Bath, Corning, and Hornell.
Steuben County Court
County Court Building, 3 East Pulteney Square, Bath, NY 14810
The County Clerk maintains the official case files for County Court criminal proceedings. These files include indictments, motions, plea minutes, sentencing records, and orders. Members of the public may review non-sealed criminal case files at the clerk’s office during business hours, and copies can be obtained for applicable fees.
Searching Criminal Records
For an index search of criminal cases, the County Clerk charges the following fees:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Search per name, per two-year period | $5.00 |
| Photocopy per page | $0.65 |
| Certified copy per page | $1.25 |
| Certification of a document | $5.00 minimum |
To request a statewide criminal history record rather than a specific case file, individuals must apply through the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS). The DCJS criminal history request process requires fingerprinting and a fee. A DCJS record check provides a comprehensive report of an individual’s New York criminal history, including arrests and dispositions statewide.
Sheriff’s Office Records
The Steuben County Sheriff’s Office handles arrest records, warrants, and inmate information. The Sheriff’s main office is located in Bath:
Steuben County Sheriff’s Office
7007 Rumsey Street Ext., Bath, NY 14810
Phone: (607) 776-7009
Arrest logs and current inmate rosters may be available through the Sheriff’s Office directly. Booking records and incident reports can typically be requested by contacting the office or visiting in person.
Steuben County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Steuben County is divided between Supreme Court and County Court based on the amount in controversy. Supreme Court has unlimited monetary jurisdiction and handles the most significant civil disputes, including foreclosures, contract actions exceeding $25,000, and equity matters. County Court exercises civil jurisdiction for claims up to $25,000.
Filing Fees for Civil Actions
New York sets civil filing fees by statute. Key fees in Supreme Court include:
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Request for Judicial Intervention (RJI) | $95.00 |
| Index number (commencing action) | $210.00 |
| Jury demand | $65.00 |
| Motion or cross-motion | $45.00 |
| Foreclosure surplus money proceeding | $45.00 |
These fees are paid to the County Clerk at the time of filing. Since October 2018, civil cases in Steuben County Supreme Court must be filed electronically through NYSCEF. Attorneys and self-represented litigants can register for an account, file documents, and receive electronic notifications through the system. Documents filed through NYSCEF are generally viewable by the public via the case search function, unless the court has ordered them sealed or restricted.
Small Claims
Small claims cases (up to $5,000) and commercial small claims (up to $10,000 for businesses) are heard in the local city courts and town/village justice courts. These courts maintain their own records, and inquiries should be directed to the individual court clerk. The New York State Unified Court System publishes a Court Locator that lists every justice court in Steuben County along with contact information and session schedules.
Obtaining Copies of Civil Records
Civil case documents can be obtained in several ways:
- In person — Visit the County Clerk’s Office in Bath during business hours and request to review or copy specific filings.
- By mail — Send a written request with the case index number, party names, and payment for search and copy fees.
- Online — Use NYSCEF or WebCivil Supreme for cases that have been electronically filed or indexed.
- Third-party databases — The County Clerk’s land and court records may also be searchable through the SearchIQS portal maintained for Steuben County.
Steuben County Family Court Records
Steuben County Family Court handles proceedings involving children and families, including custody, visitation, child support, paternity, family offense (orders of protection), persons in need of supervision (PINS), juvenile delinquency, child abuse and neglect, foster care review, guardianship of minors, and adoption.
Steuben County Family Court
3 East Pulteney Square, Third Floor, Bath, NY 14810
Phone: (607) 622-8218
Secondary Phone: (607) 622-8239
Additional Line: (607) 664-2413
Fax: (607) 664-2512
Family Court maintains its own clerk’s office, separate from the County Clerk. Requests for Family Court records should be directed to the Family Court Clerk at the above phone numbers.
Confidentiality of Family Court Records
Family Court records in New York are substantially more restricted than records in other courts. Under Family Court Act § 166, the general public does not have the right to attend Family Court proceedings, and the court’s records are not open to indiscriminate public inspection. Specific restrictions include:
- Child protective proceedings — Records of abuse and neglect cases are confidential and may only be released to authorized parties or by court order.
- Juvenile delinquency records — Sealed after disposition unless otherwise ordered.
- Adoption files — Permanently sealed under Domestic Relations Law § 114; access requires a court order or registration with the state’s Adoption Information Registry.
- Orders of protection — While the existence of a current order may be verifiable through the Statewide Registry of Orders of Protection, the underlying case file is not available to the general public.
Parties to a Family Court case and their attorneys may access their own case files. Anyone else seeking access must demonstrate a legitimate legal interest and may need to file a motion with the court.
Marriage and Divorce Records
Marriage licenses in Steuben County are issued by town and city clerks across the county, not by Family Court. Certified copies of marriage certificates can be requested from the local clerk who issued the license or from the New York State Department of Health Vital Records Section. The state charges $30.00 for a certified marriage certificate by mail.
Divorce decrees in Supreme Court cases are filed with the County Clerk. A certified copy of a divorce judgment can be obtained by contacting the Steuben County Clerk’s Office and providing the index number or the names of the parties and the approximate year of the decree.
Steuben County Probate Court Records
In New York, probate matters are handled by Surrogate’s Court. Each county has its own Surrogate’s Court, and in Steuben County, the court sits in Bath.
Steuben County Surrogate’s Court
3 East Pulteney Square, Bath, NY 14810
Phone: (607) 622-8221
Fax: (607) 622-8243
Surrogate’s Court has jurisdiction over the probate of wills, administration of estates, appointment of guardians for incapacitated persons, and related matters such as trust accountings and wrongful death proceedings. The court also maintains records of estates dating back to the early nineteenth century, making it a key resource for genealogical research.
Types of Probate Records Available
Records maintained by Surrogate’s Court include:
- Wills — Original wills admitted to probate, along with any codicils.
- Letters testamentary and letters of administration — Documents authorizing executors or administrators to act on behalf of an estate.
- Estate accountings — Periodic and final accountings filed by fiduciaries.
- Guardianship petitions and orders — Records related to the appointment of guardians for minors or incapacitated adults.
- Inventories and appraisals — Listings of estate assets filed with the court.
- Decree and order files — Final decrees settling estates, orders approving accountings, and other judicial determinations.
Probate Filing Fees
Surrogate’s Court filing fees in New York are based on the gross value of the estate:
| Estate Value | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Under $10,000 | $45.00 |
| $10,001 – $20,000 | $75.00 |
| $20,001 – $50,000 | $215.00 |
| $50,001 – $100,000 | $280.00 |
| $100,001 – $250,000 | $420.00 |
| $250,001 – $500,000 | $625.00 |
| Over $500,000 | $1,250.00 |
Additional fixed fees apply for certain proceedings, such as $20.00 for a petition to compel production of a will and $20.00 for appointment of a guardian.
Searching Probate Records
To search Surrogate’s Court records, contact the court clerk at the phone number above or visit the courthouse in Bath. For older records, an appointment may be necessary. The New York Courts public access page offers guidance on how to access various court records, including probate files, and describes self-help resources available to individuals navigating the court system without an attorney.
Search and certification fees for Surrogate’s Court records are as follows:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Record search (less than 25 years old) | $30.00 |
| Record search (more than 25 years old) | $90.00 |
| Certified copy per page | $6.00 |
Genealogy researchers seeking probate records should be aware that Surrogate’s Court has maintained estate files since 1787 in New York, and Steuben County records extend back to the county’s establishment. The court clerk can assist with identifying available records, though older files may require additional processing time.
Those who cannot visit Bath in person may submit written requests by mail with the decedent’s name, approximate date of death, and payment for the applicable search fee. Results are typically mailed back along with any requested certified copies. For assistance locating the correct Surrogate’s Court for a given matter, the New York State Unified Court System’s Court Locator tool can direct users to the appropriate courthouse and provide current contact information.