Sullivan County Court Records Search
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Sullivan County occupies a large section of the Catskill region in southeastern New York. Its court system—part of the state’s Third Judicial District—comprises the Supreme Court, County Court, Family Court, Surrogate’s Court, and more than a dozen town and village courts spread across communities from Monticello to Narrowsburg. Court records generated by these tribunals document everything from felony prosecutions and civil lawsuits to family disputes and the probate of estates. The Sullivan County Clerk’s Office, located at the County Government Center in Monticello, serves as the primary custodian of records for the Supreme and County Courts, while individual town and village clerks maintain records for proceedings held in their respective justice courts.
Residents and members of the public seeking court case information in New York can begin their search through several official channels. The New York Unified Court System operates free online case-search applications covering criminal, civil, family, and surrogate matters statewide. Additional court case data may be available through NewYorkCourts.us. In-person research can be conducted at the clerk’s offices and courthouse public-access terminals during regular business hours, and staff can also respond to telephone and mail inquiries.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Sullivan County?
There are multiple ways to locate Sullivan County court records, depending on the type of case, the court of origin, and the level of detail required.
Online Case Search Tools
The New York State Unified Court System provides several free web-based portals through its e-Courts page:
- WebCivil Supreme – Search open and closed Supreme Court civil cases by party name, index number, attorney, or justice. Results include case participants, filing dates, events, judgments, and case status. Access the portal at WebCivil Supreme.
- WebCriminal – Look up criminal cases by defendant name, court calendar, summons number, or case number. The portal displays arrest and incident dates, charges, the presiding judge, attorney information, and upcoming court appearances. Access it at WebCriminal.
- WebSurrogate – Search Surrogate’s Court probate and estate cases. Access at WebSurrogate.
- WebFamily – View Family Court case information (limited by confidentiality rules).
For more comprehensive research, the OJCIN-equivalent system in New York is the NYSCEF (New York State Courts Electronic Filing) platform, where electronically filed Supreme Court documents can be viewed without an e-filing account.
County Clerk’s Online Land Records Search
The Sullivan County Clerk also operates a third-party web search tool through SearchIQS for land records and court documents. Subscription fees for this service are:
- One-day access: $15 plus $5 per document downloaded or printed
- 90-day subscription: $150 plus $0.50 per document downloaded or printed
In-Person Search
Individuals may visit the Sullivan County Clerk’s Office or the courthouse where a case was adjudicated. Court files can be inspected during business hours, and copies can be ordered at the counter. The relevant offices and their contact details are:
Sullivan County Clerk’s Office
Address: 100 North Street, P.O. Box 5012, Monticello, NY 12701
Phone: (845) 807-0411
Fax: (845) 807-0434
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–4:45 PM
Sullivan County Supreme and County Courts
Address: 414 Broadway, Monticello, NY 12701
Phone: (845) 791-3540
Fax: (845) 476-3653
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–4:30 PM (except state holidays)
Mail Requests
Written requests for records can be mailed to either the County Clerk’s Office or the courthouse. Include the case number (if known), party names, the approximate date of filing, and your contact information. Payment for copies must accompany the request; accepted methods include checks and money orders payable to the Sullivan County Clerk.
Are Court Records Public in Sullivan County?
New York’s Judiciary Law Section 255 establishes that court records are public records. Docket books must be kept open during business hours for search and examination by any person, and court clerks are required to furnish copies upon request for the fees permitted by law. Sullivan County follows these statewide provisions.
Records generally available to the public include:
- Civil complaints, motions, and judgments filed in Supreme and County Courts
- Criminal case dispositions and sentencing information
- Land records, liens, and judgments recorded by the County Clerk
- Probate petitions, accountings, and decrees
- Small claims filings
- Business certificates and UCC filings
Records that are restricted or confidential include:
- Sealed arrest records and criminal proceedings
- Family Court records involving divorce, child support, child custody, and parental rights
- Juvenile delinquency and arrest records
- Records related to ongoing criminal investigations
- Details identifying confidential sources, witnesses, and victims
- Medical reports pertaining to victims and defendants
- Personal identifiers such as Social Security numbers, passport numbers, and financial account details
- Youthful offender records sealed under CPL 720.15
- Records sealed pursuant to CPL 160.59
Individuals who need access to restricted records must verify their eligibility and may need a New York State court order. For example, divorce records are only available to the parties named on the document or to persons holding a court order authorizing access.
Sullivan County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Sullivan County are prosecuted across multiple levels of the court system. The County Court holds exclusive authority to conduct felony trials and also handles misdemeanors and appeals from lower courts. The Supreme Court has general criminal jurisdiction but typically focuses on matters not addressed in County Court. Town and village courts adjudicate minor misdemeanors, ordinance violations, and vehicle and traffic infractions.
Searching Criminal Case Records
The WebCriminal portal is the primary free online tool for locating criminal case information from courts across Sullivan County. Users can search by defendant name, case number, or court calendar. Results include charges, arrest and incident dates, involved officers, attorney details, and the next scheduled court appearance. For cases adjudicated in town or village courts, requesters may need to contact the specific court directly, as disposition data for these courts has historically been limited in the statewide database.
Statewide Criminal History Record Search (CHRS)
The New York State Office of Court Administration (OCA) provides a statewide Criminal History Record Search for a fee of $95. The search is based on an exact match of name and date of birth. Results cover open, pending, and conviction records from County, Supreme, City, Town, and Village courts in all 62 New York counties. Sealed records, youthful offender cases, non-criminal offenses, and certain other dispositions are excluded.
Requests can be submitted through:
- Online Direct Access – Results for searches returning “No Results Found” are provided in real time
-
Mail – Send the completed CHRS application form with a $95 check or money order (payable to N.Y.S. Office of Court Administration) to:
NYS Office of Court Administration
Division of Technology and Court Research
Criminal History Record Search Unit
25 Beaver Street, Room 940
New York, NY 10004Mail and direct-access results with records are processed and emailed or mailed the following business day. Inquiries can be directed to CHRS@nycourts.gov or by phone at (212) 428-2943.
Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office
The Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office maintains local arrest records and booking information. The office’s civil division handles process service and other court-related functions. Contact information:
Sheriff’s Office & Jail
Address: 58 Old Route 17, Monticello, NY 12701
Jail: (845) 794-7102 | Fax: (845) 794-4060
Civil Division: (845) 791-7979 | Fax: (845) 807-0799
Patrol Division: (845) 794-7100 | Fax: (845) 807-0660
For state-level incarceration records, the New York Department of Corrections and Community Supervision provides a public Incarcerated Lookup tool.
Sullivan County Civil Court Records
Civil matters in Sullivan County are divided between the Supreme Court (exclusive jurisdiction over cases involving claims of $25,000 or more, as well as divorce, separation, and annulment actions) and the County Court (civil claims up to $25,000, plus appeals from lower courts). Town and village courts handle small civil disputes within their geographic boundaries.
Obtaining Civil Court Records
Civil case records from the Supreme Court can be searched online through the WebCivil Supreme portal. The system allows searches by participant name, index number, attorney or firm name, or justice. Results display case participants, attorney information, case events, outcomes, judgments, and filing dates.
For cases not accessible online, or when certified copies are needed, requesters should contact the Sullivan County Clerk’s Office. Records can be inspected in person during business hours, requested by telephone at (845) 807-0411, or ordered by mail. The fee schedule for common civil records and services includes:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Index Number (commencing a case) | $210.00 |
| Foreclosure Action | $400.00 |
| Request for Judicial Intervention (RJI) | $95.00 |
| Note of Issue | $30.00 |
| Jury Demand | $65.00 |
| Motion / Cross Motion | $45.00 |
| Default Judgment | $45.00 |
| Lis Pendens | $35.00 |
| Stipulation of Discontinuance / Settlement | $35.00 |
| Notice of Appeal | $65.00 |
| Small Claims Petition (SCAR) | $30.00 |
| Transcript of Judgment | $10.00 |
| Lookup Fee | $20.00 (limit of 2 requests) |
| Certification of document on file | $5.20 + $0.65 per page after 8 pages |
| Copy made by individual | $0.50 per page |
| Copy made by County staff | $1.25 per page |
Property and Land Records
Property-related documents—deeds, mortgages, liens, maps, and other instruments—are filed with and maintained by the County Clerk. The office records these documents for a basic fee of $45.00 (including the cover sheet) plus $5.00 per page. In-person inspection and the online SearchIQS subscription tool are both available. More information can be found on the Land Records page.
Sullivan County Family Court Records
The Sullivan County Family Court hears matters involving children and families, including adoption, guardianship, foster care, juvenile delinquency, child abuse and neglect, child support, custody and visitation, and family violence. It is located in the Sullivan County Government Center.
Sullivan County Family Court
Address: 100 North Street, Sullivan County Government Center, Monticello, NY 12701
Phone: (845) 791-3505
Fax: (845) 476-3620
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–4:45 PM (except state holidays)
Access Restrictions
Family Court records are among the most restricted in the New York court system. Records related to divorce, child support, custody, and parental rights are generally not available to the public. Access is limited to parties to the case, their attorneys, and individuals with a court order. Adoption records are sealed, and juvenile delinquency records are protected under state law.
Divorce Records
Divorce, separation, and annulment proceedings are filed in the Supreme Court, not the Family Court. The Sullivan County Clerk maintains these records. Certified copies of a Certificate of Dissolution of Marriage cost $5.00, while a certified copy of a divorce decree costs $6.20. Separation agreements are filed for $5.00. Only the parties to the divorce or individuals with a valid court order may obtain these documents.
Divorce certificates may also be ordered through the New York State Department of Health. Online and phone orders, processed through a third-party vendor, cost $45. Mail-in orders require a completed application form sent to:
New York State Department of Health
Vital Records Certification Unit
P.O. Box 2602
Albany, NY 12220-2602
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses and certificates in Sullivan County are issued by the town or village clerk where the marriage license was originally obtained. Certified copies are generally $10 per copy when ordered from local registrars (fees may vary by municipality). Only the registrants (spouses) and parties with documented judicial purposes or court orders may obtain these records.
The New York Department of Health also provides marriage certificates. Online and phone orders cost $45 through the approved vendor. Mail-in requests require the completed marriage certificate application form with acceptable payment (no cash) and identification mailed to the Albany address listed above.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death records in Sullivan County are maintained by the local registrar or town clerk of the municipality where the event occurred. The Sullivan County Clerk’s website publishes a complete list of vital records contacts for each town and village, including:
- Bethel: (845) 583-4350 ext. 101
- Fallsburg: (845) 434-8810 ext. 1
- Liberty: (845) 292-5110
- Monticello: (845) 794-6130
- Thompson: (845) 794-2500 ext. 302
Birth certificates are restricted to the individual named, their parents, or those with a court order. Death certificates are available to relatives, spouses, legal representatives, parties with court orders, individuals with legally recognized rights or claims, and those with documented medical needs. Certificates can also be ordered through the New York State Department of Health using the same online, phone, and mail-in procedures described above.
Sullivan County Probate Court Records
Probate and estate matters in Sullivan County are heard by the Sullivan County Surrogate’s Court. The Surrogate’s Court has jurisdiction over the probate of wills, administration of estates for persons who died intestate, guardianship of minors, trust matters, and adoptions. The court shares its location with the Family Court at the Sullivan County Government Center.
Sullivan County Surrogate’s Court
Address: 100 North Street, Sullivan County Government Center, Monticello, NY 12701
Phone: (845) 791-3500
Email: SullivanSurrogateCourt@nycourts.gov
Fax: (845) 481-9337
Searching Probate Records
The WebSurrogate portal provides online access to Surrogate’s Court case information. Members of the public can also visit the courthouse to inspect files or request certified copies. Written requests may be mailed to the Government Center address.
Probate Filing Fees
Filing fees for Surrogate’s Court proceedings are governed by SCPA Section 2402. Fees are computed based on the gross value of the estate or subject matter:
| Estate Value | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Less than $10,000 | $45.00 |
| $10,000 – $19,999 | $75.00 |
| $20,000 – $49,999 | $215.00 |
| $50,000 – $99,999 | $280.00 |
| $100,000 – $249,999 | $420.00 |
| $250,000 – $499,999 | $625.00 |
| $500,000 and over | $1,250.00 |
Additional fees for common Surrogate’s Court filings include $20 for compelling production of a will (SCPA 1401), $75 for construction of a will (SCPA 1420), $45 for appointment of a trustee (SCPA 1502), $20 for appointment of a guardian (SCPA 1703), and $150 for filing objections to probate of a will (SCPA 1410). Certified copies of documents on file cost $6.00 per page, and a search and certification fee is $30 for records under 25 years old or $90 for records over 25 years old.
Surrogate’s Court forms, including petitions for probate, administration, guardianship, and accounting, are available in fillable PDF format from the Surrogate Court Forms page on the New York Courts website. These forms can be completed electronically and printed but cannot be submitted online.
Certain probate-related records—particularly adoption files—are sealed and accessible only to case parties, the court, and authorized government entities. All other probate records, including wills admitted to probate, estate accountings, and distribution decrees, are generally available for public inspection.