Westchester 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.
Westchester County sits within New York’s 9th Judicial District, with its principal courthouse complex in White Plains serving as the hub for Supreme Court, County Court, Surrogate’s Court, and one of three Family Court locations. The county also maintains six city courts and thirty-five town and village justice courts, creating a layered judicial system that generates a substantial volume of records each year. Whether a resident needs to verify the outcome of a civil lawsuit, confirm a criminal disposition, review a probate filing, or obtain a certified copy of a divorce decree, understanding which office holds a particular record and how to request it is the essential first step.
Individuals looking for Westchester County court records can begin by consulting the resources offered through NewYorkCourts.us, which provides links to case-search tools, court directories, and filing information for courts across the state. The New York State Unified Court System also maintains several free, browser-based databases that cover civil, criminal, family, and surrogate matters. In addition, the Westchester County Clerk’s Office operates its own online records portal and accepts in-person, mail, and electronic requests. The sections below detail each court division, explain what records are available, identify relevant fees, and outline the specific steps needed to conduct a search or obtain copies.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Westchester County?
Locating a case requires identifying the correct court and then choosing an appropriate search method. Westchester County’s courts and their contact details are as follows:
Supreme & County Court
111 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., White Plains, NY 10601
Civil Calendar Clerk: (914) 824-5300
Criminal Calendar Clerk: (914) 824-5400
Family Court — White Plains
111 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., White Plains, NY 10601
Phone: (914) 824-5500
Family Court — New Rochelle
26 Garden Street, New Rochelle, NY 10801
Phone: (914) 831-6590
Family Court — Yonkers
131 Warburton Avenue, 3rd Floor, Yonkers, NY 10701
Phone: (914) 831-6555
Surrogate’s Court
111 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., 19th Floor, White Plains, NY 10601
Phone: (914) 824-5656
City Courts: Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, Peekskill, Rye, White Plains, and Yonkers each operate independent city courts that handle misdemeanors, violations, small claims, and housing matters. A complete list of all 35 Town and Village Courts in the 9th Judicial District is published by the Unified Court System.
Once the correct court is identified, records may be searched through the following channels:
- Online — Westchester Records Online (WRO): The County Clerk’s portal at Westchester Records Online contains index data for civil cases from 1980 to the present and criminal cases from 1978 to the present. Criminal cases are distinguished by the letters “DA” preceding the index or indictment number.
- Online — eCourts / WebCivil Supreme: The statewide eCourts platform allows searches by party name, index number, attorney or firm name, and court calendar for Supreme Court civil matters. Select “Westchester” from the court list.
- Online — WebCriminal Supreme: On the same eCourts portal, the WebCriminal link provides docket and calendar data for Supreme and County Court criminal cases.
- Online — NYSCEF: Cases that were electronically filed through the New York State Courts Electronic Filing system can be searched and documents viewed at no cost. E-filing is mandatory for all case types in Westchester County.
- In person: Free public viewing terminals at the County Clerk’s Office (110 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Room 330, White Plains) display document images from 2002 to the present. Documents filed before 2002 must be retrieved from off-site archives by staff; allow time for scheduled deliveries. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- By mail: Written requests should be sent to the Office of the Westchester County Clerk, Legal Division, Room 330, 110 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., White Plains, NY 10601. Include the index or file number (if known), specific document name, party names, filing date, applicable fees by check or money order payable to “Westchester County Clerk”, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. The office does not mail full court files; only specifically identified documents will be provided.
Are Court Records Public in Westchester County?
New York Judiciary Law § 255-B authorizes court clerks to make court records available for public inspection during regular business hours. Most filings in Westchester County’s Supreme, County, Surrogate’s, and City Courts are therefore open to anyone who visits the clerk’s office or uses an authorized online system.
Certain categories of records are restricted or sealed by statute or court order:
- Matrimonial records — All divorce, separation, and annulment files are sealed and accessible only to the parties, their attorneys of record, or individuals who present a notarized release from a party. Divorce records that are more than 100 years old transfer to the Westchester County Archives and become publicly accessible at that point.
- Juvenile records — Proceedings involving minors in Family Court are confidential and may not be disclosed without judicial authorization.
- Adoption records — Sealed under the Domestic Relations Law; access requires a court order.
- Sealed criminal records — Cases terminated in favor of the accused may be sealed under CPL § 160.50. Youthful offender adjudications are sealed under CPL § 720.35.
- Mental health records — Protected under state and federal law.
- Confidential personal identifiers — Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and dates of birth must be redacted from publicly filed documents pursuant to 22 NYCRR § 202.5(e).
Public records that are available include civil complaints, answers, motions, court orders, judgments, transcripts, business certificates, liens, and probate filings. The Unified Court System’s guidelines on access to court records provide a detailed framework for what may and may not be disclosed.
Westchester County Criminal Court Records
Criminal prosecutions in Westchester County are divided between the County Court, which has exclusive trial jurisdiction over felonies and also handles misdemeanors, and the six city courts and thirty-five town and village courts, which adjudicate misdemeanors, violations, and traffic offenses. The Supreme Court may also sit as a criminal trial court in certain circumstances.
How to search criminal case records online:
- Navigate to the eCourts platform and select the WebCriminal Supreme link.
- Choose a search method: defendant name, case identifier, or court calendar.
- Select “Westchester Supreme Court” or “Westchester County Court” from the court dropdown.
- Enter required details and click Search.
Criminal index data from 1978 onward is also available through Westchester Records Online. Look for entries prefixed with “DA” to identify criminal matters.
Certificates of Disposition: A certified Certificate of Disposition (also called a Sentence & Commitment) for a conviction in Westchester County Court can be obtained from the County Clerk’s Legal Division. The fee is $5.00. An additional $5.00 search fee applies if the indictment number is not provided. Requests may be submitted in person or by mail to the Legal Division at Room 330, 110 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., White Plains, NY 10601. Phone: (914) 995-3070
Statewide Criminal History Search: The New York State Office of Court Administration offers a Criminal History Record Search (CHRS) covering all 62 counties for a fee of $95.00. This search requires an exact match of name and date of birth and can be submitted online or by mail. Results are not a substitute for an FBI background check and do not include sealed records, federal cases, or family court matters.
RAP sheets: Individuals may request their own criminal history report (Record of Arrests and Prosecutions) through the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services. The New York Department of Corrections and Community Supervision maintains incarceration and supervision records, which may be searched separately.
Sealed criminal records cannot be accessed by the public. Under CPL § 160.50, when a criminal action terminates in favor of the accused through dismissal, acquittal, or certain other dispositions, the record is automatically sealed. CPL § 160.59 provides a mechanism for sealing of certain older convictions upon application to the court. Youthful offender adjudications under CPL § 720.35 are also sealed.
Westchester County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Westchester County is handled primarily by the Supreme Court (claims exceeding $25,000, equity matters, and matrimonial proceedings) and the County Court (claims up to $25,000). City courts hear small claims and limited-jurisdiction civil disputes within their municipalities.
Online search options:
- WebCivil Supreme — Search by index number, party name, attorney or firm, or court calendar. Select “Westchester” from the county dropdown.
- NYSCEF — Because e-filing is mandatory in Westchester County for all case types, most Supreme Court civil documents filed electronically can be retrieved and viewed through NYSCEF at no charge.
- Westchester Records Online — Civil index records from 1980 to the present.
Key fees for civil records and filings:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Index Number | $210 |
| Index Number (Foreclosure) | $400 |
| Request for Judicial Intervention (RJI) | $95 |
| Note of Issue | $30 |
| Jury Demand | $65 |
| Civil Notice of Appeal | $65 |
| Motion / Cross-Motion / Order to Show Cause | $45 |
| Copy (per page) | $0.65 (min. $1.30 / max. $40) |
| Certify a prepared copy (per page) | $0.65 (min. $5.20 / max. $40) |
| Prepare and certify a copy (per page) | $1.25 (min. $5.00 / max. $40) |
| Issue a Certificate | $5 |
| Exemplification | $10 |
| Search (per name, every two-year period) | $5 |
| Lis Pendens | $35 |
| Transcript of Judgment (file) | $10 |
| Transcript of Judgment (issue) | $5 |
Payments in person may be made by cash, check, money order, or American Express, Discover, MasterCard, or Visa. Mail requests require check or money order payable to “Westchester County Clerk”. NYSCEF credit-card payments carry a 2.99% administrative surcharge.
For property-related records, the County Clerk’s Land Records Division maintains deeds, mortgages, satisfactions, and UCC filings. These can be searched through the Clerk’s website or by contacting the division at (914) 995-3094. Maps are handled at (914) 995-3095.
Westchester County Family Court Records
Westchester County operates three Family Court locations, each hearing matters related to custody, visitation, child support, paternity, spousal support, domestic violence orders of protection, juvenile delinquency, persons in need of supervision, adoption, guardianship, and family offenses.
| Location | Address | Phone | Fax |
|---|---|---|---|
| White Plains | 111 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., White Plains, NY 10601 | (914) 824-5500 | (914) 824-5860 |
| New Rochelle | 26 Garden Street, New Rochelle, NY 10801 | (914) 831-6590 | (914) 831-6588 |
| Yonkers | 131 Warburton Avenue, 3rd Floor, Yonkers, NY 10701 | (914) 831-6555 | (914) 831-6409 |
Family Court records occupy a different confidentiality posture than most other court filings. While docket information and certain orders may be accessible, juvenile delinquency records, child protective proceedings, and adoption files are confidential and may not be inspected without authorization from the court. Domestic violence case details involving the identity of victims are similarly restricted.
Searching Family Court records online: The WebFamily link on the eCourts platform provides limited case-status information for pending family law matters. Detailed documents are not typically available through the public portal.
Divorce and matrimonial records are filed in Supreme Court, not Family Court, and are sealed under New York law. To obtain a certified copy of a divorce decree, the following is required:
- Requestor must be a party to the action, the attorney of record, or possess a notarized release from one of the parties.
- Valid photo identification (driver’s license or passport).
- Fee: $1.25 per page, minimum $5.00, maximum $40.00. An additional $5.00 search fee is charged if the index number is unknown.
- Mail requests must include a notarized letter with both parties’ names and approximate divorce date, a check payable to “Westchester County Clerk” (not to exceed $45.00 if the index number is unknown), and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Marriage records from Westchester County are held by the County Clerk. Records more than 50 years old are considered historical and may be accessible to the public. For more recent records, contact the Clerk’s Office at (914) 995-3070.
Birth and death records are governed by New York Public Health Law, Article 41, Title 7. These records are available only to qualified applicants as defined by statute. Death records become public 50 years after the date of death; birth records become public 75 years after the date of birth, provided the individual is deceased. The New York State Department of Health and local registrars process these vital record requests.
Westchester County Probate Court Records
Probate and estate matters in Westchester County are handled by the Surrogate’s Court, located on the 19th floor of the county courthouse complex at 111 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., White Plains, NY 10601. The current Surrogate is Hon. Brandon R. Sall. The Clerk’s Office can be reached at (914) 824-5656, Fax: (914) 358-8042, or by email at VirtualWestchesterSurrogatesCourt@nycourts.gov.
The Surrogate’s Court has jurisdiction over the probate of wills, administration of estates (with or without a will), guardianship of incapacitated persons, trusts, accountings by fiduciaries, wrongful-death claims, and adoptions. The court also handles small-estate proceedings under SCPA Article 13 for estates valued at $50,000 or less.
How to search probate records:
- Online — WebSurrogate: This free tool from the Unified Court System allows searches by name, file number, old index number, and will search. Results include case-status information and, for many proceedings, viewable document images.
- In person: Public terminals at the Surrogate’s Court can be used to review electronically filed probate documents. Court staff can assist with locating older files.
- By mail: Submit a written request with the decedent’s name, file number (if known), and appropriate fee to the Surrogate’s Court at the address above.
Probate filing fees are established by Surrogate’s Court Procedure Act § 2402 and vary by the gross value of the estate:
| Estate Value | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Under $10,000 | $45 |
| $10,000 – $20,000 | $75 |
| $20,000 – $50,000 | $215 |
| $50,000 – $100,000 | $280 |
| $100,000 – $250,000 | $420 |
| $250,000 – $500,000 | $625 |
| $500,000 and over | $1,250 |
Additional commonly encountered Surrogate’s Court fees include $6 for a certificate of letters, $6 per page for a certified copy of a will, $45 for a note of issue, $150 for a demand for jury trial, $30 for a record search covering less than 25 years, and $90 for a record search spanning more than 25 years.
Probate records are generally public once a will has been admitted or letters of administration have been issued. Wills that have not been submitted for probate are not part of the court record and cannot be inspected. Adoption proceedings handled through the Surrogate’s Court remain sealed. Electronic filing of Surrogate’s Court matters is available through NYSCEF, and the court has published an e-filing protocol specific to Westchester County that outlines mandatory and voluntary filing categories.
The Westchester County Archives also maintains historical surrogate records. A personal name index covering wills and estate records from 1775 through 1941 is available online, which can be particularly useful for genealogical research.