Court records in New York County can be accessed through several channels. NewYorkCourt.us allows you to search for public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records are available through the official online portals of the New York State court system, the Clerk's Office, and public terminals installed directly in court buildings. Below is a practical guide to the county court system, hearing calendar, obtaining document copies, and paying fees.
New York Court System & Jurisdictions
New York County (Manhattan) is served by several courts, each handling specific categories of cases. Understanding this structure will help you contact the correct registry.
Supreme Court (New York County)
This is the state's court of general jurisdiction. It handles civil claims over $25,000, divorce cases, and other family disputes, as well as complex commercial cases. The Supreme Court also has an appellate division — Appellate Division, First Department.
Criminal Court of the City of New York
The city's Criminal Court deals with misdemeanors and violations, including minor offenses. Felonies start here but are transferred to the Supreme Court after an indictment.
Civil Court of the City of New York
- Civil claims up to $50,000
- Eviction and housing disputes (Housing Part)
- Small Claims — up to $10,000 for individuals
Family Court
Handles cases regarding custody, child support, protection from domestic violence, and juvenile delinquency. Most Family Court records are restricted in access — they are not public without a judge's permission.
Surrogate's Court (Probate)
Deals with wills, estate matters, and the appointment of guardians for property. Surrogate's Court records are generally open to the public.
Other Divisions
- Traffic Violations Bureau (TVB) — traffic violations within the five boroughs are handled by the DMV, not the court
- Court of Claims — claims against the State of New York
The Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) is responsible for checking criminal history at the state level. Information about inmates in city facilities can be found through Person in Custody Lookup, and in state correctional facilities through DOCCS Incarcerated Lookup.
New York Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
You can find the schedule of hearings for today, tomorrow, or the current week in several ways, depending on which court you are interested in.
- WebCivil Supreme System — the New York State Unified Court System's online portal (iapps.courts.state.ny.us/webcivil) allows you to search civil cases and their hearing dates in the Supreme Court by case number, party name, or index number.
- eCourts (NYSCEF) — for electronically filed cases, the calendar and case progress are available through the New York State Courts Electronic Filing system at iapps.courts.state.ny.us/nyscef.
- Criminal Court and Civil Court — session schedules are published on the nycourts.gov website. You can also call the specific court's clerk's office to confirm the date and courtroom.
- Public Terminals — computers are installed in Manhattan court buildings where you can view the calendar and case status without registration.
If you need information about a specific criminal case, the Criminal Court clerk's office at 100 Centre Street can confirm the date of the next hearing by phone if you know the docket number or the defendant's full name.
How to Get a Copy of a New York Court Document
Copies of court documents in New York County come in two types: regular (uncertified) and certified. A certified copy has the court's seal and the clerk's signature — it is needed for official procedures, such as filing in another court or an immigration application.
Online
Through the NYSCEF system, you can download electronic copies of documents in cases handled through electronic filing. These copies are usually free but are not certified.
In Person
Contact the clerk's office of the relevant court. For Supreme Court (civil cases):
For divorce records filed within the city, NYC311 provides instructions on obtaining copies through the County Clerk.
By Mail
Send a written request specifying the index number, party names, document type, and return address. Include a check or money order for the appropriate fee, payable to "New York County Clerk."
Access Restrictions
- Family Court records — closed without a judge's order
- Sealed criminal cases — not accessible to the public
- Juvenile cases — strictly confidential
New York Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for court records in New York County are set according to CPLR § 8019 and the Unified Court System fee schedule. Below are the main rates for the most common requests.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Name search (per every 2 years searched) | $5.00 |
| Regular document copy (per page) | $0.65 |
| Certification of a copy | $1.25 per document |
| Exemplification with court seal | $6.00 |
| Certified judgment copy | $5.00 and up depending on volume |
| Filing a new claim (filing fee, Supreme Court) | $210.00 (Request for Judicial Intervention — additional $95.00) |
Payment is accepted by check, money order, or, in some clerk's offices, credit card. Not all branches accept cash — check in advance.
For searching property records (deeds, mortgages, liens) in New York County, the ACRIS system provides free online access to document images registered since 1966. Property value assessments are available through Property Tax Public Access.
Current rates may change. Before visiting or sending a request by mail, it is advisable to call the clerk's office to confirm the amount and acceptable payment methods.