New York Court Records | Free Public Search 2026

New York Court Records Overview

New York court records are official records created through New York state courts when a case is filed, scheduled, heard, decided, dismissed, appealed or closed. They may include case numbers, index numbers, docket numbers, party names, charges, appearances, calendars, filings, motions, orders, judgments, decisions and copy-request information when public access is allowed.

New York court records are not stored in one simple database for every record type. Civil Supreme Court records, local civil records, criminal court calendars, family court appearances, surrogate’s court probate records, Court of Claims decisions, appellate records and federal cases all use different official tools. The fastest route is to identify the court type first, then use the correct official search system.

Which New York court-record search should you use?

Is There a Free Statewide New York Court Records Search?

New York has several official statewide court tools, but one tool does not show every record from every court. eCourts gives case information where available. WebCivil covers civil court search tools. WebCrims provides criminal case information for selected criminal courts with future appearance dates. NYSCEF can show e-filed Supreme Court case records. CourtHelp states that eCourts is not available for all courts.

That means a proper statewide search needs a layered approach. Start with eCourts and Court Locator, then use the correct specialized portal. For official copies, go to the clerk or county clerk that has the record. For statewide criminal history search, use the OCA CHRS program, which is separate from basic case lookup.

Best statewide search workflow

1. Identify the court type Decide whether the record is civil, criminal, family, housing, small claims, surrogate’s court, appellate, Court of Claims or federal.
2. Use Court Locator Open NY Courts Court Locator and find the correct county, borough or court.
3. Use the matching online tool Search eCourts, WebCivil, WebCrims, WebFamily, NYSCEF, appellate resources or PACER depending on case type.
4. Request official copies from the clerk If you need certified records, contact the Clerk of the Court or County Clerk with the file.

NY eCourts, WebCivil and Case Tracking

eCourts is the official online entry point for New York case information where available. CourtHelp describes eCourts as a way to view current and disposed case information and sign up for case tracking, but also states it is not available for all courts. Users should treat eCourts as a search tool, not as a guarantee that every court file is online.

Key New York eCourts tools

Micro steps to use eCourts correctly

1. Start from the official eCourts page Use the NY Courts eCourts main page instead of a search-engine ad or private database.
2. Select the right court tool Use WebCivil for civil matters, WebCrims for selected criminal appearance information, WebFamily for eligible family court appearance information and NYSCEF for e-filed cases.
3. Search by case or index number first Case numbers, index numbers and docket numbers are stronger than name-only searches.
4. Read the court type carefully New York has Supreme Court, County Court, City Court, Civil Court, Criminal Court, Family Court, Surrogate’s Court, Town Court and Village Court.
5. Go to the clerk for official copies Online information is not always a certified court record. Request certified copies from the proper clerk.

New York Case Number, Index Number and Docket Number Lookup

New York court records use different numbers depending on the court. Civil Supreme Court cases often use an index number. Criminal cases may use docket numbers, case numbers or court identifiers. Family Court, Surrogate’s Court and appellate matters may use different formats. Use the exact number shown on your court document whenever possible.

Micro steps to search by number

1. Find the number on the document Look near the top of a summons, complaint, notice of appearance, ticket, court calendar, order, judgment, disposition certificate or attorney letter.
2. Identify the court Check whether it says Supreme Court, Civil Court, Criminal Court, Family Court, Surrogate’s Court, Court of Claims, Appellate Division or federal court.
3. Use the correct portal Use WebCivil Supreme for Supreme civil index numbers, NYSCEF for e-filed Supreme cases, WebCrims for selected criminal appearance information and PACER for federal case numbers.
4. Enter the number exactly Keep all digits, years, prefixes, dashes and suffixes unless the official portal instructs a different format.
5. Save the search result details Write down the court, county, case number, party names, filing date and document title before ordering copies.

New York Court Records by Name: Person and Business Search

Many users search for “New York court records by name,” “NY court case lookup by name,” “New York criminal court records by defendant name” or “New York civil case search by party name.” Name search can work in some tools, but access depends on the court, case type and online system.

How to search a name correctly

1. Start with exact legal spelling Use the full name first. Avoid nicknames until you have checked the official spelling.
2. Try alternate names Search maiden names, former names, hyphenated names, initials, aliases, company names and DBA names if the first search fails.
3. Use date of birth only where required OCA CHRS uses exact Name and DOB. Other court portals may not use DOB or may restrict identity details.
4. Compare more than the name Check county, court, case type, filing date, attorney, docket number and appearance date before assuming the result belongs to the right person.
5. Request official proof for serious use Use certified dispositions, certified judgments or CHRS where appropriate instead of relying only on a name-search result.

New York Criminal Court Records and WebCrims Search

New York criminal court records may include charges, docket information, future appearances, calendars, case status, dispositions, sentencing entries and certificates of disposition where available. WebCrims provides information on criminal cases with future appearance dates for selected New York State courts of criminal jurisdiction.

How to search New York criminal court records

1. Use WebCrims for selected criminal appearance information Start with official NY Courts WebCrims information and use the official linked criminal search tools.
2. Search by case number, summons or defendant details when supported Case number or docket number is usually cleaner than a broad name search.
3. Check the court and date Confirm whether the case is in Supreme Court, County Court, City Court, NYC Criminal Court, Town Court or Village Court.
4. Request a certificate of disposition when needed For official proof of what happened in a criminal case, ask the court of original jurisdiction for a certificate of disposition.

New York City Criminal Court note

NYC Criminal Court handles misdemeanors, lesser offenses, arraignments and preliminary hearings for felonies in the five boroughs. NY Courts says users can use eCourts to look up the adjourn date for a case, and NYC Criminal Court also offers online payment for fines, fees and surcharges.

OCA CHRS New York Statewide Criminal History Search

The New York State Office of Court Administration provides the Criminal History Record Search, called CHRS. OCA states that each statewide CHRS search costs $95.00. It is based on an exact match of the name and date of birth provided. Name or DOB variations are not reported.

What CHRS includes and excludes

How to request CHRS online or by mail

1. Open the official CHRS page Go to OCA Criminal History Record Search.
2. Use Online Direct Access or mail The online Direct Access program is available 24/7. Mail-in applications are also accepted.
3. Enter exact Name and DOB CHRS is strict. If the name or DOB varies, it may not report as a match.
4. Understand the limits CHRS is not certified, not federal, not FBI and not a civil/family record search.

New York Civil, Supreme Court and Local Civil Records

New York civil court records can include lawsuits, money judgments, contract disputes, personal injury claims, business litigation, foreclosure, landlord-tenant matters, small claims and civil motions. Civil Supreme Court case search and local civil court search may use different official tools.

How to search New York civil court records

1. Identify the court level Check whether the case is Supreme Court civil, local civil court, city court, district court, small claims or housing court.
2. Use WebCivil Supreme for Supreme Court civil cases Use WebCivil Supreme for Supreme Court civil search.
3. Use eCourts for available local civil information Use the eCourts main page for current and disposed case information where supported.
4. Use NYSCEF for e-filed case documents If the case was electronically filed, use NYSCEF Case Search and Search as Guest.
5. Ask the clerk for official records If the document is not online or needs certification, contact the Clerk of the Court or County Clerk that has the file.

New York Housing Court and Small Claims Records

Housing Court and small claims records are often searched by tenants, landlords, businesses, consumers and attorneys. New York City Housing Court is part of the Civil Court of the City of New York, while small claims may be handled by civil, city, district, town or village courts depending on location.

How to search housing or small claims records

1. Identify the borough or county Housing and small claims searches often depend on where the property or dispute is located.
2. Use eCourts or the local court page Check the official court page for civil, housing or small claims search options.
3. Search by index number, party or calendar Use the number from the notice, petition, claim or court paper whenever possible.
4. Confirm sealed or restricted access rules Some housing or eviction-related records may have access limits depending on law, sealing and court policy.

New York Family Court Records and WebFamily

New York Family Court handles child support, custody, visitation, family offense, neglect, juvenile delinquency, paternity and related cases. Public online access is limited because many Family Court matters involve children, protected addresses, domestic violence, financial information or confidential details.

How to check family court appearance information

1. Use WebFamily where available Open the official WebFamily tool for appearance information where supported.
2. Use the correct county Family Court Use Court Locator if you do not know which county court has the case.
3. Have the docket number ready Family Court docket numbers help staff locate the file faster.
4. Expect privacy limits Many Family Court documents are not publicly viewable online.

Surrogate’s Court, Probate Records, Wills and Estates

New York probate records, wills, estate files and administration papers are filed and kept by the Surrogate’s Court in each county. CourtHelp notes that probate records such as wills have been filed and kept by Surrogate’s Court in each county since 1787, and appointments may be needed to view older records.

How to search Surrogate’s Court records

1. Identify the county Use the decedent’s residence, estate property, probate notice or attorney letter to identify the Surrogate’s Court.
2. Use Court Locator Find the correct county Surrogate’s Court through the official NY Courts directory.
3. Search by estate or file number where available Use decedent name, file number, estate name, fiduciary name or attorney details.
4. Ask about access and appointments Older probate files or archived wills may require courthouse appointment, staff retrieval or fees.
5. Request certified letters or decrees if needed Banks, title companies and government offices often need certified Surrogate’s Court documents.

NYSCEF Search as Guest for E-Filed Court Records

NYSCEF is the New York State Courts Electronic Filing system. CourtHelp explains that users can search Supreme Court cases and documents e-filed in NYSCEF even without an e-filing account by using the Search as Guest option. This is often one of the best free ways to see e-filed Supreme Court civil case records.

How to use NYSCEF Search as Guest

1. Open NYSCEF Case Search Go to NYSCEF Case Search.
2. Choose Search as Guest Use the public guest search option if you do not have an e-filing account.
3. Search by index number or party name Index number is strongest. Party name, attorney or other filters may help if the number is unknown.
4. Open the case and document list Review filings, motion papers, orders and public documents where access is allowed.
5. Confirm certification separately A downloaded NYSCEF document may not be a certified copy. Ask the clerk if official certification is needed.

New York Appeals, Court of Appeals and Official Reports

Appeals are searched differently from trial court records. New York has appellate terms, appellate divisions and the Court of Appeals. The Court of Appeals is New York’s highest court. Decisions and motion lists may be available through Court of Appeals pages and the New York Official Reports.

How to search New York appellate records

1. Identify the appellate court Check whether the appeal is in an Appellate Term, Appellate Division or the Court of Appeals.
2. Use the court’s official page Open New York Court of Appeals for Court of Appeals resources.
3. Search decisions and official reports Use New York Official Reports for official reported decisions and selected trial decisions.
4. Get trial court records separately An appeal record does not replace the trial court file. You may need both.

New York Court of Claims Records

The New York State Court of Claims is the forum for civil litigation seeking damages against New York State or certain state-related entities. Court of Claims records are not the same as county Supreme Court civil cases, criminal court cases or federal claims.

When to use Court of Claims resources

• Claims against New York State for damages.
• Claims involving certain state-related entities such as agencies or specified public authorities.
• Court of Claims decisions and motion decisions.
• Claims filed through Court of Claims procedures, not county Supreme Court actions.

Certified Copies and New York Court Record Requests

Online case search is useful, but official purposes often require certified copies or a certificate of disposition. CourtHelp says court records can be requested directly from the Clerk of the Court or the County Clerk that has the records. That is the safest rule for official records: find the court, then request copies from the actual record holder.

How to request official New York court copies

1. Find the exact court and county Use Court Locator, the case caption or your court paperwork to identify the record holder.
2. Collect case details Write down case number, index number, docket number, party names, court name, filing date and document title.
3. Check the court or county clerk instructions Some records are held by the County Clerk, some by the Clerk of Court, and some by specialized court offices.
4. Ask for the correct copy type Plain copy, certified copy, certificate of disposition, transcript and exemplified copy are different.
5. Confirm fees and delivery method Fees, mail instructions, payment methods and processing time vary by court and county.

Who usually holds the record?

Sealed, Youthful Offender and Restricted New York Court Records

Some New York court records are public, but many are sealed, confidential or restricted by law. OCA CHRS states that sealed records are not disclosed. CHRS also states that certain youthful offender eligible pending cases are not reported and that criminal cases transferred or removed to Family Court are not reported.

Records that may be restricted or unavailable online

• Sealed criminal records under New York law or court order.
• Youthful offender records and youthful offender eligible pending cases.
• Juvenile delinquency and Family Court matters.
• Adoption, guardianship and certain child-related records.
• Domestic violence, protected address or victim information.
• Confidential mental health or sensitive medical details.
• Records not available for remote online access.
• Older archived records requiring clerk retrieval.

Federal Court Records in New York: PACER and U.S. District Courts

Federal court records are not searched through NY Courts eCourts. Federal civil, criminal, bankruptcy, immigration-related federal filings, federal agency litigation, patent, copyright, constitutional and federal-question cases are searched through PACER and the correct federal court.

New York federal district courts

How to search New York federal court records

1. Open PACER Go to pacer.uscourts.gov.
2. Choose the correct district Use the county, city, courthouse, party address or filing paperwork to identify the federal district.
3. Search by party or federal case number Federal case numbers are different from New York state court index and docket numbers.
4. Download records carefully PACER may charge fees depending on usage and document type.

New York Courts Locations and Map

For statewide New York court records, the most important location is not one building. The correct record holder is usually the specific court or county clerk where the case was filed. Use Court Locator for the court, and use CHRS only when you need the statewide OCA criminal history search.

OCA Criminal History Record Search Unit Map

Official court-location links

Micro Search Tips for New York Court Records

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Summary

For new york court records, start with official NY Courts tools. Use Court Locator to find the correct court, eCourts for available current and disposed case information, WebCivil for civil matters, WebCrims for selected criminal appearance information, WebFamily for available family appearance information, NYSCEF Search as Guest for e-filed Supreme Court documents, and the court clerk or County Clerk for certified copies.

Use OCA CHRS only when you need a statewide New York court-system criminal history search, and remember that CHRS is exact-match, fee-based, not certified, not federal and not an FBI background check. Use PACER for federal cases. The safest workflow is to identify the court type first, search with the case/index/docket number, verify party identity, then request official copies from the proper record holder.