Suffolk County Court Records

County court records encompass official documentation of proceedings handled by the county's trial-level courts, such as civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic courts located within the county. These records are generated during judicial functions and preserved by the courts in accordance with New York State laws such as the Public Officers Law, New York Judiciary Law, and court administrative rules. Each court typically maintains its own records, but the Suffolk County Clerk's Office is the custodian for Supreme Court and County Court filings. Court records are maintained to ensure accountability, preserve the history of judicial proceedings, and provide the public with access to information under New York's public records laws.

Suffolk County court records exist alongside other types of public records, such as vital records (birth, marriage, and death certificates), arrest records, and federal court case files, each maintained by various custodians. Still, together, they provide a comprehensive legal record of legal events involving residents and entities within the county.

Are Suffolk County Court Records Public?

Yes, Suffolk County court records are mostly public and accessible to any person upon request, under New York's Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), codified in Article 6 of the New York Public Officers Law (§84-§90), the state's Open Meetings Law ((Public Officers Law, Article 7, §§100-111)), New York Judiciary Laws (N.Y. Jud. Law § 255, N.Y. Jud. Law § 4) and court rules (22 NYCRR § 124.1).

The FOIL establishes the right of the public to inspect and copy records maintained by government entities, including certain court records such as administrative files, budget records, contracts, and personnel documents held by court agencies, except where specifically exempted. The Open Meetings Law ensures that court hearings and trials are open to the public, and judicial laws and court rules permit public access to judicial files, such as case files, judgments, and dockets.

In Suffolk County, publicly accessible records typically include case filings, dockets, dispositions, and judgments from civil and criminal cases, property disputes, traffic violations, liens, probate and estate filings, and local ordinance violations. Restricted records include:

• Juvenile delinquency proceedings (Family Court Act §381.3)
• Adoption records (Domestic Relations Law §114)
• Mental health proceedings and guardianship cases
• Records sealed by court order, such as certain criminal cases after disposition (Criminal Procedure Law §160.50)

What Information is Available in Suffolk County Court Records?

The exact content of Suffolk County court records varies depending on case type and division, but commonly available information in Suffolk County court records includes:

• Civil Court Case Records: Civil court records typically include:
• Case Information, such as the index number and names of the parties involved, complaints, pleadings and responses, motions, affidavits, exhibits, and evidence submitted (CPLR §2214).
• Court Proceedings and orders, including summons, hearing notices, transcripts of proceedings, court orders, and final judgments.
• Criminal Court Case Records: Criminal courts handle felonies, misdemeanors, and violations. Records may include arraignment records (arrest information, docket numbers, defendant details), charging documents (complaints, information, indictments), court calendars, pleadings, responses, court proceedings information (arraignment minutes, hearing and trial transcripts, jury instructions), orders, and sentencing or judgment details.
• Family Court Case Records: include parties' names, docket numbers, petitions and responses, affidavits, court proceedings, judgments, decrees, and orders. However, most family court records are confidential, per Family Court Act §166, but parties of the record may access them with identification and, in some cases, court approval.
• Surrogate's (Probate) Court Records: these often include filing information, decedent and beneficiary information, petitions and responses, wills, affidavits, citations, notices, estate accountancy and inventories, appointments, creditor claims, and distribution orders (Surrogate's Court Procedure Act §2501 et seq.).
• Traffic and Small Claims Court Records: include citations, summons, and dispositions. Flings and judgments.

Suffolk County Court Records Search

Court records in Suffolk County are primarily accessible through the New York State Unified Court System (eCourts) and the Suffolk County Clerk. Accessibility and search procedures depend on the case type and the custodial bureau.

Online Access

• eCourts Portal: Suffolk County civil and criminal court records can be searched through the New York State Unified Court System's eCourts services, consisting of:
• WebCivil Local provides case information for civil matters filed in District, City, Town, and Village Courts. Searches may be conducted by party name or case index number.
• WebCivil Supreme covers civil cases filed in the Suffolk County Supreme Court. Users can search by party name or case index number.
• WebFamily allows searches of Family Court cases in Suffolk County. Users may search by docket number, file number, or party name.
• WebCrims provides information on pending criminal cases, upcoming appearances, and future court calendars. Searches can be conducted by defendant name or case number.
• NYSCEF (New York State Courts Electronic Filing System) is used to access electronically filed civil cases. Users can review publicly available case files by selecting "Search as Guest".
• WebSurrogate: Interested persons may search estate and probate records filed in Suffolk County Surrogate's Court by providing a file number, decedent's name, or estate index.
• Suffolk County Clerk Online Records Portal: The Suffolk County Clerk maintains access to non-judicial public records such as deeds, mortgages, liens, UCC filings, and business certificates. Searches may be conducted by name, corporation, or index number pursuant to NY Judiciary Law §255.
• Criminal History Record Search (CHRS): The CHRS provides statewide criminal history searches. Each search costs $95, and results are uncertified.

In-Person Access

One may access Suffolk County court records in person by petitioning the clerk at the courthouse that handled the case, or using public access terminals available at the courthouse using criteria like case number, party name, or attorney information. Viewing case files is free, though feesapply for photocopies or certified copies.

Mail and Phone Requests

Court records may be requested from the Suffolk County Clerk's Office by mail by submitting a written request that includes sufficient identifying details such as the case index number, names of the parties, or filing date, along with a self-addressed stamped envelope, and the required fee, payable by money order or check to the Suffolk County Clerk. Certified copies cost a minimum of $5 per document plus $1.25 per page after the first four, with a maximum of $40 per document; if the page count is unknown, the check may be marked "Not to exceed $X" so staff can adjust the fee. Phone inquiries are generally limited to confirming record availability and procedural requirements, not for a records search. Mail requests should be sent to the Suffolk County Clerk at:

Fees for Court Records in Suffolk County

Per NYJL §255, the Suffolk County Clerk may charge $1.25 per page for copies of documents, with an additional $5.00 fee for certification plus $1 per extra page. In the District Court, small claims filings cost between $10.00 and $15.00, depending on the claim amount. Vital records maintained by the County Clerk, such as marriage certificates, may also be requested, with certified copies costing $10.00 as set by statute. A comprehensive county clerk fees schedule, including court action fee schedule and district court fees, is available online.

Requests submitted by mail require payment by check or money order attached to a self-addressed stamped envelope, and additional service fees may apply for certified or exemplified copies.

Suffolk County Courthouse Locations

Suffolk County Supreme Court: Suffolk County supreme court handles major civil and criminal cases, including personal injury, contract, commercial, and equity cases, felony criminal cases, matrimonial cases, probate, and appeals from lower courts. Suffolk County has Supreme Court addresses at these locations:

County Courts in Suffolk County: This court primarily hears felony criminal cases and civil cases where claims are claims for less than $25,000. It also handles appeals from District, Town, and Village Courts in criminal matters. Suffolk County Courthouse is located at:

Family Courts in Suffolk County: These courts handle matters involving children and families, including custody and visitation disputes, child and spousal support, paternity cases, child abuse or neglect proceedings, juvenile delinquency, and adoptions, and domestic matters (Family Court Act §812 et. seq.). The courthouses are at:

Surrogate's Courts in Suffolk County: This Court oversees probate and estate matters, probate of wills, administration of estates, and supervision of guardianships and trusts (Surrogate's Court Procedure Act (SCPA) §101).

District Courts in Suffolk County: These courts conduct preliminary hearings for felony charges before they are transferred to higher courts. They also manage civil claims up to $15,000, landlord-tenant disputes, small claims, misdemeanors, and traffic violations (Uniform District Court Act; CPLR §301; CPL §1.20). The courthouses can be found at:

Town Courts and Village Courts in Suffolk County: Sometimes called Justice Courts, town and village courts handle misdemeanors, petty offenses, traffic infractions, and small claims within the town or village limits (Town Law §190(1); Village Law §5-500; CPL §10.10; CPLR §§1801-1812). These courts act as the first forum for minor offenses and ordinance violations in their respective municipalities, and can be found as follows:

Criminal Records Access in Suffolk County

Criminal records in Suffolk County are part of the broader New York State Unified Court System, and methods of access often depend on the court division and the status of the case.

For current or ongoing local cases, individuals may query WebCrims, a free online database where the public can search upcoming court dates and case status using a defendant's name or docket number. However, case information is limited, and sealed or resolved cases are excluded from search results. For closed cases, individuals may obtain official proof of case outcome by requesting a Certificate of Disposition from the clerk of the court where the case was resolved. The request must include the defendant's name, date of birth, relevant case details, and a return envelope. Per the Suffolk County Clerk's office, this request carries a $5 fee, payable by check or money order, and must be submitted to:

In-person access to complete local criminal case files may be requested through the clerk's office of the respective court or directly from the Suffolk County Clerk's Office, which maintains Supreme Court and County Court criminal files. Certified copies of dispositions and judgments are available for a statutory fee as outlined in the Suffolk County Clerk's Fee Schedule. The Suffolk County District Attorney's Office may also provide access to certain prosecution records via public request procedures (such as FOIL), subject to confidentiality.

While local case information may be obtained through WebCrims or directly from the District Court clerks' offices, state-level comprehensive criminal history is obtainable by consulting the statewide Criminal History Record Search (CHRS) system that offers statewide criminal search results for $95 per name by online requests or mail. The results of this search are uncertified and exclude sealed records. Alternatively, the Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) provides a more comprehensive fingerprint-based criminal background report for employment, licensing agencies, and interested individuals. Accessing these records requires fingerprint submission and is subject to eligibility criteria.

Suffolk County Probate Records

Suffolk County probate records, also called Surrogate's court records, cover estate administration, wills, trusts, and the appointment of guardians or conservators. Most probate records are public, and filings of wills, estate petitions, guardianship accounts, creditor claims, and estate distributions from 19th February 2014 onwards are searchable via the statewide WebSurrogate portal. Older or confidential filings require in-person review at the Surrogate's Court. Specific guardianship and conservatorship records, such as guardianship evaluations, are restricted under Section 207.64 of the Uniform Rules for the Surrogate's Court. The Suffolk County Surrogate's Court can be contacted at:

Certified copies are available upon request with applicable fees.

Suffolk County Family Court Records

Suffolk County Family Court maintains records for cases involving child custody, visitation, child and spousal support, adoption, domestic violence, and other family law proceedings. Most documents are confidential under Family Court Act § 165, and access is generally limited to parties, their attorneys, or other authorized individuals. Certain filings, such as adoption records (FCA § 381) and domestic violence cases (FCA § 842), are permanently sealed. Family Court records typically include petitions, motions, affidavits, court orders, and case dockets.

Recent case information, like calendars and upcoming hearing dates, can be searched using the WebFamily portal by case number, party name, or summons number. In-person access is available at the Suffolk County Family Court, where public terminals allow visitors to review case information. Certified copies may be requested by submitting a written application to the Family Court clerk's office, including a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment of applicable fees.

Federal Court Records in Suffolk County

Federal court records from cases handled in Suffolk County fall under the jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, which handles matters including federal criminal prosecutions, civil rights claims, constitutional questions, immigration, bankruptcy, and federal regulatory disputes. While federal law governs the administration and procedures of these cases, filings and records (dockets, pleadings, motions, briefs, exhibits, judgments, and transcripts) for both civil and criminal matters are maintained locally by the court clerk at the district's courthouse.

Access to federal court records is available by:

• In-person request at the Eastern District of New York
• Online via PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records). Registered users may search this electronic database, which covers docket entries, case summaries, and other documents for civil, criminal, and bankruptcy cases across the federal system. Appellate cases can be accessed using the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit system. Searches attract a nominal per-page fee of $0.10 per page, capped at $3.00 per document.
• Public access viewing via terminals is available at the courthouse clerk's office for those without PACER accounts.

Requesters should note that certain sensitive filings, including sealed cases and cases involving minors, remain restricted in accordance with federal rules.