Erie County Public Records /Erie County Court Records

Erie County Court Records

What Is Erie County Court Records

Erie County court records encompass all official documentation generated during legal proceedings within the county's court system. These records consist of case files, dockets, pleadings, motions, orders, judgments, transcripts, exhibits, and sentencing records maintained by the courts. According to New York State Judiciary Law § 255, court records are defined as "all records, dockets, books, indexes, and papers required by law to be maintained by a clerk of the court."

Court records differ from other public records such as property deeds, vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates), and tax records, which are maintained by other county departments. In Erie County, court records are maintained by several courts within the judicial system:

Supreme Court (trial court of general jurisdiction)
County Court (handles felony criminal cases and civil matters)
Family Court (domestic relations, juvenile matters)
Surrogate's Court (probate, estate matters)
Buffalo City Court (misdemeanors, housing, small claims within city limits)
Other city, town, and village courts (local ordinances, traffic, small claims)

These courts generate records for civil litigation, criminal proceedings, family law matters, probate cases, traffic violations, and small claims disputes. The New York State Unified Court System oversees the administration of all courts in Erie County, ensuring proper record-keeping practices are followed.

Are Court Records Public In Erie County

Court records in Erie County are generally public pursuant to New York Public Officers Law Article 6 § 84-90, commonly known as the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), and the common law right of access to judicial records. The New York State Constitution and case law establish a presumption of openness for court proceedings and records.

Public court records in Erie County typically include:

Most civil case files (complaints, answers, motions, judgments)
Criminal case files after arraignment (indictments, pleas, sentencing documents)
Court orders and judgments
Docket sheets and case indices
Court calendars and hearing schedules

However, certain records may be sealed or redacted under specific circumstances as provided by New York Judiciary Law § 4 and related statutes. These exceptions include:

Family Court proceedings (except as specified by Family Court Act)
Juvenile delinquency records
Sealed criminal records following dismissals or acquittals
Records containing confidential personal information (Social Security numbers, financial account numbers)
Records sealed by judicial order for good cause

It is important to note that federal court records for cases heard in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York (which includes Erie County) are governed by federal access rules rather than state law. The New York State Unified Court System's rules on Public Access to Court Records provide additional guidance on record accessibility.

How To Find Court Records in Erie County in 2026

Members of the public seeking court records in Erie County may utilize several methods to locate and access these documents. The Erie County Clerk's Office serves as the repository for Supreme and County Court records, while other courts maintain their own records.

For Supreme and County Court records:

Visit the Erie County Clerk's Office in person:

Erie County Clerk's Office
92 Franklin Street
Buffalo, NY 14202
(716) 858-8785
Erie County Clerk

Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Submit a written request using the official records request form available on the Erie County Clerk's website.
Utilize the online search system through the Erie County Clerk's Online Public Record Search.

For Family Court records:

Contact or visit the Family Court Clerk's Office:

Erie County Family Court
1 Niagara Plaza
Buffalo, NY 14202
(716) 845-7400
Erie County Family Court

Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Submit a written request specifying the case number, parties involved, and documents sought.

For Surrogate's Court records:

Visit the Surrogate's Court Clerk's Office:

Erie County Surrogate's Court
92 Franklin Street, 2nd Floor
Buffalo, NY 14202
(716) 845-2500
Erie County Surrogate's Court

Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

For Buffalo City Court and other local court records, contact the specific court directly. When requesting records, be prepared to provide:

Case number (if known)
Names of parties involved
Approximate date of filing or case activity
Type of case or document sought
Valid identification

Fees for copies of court records are established pursuant to CPLR § 8019 and vary by document type and certification requirements.

How To Look Up Court Records in Erie County Online?

Erie County offers several online portals for accessing court records electronically. These systems vary by court type and provide different levels of information access.

For Supreme and County Court records:

The Erie County Clerk's Online Public Record Search provides access to:
- Civil Supreme Court cases
- County Court criminal felony cases
- Judgment records
- Business certificates
- Land records
Search steps:
- Select search type (name, case number, etc.)
- Enter search criteria
- Review results list
- Select specific documents to view
- Pay applicable fees for document copies if required
The New York State Electronic Filing System (NYSCEF) contains e-filed documents for participating courts. E-filed documents in Erie County are available immediately for online public viewing through this system.

Search steps:
- Create a user account (free)
- Select "Public Inquiry" option
- Search by case number, party name, or filing date
- View available documents
The WebCriminal portal provides criminal case information for County Court cases.

Search steps:
- No login required for public access
- Search by defendant name or case number
- View case status, appearance dates, and basic case information

For Family Court matters, limited online access is available through the New York State Courts Electronic Document Delivery System (EDDS) for case participants and attorneys.

For Buffalo City Court and other local courts, the WebCriminal portal provides basic case information for criminal matters.

The New York State Unified Court System's WebFamily portal offers limited information on Family Court cases for parties and their attorneys.

How To Search Erie County Court Records for Free?

New York State law guarantees the right to inspect public court records without charge, as established in Public Officers Law § 87(1)(b)(iii). While fees may apply for copies or certified documents, viewing records is free of charge.

Erie County residents and other members of the public may access court records for free through the following methods:

In-person inspection at the respective court clerk's office during regular business hours. No appointment is necessary, though wait times may vary based on staff availability.
The Erie County Clerk's Online Public Record Search offers free basic search functionality. While viewing some documents may require payment, the index search and basic case information are available at no cost.
The New York State Unified Court System's WebCrims portal provides free access to criminal case information, including future appearance dates and case status.
The New York State Court Electronic Filing System (NYSCEF) allows free public access to e-filed documents in participating courts after creating a free account.
Public access terminals are available at the Erie County Clerk's Office and various court locations throughout the county, providing free on-site access to electronic court records.

When utilizing these free resources, be aware that:

Some records may not be available electronically and require in-person inspection
Certain document types may still require payment for copies
Staff assistance for extensive searches may be limited

What's Included in a Erie County Court Record?

Erie County court records contain various documents depending on the case type and court of jurisdiction. A comprehensive court record typically includes:

For Civil Cases (Supreme and County Courts):

Summons and complaint/petition
Answer and counterclaims
Motions and supporting affidavits
Judicial orders and decisions
Exhibits admitted into evidence
Transcripts of proceedings (if ordered)
Judgments and decrees
Notices of appeal
Settlement agreements (if not sealed)

For Criminal Cases (County and City Courts):

Indictment or information
Arraignment records
Bail determination documents
Motions and responses
Plea agreements
Trial exhibits and evidence logs
Sentencing documents
Orders of protection
Probation reports (may be restricted)
Appeal notices and decisions

For Family Court Cases:

Petitions and responses
Support and custody orders
Visitation schedules
Child protective proceedings
Juvenile delinquency records (restricted access)
Adoption records (sealed by statute)
Orders of protection
Paternity determinations

For Surrogate's Court Cases:

Wills and codicils
Probate petitions
Letters testamentary or administration
Inventories of assets
Accounting reports
Guardianship appointments
Estate distribution orders

Each court record also contains a docket sheet or case history that chronologically lists all filings, appearances, and judicial actions. Case indices provide searchable information including party names, case numbers, filing dates, and case types.

How Long Does Erie County Keep Court Records?

Erie County courts retain records according to schedules established by the New York State Unified Court System pursuant to Judiciary Law § 89. The Chief Administrator of the Courts establishes retention periods based on case type, disposition, and historical significance.

Common retention periods include:

For Supreme and County Courts:

Civil case files: 25 years after disposition
Felony criminal cases: 25 years after disposition; permanent for Class A felonies
Misdemeanor cases: 10 years after disposition
Judgment rolls: Permanent retention
Indexes to cases: Permanent retention

For Family Court:

Child support proceedings: Until the youngest child turns 28
Custody/visitation cases: 25 years after disposition
Juvenile delinquency: Until subject turns 21 (longer for designated felonies)
Child protective proceedings: 28 years after youngest child in the proceeding turns 18
Adoption records: Permanent retention (sealed)

For Surrogate's Court:

Estate proceedings: Permanent retention
Guardianship records: 25 years after termination of guardianship
Wills: Permanent retention

For City, Town and Village Courts:

Civil cases: 6 years after disposition
Criminal cases: 6 years after disposition
Traffic infractions: 6 years after disposition

The New York State Records Retention and Disposition Schedule for Court Records provides comprehensive guidance on retention periods. After the retention period expires, records may be destroyed according to established procedures, though records with historical significance may be preserved permanently or transferred to the New York State Archives.

Types of Courts In Erie County

Erie County's court system consists of several levels of courts, each with specific jurisdiction and authority:

New York State Supreme Court - 8th Judicial District
25 Delaware Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14202
(716) 845-9301
New York State Supreme Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Erie County Court
25 Delaware Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14202
(716) 845-2000
Erie County Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Erie County Family Court
1 Niagara Plaza
Buffalo, NY 14202
(716) 845-7400
Erie County Family Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Erie County Surrogate's Court
92 Franklin Street, 2nd Floor
Buffalo, NY 14202
(716) 845-2500
Erie County Surrogate's Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Buffalo City Court
50 Delaware Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14202
(716) 845-2600
Buffalo City Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Erie County also contains numerous town and village courts serving local municipalities. The court hierarchy in New York State progresses from local courts (city, town, village) to county-level courts (County Court, Family Court, Surrogate's Court), to the Supreme Court (despite its name, a trial-level court in New York), then to the Appellate Division of Supreme Court, and finally to the Court of Appeals (New York's highest court).

What Types of Cases Do Erie County Courts Hear?

Erie County courts adjudicate a wide range of legal matters according to their jurisdictional authority:

New York State Supreme Court:

Civil matters involving claims exceeding $25,000
Divorce, separation, and annulment proceedings
Corporate and commercial disputes
Real property actions
Article 78 proceedings (challenges to government actions)
Medical malpractice and personal injury cases
Declaratory judgments
Special proceedings

Erie County Court:

Felony criminal prosecutions
Appeals from city, town, and village courts
Civil matters with claims between $15,000 and $25,000
Specialized treatment courts (drug court, veterans court, mental health court)

Erie County Family Court:

Child custody and visitation
Child and spousal support
Paternity determinations
Juvenile delinquency proceedings
Persons in Need of Supervision (PINS) cases
Child abuse and neglect proceedings
Family offense (domestic violence) cases
Adoption proceedings
Guardianship of minors

Erie County Surrogate's Court:

Probate of wills
Administration of estates
Trust proceedings
Guardianships for incapacitated persons
Adoption proceedings (concurrent with Family Court)
Estate litigation

Buffalo City Court and other local courts:

Misdemeanor criminal cases
Traffic violations
Local ordinance violations
Small claims (up to $5,000)
Landlord-tenant disputes
Civil matters with claims up to $15,000
Preliminary hearings in felony cases

Each court maintains its own records according to case type and applicable retention schedules. The New York State Unified Court System provides oversight and administrative support to all courts within Erie County.

How To Find a Court Docket In Erie County

Court dockets in Erie County provide chronological listings of all filings, appearances, and judicial actions in a case. Members of the public may access docket information through several methods:

Online Access:
- The Erie County Clerk's Online Public Record Search provides docket information for Supreme and County Court cases.
- The New York State WebCriminal portal offers criminal case dockets for County and City Courts.
- The New York State Court Electronic Filing System (NYSCEF) displays docket sheets for e-filed cases.
Search steps:
- Enter case number or party name
- Select appropriate court and case type
- Review chronological listing of case events
In-Person Requests:
- Visit the clerk's office for the specific court where the case is filed
- Provide case number or party names to court staff
- Request to view the docket sheet or case history
Written Requests:
- Submit a written request to the appropriate court clerk
- Include case number, party names, and date range
- Provide contact information for response

For upcoming court appearances, the New York State Court Calendar Information allows searching by court, judge, attorney, or case type.

When searching for dockets, note that:

Criminal case dockets may have restricted information for pending cases
Family Court dockets have limited public access
Some older cases may not be available electronically
Case indices (listing of cases by party name) are available to locate case numbers if unknown

Which Courts in Erie County Are Not Courts of Record?

In New York State, "courts of record" are defined by Judiciary Law § 2 as courts whose proceedings are recorded verbatim and whose judgments are formally entered and preserved. Courts not of record typically handle minor matters with simplified procedures and may not maintain verbatim transcripts of all proceedings.

In Erie County, courts not of record include:

Town Courts (29 throughout Erie County)
Village Courts (15 throughout Erie County)

These courts handle:

Traffic infractions
Local ordinance violations
Misdemeanor arraignments
Small claims up to $3,000
Civil matters up to $3,000
Landlord-tenant proceedings
Preliminary hearings in felony cases

While these courts maintain case files and dockets, they may not record full transcripts of proceedings unless specifically requested by a party. Appeals from these courts are heard "de novo" (anew) in County Court rather than based solely on the record from the lower court.

Courts of record in Erie County include:

New York State Supreme Court
Erie County Court
Erie County Family Court
Erie County Surrogate's Court
Buffalo City Court

These courts maintain complete records of all proceedings, including verbatim transcripts when prepared, and their judgments are formally entered into the official record.

Lookup Court Records in Erie County

Court Records and Filing System

Erie County Clerk's Online Public Record Search