Court records of Westchester County, New York, are available through several channels. WestchesterCourt.us allows you to search for public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be found through the official portals of the New York State court system, the offices of court clerks, and public terminals installed directly in court buildings.
Westchester Court System & Jurisdictions
Westchester County has an extensive network of courts, each handling specific categories of cases. Understanding this structure is the first step in finding the necessary dossier.
Supreme Court — a court of general jurisdiction. It handles serious civil claims (amounts over $25,000), divorce cases, and other family disputes requiring a decision by a supreme court judge.
County Court handles felony-level criminal cases, as well as certain civil claims with amounts up to $25,000. This is where most serious criminal charges are filed.
- Family Court — custody, adoption, child protection cases, orders of protection against domestic violence.
- Surrogate's Court — equivalent to probate court: wills, estate administration, appointment of guardians.
- City Courts (White Plains, New Rochelle, Mount Vernon, Peekskill, Rye, Yonkers) — misdemeanors, small civil claims up to $15,000, as well as traffic violations.
- Town and Village Justice Courts — minor offenses, traffic tickets, and small claims (up to $5,000) in respective municipalities.
If you are unsure which court is handling your case, contact the County Clerk's office — the clerk will advise where to search.
Westchester Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
The schedule of hearings for today, tomorrow, or the current week is published through the New York State Unified Court System — eCourts. The portal allows you to search by party name, case number, or hearing date.
- Visit the eCourts / WebCivil Supreme site for Supreme Court civil cases.
- For criminal cases, use the WebCriminal system on the same court system portal.
- Schedules for local Town and Village Justice Courts are often posted on the respective municipality websites; some are available only by phone inquiry to the office.
The official website of the Westchester County government also publishes announcements related to the operation of county institutions. Note: Family Court and Surrogate's Court calendars are maintained separately, and for checking hearing dates, it is most reliable to call the respective office directly.
How to Get a Copy of a Westchester Court Document
Copies of court documents come in two types: certified and uncertified. A certified copy has the clerk's seal and legal force — it is required for submission to another court, government agency, or immigration service. An uncertified copy is suitable for personal review.
How to obtain a copy:
- In person — visit the Westchester County Clerk's office in White Plains. Bring the case number or full name of the party and the approximate filing date.
- By mail — send a written request specifying the case details, type of copy (certified/uncertified), and a check or money order to the office address.
- Online — some Supreme Court documents can be ordered through the eCourts NYSCEF (New York State Courts Electronic Filing) portal. Not all types of cases are available electronically.
Office address:
For a state-level criminal history check, a separate request must be submitted through the Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) with fingerprints. This is not the same as a copy of a court document.
Cases involving minors, adoptions, and certain categories of family disputes are generally closed to public access.
Westchester Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees are set according to the CPLR and administrative rules of the New York State court system. Below are the approximate rates of the County Clerk; specific amounts may change, so it is advisable to verify current information by phone before visiting.
| Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Record search (by name, up to 2 years) | $5 |
| Record search (each additional 2 years) | $5 |
| Uncertified document copy (per page) | $0.65 |
| Certified copy (certification fee) | $1.25 per document |
| Exemplified copy with court seal | $5.00+ |
| Judgment copy | $5 for the first 2 pages, then $0.65/page |
Payment methods:
- In person — cash, money order, certified check. Some offices accept credit cards.
- By mail — money order or certified check payable to "Westchester County Clerk."
- Online — payment is made by card when ordering through NYSCEF.
To search for inmates at the state level, use the DOCCS tool or the NY.gov portal. Information about the county jail can be found on the State Commission of Correction website. These resources are free.