Erie County Court Records
Erie County court records encompass a broad range of documents generated from court cases, including documents, files, exhibits, and related materials. These materials are maintained to document judicial proceedings, ensuring both legal transparency and the preservation of historical data, such as judgments that may impact future cases. The primary custodian of these records is the Clerk of the Court where the case was filed/heard, who ensures maintenance in accordance with specific retention and disposition schedules.
Court records are closely linked to other public records. When combined with arrest records, they can provide a detailed overview of a person’s criminal background. Additionally, the records may include external records filed during court proceedings, such as vital records and property documents.
Are Erie County Court Records Public?
Yes. New York State Judiciary Law, Section 225, classifies Erie County court records as public information, permitting citizens to search files and retrieve unrestricted documents. Public access extends to current and disposed case information in criminal, civil, and estate proceedings.
However, significant restrictions exist to protect individual privacy. For example, records and adjudications for youthful offenders are sealed. Furthermore, expunged records and adoption files are not publicly accessible.
What Information is Available in Erie County Court Records?
Erie County court records offer a comprehensive account of legal proceedings, from the initial filing to the final judgment. These documents contain key identifying information, such as index numbers, the names of the involved parties, and the judges or justices assigned to the case.
Court records also include all documents filed during a court case. However, these documents vary from case to case. For example, within the Surrogate’s Court, the records include wills, estate files, and guardianship reports. Meanwhile, for criminal cases, the files may consist of charging documents, arrest warrants, evidence, jury verdicts, sentencing orders, and parole or probation documents.
Erie County Court Records Search
The public accesses Erie County court records through multiple online, in-person, and mail-in channels.
Online
- New York Judicial Branch Case Search Portals (eCourts): The New York Courts’ collection of online databases for looking up case information. Examples include
- WebSurrogate: This portal enables users to search for filings and retrieve document images from Surrogate’s Courts, with a specific focus on cases filed on or after February 19, 2014. This system allows users to find files by party name or file number and browse available index book pages.
- WebCriminal: This portal retrieves criminal case information from criminal courts across New York, including Erie County.
- New York State Courts Electronic Filing (NYSCEF) System: This is the state’s official portal for filing cases without appearing in court. However, it also hosts digitized images of filings in cases. The system can be accessed by name or case number.
In Person
In Erie County, court records can be accessed by visiting the clerk’s offices or the courts’ various records departments for physical review. The county courthouses may also provide publicly accessible computer terminals for free case inspection. Court staff are available to assist with case review or to retrieve copies of records, though a fee may be charged for any copies provided to the requester.
Mail or Phone
Erie County court records can be obtained by the public either through a mail-in application or a telephone inquiry. However, before submitting a request by mail or phone, it is necessary to confirm the availability of these options with the clerk of the court that manages the original case file.
For example, persons seeking court records maintained by the Erie County Clerk’s Office (which holds records for the Supreme and County Courts in Erie County) can complete specific forms, such as the Search & Copy Request Form, and mail them to the County Clerk’s Office. Every mailed request to the office must include a postage-paid, self-addressed envelope (SASE) for the return of documents.
Fees for Court Records in Erie County
Generally, inspecting a court record electronically, whether online or at public access terminals situated at the courthouse, bears no cost to the inquirer. However, copy charges apply to make photocopies of or certify court records. These fees vary by court and should be confirmed with the appropriate clerk’s office.
However, those submitting copy requests to the Erie County Clerk’s Office are liable for the following fees:
- Copies
- First 2 pages: $1.30 (Standard copies)
- Each additional page: 65 cents (Standard copies)
- Certified Copies
- First 4 pages: $5 (Standard certified copies)
- Each additional page: $1.25 (Standard certified copies)
- Certified Presented Copies
- First 8 pages: $5.20
- Each additional page: 65 cents
- Record Search (per name)
- Manual Search: $10 (per 2-year period, conducted by the Clerk’s office staff)
- Digital Search: $5 (per 2-year period, conducted by the Clerk’s office staff)
Maximum Charge: The total charge for copies or certified copies of a single document is limited to $40.
For vital records access and fees, one can contact the County Clerk’s Office. The Clerk highlights periods of records available on its website. Such records are also available through the New York Department of Health.
Erie County Courthouse Locations
The Erie County judicial system comprises several trial-level courts, each designated to handle specific types of legal matters.
- Supreme Court: Hears major civil actions, including divorces, mortgage foreclosures, and injunctions, particularly those exceeding the monetary limits of lower courts.
- County Court: Has jurisdiction over felony criminal prosecutions and civil cases where the claimed amount is up to $25,000.
- Family Court: Focuses on matters concerning children and families, such as child custody, support, and foster care, though it is not authorized to grant divorces.
- Surrogate’s Court: Manages estate-related proceedings and adoptions.
- City Courts: Address misdemeanor crimes and civil disputes with claims under $15,000.
- Town and Village Courts: Handle smaller matters, including traffic violations, small claims, and evictions.
Erie County Supreme Court Locations
92 Franklin Street
Erie County Courthouse
Buffalo, NY 14202
Phone: (716) 845-9301
25 Delaware Avenue
Erie County Courthouse
Buffalo, NY 14202
Phone: (716) 845-9301
50 Delaware Avenue
Buffalo City Court Building
Buffalo, NY 14202
Phone: (716) 845-9301
77 West Eagle Street
Eagle Street Office Building
Buffalo, NY 14202
Phone: (716) 845-9301
Erie County Court
25 Delaware Avenue
Erie County Courthouse
Buffalo, NY 14202
Phone: (716) 845-9301
Court of Claims
130 South Elmwood Avenue
Suite 300
Buffalo, NY 14202
Phone: (518) 432-3478
Erie County Family Court
1 Niagara Plaza
Buffalo, NY 14202
Phone: (716) 845-7444
Erie County Surrogate’s Court
92 Franklin Street
3rd Floor
Buffalo, NY 14202
Phone: (716) 845-2560
Buffalo City Court
50 Delaware Avenue
Buffalo City Court Building
Buffalo, NY 14202
Phone: (716) 845-2600
Lackawanna City Court
714 Ridge Road
Lackawanna City Hall
Lackawanna, NY 14218
Phone: (716) 845-7220
Tonawanda City Court
200 Niagara Street
Tonawanda City Hall
Tonawanda, NY 14150
Phone: (716) 845-2160
Alden Town Court
3311 Wende Road
PO Box 180
Alden, NY 14004-180
Phone: (716) 937-6969
Amherst Town Court
400 John James Audubon Pkwy
Amherst, NY 14228-1142
Phone: (716) 689-4200
Aurora Town Court
571 Main Street
Town Hall
East Aurora, NY 14052-1797
Phone: (716) 652-5275
Boston Town Court
8500 Boston State Road
Boston, NY 14025-9648
Phone: (716) 941-6115
Brant Town Court
Route 249
PO Box 232
Brant, NY 14027-0232
Phone: (716) 549-0300
Cheektowaga Town Court
3223 Union Road
Cheektowaga, NY 14227-1080
Phone: (716) 686-3435
Clarence Town Court
Five Town Place
Clarence, NY 14031
Phone: (716) 741-8948
Colden Town Court
S-8812 State Road
Colden, NY 14033
Phone: (716) 941-6242
Collins Town Court
14093 Mill Street
PO Box 420
Collins, NY 14034-0420
Phone: (716) 532-3340
Concord Town Court
86 Franklin Street
PO Box 185
Springville, NY 14141- 368
Phone: (716) 592-9898
Eden Town Court
2795 East Church Street
Eden, NY 14057-0156
Phone: (716) 992-3559
Elma Town Court
1600 Bowen Road
Elma Town Hall
Elma, NY 14059-7699
Phone: (716) 734-5911
Evans Town Court
8787 Erie Road
Angola, NY 14006
Phone: (716) 549-3707
Grand Island Town Court
2255 Baseline Road
Grand Island, NY 14072-1798
Phone: (716) 773-9600
Hamburg Town Court
S-6100 South Park Avenue
Hamburg, NY 14075-3760
Phone: (716) 649-6111
Holland Town Court
47 Pearl Street
PO Box 70
Holland, NY 14080
Phone: (716) 537-2770
Lancaster Town Court
525 Pavement Road
Lancaster, NY 14086-9757
Phone: (716) 683-1814
Marilla Town Court
1740 Two Rod Road
PO Box 120
Marilla, NY 14102-120
Phone: (716) 652-5350
Newstead Town Court
5 Clarence Center Road
PO Box 227
Akron, NY 14001
Phone: (716) 542-4575
North Collins Town Court
10569 Main Street
PO Box 51
North Collins, NY 14111-51
Phone: (716) 337-3712
Orchard Park Town Court
4295 S. Buffalo Street
Orchard Park, NY 14127-2609
Phone: (716) 662-6415
Sardinia Town Court
12320 Savage Road
PO Box 205
Sardinia, NY 14134- 219
Phone: (716) 496-8903
Tonawanda Town Court
1835 Sheridan Drive
Buffalo, NY 14223
Phone: (716) 876-5536
Wales Town Court
Emery Road
Wales Memorial Building
South Wales, NY 14139
Phone: (716) 652-3320
West Seneca Town Court
1250 Union Road
West Seneca, NY 14224-2917
Phone: (716) 674-5600
Alden Village Court
13336 Broadway
Alden, NY 14004-1394
Phone: (716) 937-9216
Angola Village Court
41 Commercial Street
Angola, NY 14006
Phone: (716) 549-4035
Blasdell Village Court
121 Miriam Avenue
Blasdell, NY 14219
Phone: (716) 821-7908
Depew Village Court
85 Manitou Street
Depew, NY 14043
Phone: (716) 683-0978
Hamburg Village Court
100 Main Street
Hamburg, NY 14075-4988
Phone: (716) 649-7204
Kenmore Village Court
2919 Delaware Avenue
Municipal Court
Kenmore, NY 14217-2394
Phone: (716) 873-4554
Lancaster Village Court
5423 Broadway Street
Lancaster, NY 14086-2199
(716) 683-6780
Orchard Park Village Court
S-4295 South Buffalo Street
Orchard Park, NY 14127-2609
Phone: (716) 662-9327
Springville Village Court
65 Franklin Street
P.O. Box 362
Springville, NY 14141
Phone: (716) 592-5360
Williamsville Village Court
5565 Main Street
Williamsville, NY 14221
Phone: (716) 632-0450
Criminal Records Access in Erie County
The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) serves as the central repository for official state-level criminal history records. Individuals may retrieve their official "rap sheets" by submitting fingerprints through the department’s authorized vendors and paying a required processing fee. These official records are not public and require fingerprint verification to ensure accuracy.
On the other hand, the public may access local case records through the New York court system’s eCourts (specifically WebCriminal) and NYSCEF portals, as well as in person at courthouses. For access to closed criminal records, the Erie County Clerk’s Actions & Proceedings Office at 92 Franklin Street allows the public to view document images on specialized terminals.
Erie County Probate Records
Erie County’s Surrogate’s Court maintains probate records detailing the legal affairs of deceased individuals, primarily encompassing wills, estate filings, adoptions, and guardianships. While the majority of these estate records are public, certain sensitive matters remain confidential or restricted by law.
For recent filings (those filed on or after February 19, 2014), the public can access the online WebSurrogate portal. Online case access to probate records is also available through the NYSCEF System. In addition, for older records, individuals can visit the Surrogate’s Court Public Access Room, located at 92 Franklin Street in Buffalo. This facility offers public computers for viewing unrestricted documents filed before the mandatory electronic transition.
Erie County Family Court Records
The Erie County Family Court addresses legal matters concerning children and families, including custody, adoption, and support. While the Family Court handles support and custody orders, the Supreme Court is the sole entity authorized to grant divorces.
For public access to case information, the court utilizes the WebFamily portal for active cases and the NYSCEF system for electronic filings. A physical Record Room is also maintained at One Niagara Plaza in Buffalo, where staff are available to assist with file access.
Obtaining official documents, such as certified copies, requires submitting a request to either the Clerk of the Family Court or the Erie County Clerk’s Office (for Supreme Court records). Note that access to matrimonial records is restricted by state law; these records are sealed for 100 years. Access is limited to the direct parties involved, their attorneys, or a third party who has secured a specific court order. To expedite searches, authorized requesters must present proper identification and should ideally provide the case’s index number.
Federal Court Records in Erie County
Federal case jurisdiction in Erie County resides with the United States District Court for the Western District of New York. This court operates primary offices in Buffalo at 2 Niagara Square and in Rochester at 100 State Street. The public can view federal case information through the PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) system, which serves as the official federal case locator. Additionally, the clerk’s office at the Buffalo location manages and disseminates federal case records.
