Albany County Court Records

Albany County sits in New York's Capital District, with the city of Albany — the state capital — serving as the county seat. Its court system operates under the Third Judicial District of the New York State Unified Court System and includes a Supreme Court, a County Court, a Family Court, a Surrogate's Court, three City Courts, and numerous Town and Village Justice Courts. Each of these courts produces its own distinct records — from felony indictments and civil judgments to adoption decrees and probate filings — and the offices responsible for keeping them vary depending on the case type and court level.

Anyone searching for court-related records in New York has several official resources to draw on. The New York State Unified Court System runs multiple electronic tools — including WebCivil, NYSCEF, and WebSurrogate — that let users locate case data from courts across the state. The Albany County Clerk's Office maintains land records, liens, and certain court filings, while individual court clerk offices handle case-specific documents. NewYorkCourts.us can also help you find publicly available court case information. In-person visits to courthouse clerk windows, written mail requests, and public-access terminals at courthouse locations are all reliable options as well.

How to Look Up a Court Case in Albany County?

Finding a court case in Albany County starts with knowing which court handled the matter. Once you've identified the right court, you can search online, visit in person, or submit a written request by mail.

Online Case Search Tools

The New York State Unified Court System offers several free electronic portals, each designed for a specific court type:

• WebCivil Supreme — Search open Supreme Court civil cases statewide, including Albany County, by party name, index number, or attorney. Accessible at the WebCivil Supreme portal.
• NYSCEF Case Search — For cases electronically filed in Supreme Court, the NYSCEF system lets you view filed documents, motion schedules, and case status without needing an e-filing account.
• WebCrims — Shows information on pending criminal cases in County Court and City Courts. Available through the state court system's e-Courts page.
• WebSurrogate — A free tool for searching probate and estate files across all 62 New York counties. The WebSurrogate portal supports name, file number, and historical index searches.

Albany County Clerk's Online Records Search

The Albany County Clerk maintains an Online Records Search portal powered by IQS (Info Quick Solutions). This database includes images of recorded documents such as deeds, mortgages, judgments, liens, and DBAs. You can search by party name, book and page, instrument number, town, date, or document description. The IQS search portal is accessible as a guest or through a subscription plan; for technical questions, contact IQS at (800) 320-2617.

In-Person Requests

Walk-in access to court records is available at the following office during regular business hours:

Albany County Clerk's Office
Address: 16 Eagle Street, Room 128, Albany, NY 12207
Phone: (518) 487-5100
Fax: (518) 487-5099
Email: countyclerk@albanycounty.com
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (land recordings and court filings accepted until 4:00 p.m.)

Mail Requests

You can mail written requests for court records to the County Clerk at the address above. Include the full names of the parties, approximate case dates or index numbers, and a check or money order payable to Albany County Clerk covering the applicable search and copy fees.

Key Fees at the County Clerk's Office

Court records on file with the County Clerk for County Court and Supreme Court cases carry the same $5.00 search fee structure. All checks must be made payable to Albany County Clerk.

Are Court Records Public in Albany County?

Most court records in Albany County are presumptively open to public inspection. New York's Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) gives the public broad access to government records, including many categories of court documents. That said, the court system operates under its own set of access rules established by the Unified Court System and various provisions of state law.

Generally Public Records

The following types of records are typically available for public review:

• Criminal case dockets, charging instruments, plea agreements, and sentencing records (with the exceptions noted below)
• Civil complaints, motions, orders, and judgments filed in Supreme Court and County Court
• Probate petitions, inventories, wills admitted to probate, and estate accountings
• Land records, liens, judgments, and mortgages filed with the County Clerk
• Traffic and minor offense dispositions from City Courts and Justice Courts

Restricted or Confidential Records

Several categories of court records are shielded from public access under New York law:

• Sealed criminal records — Under CPL 160.50 and CPL 160.55, criminal cases that result in a favorable termination (dismissal, acquittal) or certain non-criminal dispositions are automatically sealed. Records sealed under CPL 160.59 — the certificate of relief statute for certain older convictions — are also withheld.
• Youthful offender proceedings — Under CPL 720.15, cases designated as youthful offender eligible are confidential and do not appear on background checks.
• Juvenile delinquency matters — Cases originating in or transferred to Family Court involving minors are not public.
• Family Court records — Most Family Court filings, including custody, child protection, and domestic violence matters, are sealed or restricted to the parties, their attorneys, and persons with a court order.
• Adoption records — Sealed by law and accessible only to the involved parties or by court order.
• Mental health proceedings — Records related to involuntary commitment are confidential.
• Vital records — Birth, death, and marriage certificates are not subject to FOIL and fall under New York Public Health Law.

When documents in otherwise public files contain sensitive personal information — such as Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, or the names of minor children — those identifiers should be redacted before release. Parties are responsible for redacting protected information from their filings.

Albany County Criminal Court Records

Criminal prosecutions in Albany County are handled at several court levels. Felony cases are tried in the Albany County Court, while misdemeanors, violations, and preliminary felony hearings may be initiated in the Albany City Court (Criminal Part), Cohoes City Court, Watervliet City Court, or the various Town and Village Justice Courts.

Court Locations for Criminal Matters

County Court hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Searching Criminal Case Records

Criminal case data can be searched through the following channels:

1. WebCrims — Available through the Unified Court System's e-Courts page, this tool shows information on pending criminal cases in County Court, City Courts, and some Justice Courts.
2. In person — Visit the County Court clerk's office at 6 Lodge Street or the relevant City Court clerk's window.
3. County Clerk — The Albany County Clerk maintains records of County Court and Supreme Court criminal filings. The search fee is $5.00 per name for every two years searched.

Statewide Criminal History Record Search

If you need a comprehensive statewide criminal background check, the New York State Office of Court Administration (OCA) runs the Criminal History Record Search (CHRS) program. Key details:

• The fee is $95.00 per search.
• Searches are based on an exact match of name and date of birth.
• Results include open/pending cases and convictions from County, Supreme, City, Town, and Village courts across all 62 counties.
• Sealed records, youthful offender cases, non-criminal offenses, and cases subject to the Misdemeanor Redemption Policy are excluded.
• Requests can be submitted online through OCA's Direct Access application, or by mailing a completed CHRS Application Form with payment to:

NYS Office of Court Administration
Criminal History Record Search Unit
25 Beaver Street, Room 940
New York, NY 10004
Email: CHRS@nycourts.gov

Results are typically processed the next business day.

Arrest Records and Jail Information

The Albany County Sheriff's Office handles arrest records and corrections. Incarceration status can be checked through the VINELink notification system, which tracks offender custody status statewide.

Albany County Sheriff's Office
Address: 994 Madison Avenue, Albany, NY 12208
Phone: (518) 487-5400
Fax: (518) 487-5037
Email: contactsheriff@albanysheriffny.gov

The Albany County Correctional Facility main number is (518) 869-2600. The New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision also maintains an Incarcerated Lookup tool for individuals in state custody.

For a fingerprint-based criminal history check (rap sheet), requests must go through the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS). The DCJS record review process involves fingerprinting and a separate fee structure.

Albany County Civil Court Records

Civil litigation in Albany County is split between the Supreme Court — which handles higher-value civil cases, equitable relief, and matrimonial actions — and the City Courts, which cover civil claims generally under $15,000, small claims, and landlord-tenant disputes. The County Court also has limited civil jurisdiction.

Where Civil Records Are Maintained

• Supreme Court civil filings — Managed by the Albany County Clerk's Office at 16 Eagle Street, Room 128. The Supreme Court is located at 16 Eagle Street, Room 102, and its clerk, David Cardona, can be reached at (518) 285-8989.
• County Court filings — Also maintained by the County Clerk at the same address.
• Albany City Court civil filings — Handled at 24 Eagle Street, Room 209, Albany, NY 12207; Phone: (518) 453-4640

Searching Civil Records

1. WebCivil Supreme — The WebCivil Supreme portal offers free access to pending Supreme Court civil case data, including party names, index numbers, and case status.
2. NYSCEF — For electronically filed Supreme Court cases, the NYSCEF Case Search lets anyone view filed documents and motion schedules without an e-filing account.
3. County Clerk Online Records Search — The IQS search portal gives access to recorded documents including judgments and liens. Guest searches are available.
4. In person — Visit the County Clerk's office or the relevant court clerk's window. The County Clerk's office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Fees for Civil Records

Copies obtained at the County Clerk's office cost $0.65 per page by state law. Certified copies cost $1.25 per page (prepare and certify), with a minimum of $5.00. Court records carry a search fee of $5.00 per name for every two years searched. E-filed Supreme Court cases can be submitted through NYSCEF; the County Clerk's office also accepts court filings over the counter and by mail.

Small Claims

Small claims cases involving amounts up to $5,000 in City Courts are filed at the City Court with jurisdiction over the area where the claim arose. The Albany City Court Civil Part at 24 Eagle Street handles small claims for matters within the city.

Traffic Cases

Traffic violations in the City of Albany are processed through the Albany City Court Traffic Part, located at 24 Eagle Street, Albany, NY 12207; Phone: (518) 453-4630

Albany County Family Court Records

Family law matters in Albany County — including custody, child support, juvenile delinquency, domestic violence, adoption, guardianship, foster care, and child abuse and neglect — are heard in the Albany County Family Court.

Albany County Family Court
Address: 30 Clinton Avenue, Albany, NY 12207
Phone: (518) 285-8600
Fax: (518) 238-4344
Hours: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Monday–Friday

The court is staffed by multiple Family Court judges and support magistrates, with Chief Clerk Lawrencia Colón overseeing court administration.

Access Restrictions

Family Court records are among the most restricted in New York's court system. Most filings are sealed or otherwise unavailable to the general public. Access is typically limited to:

• The parties directly involved in the case
• Their attorneys of record
• Authorized individuals with a court order or demonstrated legal interest
• Government agencies with statutory authority, such as child protective services

This restriction applies broadly across case types — including custody disputes, child protection proceedings, juvenile delinquency matters, and orders of protection — to protect the privacy of families and minors involved in these proceedings.

How to Request Family Court Records

Authorized individuals may request records by visiting the Family Court clerk's office at 30 Clinton Avenue during business hours or by mailing a written request. Identification and documentation of the requester's relationship to the case will be required. Some Family Court case data may be viewable through the WebFamily system on the Unified Court System's e-Courts page, though access may be limited to registered users with a connection to the case.

Marriage and Divorce Records

Marriage licenses and certificates are not issued by the courts. In Albany County, marriage records are maintained by the town or city clerk where the license was issued, and by the Albany County Clerk's office for older records. The Albany County Hall of Records, located at 95 Tivoli Street, Albany, NY 12207, Phone: (518) 436-3663, maintains historical records and can help with locating older marriage documents. The state also offers access through the New York State Department of Health's vital records request page. The state fee for a certified copy of a marriage, birth, death, or divorce record ordered through the Department of Health is $30.00.

Divorce decrees are filed with the County Clerk's office, since divorce actions are brought in Supreme Court. You can get copies in person or by mail from the County Clerk at 16 Eagle Street, subject to the standard search and copy fees.

Birth and Death Records

Birth and death certificates are not public records. They are protected by New York State Public Health Law and are exempt from FOIL requests. In the City of Albany, birth records are maintained by the Vital Statistics Office at Albany City Hall, 24 Eagle Street, Room 254M. The fee is $15.00 per certified copy. Birth records may only be released to the individual named (if 18 or older), a parent listed on the record, a lawful representative, or by court order. Vital Statistics does not accept personal checks; acceptable payment includes cash, money order, or certified bank check. Phone orders are available at (518) 434-5045 with a $6.00 surcharge through VitalChek.

Statewide requests for birth, death, marriage, and divorce records can be submitted by mail to the New York State Department of Health, Vital Records Section, for $30.00 per copy. Processing times vary.

Albany County Probate Court Records

Probate and estate matters in Albany County are handled by the Surrogate's Court, which has jurisdiction over wills, estate administration, guardianships, and adoptions.

Albany County Surrogate's Court
Address: 16 Eagle Street, Room 123, Albany, NY 12207
Phone: (518) 285-8585
Fax: (518) 285-8237
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Judge: Hon. Deborah S. Kearns
Chief Clerk: Victoria M. Craft, Esq.

What Probate Records Include

A typical Surrogate's Court case file may contain:

• The petition for probate or administration
• The decedent's last will and testament
• Letters testamentary or letters of administration
• Estate inventories and accountings
• Citations and orders
• Guardianship applications and reports
• Adoption petitions (sealed upon completion)

Searching Probate Records Online

The most efficient way to search Albany County probate records remotely is through WebSurrogate, a free service maintained by the New York State Unified Court System. WebSurrogate lets you:

• Search by decedent or petitioner name
• Search by file number
• Search historical indexes
• View and retrieve scanned public documents associated with estate files

WebSurrogate covers records considered public information. Sealed records — particularly adoption files — are not available through this tool.

In-Person Access

You can review probate files at the Surrogate's Court clerk's office at 16 Eagle Street, Room 123. Staff can assist with locating specific estate files. A government-issued photo ID may be required. Copy fees follow the standard schedule applicable to court documents; contact the clerk's office for current rates.

Requesting Records by Mail

Mail written requests to the Surrogate's Court at the address above. Include the decedent's full name, approximate date of death or filing date, and the file number if you have it. Enclose payment for any applicable copy and certification fees.

Adoptions

Adoption records processed through the Surrogate's Court are sealed upon finalization. Access is restricted to the parties to the adoption and individuals who obtain a specific court order. Sealed adoption files do not appear in WebSurrogate search results.

Genealogical Research

Since 1787, probate records in New York have been filed with the Surrogate's Court in each county. Older estate records — including wills, inventories, and letters of administration — can be valuable for genealogical research. The Albany County Surrogate's Court and the Albany County Hall of Records at 95 Tivoli Street both hold historical records that may be useful to researchers. The Hall of Records is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and staff can help navigate older indexes and archival collections.