Ontario County Court Records

Ontario County court records are a collection of documents, data, and briefs generated or submitted concerning cases adjudicated within the county's jurisdiction. These records cover a wide variety of case-related information and judicial proceedings in or before any court in the county.

The information contained in the records ranges from information about the filing, county, docket number, case summaries, transcripts, legal arguments, amended complaints, and attorney details to information about the presiding judge. They also include information such as the parties' identities, dates of birth, addresses, case type, and unique case number.

A court record search allows residents to stay abreast of legal proceedings and understand how legal decisions affect them. It also helps them follow along and understand the circumstances and evidence that resulted in judicial decisions. Requesters can get access to these records either through official court custodians or third-party aggregate sites.

Are Court Records Public in Ontario County?

Court records in Ontario County are generally public records. Per Article 6 of the New York Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), Ontario County residents have a right to access, view, or reproduce Ontario County public records, including court records maintained by the judiciary.

While the law grants broad access to public records, it also acknowledges that there may be sensitive information in these records. In light of this, there are exemptions to the broad right of access. Information that cannot be released for public consumption includes the following:

• Court records exempted from disclosure by federal or state law
• Records that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
• Records containing trade secrets submitted by an agency
• Court records containing the identity of a confidential informant
• Documents containing information that could endanger the life and safety of any person
• Sealed court records

Juvenile records, adoption cases, child custody, child abuse investigations, grand jury findings, alcohol and drug treatment records, family court hearings, and pre-sentencing reports are all considered confidential. These are kept out of the public eye.

Ontario County Court Records Search

Individuals interested in Ontario County court records can access them online for free or for a fee. Some of these online sites require requesters to register before accessing the records. Alternatively, requesters can search for court documents at the Ontario County Clerk of Courts' office. Requesters who want to obtain court documents in person, by mail, or online must provide essential information to help the search process. Such information includes the case number, the names of the parties involved, the date of the case, and the type of documents sought.

Ontario County Court Records Search by Name

The New York State Unified Court System provides public access to Ontario County court records through its case search portal. This online resource allows interested parties to search for cases by name. For best search results, users must input the complete name or corporate name associated with the desired record. They should also indicate whether the name belongs to the plaintiff or defendant in the case.

For more precise results, users can narrow their search by specifying the year the case was filed and its current status. Search results can be sorted by court, defendant's name, plaintiff's name, or appearance date.

Ontario County Courts

Ontario County, New York, has a multi-tiered court system. There are 14 town courts and 4 village courts in Ontario County, each with its jurisdiction and authority. The Supreme Court is the highest trial court in New York State. It has broad jurisdiction, including civil and criminal cases. The Supreme Court also hears appeals from lower courts, such as County Court and Family Court.

The County Court handles criminal cases such as misdemeanors and some preliminary hearings for felonies. It also handles civil cases with limited jurisdiction. The Family Court specializes in family-related matters, including dissolution of marriage, determining parental rights and responsibilities, child support, and paternity issues. City Courts are located within cities and towns and handle criminal cases such as violations and some misdemeanors. Similar to City Courts, Town and Village Courts handle criminal cases, including violations, some misdemeanors, and civil cases (small claims).

The list below outlines the different Ontario County, New York courts and their contact addresses:

Ontario County Supreme Court
27 North Main Street,
Canandaigua, NY 14424
Phone: (585) 412-5300
Fax: (585) 412-5327

Canandaigua City Court
2 North Main Street,
Canandaigua, NY 14424
Phone: (585) 412-5170
Fax: (585) 412-5172

Geneva City Court
255 Exchange Street,
Geneva, NY 14456
Phone: (315) 237-6575
Fax: (315) 237-6415

Bristol Town Court
6740 County Road 32,
Canandaigua, NY 14424
Phone: (585) 229-4523
Fax: (585) 229-4523

Canadice Town Court
5949 County Road 37,
Springwater, NY 14560
Phone: (585) 367-3590
Fax: (585) 367-9477

Canandaigua Town Court
5440 Route 5 and 20 West,
Canandaigua, NY 14424
Phone: (585) 394-9040
Fax: (585) 394-7373

Clifton Springs Village Court
1 West Main Street,
Clifton Springs, NY 14432
Phone: (315) 462-3048

East Bloomfield Town and Village Court
99 Main Street,
P.O. Box 85,
East Bloomfield, NY 14443
Phone: (585) 657-7248
Fax: (585) 657-4356

Farmington Town Court
1023 Hook Road,
Farmington, NY 14425
Phone: (315) 986-8195
Phone: (315) 986-3113
Fax: (315) 986-2891

Geneva Town Court
3750 County Road 6,
Geneva, NY 14456
Phone: (315) 789-1100
Fax: (315) 781-1684

Gorham Town Court
4736 South Street,
P.O. Box 224,
Gorham, NY 14461
Phone: (585) 526-6298
Fax: (585) 526-4799

Hopewell Town Court
2716 County Road 47,
Canandaigua, NY 14424
Phone: (585) 394-1963 ext. 6
Fax: (585) 394-8581

Manchester Town Court
1272 County Road 7,
P.O. Box 633,
Clifton Springs, NY 14432
Phone: (585) 289-3010
Phone: (315) 462-6224

Naples Town Court
106 South Main Street,
P.O. Box 535,
Naples, NY 14512
Phone: (585) 374-2111
Fax: (585) 374-9981

Phelps Town Court
1331 Route 88,
P.O. Box 219,
Phelps, NY 14532
Phone: (315) 548-2090

Richmond Town Court
8690 Main Street,
P.O. Box 145,
Honeoye, NY 14471
Phone: (585) 229-4006

Seneca Town Court
4224 South Street,
P.O. Box 536,
Stanley, NY 14561
Phone: (585) 526-4780
Fax: (585) 526-5128

South Bristol Town Court
6500 Gannett Hill Road West,
Naples, NY 14512
Phone: (585) 374-6355
Fax: (585) 374-9802

Victor Town Court
11 Framark Drive,
Victor, NY 14564
Phone: (585) 924-5262
Phone: (585) 924-5775
Fax: (585) 924-6958

West Bloomfield Town Court
West Bloomfield Highway Garage
2560 County Road 37,
P.O. Box 82,
West Bloomfield, NY 14585
Phone: (585) 624-9860

Ontario County District Court Records

The Ontario County District Court is the primary trial court for minor civil and criminal cases in the County. The court handles cases involving traffic violations, misdemeanors, small claims, landlord-tenant disputes, and civil lawsuits.

Ontario County District Court records are available both online and offline. Individuals who would like to gain online access to district court documents can use search features on the New York State Unified Court System. Those who prefer offline access can visit the Ontario County District Court in person. The court clerk's office keeps records and helps visitors locate necessary documents.

Ontario County Criminal Records

The Ontario County Sheriff's Office serves as the county's primary law enforcement agency. It is tasked with generating a variety of crime-related records and reports, including Ontario County arrest records. However, all criminal record requests may be directed to the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, which maintains the state's central repository of criminal history information. Per state law, the eligibility requirements for accessing these records may apply, depending on the record of interest.

Requestors can visit the Ontario County Sheriff's Department in person. Alternatively, they can access criminal records on their website. Users can use filters to find specific people by last name, wanted date, and agency sort order. Alternatively, requesters can file a Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request with the Ontario County Police Department.

Ontario County Criminal Court Case Lookup

Requesters can seek Ontario County criminal court cases that have gone to trial using different methods. For online County Criminal record lookup, they should visit the New York Judiciary's State Courts Electronic Filing System (NYSCEF). They can log on to the Ontario County Official Records Public Search Portal or the New York State Unified Court Search Portal.

Alternatively, individuals can visit the U.S. District Court Western District of New York website and look up the required records using the case locator tool. For additional information on obtaining specific case data or documents, individuals can contact the County District Clerk’s office directly.

Get Ontario County Civil Court Records

Residents of Ontario County, New York, can get access to unsealed Ontario County Civil Court Records through the New York State Court Electronic Filing (NYSCEF) system. Court records available through the NYSCEF system include:

• Lawsuit
• Property disputes
• Contract
• Family matters
• Probate and estate proceedings and other non-criminal matters

To access Ontario County Civil Records, individuals should identify the custodian court for the records and state the reason for accessing the records. There are applicable fees for accessing records. In addition, individuals may be required to show proof of authorization to obtain these records.

Ontario County Family Court Records

Family court records cover a wide variety of case types in Ontario County, New York. These include divorce, child custody cases, adoptions, paternity disputes, protective orders for domestic violence, and guardianship matters. The Clerk's Office serves as the central repository for these records in Ontario County.

Requesters can send in their requests to:

27 North Main Street, 1st Floor, Room 130,
Canandaigua, NY 14424
Phone: (585) 412-5299

Ontario County Marriage and Divorce Records

In Ontario County, marriage records consist of marriage licenses and certificates. A marriage license grants a couple permission to get married, while a marriage certificate serves as proof of the legal union. The town clerk's office in each town is responsible for maintaining these records for marriages licensed through their office.

A certified true copy of the Ontario County, New York marriage certificate is available to:

• The Groom, bride, or spouse
• A person with notarized authorization from the groom, bride, or spouse
• Individuals empowered by a New York Court order or who have documented judicial or proper purpose

Individuals requesting marriage records must provide identification such as a driver’s license or passport. They can get copies of the marriage certificate in person at the town clerk’s office. There is a fee of $10 per copy attached to this service.

Ontario County Divorce records include divorce decree and divorce certificate. The Ontario County Clerk’s Office maintains the divorce decree, while the New York State Vital Records Department maintains Ontario County divorce certificates. Applicants for divorce certificates in Ontario County can obtain their divorce certificates during office hours at the New York State Vital Records office located at:

800 North Pearl St, Menands,
NY 12204
Phone: (877) 854-4481

Alternatively, interested individuals can request the records via mail. For such requests, they can download and print the mail-in application form and send it to:

New York State Department of Health
Vital Records Certification Unit
P.O. Box 2602
Albany, NY 12220-2602

Mail-in applications cost $30 per copy. Requesters can send a check or money order payable to the New York State Department of Health.

Ontario Birth and Death Records

Ontario County birth and death records are maintained by the local municipality where the event was recorded. Requests for these records may be made to the relevant town, city, or village clerk. Requesters should contact the Vital Records Section of the New York State Department of Health to get certified copies of these documents.

Under the Public Health Law Section 4174, access to vital records is strictly limited to the individual named in the record, their immediate family members, or parties with a legitimate interest or claim. Ontario County vital records are important in genealogical research as the authoritative evidence of identity and family relationships. Requesters who prefer to mail in their requests must download and complete the Application For a Birth Certificate Copy and Application For a Death Certificate Copy.

Ontario County Probate Court Records

In Ontario County, New York, the County Surrogate's Court is in charge of probate court records and has authority over probate cases. This involves administering estates, wills, and trusts. The court is responsible for ensuring that the deceased's desires about their estates are carried out and that the estate distribution is legal.

The court handles probate issues in Ontario County, including:

• Probating wills and appointing executors or administrators to manage estates.
• Settling disputes related to estates, including contests to wills and trusts.
• Overseeing the administration of estates, including the distribution of assets and payment of debts.
• Handling guardianship proceedings for minors and incapacitated individuals.
• The Ontario County Surrogate's Court is also responsible for maintaining records of all probate proceedings, including wills, estates, and guardianships. These records are typically open to the public and can be accessed through the court's office or online portal.

Another avenue for Interested parties seeking access to probate court records is to use the WebSurrogate feature on the New York State Unified System’s website. This allows users to get probate records in Ontario County. For best results, they can use search parameters such as the file number, party name, index number, and will name.

Ontario County Property Records

Individuals seeking access to Ontario County property records can use the records search tool accessible on the County Clerk's website. Users may search by name, document type, and filing date. If they want to search offline, they can go to the Ontario County Clerk's office or mail in a request. In addition, Ontario County property records can also be obtained from the County assessor. Ontario County property records include:

• Assessed valuation: The property's official value as determined by the assessment roll.
• District affiliations: A breakdown of the property's links to local districts.
• Tax maps: Visual representations of the property's boundaries and dimensions.
• Property photos: A gallery of images showing the property's appearance.
• Tax history: A record of past taxes paid on the property.
• Current tax rates: The applicable taxation rates for the property.
• Exemptions: A list of tax breaks available to the property, including their values.
• Comparable sales data: Recent sales information for similar properties.

Ontario County Court Records Online

Individuals who prefer online access to Ontario County Court Records have several options. One way they can get these records is through the New York State Unified Court System portal. This portal contains records from the Ontario County Supreme Court, City Courts, Town Courts, and Village Courts. To search for records on the NYS Unified Court System, users must first log in.

Another way requesters can get online access to court records in Ontario County is through the State’s online pathfinder. This resource includes locating tools that assist users in locating court records.

Finally, there are third-party online resources for accessing court records. Third-party platforms such as newyorkcourtrecords.us make access to court records easy and convenient, and physical visits are unnecessary. They also make it easier to get court documents by providing user-friendly search tools. While some services demand a fee, others offer free court records and transcripts. However, because these services are not government-sponsored, the accuracy of the records may differ.