Orange County Court Records

Orange County court records are official papers with information about court filings, decisions, rulings, and processes. Such records may consist of court cases conducted within the county's jurisdiction, including familial, juvenile, criminal, and civil cases. Orange County court documents are typically accessible to the public for review, just like all New York court records.

These records also influence future decisions and the resolution of court proceedings. The Orange County Clerk's Office ensures that all court records in the county are safe and updated.

Are Court Records Public in Orange County?

The public usually has the right to access and examine public information, including court records, under the New York Freedom of Information Act. This rule has significant exceptions and restrictions, as some records are expressly excluded from disclosure by statute or court order.

Below are a few Act exemptions.

• Records that must be kept private under a federal statute or regulation.
• Veterinarian or medical records and similar documents, the release of which would violate an individual's privacy.
• Documents gathered for law enforcement or prosecution that might expose a secret investigation or surveillance, expose the identity of a confidential source, or jeopardize someone's safety.
• Until the investigation or trial's conclusion, law enforcement, prosecution, or regulatory bodies' records about ongoing investigations or prosecutions are shielded from public exposure.
• Access to individual accident reports is usually restricted to individuals involved or with a documented need.
• Documents disclose private details on public servants, including residential addresses, phone numbers, and social security numbers.

Orange County Court Records Search

Although Orange County’s Clerk’s Office does not provide an online resource to access court records, interested parties may use various other methods to search for them. These methods include in-person visits, third-party services, and postal or email requests. The avenue used will mostly depend on the information sought and the form the requester wants to obtain it in.

Orange County Court Records Search by Name

Interested parties may search for court records by name in Orange County through different means. For example, they may do this through the County Clerk. The requester must submit the record subject's first and last name to facilitate a search. Interested parties may visit the County Clerk’s Office at:

Attn: Court Papers
Orange County Clerk’s Office
255 Main Street
Goshen, NY 10924

Record seekers may also use the NYSCEF (New York State Courts Electronic Filing) or eCourts portals to search for court records by name. Although the eCourts webpage contains cases heard in New York’s criminal and civil courts, it does not have all court cases. On the other hand, the NYSCEF (New York State Courts Electronic Filing) portal makes cases and papers electronically submitted to the Supreme Court accessible through the system.

Orange County Courts

Orange County courts are under the jurisdiction of the 9th Judicial District of New York. The County has five courts within its court system. These include a Supreme and County Court, a Family Court, a Surrogate's Court, and City Courts. The court clerk's office keeps and distributes Orange County court records produced throughout these courts' legal proceedings. The following lists these courts' addresses and phone numbers:

Orange County Supreme and County Court
285 Main Street, Goshen, NY 10924
Phone: (845) 476-3500
Fax: (845) 291-2525

Orange County Family Court
285 Main Street, Goshen, NY 10924
Phone: (845) 476-3520
Fax: (845) 291-3054

Orange County Surrogate's Court
30 Park Place, Goshen, NY 10924
Phone: (845) 476-3655
Fax: (845) 291-2196

Middletown City Court
2 James Street, Middletown, NY 10940
Phone: (845) 476-3630
Fax: (845) 343-5737

Newburgh City Court
300 Broadway, Newburgh, NY 12550
Phone: (845) 483-8100
Fax: (845) 565-0230 (Civil/Traffic/Housing)
Fax: (845) 483-0421 (Criminal)

Port Jervis City Court
20 Hammond Street, Port Jervis, NY 12771
Phone: (845) 476-3700
Fax: (845) 476-3691

Orange County District Court Records

While Orange County has no district court, it has a supreme and county court. This court oversees all criminal and civil cases in the county. However, it will usually handle cases outside the reach of the lower court's jurisdiction, but it typically only handles cases beyond the lower court's jurisdiction. Examples of criminal cases dealt with by this court include felonies and lesser-included offenses. Civil cases overseen by this court include:

• general civil claims for less than $25,000,
• general civil counterclaims without financial limit,
• evictions,
• partition of real property,
• foreclosure,
• specific performance of real estate contracts
• various matters related to real estate and liens

Interested parties may access Orange County Court Records through the County Clerk’s Office. To complete a search, the requester must visit the office and submit the following details:

• Index number
• The type of record sought
• The filing date
• The name of parties or a business name

Record seekers may find the Court Clerk’s Office at:

Attn: Court Papers
Orange County Clerk’s Office
255 Main Street
Goshen, NY 10924

Orange County Criminal Records

The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (NYS DCJS) offers fingerprint-based criminal history checks to all state residents. Requesters must note they may only look up their criminal history records and not anyone else’s. To begin, record seekers must schedule a fingerprint appointment via their website.

When making an appointment, interested parties should bring the required identification form for fingerprinting. This service costs $62, which may be paid using a money order, credit card, or cheque. Make sure you make checks or money orders payable to Idemia. Your criminal record history will be mailed by the DCJS 7–10 business days following the fingerprinting appointment.

Record seekers may also visit the Orange County Sheriff’s Office for criminal records. The Office is located at:

Orange County Sheriff’s Office
110 Wells Farm Road
Goshen, N.Y. 10924

Orange County Criminal Court Case Lookup

The clerk requires individuals to send a completed Request for Criminal Records form, along with a self-addressed stamped envelope and a cheque or money order for copy and search fees, to the following address to obtain copies of criminal cases tried in Orange County courts:

Attn: Court Papers
Orange County Clerk’s Office
255 Main Street
Goshen, NY 10924

It costs $2.50 per year to search for cases handled before 1993. It costs at least $5 to obtain a certified copy of criminal records for up to four pages. There is an extra charge of $1.25 for each additional page. Interested parties may order their check or money to the Orange County Clerk and write “Not to exceed $50” on top of it.

Note: Orange County arrest records may be used to find a person’s criminal history information.

Get Orange County Civil Court Records

The Orange County Supreme and County Court handles civil matters from Orange County. The Court presides over cases involving general civil claims for more than $25,000, divorce, annulment, small claims tax assessment reviews, and complex commercial cases. Record seekers may search for and acquire copies of Orange County civil court records through the County’s Clerk’s Office. The Office maintains all court records within the county. Interested parties may find the Office at:

Orange County Clerk’s Office
255 Main Street
Goshen, NY 10924

Orange County Family Court Records

The Orange County Family Court oversees all cases involving family matters. This includes certain juvenile issues, domestic relations cases, abuse prevention orders, and criminal cases. Requesters may search the Clerk Court’s Office for family court records. It should be noted that they must provide the following details to complete a search:

• Index number
• The type of record sought
• The filing date
• The name of parties or a business name

Orange County Marriage and Divorce Records

Interested parties may find marriage records at the Town or City Clerk of the municipality where the Marriage License was issued. The Orange County Clerk contacts the Town or City Clerks, maintaining marriage records. Record seekers may also go through the Department of Health, as it maintains a central database for people to access marriage records. Individuals looking to get court records from the Department of Health may do so at the following address:

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

The County Clerk's Office's Court Papers Division provides access to divorce records for the plaintiff, defendant, or their solicitors of record (identity required). A certified copy of the divorce files may take at least five days to receive. Record seekers who are not a party to a divorce record may only obtain them if one of the parties to the divorce presents a notarized declaration (detailing which documents need to be reviewed, obtained, or certified). They may also obtain the record if they received a court order permitting them. Presenting a notarized statement at the time of request is required to identify the individual who has been given authorization.

To get a divorce record, record seekers are required to download, complete, and submit a Request for Certified Copy of Divorce Judgement form to:

Attn: Court Papers
Orange County Clerk’s Office
255 Main Street
Goshen, NY 10924

Orange Birth and Death Records

The Department of Health maintains a central database of birth records for the entire state of New York (not including records for residents of New York City). Qualified individuals may order replacement birth certificates by downloading and filling out the DOH birth record application. The person making the request must include the completed form and one of the following: a government-issued photo ID, utility bill, phone bill, or letter from a government agency naming the requestor. Additionally, a $30 money order or cheque payment (per record requested) must be included with the documents. You may send any of them in person or by mail to:

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

Those who wish to obtain death records may do so through the Department of Health’s Bureau of Vital Records. All an eligible applicant has to do is download and fill out a death record request form. Requesters must include all necessary documents and fees in their application to request a death record successfully. Once complete, the form should be mailed to:

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

Record seekers may also find copies of birth and death records locally. Birth and death records are available from the municipality's local Registrar of Vital Records where the birth or death happened. For example, if the event occurred in Middletown, interested parties must contact the Registrar of Vital Records for Middletown, which is located at:

Middletown City Hall
16 James Street
Middletown, NY 10940
Phone: (845) 346-4100

The Orange County Clerk also provides the contacts for vital records offices and officials in various municipalities.

Orange County Probate Court Records

The Orange County Surrogate's Court presides over various probate cases involving the affairs of decedents, including the probate of wills and the administration of estates. The court also handles adoption cases. Record seekers may access records of probate cases at the:

Attn: Court Papers
Orange County Clerk’s Office
255 Main Street
Goshen, NY 10924

Orange County Property Records

The Real Property and Tax Services Office handles property records in Orange County. It maintains tax maps and ownership information and makes them available to the general public. The office also provides an online service that allows 24/7 access to accurate property information via the Internet. This database permits users to search for a property by Owner Name, Address, Tax Map number, or Municipality.

Orange County Court Records Online

Record seekers may also use the NYSCEF (New York State Courts Electronic Filing) or eCourts portals to search for court records by name. Interested parties may also be able to access Orange County court records through independent internet resources like newyorkcourtrecords.us. These platforms save time and effort for those unable to visit the courthouse in person by providing benefits, including simple accessibility from any location with an internet connection. Third-party platforms also offer intuitive user interfaces that let users quickly look up certain cases or people. These platforms, however, are run independently of any government organization. As a result, ensuring the volume, quality, and dependability of the data on these platforms is impossible.