Seneca County Court Records

Seneca County court records encompass documents and filings generated during judicial proceedings in the County's courts. Such records typically reflect each stage of a case—from its initial filing and pre-trial motions to hearings, verdicts, judgments, and subsequent appeals.

Court records generally contain essential case-identifying details, including docket numbers, the names of litigants, involved attorneys, the court's name, and the filing date. Seneca County court records may also include motions, pleadings, subpoenas, court orders, written opinions, trial transcripts, and evidence such as exhibits and depositions.

Are Court Records Public in Seneca County?

Yes. Under New York State's Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), codified in the Public Officers Law Article 6 (Sections 84–90), most court records are accessible to the general public, subject to certain exceptions. This statute ensures open government and transparency, allowing residents, researchers, and other interested parties to inspect and obtain copies of various public records, including those maintained by the judiciary. However, the FOIL and other state laws provide for certain restrictions on public disclosure. For example, the following categories of records are typically not accessible to the general public:

• Adoption records
• Records sealed pursuant to New York Criminal Procedure Law §§ 160.50, 160.55, or by court order
• Juvenile records, including Family Court proceedings per Family Court Act § 166
• Records explicitly exempted by state or federal law
• Records whose disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
• Records whose release may interfere with ongoing investigations or judicial proceedings

Seneca County Court Records Search

Individuals looking to find Seneca County court records have several research options available:

• Seneca County Clerk's Office: Maintains many official court filings and can assist with locating Supreme and County Court records.
• Clerk's Offices of Individual Courts: Each court's clerk may retain specific case dockets, indexes, and filings for their respective jurisdiction (e.g., Family Court, Surrogate's Court, and Town or Village Justice Courts).
• New York State Unified Court System Online Resources: The state's eCourts, WebCivil Local, and WebCriminal portals offer searchable electronic records for certain case types.
• Third-Party Databases: Various private resources provide access to publicly available court records, though completeness and accuracy may vary.

Seneca County Courts

Seneca County is within New York's 7th Judicial District. The County's judicial structure includes a Supreme Court, a County Court, a Family Court, a Surrogate's Court, and several Town Courts. Some of these courts are housed in the same location, while Town Courts operate from facilities within their respective municipalities. The addresses and contact information of the County's courthouses are as follows:

Seneca County Supreme Court
48 West Williams Street,
Waterloo, NY 13165
Phone: (315) 835-6229
Fax: (315) 835-6234

Seneca County Court
48 West Williams Street,
Waterloo, NY 13165
Phone: (315) 835-6229
Fax: (315) 835-6234

Seneca County Family Court
48 West Williams Street,
Waterloo, NY 13165
Phone: (315) 835-6231
Fax: (315) 835-6234

Seneca County Surrogate's Court
48 West Williams Street,
Waterloo, NY 13165
Phone: (315) 835-6232
Fax: (315) 835-6234

Covert Town Court
8469 South Main Street,
P.O. Box 220,
Interlaken, NY 14847
Phone: (607) 532-4091
Fax: (607) 294-4032

Fayette Town Court
1439 Yellow Tavern Road,
Waterloo, NY 13165
Phone: (315) 585-6285 ext. 1
Fax: (315) 585-6283

Junius Town Court
655 Dublin Road,
Clyde, NY 14433
Phone: (315) 539-4667
Fax: (315) 539-4317

Lodi Town Court
8440 North Main Street,
P.O. Box 403,
Lodi, NY 14860
Phone: (607) 582-7730

Ovid Town Court
8440 North Main Street,
P.O. Box 33,
Lodi, NY 14860
Phone: (607) 869-9845
Fax: (607) 582-7731

Romulus Town Court
1435 Prospect Street,
P.O. Box 274,
Willard, NY 14588
Phone: (607) 869-9650
Fax: (607) 869-9670

Seneca Falls Town Court
81 West Bayard Street,
Seneca Falls, NY 13148
Phone: (315) 568-9234
Fax: (315) 568-5870

Tyre Town Court
1695 State Route 318,
Waterloo, NY 13165
Phone: (315) 539-3690 ext. 1
Fax: (315) 539-1037

Varick Town Court
4782 State Route 96,
Romulus, NY 14541
Phone: (315) 585-6018

Waterloo Town Court
66 Virginia Street,
Waterloo, NY 13165
Phone: (315) 539-3213
Fax: (315) 539-5803

Waterloo Village Court
41 West Main Street,
Waterloo, NY 13165
Phone: (315) 539-2512
Fax: (315) 539-3333

Seneca County Criminal and Civil Records

In Seneca County, the Supreme Court has broad jurisdiction over various civil matters and certain specialized proceedings, while the County Court generally handles felony prosecutions and some civil cases up to $25,000 in controversy. Town and Village Courts (collectively known as Justice Courts) have more limited jurisdiction, often handling misdemeanors, traffic infractions, violations, small claims (up to $3,000), and landlord-tenant disputes.

When requesting criminal or civil case records, requesters should provide as many identifying details as possible—such as the case number, party names, or the involved attorney's name—to expedite the search. Records of Supreme and County Court proceedings can usually be obtained from the Seneca County Clerk's Office:

Seneca County Clerk's Office
1 DiPronio Drive
Waterloo, NY 13165
Phone: (315) 539-1770

For matters heard in Town or Village Courts, individuals should contact the appropriate court directly.

Criminal case information may also be accessible through the New York State Unified Court System's WebCriminal portal, and civil case details can often be found using WebCivil Local. Both online tools allow searches by defendant name, attorney name, docket or index number, and other criteria, depending on the case type.

Seneca County Marriage Records

Town and Village Clerks across Seneca County issue and maintain marriage licenses and records for marriages performed in their jurisdictions. Individuals seeking a certified copy of a marriage record should contact the clerk of the municipality that issued the original license. Note that under New York State law, certified copies are typically restricted to the spouses, their legal representatives, or persons with a court order. Uncertified marriage records may be available to the public once the record meets statutory requirements for disclosure.

As an alternative, the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) maintains marriage records dating back to 1880. Eligible individuals may apply to the NYSDOH for certified copies. Fees and proof of identity are required.

Seneca County Divorce Records

Divorce records in New York come in two primary forms: divorce decrees and divorce certificates.

• Divorce Decrees: These are issued and filed by the Seneca County Supreme Court, these documents contain detailed information about the terms of the divorce. They are maintained by the Seneca County Clerk's Office. Divorce decrees from all time periods are kept on file by the County Clerk, and they may be considered a matter of public record unless sealed.
• Divorce Certificates: These are more abbreviated documents, listing basic details such as the parties' names, date, and place of the divorce. The NYSDOH maintains divorce certificates for divorces granted after January 1, 1963. Access is limited to the parties listed on the certificate or those with a New York State court order. Applicants must provide proper identification and pay the statutory fee. Divorce record requests to the NYSDOH may be addressed to:

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

Seneca County Birth Records

The NYSDOH is responsible for maintaining all birth records from 1881 to the present, including those originating in Seneca County. Pursuant to New York law, only certain individuals—such as the person named on the record, their parents (if listed on the certificate), or individuals with a New York State court order—may access a certified birth record. An application must be accompanied by a valid form of identification and the required fee.

Requests can be submitted via mail to the NYSDOH Vital Records Certification Unit at the address listed above.

Seneca County Death Records

The NYSDOH also maintains death records from 1881 forward. Access to death certificates is restricted to the decedent's immediate family members, legal representatives, or those who can demonstrate a lawful right or claim or present a valid court order. Applicants must provide identification and the required fee. Similar to birth and marriage records, requests for certified copies of death records are processed through the NYSDOH Vital Records Certification Unit.

Seneca County Probate Court Records

The Seneca County Surrogate's Court oversees probate proceedings, including the administration of wills, estates, guardianships, and related matters. Individuals seeking probate records should contact the Surrogate's Court directly. While many probate records are public, some may be sealed or restricted under certain circumstances.

Seneca County Surrogate's Court
48 West William Street
Waterloo, NY 13165
Phone: (315) 539-3470

Seneca County Property Records

The county clerk's office maintains property records in Seneca County, such as deeds, mortgages, and liens. These documents provide insight into property ownership, encumbrances, and transfer history. The Seneca County Real Property Tax Services Office maintains real property tax information and may offer online search tools for tax rolls and assessment data.

Seneca County Clerk's Office
1 DiPronio Drive
Waterloo, NY 13165
Phone: (315) 539-1770

Seneca County Real Property Tax Services
One DiPronio Drive
Waterloo, NY 13165
Phone: (315) 539-1735

Seneca County Court Records Online

In addition to official government sources, several third-party websites like Newyorkcourtrecords.us index host public records, including select Seneca County court filings. While such services can be convenient for initial inquiries, they may not always provide complete, current, or accurate information. For the most authoritative records, individuals should rely on the official Seneca County Clerk's Office, the relevant court clerk's office, or the statewide eCourt and WebCivil/WebCriminal platforms maintained by the New York State Unified Court System.