Suffolk County Court Records

Suffolk County court records consist of documents, pieces of information, and briefs generated by or submitted to a court during cases presided over in the county. Such records contain information about the case, including the parties' names, their dates of birth, addresses, the type of case, and the case number. Records may also contain the county of filing, docket number, case information, transcripts, pleadings, amended complaint, attorney information, and the judge's details.

Are Court Records Public in Suffolk County?

Court records in Suffolk County are public records. Per Article 6 Section 84-90 of the New York Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), Suffolk County residents may access, view, or reproduce Suffolk County public records. These include copies of court records maintained by the judiciary.

However, the law also permits the court to restrict access to records containing protected information. Some examples include 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

Note: Juvenile records, adoption proceedings, child custody, investigative reports on child abuse, grand jury reports, alcohol and drug treatment records, family court proceedings, and pre-sentencing reports are confidential records and are restricted from public view.

Suffolk County Court Records Search

Persons seeking Suffolk County court records may obtain the records online. There are free and paid resources to access the county’s court records. Some online platforms require record seekers to register before accessing the records. In addition, interested persons may visit the Suffolk County Clerk of Courts Office to search for court records.

Suffolk County Court Records Search by Name

Interested persons can search Suffolk County court records by name for all case types using the New York State Unified Court System (eCourt case search portal). To obtain a match, record seekers must have the first and last name or corporation name pertaining to the court record sought and indicate what party the name used represents, the plaintiff or defendant. Searchers can limit the search to the District courts in Suffolk County, where the case is held. To search court records by name faster, record seekers may also include the year of filing and the case status - open or future appearance cases. It is possible to sort the search results by Court, defendant's name, plaintiff's name, or appearance date. Courts in Suffolk County enter individual court records using the last name first. Consequently, record seekers must do the same when conducting a court record name search.

There are no login requirements to access Suffolk court records using the eCourt case search portal. Access to court records using the New York Unified System is free.

Suffolk County Courts

The Suffolk County Courts system consists of 6 different types of courts. These include Supreme Courts, Family Courts, District Courts, Town and Village Courts, a County Court, and a Surrogate Court.

Suffolk County District Court Records

Suffolk County District Courts have six courthouses in the five towns of Brookhaven, Huntington, Babylon, Islip, and Smithtown. These courts have trial jurisdiction over:

• Violations and infractions
• Traffic tickets charging a crime
• Misdemeanors
• Preliminary jurisdiction over felonies
• Domestic violence

The district court also hosts the Drug Court, Mental Health Court, Veterans Court, and Human Trafficking Court.

The District Courts in the courthouses in Hauppauge, Lindenhurst, Patchogue, Huntington Station, and Ronkonkoma have trial jurisdiction over:

• Civil Court cases with a jurisdiction limit of $15,000
• Small Claims Court with damages up to $5,000
• Landlord and tenant cases
• Town ordinance offenses

These courts also host Community Courts where the towns prosecute offenses.

Interested persons who require a certificate of disposition or a certified transcript can obtain this from the courthouse. A $5 fee and photo identification are required, and as much information from the case as an applicant can provide, such as docket number, date of disposition, date of arrest, copies of charges, and offenses charged. The certificate of disposition or certified transcript can also be requested via mail. Applicants can download the required form and follow the instructions.

Suffolk County Criminal Records

Suffolk County criminal cases include felonies such as murder, rape, robbery, and arson and the different classes of misdemeanors. Suffolk County criminal records are the records from these cases. The Suffolk County Clerk maintains Suffolk County arrest records where a felony indictment or information is filed for cases committed or prosecuted in Suffolk County. Interested persons should address questions about misdemeanors to the District or Justice Court handling the case.

Suffolk County Criminal Court Case Lookup

To carry out a Suffolk County Criminal Court Case lookup, interested persons can use the New York State Unified Court System to search for a case. The system allows a search by name and allows the narrowing down of the results by a court with all Suffolk County courts with jurisdiction for criminal cases listed in the options.

Get Suffolk County Civil Court Records

Suffolk County civil court case types include civil actions such as landlord and tenant, contract breaches, small claims, and commercial small claims cases. Suffolk County Civil Court records include a case file and court minutes. A case file comprises a docket sheet and all the documents filed during the case. Court minutes include the various court documents and papers filed under a case with a unique index number for the case. These documents may be from the attorneys, involved parties, process servers, and the court.

Court minutes are generally public, but the court may seal some sections. Files not sealed by the court are public, and interested parties can view these files. Applicants can view minutes online using the Suffolk County Clerk’s kiosk. Users of the kiosk can search for Suffolk County Civil Court minutes using the index number of the case.

Suffolk County Family Court Records

The Suffolk County Family Court located at Central Islip and at Riverhead is primarily concerned with child welfare, parents, and spouses and handles cases of:

• Neglect and abuse
• Juvenile delinquency
• Persons in need of supervision
• Adoptions
• Guardianship
• Foster care
• Family offense or domestic violence
• Custody and visitation
• Paternity
• Support
• Consent to marry
• Drug-related juvenile delinquency
• Alcohol or substance abuse-related child neglect

The court records of family court proceedings in Suffolk County are not open to interested parties of the public to inspect. However, in some situations, as is appropriate, the court will allow access to these records. Persons who are part of a case and wish to obtain records can request a copy at the family court's record room where the case was held.

Eligible interested parties may obtain Suffolk County family court records by submitting an email, U.S. Mail, or telephone to the Family Court in the county where the case was heard. Contact information for the family courts in Suffolk County is as follows:

Central Islip

Family Court
400 Carleton Avenue
Central Islip, NY 11722
Phone: (631) 740-3800 - General Clerk

Riverhead

Family Court
Arthur M. Cromarty Court Complex
210 Center Drive, 2nd Floor
Riverhead, NY 11901
Phone: (631) 852-3905/6 - General Clerk

Suffolk County Family Court records provide information on family origins, inheritance, relationships, occupations, and places of residence.

Suffolk Dissolution of Marriage Records

Suffolk dissolution of marriage records include the divorce decree and the divorce certificate. The divorce decree, which details the terms and conditions of the divorce, is prepared by the court, signed by the judge, and filled with the County Clerk of the county where the plaintiff resided. The divorce certificate, on the other hand, provides basic information about the spouses and is filed with the New York State Department of Health. Divorces granted before January 1, 1963, have only a divorce decree document, while those granted on or after January 1, 1963, all have a divorce certificate.

Divorce record applicants include spouses or persons with a New York State Court order. Applicants are to submit a valid photo ID such as a driver's license or passport, or two of a utility bill, telephone bill, or a letter from an agency of government dated within the last six months.

Suffolk County Marriage and Divorce Records

Suffolk County marriage records include marriage licenses and marriage certificates. Marriage licenses permit a couple to go ahead and marry while the certificate is issued after the marriage ceremony as proof of the marriage. Suffolk County Marriage records are maintained by the town clerk of the towns of Suffolk County for persons who obtained their marriage license from the particular town’s clerk’s office. To obtain a certified true copy of the Suffolk County marriage certificate, applicants should be:

• 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

Applicants require identification such as a DMV-issued Non-Driver Photo ID, driver's license, or passport. Copies of the marriage certificate can be obtained in person at the town clerk's office for $10 per copy. Payment is by check or money order to the town clerk. Applicants can also request a copy of the certified marriage certificate via mail to a P.O. Box or a third party.

Suffolk County Divorce records include divorce decree and divorce certificate. The Suffolk County Clerk’s Office maintains the divorce decree. Applicants can call the office at (631) 852-2000.

New York State Vital Records maintains Suffolk County divorce certificates. Applicants for divorce certificates in Suffolk County can obtain their divorce certificates Monday through Friday in person from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the New York State Vital Records office located at:

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

Alternatively, an interested person can request the records via mail. Requesters via mail can download and print the mail-in application form and send it by first class mail, registered mail, certified mail, or U.S. Priority Mail 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.

Suffolk Birth and Death Records

Persons interested in obtaining copies of birth certificates in Suffolk County are to contact the town hall of the town where the birth occurred or the village hall to see if the birth was in an incorporated village. Note that obtaining Suffolk County birth records, such as a copy of a birth certificate, is limited to:

• Persons named on the birth certificate when they attain the age of 18
• Parents of a person named on the birth certificate who also have their name on the birth certificate
• Spouse or child of person named on birth certificate or
• A person empowered by a New York State Court

Persons requiring a copy of a Suffolk County birth certificate will be required to complete a form and provide the following information:

• Full name at birth
• Place of birth
• Date of birth
• Father’s name
• Mother’s maiden name and married name
• Relationship of the requester
• Purpose of the request

Certified copies cost $15, and applicants are to provide a means of identification such as a driver’s license or a state-issued photo ID card. Certified copies of birth certificates are used for proof of citizenship, passport, driver’s license, social security, travel, and school registration.

Suffolk County death records are maintained by the town clerk of any of the ten Suffolk towns where the person was pronounced deceased. The clerk also serves as the registrar for Suffolk County vital records. The only persons eligible to receive a certified death record of a registered death include:

• The surviving spouse of the deceased
• A surviving parent of the deceased
• A sibling or child of the deceased
• An individual with a notarized permission from a person eligible to make the request
• A person with a New York State Court order a person with a documented legal claim or right

Note that a sibling or child of the deceased applying should provide a birth certificate indicating the parent.

Interested persons can request a certified death certificate in person or via mail from the town clerk. Applications are to be submitted with a valid photo ID, such as a driver’s license, passport, permanent residency card, or U.S. military ID. Certified copies of death certificates are charged at $10 per request made payable by check or money order. Certified copies of death certificates are typically requested for the burial process, for granting the estate executor, to transfer property ownership, for pension or Medicaid benefits, and to file life insurance claims.

Suffolk County Probate Court Records

Probate court records are records created at the death of an individual. Courts creating such records in Suffolk County are the Surrogate Courts. They handle issues concerning wills and the estate of deceased persons. Suffolk County Surrogate Courts also handle cases of deceased persons with no will, adoptions, administration, accounting, small estate, wrongful death, parentage, and guardianships.

Suffolk County Surrogate Court Records can be obtained in person or by mail. Persons who opt to come to the court physically can view the records on paper, microfiche, or public access computers. Interested persons can request retrieval of these documents using a requisition form to be submitted to the records department.

Applicants can also request a search by filling out a form and sending it via mail to:

Suffolk County Surrogate’s Court,
ATTN: Cashier,
320 Center Drive,
Riverhead, NY 11901

The search fee is $30 for estates files within 25 years and $90 for estates of more than 25 years.

Alternatively, interested persons can search for court filings online using the WebSurrogate portal.

Suffolk County Property Records

Suffolk County property records include land records, records of all land transactions, property deeds, deeds of trust, notices, easements, judgments, liens, plats, power of attorney, and mortgages. The Suffolk County Clerk maintains Suffolk County property records. Property records include information such as the current owner's name, purchase price, date of last sale, historical value, annual taxes, and current assessed value. The Suffolk County Clerk’s Office has records of all land transactions in the county dating back to 1660. Suffolk County provides online access to land records documents dating back to 1987. Interested persons can access these records online.

Login is not required to search for records. However, a subscription fee is required to view documents. Remote access affords persons who chose this option all-around access beyond visits to the clerk's office during business hours. Alternatively, these records can be accessed through a visit to the Suffolk County Clerk’s Office, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at:

310 Center Drive
Riverhead, NY 11901
Phone: (631) 852-2000

Directions are available on the Suffolk County Clerk’s website.

Suffolk County Court Records Online

Interested persons can access Suffolk County court records online using the New York State Unified Court System portal. The portal provides records for Suffolk First District to Sixth District Courts, the Suffolk County Court, and the Suffolk Supreme Court. Users must log in to look up records with the NYS Unified Court System.

The New York State Archives holds appellate and trial court records dating from the 1660s to the 1990s. While the court records from the state archive are not available online, an online pathfinder is provided, which provides finding aids that help guide how to find the court records.

Third-party online resources for accessing court records may make access easy and convenient. Services like courtrecords.us ensure that a physical visit is not required and simplify acquiring court records. While some services may request a fee, some provide free court records such as transcripts. However, the accuracy of records available on such platforms may vary.

Suffolk County Courts

The Suffolk County Courts system consists of 6 different types of courts. These include Supreme Courts, Family Courts, District Courts, Town and Village Courts, a County Court, and a Surrogate Court. The address of all courts in Suffolk County is listed below.

Supreme Courts in Suffolk County

Suffolk County Supreme Court
Hon. Alan D. Oshrin Supreme Court Building
1 Court Street, Riverhead, NY 11901
Phone: (631) 852-2334
Fax: (631) 852-2340

Suffolk County Supreme Court
Cohalan Court Complex
400 Carleton Avenue, P.O. Box 9075, Central Islip, NY 11722
Phone: (631) 853-5423
Fax: (631) 853-5385

Suffolk County Supreme Court
Arthur M. Cromarty Court Complex
210 Center Drive, Riverhead, NY 11901
Phone: (631) 852-2334

County Courts in Suffolk County

Suffolk County Court
Arthur M. Cromarty Court Complex
210 Center Drive, Riverhead, NY 11901
Phone: (631) 852-2120
Fax: (631) 852-2568

Family Courts in Suffolk County

Suffolk County Family Court
Arthur M. Cromarty Court Complex
210 Center Drive, Riverhead, NY 11901
Phone: (631) 852-3905
Fax: (631) 852-2710

Suffolk County Family Court
Cohalan Court Complex
400 Carleton Avenue, Central Islip, NY 11722
Phone: (631) 853-4289
Fax: (631) 853-4283

Surrogate's Courts in Suffolk County

Suffolk County Surrogate's Court
320 Center Drive, Riverhead, NY 11901
Phone: (631) 852-1746
Fax: (631) 852-1777

District Courts in Suffolk County

Suffolk County 1st District Court - Criminal
Cohalan Court Complex
400 Carleton Avenue, Central Islip, NY 11722
Phone: (631) 853-7500
Fax: (631) 853-4505

Suffolk County 1st District Court- Civil
3105 Veterans Memorial Highway, Ronkonkoma, NY 11779
Phone: (631) 854-9676
Fax: (631) 854-9681

Suffolk County 2nd District Court
30 East Hoffman Avenue, Lindenhurst, NY 11757
Phone: (631) 854-1121
Fax: (631) 854-1127

Suffolk County 3rd District Court
1850 New York Avenue, Huntington Station, NY 11746
Phone: (631) 854-4545
Fax: (631) 854-4549

Suffolk County 4th District Court
North County Complex, Building 158
Veterans Memorial Highway, Smithtown, NY 11787
Phone: (631) 853-5400
Fax: (631) 853-5951

Suffolk County 5th District Court
3105 Veterans Memorial Highway, Ronkonkoma, NY 11779
Phone: (631) 854-9676
Fax: (631) 854-9681

Suffolk County 6th District Court
150 West Main Street, Patchogue, NY 11772
Phone: (631) 854-1440
Fax: (631) 854-1444

Brightwaters Village Justice Court
40 Seneca Drive, P.O. Box 601, Brightwaters, NY 11718
Phone: (631) 665-1281
Fax: (631) 665-2830

Town Courts and Village Courts in Suffolk County

Amityville Justice Court
21 Ireland Place, Amityville, NY 11701
Phone: (631) 691-3303
Fax: (631) 691-3304

Asharoken Village Court
1 Asharoken Avenue, Northport, NY 11768
Phone: (631) 261-8677

Babylon Village Court
153 West Main Street, Babylon, NY 11702
Phone: (631) 669-1771

Belle Terre Village Justice Court
55 Cliff Road, Belle Terre, NY 11777
Phone: (631) 473-5105

Bellport Village Court
29 Bellport Lane, Bellport, NY 11713
Phone: (631) 286-0327 ext. 22

Brightwaters Village Justice Court
40 Seneca Drive, P.O. Box 601, Brightwaters, NY 11718
Phone: (631) 665-1281
Fax: (631) 665-2830

East Hampton Justice Court
159 Pantigo Road, East Hampton, NY 11937
Phone: (631) 324-4134
Fax: (631) 324-4132

Head of the Harbor Village Court
500 North Country Road, St James, NY 11780
Phone: (631) 584-2034
Fax: (631) 862-1417

Huntington Bay Village Justice Court
244 Vineyard Road, Huntington, NY 11743
Phone: (631) 427-2843

Islandia Village Court
1100 Old Nichols Road, Islandia, NY 11749
Phone: (631) 348-0470

Lake Grove Village Court
P.O. Box 1231, Lake Grove, NY 11755
Phone: (631) 585-2008

Lindenhurst Village Court
430 South Wellwood Avenue, Lindenhurst, NY 11757
Phone: (631) 957-7508

Lloyd Harbor Village Court
Village Hall
32 Middle Hollow Road, Huntington, NY 11743
Phone: (631) 549-8896

Mastic Beach Village Court
Village Hall
369 Neighborhood Road, P.O. Box 521, Mastic Beach, NY 11951
Phone: (631) 772-6662
Fax: (631) 772-4757

Nissequogue Village Court
631 Moriches Road, P.O. Box 184, St James, NY 11780
Phone: (631) 862-8576

Northport Village Justice Court
224 Main Street, Northport, NY 11768
Phone: (631) 757-0935

Ocean Beach Village Justice Court
Bay and Bungalow Walks, P.O. Box 433, Ocean Beach, NY 11770
Phone: (631) 583-0104
Fax: (631) 583-9261

Old Field Village Justice Court
207 Old Field Road, P.O. Box 2724, Setauket, NY 11733
Phone: (631) 941-9416

Patchogue Village Justice Court
14 Baker Street, P.O. Box 719, Patchogue, NY 11772
Phone: (631) 475-2753 ext. 2
Fax: (631) 475-1650

Poquott Justice Court
Village Hall
45 Birchwood Avenue, Setauket, NY 11733
Phone: (631) 476-4043

Port Jefferson Justice Court
121 West Broadway, Port Jefferson, NY 11777
Phone: (631) 473-8382
Fax: (631) 473-8215

Quogue Village Justice Court
123 Jessup Avenue, P.O. Box 926, Quogue, NY 11959
Phone: (631) 653-9400
Fax: (631) 653-9356

Riverhead Town Court
210 Howell Avenue, Riverhead, NY 11901
Phone: (631) 727-3200 ext. 229

Sag Harbor Justice Court
55 Main Street, P.O. Box 1999, Sag Harbor, NY 11963
Phone: (631) 725-0621

Fax: (631) 725-0618

Saltaire Village Court
P.O. Box 5551, Bay Shore, NY 11706
Phone: (631) 583-5566

Shelter Island Town Court
46 North Ferry Road, P.O. Box 1632, Shelter Island, NY 11964
Phone: (631) 749-8989
Fax: (631) 749-2504

Shoreham Village Court
P.O. Box 389, Shoreham, NY 11786
Phone: (631) 821-0680

Southampton Town Justice Court
32 Jackson Avenue, Hampton Bays, NY 11946
Phone: (631) 702-2990
Fax: (631) 728-2954

Southampton Village Justice Court
151 Windmill Lane, Southampton, NY 11968
Phone: (631) 204-2140

Southold Town Justice Court
53095 Route 25, P.O. Box 1179, Southold, NY 11971
Phone: (631) 765-1852
Fax: (631) 765-3898

Village of the Branch Justice Court
P.O. Box 725, Smithtown, NY 11787
Phone: (631) 265-3315 ext. 107

West Hampton Dunes Justice Court
165 Mill Road, P.O. Box 306, West Hampton Beach, NY 11978
Phone: (631) 466-1632

Westhampton Beach Justice Court
Village Hall
165 Mill Road, Westhampton Beach, NY 11978
Phone: (631) 288-3980
Fax: (631) 702-1585