Westchester County Court Records

Westchester County court records are documents and files containing information about court cases within the county. They typically include the following:

• Case details: Case number, names of parties involved, case type (e.g., criminal, civil, family law)
• Pleadings: Complaints, answers, motions, responses
• Evidence: Exhibits, witness statements, transcripts
• Orders and judgments: Court decisions, sentences, fines
• Trial records: Verbatim transcripts of court proceedings
• Appellate records: Appeals, briefs, opinions
• Docket entries: Chronological list of events and filings in a case

Westchester County court records may be obtained from the following types of cases:

• Civil Cases: Personal injury, tort, libel, slander, employment disputes, and foreclosures
• Criminal Cases: Felonies, misdemeanors, and traffic violations
• Family law Cases: Child support, alimony, adoption, and divorces
• Probate Cases: Wills, estates, and guardianship

The administration of justice in Westchester County depends heavily on the accessibility of court records. Access to court records helps maintain the integrity of the legal system by introducing accountability and openness into the process. It is also helpful in checking the backgrounds of potential employees, tenants, or business partners. In addition, Westchester County court records are consulted by attorneys to comprehend specific case laws or establish legal precedents for cases.

Are Court Records Public in Westchester County?

Court records in Westchester County are typically open to the public. Court clerks are authorized by the New York Consolidated Code, Chapter 30, Article 8 Section 255-B, to allow the public to view court records during regular business hours. However, some Westchester County court records are publicly unavailable to preserve privacy or protect sensitive information. Generally, the following Westchester County court records are closed to the public and can only be accessed by authorized persons:

• Adoption Records
• Records protected by state or federal laws
• Juvenile Records
• Confidential information such as Social Security Number and driver’s license number
• Medical and Mental Health Records
• Financial account numbers

Westchester County Court Records Search

Westchester County court records can be accessed online and offline. Record seekers can search for public court records in the county using the New York State Unified Court System eCourts platform. They can also obtain public court records by mail or in-person visits to the Westchester County Clerk’s Office or the courts where a case was heard. In addition, anyone can use reliable third-party websites to access the county’s public court records. However, certain court records in Westchester County are sealed under New York law or by court orders to preserve privacy and protect sensitive information. These records are not open to the public but can only be accessed by authorized persons.

Westchester County Court Records Search by Name

In Westchester County, one of the most common ways of finding court records is to search by name. A name-based search of court records entails using the name of the record owner as the search parameter. This can be done by using the name of the defendant in a criminal case or a defender or plaintiff in a civil case. The New York State Unified Court System eCourts platform allows record seekers to search Westchester County court documents by name. Court records are classified as civil, criminal, family, and supreme categories on the eCourts platform.

Westchester County Courts

The Westchester County court system comprises supreme, county, surrogate, family, city, and village courts. The county’s Supreme Court has general jurisdiction over all civil and criminal matters but typically handles civil cases beyond the purview of other courts. It hears civil cases with over $25,000 claims and all cases related to marriage termination. The Westchester County Court handles civil cases with claims under $25,000, most felonies, and crimes arising from the same conditions as felonies. The Westchester County Family Court handles domestic relations matters and juvenile matters, including child support, paternity, adoptions, spousal support, and child custody. Probate matters in the county are handled by the Westchester Court Surrogate Court, while the Westchester County City, Town, and Village courts have jurisdiction over misdemeanors, traffic offenses, and municipal ordinance violations.

The following are the various Westchester County courts and their contact information:

Westchester County Supreme Court

Westchester County Supreme Court
111 Dr Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
White Plains, NY 10601
Phone: (914) 824-5400 (Criminal)
Fax: (914) 824-5065 (Criminal)
Phone: (914) 824-5300 (Civil)
Fax: (914) 824-5873 (Civil)

County Courts in Westchester County

Westchester County Court
111 Dr Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
White Plains, NY 10601
Phone: (914) 824-5400 (Criminal)
Fax: (914) 824-5065 (Criminal)
Phone: (914) 824-5300 (Civil)
Fax: (914) 824-5873 (Civil)

Westchester County Family Courts

Westchester County Family Court - New Rochelle
420 North Avenue
New Rochelle, NY 10801
Phone: (914) 831-6590
Fax: (914) 831-6588

Westchester County Family Court - White Plains
111 Dr Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
White Plains, NY 10601
Phone: (914) 824-5500
Fax: (914) 824-5860

Westchester County Family Court - Yonkers
131 Warburton Avenue
Yonkers, NY 10701
Phone: (914) 831-6555
Fax: (914) 831-6409

Westchester County Surrogate Courts

Westchester County Surrogate’s Court
111 Dr Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
White Plains, NY 10601
Phone: (914) 824-5656
Fax: (914) 358-8042

City Courts in Westchester County

Mount Vernon City Court
2 Roosevelt Square North
Mount Vernon, NY 10550
Phone: (914) 831-5656
Fax: (914) 358-8042

New Rochelle City Court
475 North Avenue
New Rochelle, NY 10801
Phone: (914) 358-8000
Fax: (914) 654-0344

Peekskill City Court
2, Nelson Avenue
Peekskill, NY 10566
Phone: (914) 831-6480
Fax: (914) 736-1889

Rye City Court
21 McCullough Place
Rye, NY 10580
Phone: (914) 831-6400
Fax: (914) 831-6546

Yonkers City Court
Robert W. Cacace Justice Center
100 South Broadway
Yonkers, NY 10701
Phone: (914) 831-6450
Fax: (914) 377-6395

White Plains City Court
77 South Lexington Avenue
White Plains, NY 10601
Phone: (914) 824-5675
Fax: (914) 824-5858

There are 35 Town and Village Courts in Westchester County, all within the 9th Judicial District.

Westchester County District Court Records

Westchester County District Court records document legal proceedings and prosecutions in the county's District Court. In New York State, the Supreme Court is the highest court in any county instead of the District Court, which is the case in some states. Records from the following cases are generated in Westchester County Supreme Court:

• Criminal cases
• Marriage termination cases, including divorce, annulment, and legal termination cases
• Civil Lawsuits
• Probate Cases
• Juvenile cases

Interested individuals can access Westchester County Supreme Court criminal case records by doing the following:

• Open the New York State Unified Court System eCourts platform
• Select the WebCriminal Supreme link
• Select a preferred search option from the defendant's name, case identifier, and court calendar
• Provide the required information and select Westchester Supreme Court from the list of courts
• Click search

To access Westchester County Supreme Court civil case records, take the following steps:

• Open the New York State Unified Court System eCourts platform
• Click the WebCivil Supreme link
• Select the criteria for searching: attorney/firm search, party name, court calendar, or index search
• Supply the required information, including selecting Westchester Supreme Court from the list of courts
• Click search

The Westchester County Clerk also serves as the Westchester County Supreme Court Clerk. Supreme Court record seekers in the county can contact the Westchester County Clerk’s Office by fax, telephone, or in person at:

The Westchester County Supreme Court Building
Westchester County Clerk
111 Dr Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
White Plains, NY 10601
Phone: (914) 824-5840
Fax: (914) 824-5873

Westchester County Criminal Records

A criminal record in Westchester County documents an individual's criminal activities and prosecutions within the county. The Westchester County Clerk’s office and the Department of Public Safety maintain these records. Criminal records maintained in the county typically include Westchester County arrest records, warrants, jail, mugshots, and other pretrial crime records. Eligible record seekers can visit the Westchester County Clerk’s Office or the Department of Public Safety to request criminal records of their interest. In addition, some criminal records are accessible at the New York Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.

Westchester County Criminal Court Case Lookup

Interested parties can use the New York State Unified Court System eCourts platform to look up specific criminal cases from Westchester County. On the WebCriminal link, they will find criminal court cases from both the Supreme Court and the County Court.

Get Westchester County Civil Court Records

Westchester County civil court records include case filings, writs, motions, settlement agreements, civil complaints, and court judgments from civil cases originating from the county courts. They include documents generated from cases such as:

• Property Disputes
• Family Law
• Consumer Protection
• Contract Disputes
• Probate and Estate
• Divorce Proceedings
• Libel and slander
• Personal Injury Lawsuits
• Employment Discrimination
• Torts

In Westchester County, general civil cases are heard in the Supreme Court and the County Court, depending on the claims in dispute. Specialized courts like the Surrogate and Family Courts hear probate and domestic relations matters, respectively. The Westchester County Clerk’s Office maintains and preserves civil court records in the county.

Anyone can use the New York State Unified Court System eCourts platform to find civil court cases from Westchester County. Public civil court records can be searched by case number, party names, attorney/firm, or date. They can also visit the Westchester County Clerk’s Office to view or request copies of public civil court records. Confidential civil court records are not accessible to the public, and certain portions of some public civil court records may be redacted to protect sensitive information.

Westchester County Family Court Records

Westchester County family court records are records on family law and juvenile matters within the county. They include files and information on the following case types:

• Protection Orders
• Divorce
• Legal Separation
• Spousal Support
• Child Support
• emancipation
• Domestic Violence Cases
• Paternity
• Adoption cases

Although family court records are public in Westchester County, certain records, such as juvenile records, domestic violence victims records, and divorce settlements, cannot be accessed without authorization. Family court records are generated in the county’s Supreme Court and Family Court and maintained by the Westchester County Clerk. Eligible persons can contact the County Clerk’s Office to request family court records. They can also view ongoing family law cases via the WebFamily link on the New York State Unified Court System eCourts platform.

Westchester Dissolution of Marriage Records

In Westchester County, dissolution of marriage records are official documents relating to the termination of marriages in the county. They are maintained by the county clerk’s office. Marriage dissolution can be by divorce or annulment, and its records may include:

• Child Custody and Support Orders (where applicable)
• Petition for Marriage Dissolution
• Marriage Settlement Agreement
• Decree of Dissolution of Marriage

Most dissolution of marriage records in Westchester County are closed to the public and are only available to the parties involved and their attorneys. Individuals interested in marriage dissolution records can contact the County Clerk’s Office.

Westchester County Marriage and Divorce Records

Divorce records are documents used during the legal separation of two married people, whereas marriage records are documents of the legal union of two people. The Westchester County Clerk's Office keeps records about marriages and divorces in the county. Records pertaining to marriage and divorce are confidential and not available to the general public in New York State. However, marriage records that date back more than 50 years are open to the public and regarded as historical records. Persons interested in accessing them can contact the Westchester County Clerk’s Office to know if they qualify.

Westchester Birth and Death Records

Westchester County birth and death records are official documentation of the birth and death of residents within the county. Per New York Health Law, Section 4174, birth and death records cannot be accessed by the general public but may only be released to authorized persons. However, New York allows anyone to request death records 50 years after the death of the record owner and can request birth records 75 years from the day of birth, provided the owner of the record is dead.

Westchester County Probate Court Records

Westchester County probate court records are files, documents, and information about the administration of an incapacitated or deceased person's estate. Probate court records comprise documents on guardianship, wills, conservatorship, administration of estate, trusts, and assets Inventory. The Westchester County Surrogate Court handles probate matters in the county. Probate court records are public records and can be accessed by anyone. Record seekers can contact the County Clerk’s Office to obtain Westchester County Probate Court records. They can also use the public terminals at the court premises to search for probate court records.

Westchester County Property Records

Westchester County property records are documents and information on real estate in the county. They contain information on liens, deeds, property ownership, zoning, property sales history, parcel numbers, mortgages, and tax records. Clerks of villages, towns, and cities are responsible for maintaining Westchester County property records. They record and store all property-related documents for their respective municipality. Record seekers can contact their local clerk to search for property records in Westchester County.

Westchester County Court Records Online

Anyone looking for more convenient means of accessing Westchester County court records can do so through third-party online resources like newyorkcourtrecords.us. However, most online resources can be more expensive and may not have accurate, up-to-date records.