Search Buffalo Civil Court Records
Buffalo civil court records are filed through the Erie County court system in western New York. As the second-largest city in the state with about 280,000 residents, Buffalo generates a high volume of civil cases each year. The Erie County Clerk at 92 Franklin Street maintains Supreme Court case files, while Buffalo City Court handles smaller civil matters locally. You can search for Buffalo civil court records through state online tools or visit the clerk's office in person. E-filing is mandatory for most Supreme Court civil cases in Erie County.
Buffalo Overview
Buffalo Civil Court System
Buffalo sits in Erie County, which is part of the 8th Judicial District. The Erie County Supreme Court at 25 Delaware Avenue in Buffalo handles major civil cases. This court has a Commercial Division for complex business disputes. The Erie County Clerk, Mickey Kearns, manages all Supreme Court case files from the office at 92 Franklin Street. The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 4:30 PM.
Buffalo City Court handles civil cases within the city limits for smaller amounts. This court has jurisdiction over civil matters and small claims filed by Buffalo residents. The city court is separate from the Supreme Court, and its records are maintained locally rather than by the County Clerk.
| Supreme Court | 25 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14202 |
|---|---|
| County Clerk | 92 Franklin Street, Buffalo, NY 14202 |
| Phone | (716) 858-8865 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
The Erie County Surrogate's Court is also at 25 Delaware Avenue, handling estate and probate matters. The Family Court at 1 Niagara Plaza handles custody, support, and juvenile cases, with records that are confidential under Family Court Act Section 166.
How to Search Buffalo Civil Court Records
Use WebCivil Supreme to search for Supreme Court civil cases in Erie County. The tool is free and lets you search by party name, index number, or attorney. It covers both active and disposed cases. Filter your search to Erie County to find Buffalo-area cases specifically.
The Erie County Clerk has an online search portal for court records and legal records. The Erie County Court Records and Filing page explains the process for getting case information. The Actions and Proceedings Department handles all civil actions. E-filed documents are available right away through NYSCEF. Closed case files are stored separately and may take some time to retrieve if you request them.
The Erie County Legal Records page covers additional record types including judgments, liens, and other legal filings. Public access terminals are available at the Clerk's Office for in-person searches. The office accepts cash, checks, Visa, and MasterCard for fees. Under Judiciary Law Section 255, the clerk must search files and provide copies when you pay the required fees.
The Erie County Clerk's website shown below provides access to court records and filing information for Buffalo civil cases.
The Clerk's office also handles certified copies and search certifications for Erie County court records.
Buffalo Court Record Fees
The Erie County Clerk charges $0.65 per page for copies, with a $1.30 minimum. Certified copies run $5 for up to four pages, plus $1.25 for each additional page. Search fees are $5 per two-year period searched, following CPLR Section 8020(g). New Supreme Court case filings require a $210 index number fee. The state copy fee under CPLR Section 8019(f) is 50 cents per page, but the county rate may differ slightly.
In-person record inspection is free during business hours. The Erie County Clerk accepts multiple forms of payment including cash, checks, Visa, and MasterCard. For mail requests, include as much detail as possible about the records you need. The Erie County Clerk's main website has an online request form for copies.
E-Filing and Electronic Records in Buffalo
E-filing through NYSCEF is mandatory for most civil case types in Erie County Supreme Court. The system was established under 22 NYCRR Sections 202.5-b and 202.5-bb. Documents filed electronically show up in the system immediately. Anyone can use the "Search as Guest" feature to view e-filed documents without an account. The official case record stays with the County Clerk's electronic database and hard copy files.
The NY CourtHelp portal has information on how to get court records, including how to use eCourts for case tracking. Court records in New York fall under Judiciary Law Section 255, not the Freedom of Information Law. The courts are not subject to FOIL because the judiciary is excluded from the definition of "agency" under Public Officers Law Section 86.
For appellate records, the Court-PASS system covers Court of Appeals cases from January 2013 forward. The WebSurrogate portal provides access to estate records from the Erie County Surrogate's Court.
Note: Matrimonial case files in Erie County are sealed under Domestic Relations Law Section 235 and restricted to parties and their attorneys.
Court Transcripts in Buffalo
If you need a transcript of a Buffalo court proceeding, the fees are set by 22 NYCRR Section 108. Regular delivery costs between $2.50 and $4.30 per page for an original, depending on who is paying. Copies run about $1.00 to $1.25 per page. Expedited delivery within five business days costs more, ranging from $3.15 to $5.40 per page. Daily delivery by the next business morning is the most expensive at $3.75 to $6.50 per page.
You request transcripts from the court reporter or through the clerk's office. The reporter must provide a certified transcript upon payment of the proper fees, as required by Judiciary Law Section 300. Make sure you specify the hearing date, case name, and index number when making your request so the reporter can find the right proceedings.
Nearby Cities
Several other cities and towns in the Buffalo area have their own civil court records pages. These nearby locations are in Erie County or the surrounding 8th Judicial District.
Erie County Civil Court Records
Buffalo is the county seat of Erie County, and all major civil filings go through the Erie County court system. For the complete list of courts, offices, and resources, visit the county page.