Find Hempstead Civil Court Records
Hempstead civil court records are processed through the Nassau County court system on Long Island. The town of Hempstead is the most populous town in New York State, with over 770,000 residents spread across several villages and hamlets. Civil cases filed in Hempstead go through either the Nassau County Supreme Court in Mineola or one of the Nassau County District Courts. Whether you need to search for an old judgment, check the status of a pending case, or get copies of court documents, you can start online or visit the Nassau County Clerk's office in person.
Hempstead Overview
Hempstead Civil Court Filings
Hempstead is in Nassau County, and civil court cases are handled by the Nassau County court system. The 10th Judicial District covers both Nassau and Suffolk counties. For cases over $25,000, the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive in Mineola has jurisdiction. The Nassau County Clerk's office at 240 Old Country Road in Mineola keeps all Supreme Court case files and manages record requests.
For civil matters under $15,000, the Nassau County District Court has jurisdiction. Hempstead is served by the District Court, which also handles small claims up to $5,000. The District Court has several locations across Nassau County, including one in Hempstead itself. Under Judiciary Law Section 255, any person can ask the clerk to search for and copy records from these courts by paying the required fees.
| Court | Nassau County Supreme Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 Supreme Court Drive Mineola, NY 11501 |
| County Clerk | 240 Old Country Road, Mineola, NY 11501 |
| Phone | (516) 493-4100 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
E-filing is mandatory for most civil case types in Nassau County. You can file new cases and view documents through the NYSCEF system. The official case record stays with the County Clerk, whether it was filed on paper or through the electronic system.
How to Search Hempstead Civil Court Records
You have several ways to search for civil court records related to Hempstead. WebCivil Supreme at iapps.courts.state.ny.us/webcivil/FCASMain lets you look up Supreme Court cases from Nassau County by party name, index number, or attorney. The system covers both active and closed cases from all 62 New York counties.
For District Court and Civil Court cases, WebCivil Local covers the Nassau County District Court. You can search by index number, party name, or judge. The system shows case status and docket entries. Not all older cases are in the online system, so you may need to visit the clerk's office for cases that predate the electronic records.
The NYS court records access page explains how to make a records request. Your request needs to be specific enough for the clerk to find it. You should include party names, approximate dates, and a case number if you have one. Court records fall under Judiciary Law Section 255, not FOIL. That means you send your request to the clerk, not through a FOIL form.
The WebCivil Supreme search portal shown below is one of the main tools for finding Hempstead civil court records filed in Nassau County Supreme Court.
The search covers cases from all 62 counties, so make sure to filter by Nassau County when looking for Hempstead cases.
Hempstead Court Record Fees
Fees are the same across Nassau County. Copy costs are set by CPLR Section 8019(f) at 50 cents per page, with a minimum of one dollar. Certified copies cost an extra 50 cents per page, with a four dollar minimum. The Nassau County Clerk charges $0.65 per page for standard copies, with a $1.30 minimum. Search fees run five dollars per name for every two-year period under CPLR Section 8020(g).
In-person inspection of publicly available court records is free. Public photocopiers are usually available at the County Clerk's office at a lower rate than the official copy fee. If you need copies by mail, send a certified check or money order to the Nassau County Clerk. Include as much detail as you can about the case so staff can find the right files.
Civil Court Records Resources for Hempstead
The NY CourtHelp page has a step-by-step guide to getting court records. It covers how to use eCourts for case tracking, where to find e-filed documents through NYSCEF, and how to request transcripts. For Supreme Court and County Court files, the guide says to check with the County Clerk first since those courts generally archive their files there.
Hempstead residents who need help with a civil case can contact a local legal aid group. Nassau Suffolk Law Services provides free legal help to low-income residents on Long Island. The Nassau County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service for people who need to find an attorney. CourtHelp centers are available at court locations for people who are representing themselves and need guidance on forms and procedures.
The WebSurrogate portal is available for estate and probate records from the Nassau County Surrogate's Court. Document images are available for filings made on or after February 19, 2014. The Surrogate's Court in Mineola handles probate, estate matters, adoptions, and guardianships for all of Nassau County including Hempstead.
Note: The Nassau County District Court also handles small claims for Hempstead residents, with cases up to $5,000 in that part of the court.
Nearby Cities
Other qualifying cities near Hempstead that also have civil court records pages include towns across Nassau and Suffolk counties. These nearby locations share the same judicial district and many of the same court resources.
Nassau County Civil Court Records
Hempstead is part of Nassau County, and all major civil filings go through the Nassau County court system. For full details on the county court structure, clerk contact info, and search options, visit the county page.