Yonkers Civil Court Records

Yonkers civil court records are filed and stored through the Westchester County court system and the Yonkers City Court. If you need to look up a civil case in Yonkers, there are a few ways to search. The city sits right next to New York City and has close to 200,000 residents. Civil cases that go to trial in Yonkers run through the 9th Judicial District. You can use the state's WebCivil Supreme tool to search for civil cases filed in Westchester County Supreme Court. For smaller civil claims and local court matters, the Yonkers City Court keeps its own set of records. Both courts let you search case info or get copies in person at the clerk's office.

Yonkers Civil Court System

Yonkers has its own City Court that handles civil matters up to $15,000. This is a court of record, which means it keeps full transcripts and case files. Small claims up to $5,000 also go through this court. If a civil case involves more than $15,000, it moves to the Westchester County Supreme Court in White Plains.

The Yonkers City Court is part of the NYS Unified Court System's 9th Judicial District. The court handles civil disputes, small claims, and code violations within city limits. Yonkers is the fourth largest city in New York State, so the court sees a high volume of civil filings each year. Cases filed here create records that are public in most situations under Judiciary Law Section 255. Some records may be sealed by court order under 22 NYCRR Section 216.1, but that is the exception and not the rule.

The Westchester County Clerk at 111 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd in White Plains maintains records for Supreme Court and County Court cases. That office has civil court records from 1683 to present. The County Clerk's records include judgments, liens, and all court filings from the Supreme Court. You can visit in person or search certain records through the Westchester County Clerk's website.

Search Yonkers Civil Court Records Online

There are several ways to search for civil court records in Yonkers. The state runs free online tools that cover Westchester County courts. You can also go to the courthouse and search in person at no charge.

The WebCivil Supreme portal lets you search all 62 counties for civil Supreme Court cases. You can look up cases by party name, index number, or attorney name. The system shows case status, docket entries, and some scanned decisions. A case will not show up in this search unless the plaintiff has filed the Request for Judicial Intervention form. For cases filed through the NYSCEF e-filing system, you can also search as a guest at the NYSCEF portal to view documents that were filed electronically.

For local civil court records in Yonkers, the WebCivil Local portal covers city court cases. You can search by name or index number. Not all older cases are in the online system, so if you need records from years back, you may need to visit the court in person. The Yonkers City Court clerk can pull case files and make copies for you during business hours.

The screenshot above shows the WebCivil Supreme search page, which covers civil cases filed in Westchester County Supreme Court. This tool is free and does not need an account to use.

Yonkers Civil Court Filing Fees

Filing fees for civil cases in Yonkers depend on which court handles your case. For Supreme Court civil actions in Westchester County, the index number fee is $210. This is the fee to open a new civil case. E-filing is mandatory for most case types in Supreme Court under 22 NYCRR Section 202.5-b.

Copy fees are the same across the state. You pay $0.65 per page for copies of court records, with a minimum charge of $1.30. Certified copies cost $5 for the first four pages, then $1.25 for each page after that. If you need the clerk to search records and you don't have a case number, the fee is $5 for every two-year period searched. These fees come from CPLR Section 8019(f) and apply to all county clerks in New York.

At the Yonkers City Court, filing fees for civil claims vary based on the amount in dispute. Small claims up to $5,000 have lower filing fees. You can pay with cash, check, or in some cases a credit card. Call the court clerk for the most current fee schedule.

Civil Court Records Access in Yonkers

Most civil court records in Yonkers are open to the public. You have a right to look at them. New York's Judiciary Law Section 255 controls how court records are shared. This is different from FOIL, which covers government agency records but does not apply to the courts. The courts are not considered an "agency" under Public Officers Law Section 86.

Some civil court records are restricted. Matrimonial case files are sealed under Domestic Relations Law Section 235 and can only be viewed by the parties or their lawyers. Family Court records are confidential under Family Court Act Section 166. If a judge has ordered a case file sealed under 22 NYCRR Section 216.1, you will need a court order to view it. The judge must find "good cause" and put the reasons in writing before sealing any court record.

You can view records in person at the Westchester County Clerk's office in White Plains during business hours. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. There is no charge to look at records at the office. Public photocopiers are available at a lower cost than having the clerk make copies for you. The NY CourtHelp page on getting court records explains the full process.

Yonkers Civil Court Legal Resources

If you need help with a civil court case in Yonkers, there are free and low-cost options. The 9th Judicial District has a Court Navigator Program at the Westchester Supreme and County Courts in White Plains. Court navigators can help you fill out forms and find your way through the court process. They cannot give legal advice, but they can point you to people who can.

The state court system runs CourtHelp, which is a free service for people who don't have a lawyer. You can reach them by phone or online. They provide general information about court procedures and where to file. For virtual court matters in Yonkers and Westchester County, you can email VirtualWestchesterSupremeCourt@nycourts.gov for Supreme Court issues. The 9th Judicial District website lists all contact options for virtual court operations.

Legal aid groups serve the Yonkers area too. Westchester County has several legal aid organizations that handle civil cases for low-income residents. The New York State Bar Association can connect you with a lawyer through their referral service. For self-help, the NY CourtHelp website has guides on how to get copies of court records, file a small claim, or respond to a civil lawsuit.

Nearby Cities and County

Yonkers is in Westchester County, and all major civil court cases go through the Westchester County Supreme Court in White Plains. The County Clerk's office holds civil court records for the entire county. For more information about court records across Westchester County, visit the county page.

View Westchester County Civil Court Records

Other qualifying cities near Yonkers include Greenburgh, New Rochelle, White Plains, and Mount Vernon. Each city has its own local court, but Supreme Court civil cases all run through White Plains.