Erie County Civil Court Records

Erie County civil court records are filed and maintained by the County Clerk in Buffalo. As the most populous county in western New York, Erie County handles a high volume of civil cases each year. You can search civil court records online through the clerk's portal, visit the office at 92 Franklin Street, or send a written request. The county is part of the 8th Judicial District and the Supreme Court building sits at 25 Delaware Avenue. E-filing is mandatory for most Erie County Supreme Court civil cases now, and e-filed documents are available right away through the NYSCEF system. The clerk's office keeps all civil case files, judgments, liens, and related court documents.

Erie County Clerk Court Records

The Erie County Clerk is the main keeper of civil court records in the county. Mickey Kearns serves as the current clerk. The office handles all Supreme Court and County Court civil filings, judgments, and liens. It also maintains land records, deeds, and mortgages. The office sits at 92 Franklin Street in Buffalo and is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Erie County processes a large number of civil court records each year because of its size. The county covers Buffalo and dozens of suburbs. All civil actions filed in Supreme Court generate an index number at the clerk's office. Under Judiciary Law § 255, the county clerk keeps these files and makes them available to the public. You can call (716) 858-8865 to ask about records before visiting.

The clerk's office accepts cash, checks, Visa, and MasterCard for fees. Public access terminals are available in the office so you can search records yourself. Copy fees are $0.65 per page with a $1.30 minimum. Certified copies cost $5.00 for up to four pages, then $1.25 per extra page.

Erie County Civil Court Filing

E-filing is now mandatory for Erie County Supreme Court civil cases. The Erie County court records and filing page explains how the system works. The Actions and Proceedings Department handles all civil actions. Each new case gets an index number that costs $210 under CPLR § 8018. E-filed documents go into the NYSCEF system and are available right away for viewing.

Here is a look at the Erie County Clerk's court records and filing page, which details how to file civil cases and request documents.

The page breaks down what you need for each type of filing and how the e-filing process works in Erie County.

Closed case files are stored separately. If you need a file that has been closed for some time, it may take extra time to pull it from storage. The clerk's office recommends calling ahead so staff can have the file ready when you arrive. The legal records page has more info on how to request older documents, including deeds, mortgages, judgments, and liens.

Note: Search fees are $5.00 per name for every two years searched, per CPLR § 8019(f).

Search Erie County Civil Court Records

The Erie County Clerk provides a public record search portal on its website. Below is a view of the Erie County Clerk's main page.

From this page you can access the search portal, find office hours, and get contact information for civil court records requests.

The Erie County legal records page gives details on searching for judgments, liens, and other civil documents. You can use the public access terminals at the clerk's office or submit an online request form for copies. The site also lists accepted payment methods.

This page covers search fees, copy costs, and the types of legal records you can request from the Erie County Clerk.

Civil Courts in Erie County

Erie County sits in the 8th Judicial District. The Supreme Court at 25 Delaware Avenue in Buffalo handles major civil cases. Claims over $25,000, equity actions, and complex commercial disputes all go through here. Erie County also has a Commercial Division for business litigation, which handles some of the most complex civil cases in western New York.

The Erie County Surrogate's Court is at 25 Delaware Avenue as well. Phone (716) 851-3300. It handles probate, estates, adoptions, and guardianships. The Family Court sits at 1 Niagara Plaza and can be reached at (716) 845-7400. Family Court records are restricted under New York law.

Multiple city courts operate in Erie County, including Buffalo City Court, Lackawanna City Court, and Tonawanda City Court. These courts handle small claims and minor civil matters. Their records stay with the local court, not the county clerk.

How to Get Erie County Court Records

You have several options for getting civil court records in Erie County. Online, you can use the clerk's public record search portal or the state's WebCivil Supreme tool. In person, visit 92 Franklin Street in Buffalo. Public access terminals let you search on your own. Staff can also search for you by name or case number.

For mail requests, write to the Erie County Clerk at 92 Franklin Street, Buffalo, NY 14202. Include the case name, index number if known, and what documents you need. Send a check or money order for the estimated fees. The office will process your request and mail the copies back. Allow extra time for closed files that need to be pulled from storage.

Under CPLR § 2102, all papers filed in court actions must be kept by the clerk. This means the Erie County Clerk has a duty to maintain and provide access to these civil court records. You do not need to be a party to the case to request copies. Most civil court records are public in New York.

Cities in Erie County

Erie County includes Buffalo and many suburbs. All civil court records filed in Supreme Court or County Court go through the Erie County Clerk's office.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Erie County. If your case was filed in a different county, check with that county's clerk for records.