New York County Civil Court Records
New York County civil court records cover Manhattan and the surrounding borough. The County Clerk's office at 60 Centre Street keeps all Supreme Court case files. This is the 1st Judicial District, and it handles one of the highest civil caseloads in the state. You can search civil court records online through WebCivil Supreme or the NYSCEF e-filing system. For in-person access, the Supreme Court Record Room in Room 103B is open to the public. New York County also has a Civil Court at 111 Centre Street for smaller cases. Whether you need to check a case status or pull copies of a judgment, this guide covers where to go and what to expect.
New York County Overview
New York County Clerk Records Office
The New York County Clerk handles all Supreme Court civil case files in Manhattan. The Clerk receives papers that start new actions and keeps the official files for each case. These are stored in the Supreme Court Record Room at 60 Centre Street, Room 103B, in the basement level. The room is open from 9 AM to 3 PM on weekdays. Anyone can walk in and look at the files. There are two exceptions: matrimonial cases are kept confidential, and a judge can order that a file be sealed or impounded.
New York County is the heart of civil litigation in the state. The Supreme Court Civil Term at 60 Centre Street handles commercial disputes, personal injury claims, real estate matters, and more. A separate Commercial Division at 71 Thomas Street takes on complex business cases. Under Judiciary Law Section 140-b, the Supreme Court has general original jurisdiction in all civil matters. E-filing through NYSCEF is mandatory for most civil case types, which means many of these records are available online.
| Office | New York County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address |
60 Centre Street New York, NY 10007 |
| Phone | (646) 386-5955 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Record Room | Room 103B, 60 Centre Street (9 AM - 3 PM) |
Find Civil Court Records in New York County
The fastest way to search New York County civil court records is through WebCivil Supreme. This free state tool covers all Supreme Court civil filings. Select New York County from the drop-down, type in a party name or case number, and run the search. Results show the case caption, docket entries, and status. You can also search by attorney name if you know who represented a party.
Below is a screenshot of the WebCivil Supreme system where you can search New York County civil court records online.
This state-run search portal covers civil cases from every county, including all Supreme Court cases filed in New York County.
For Manhattan Civil Court cases, the WebCivil Local system covers civil matters up to $50,000. The Manhattan Civil Court handles these smaller civil disputes at 111 Centre Street. Small claims up to $10,000 are also filed here. You can search those cases online through the WebCivil Local portal by selecting New York County and entering the party details.
In-person searches are free at the Record Room. Go to 60 Centre Street, head to Room 103B in the basement, and ask to see a file. Bring your case number or party names. You can read through the case file at no cost. If you need copies, there is a per-page charge. The CourtHelp records page explains the process in more detail.
Historic Civil Records in New York County
New York County has some of the oldest court records in the country. The Division of Old Records at 31 Chambers Street, Room 703, maintains historic civil case files. This includes Supreme Court files from 1799 to 1910, Court of Chancery records from 1754 to 1847, Court of Common Pleas files from 1786 to 1895, and Superior Court records from 1828 to 1895. The Division is open Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 1 PM. You can reach them at (646) 386-5923.
Some records are sealed by law. Divorce proceedings older than 100 years may have been sealed. Records related to incompetency commitments are sealed for 75 years. Surrender of custody for adoption files are permanently sealed. For all other historic civil court records in New York County, public access is allowed. These records are a major resource for legal research, genealogy work, and property title searches in Manhattan.
Civil Courts Serving New York County
New York County has multiple courts that deal with civil matters. The Supreme Court at 60 Centre Street is the main trial court for large civil cases. It handles claims with no dollar limit. The Manhattan Civil Court at 111 Centre Street covers cases up to $50,000 and small claims up to $10,000. The phone for Civil Court is (646) 386-5704. Small Claims can be reached at (646) 386-5755.
The Surrogate's Court at 31 Chambers Street handles estate and probate matters. The Family Court at 60 Lafayette Street deals with custody and support cases, but those records are confidential. Under Family Court Act Section 166, access is limited to the parties and their attorneys. Civil court records from Supreme Court and Civil Court are generally public, making them the most accessible type of court records in New York County.
- Supreme Court: unlimited civil jurisdiction, 60 Centre Street
- Civil Court: cases up to $50,000, 111 Centre Street
- Small Claims: up to $10,000, same location as Civil Court
- Surrogate's Court: probate and estates, 31 Chambers Street
- Family Court: custody and support, 60 Lafayette Street (restricted access)
Note: Criminal History Record Searches through the NYS Office of Court Administration cost $95.00 and are separate from civil court record searches.
Cities in New York County
New York County covers the borough of Manhattan. All civil court cases for Manhattan residents are filed through the New York County court system.
Nearby Counties
New York County shares borders with other boroughs and counties. If your civil case involves property or parties in these areas, search their county records instead.