Find Civil Court Records in Niagara County
Niagara County civil court records are filed at the County Clerk's office in Lockport. The Clerk handles all Supreme Court and County Court case files for this part of western New York. You can search for civil cases online or visit the courthouse at 175 Hawley Street. Niagara County is in the 8th Judicial District, and its court system also includes city courts in Lockport and Niagara Falls. The County Clerk maintains land records, court filings, and business documents. If you need to look up a civil judgment, check on a pending case, or get copies of court papers, this page covers how to do it in Niagara County.
Niagara County Overview
Niagara County Clerk and Court Filing
The Niagara County Clerk serves as Clerk of both the Supreme Court and County Court. The office keeps all civil court records, land records, business certificates, and notary filings. Public search terminals are available at the office if you want to look through records yourself. E-filing through NYSCEF is now required for most Supreme Court civil case types in Niagara County.
The Clerk's office is at 175 Hawley Street in Lockport. It is open Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM. Copy fees run $0.65 per page. If you need the Clerk to search for a record by name, the fee is $5 for each name per two-year search period. These charges come from CPLR Section 8018. The Niagara County Clerk services page lists everything from land recording to passport applications.
| Office | Niagara County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address |
175 Hawley Street Lockport, NY 14094 |
| Phone | (716) 439-7022 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | niagaracounty.com - County Clerk |
Search Niagara County Civil Court Records
The state's WebCivil Supreme tool is the best free option for searching Niagara County civil court records online. Pick Niagara County from the list and enter a name or case number. The system shows case details, party names, and docket entries for Supreme Court cases. It is updated regularly and covers active and closed cases.
The SearchIQS portal for Niagara County also provides online access. It covers deeds, mortgages, and court records from the early 1800s forward. Guest access lets you run basic searches at no charge. Subscription accounts are available for attorneys and other frequent users who need document images and deeper search tools.
The CourtHelp system from the NYS Unified Court System has a useful page on getting court records. It explains the steps for requesting files from the Clerk. You can also view the state court system's access page for more details.
The screenshot above shows the state court records access page, which has links and instructions that apply to all counties including Niagara.
Note: City courts in Lockport and Niagara Falls maintain their own records for cases filed in those courts rather than through the County Clerk.
Niagara County Court Structure
Niagara County sits in the 8th Judicial District. The Supreme Court handles major civil cases with no dollar limit. The phone number is (716) 439-7022. Civil disputes over money, property, contracts, and personal injury all go through Supreme Court. E-filing is required for most of these case types. Court records are held by the County Clerk and can be searched through the NYSCEF system once a case is filed electronically.
The Family Court at 175 Hawley Street handles custody, support, and child protection cases. The phone is (716) 439-7033. Family Court records are confidential under Family Court Act Section 166. The Surrogate's Court at the same address deals with estates, probate, adoptions, and guardianships. Its phone is (716) 439-7044. Estate cases can be searched online through the WebSurrogate portal. Niagara County probate records date back to when the county was formed.
Niagara County Record Copy Fees
Standard fees apply for copies of civil court records in Niagara County. Plain copies cost $0.65 per page. The name search fee is $5 per name for every two-year period you want checked. Certified copies cost more, depending on the type of document. Under Judiciary Law Section 255, the County Clerk must give copies of public court records to anyone who asks, unless the records are sealed by a court order.
You can view records at the Clerk's office for free during business hours. Bring the case number or party names so staff can pull the right file. If you need copies mailed, send a written request with payment to the Clerk at 175 Hawley Street, Lockport, NY 14094.
E-Filing for Niagara County Civil Cases
Most civil case types in Niagara County now require electronic filing through NYSCEF. Attorneys must submit papers online. Self-represented parties can choose to e-file but are not forced to do so. Once a case is in the NYSCEF system, all documents filed after that point show up in the portal. You can track filings, read motions, and check court orders from your computer. This makes it much easier to follow a civil case in Niagara County without making trips to the courthouse in Lockport.
For cases that are not in NYSCEF, the County Clerk's office has the paper files. Walk in during business hours and ask to see the file. Under Judiciary Law Section 255, public court records must be available for review. You do not need to be a party to the case. Sealed records are the exception. A judge can order a file sealed, and those records are off limits to the general public. Matrimonial records are also restricted under Domestic Relations Law Section 235.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Niagara County. Make sure you are searching the right county for your civil case.