Access Ulster County Civil Court Records

Ulster County civil court records are stored at the County Clerk's office in Kingston. You can search for civil filings, court judgments, and case documents using state tools or by visiting the courthouse on Fair Street. The 9th Judicial District covers Ulster County. Records at the clerk's office go all the way back to 1685, making it one of the oldest collections in the state. Whether you need to track a current case or pull copies of a past judgment, there are several ways to get what you need both online and in person. E-filing now covers most Supreme Court case types, so newer civil filings are also searchable through the web.

Ulster County Clerk Civil Court Office

The Ulster County Clerk serves as Clerk of the Supreme Court and County Court. The office is at 240 Fair Street in Kingston. It holds civil court filings, land records, and business certificates. Staff can help you search for case files and make copies.

Ulster County has one of the longest records histories in New York. Court and land records go back to 1685, which covers the colonial era. The clerk handles filings for the Supreme Court, which takes civil cases with no dollar cap. County Court covers matters up to $25,000. Under Judiciary Law Section 255, the clerk must search records and produce copies when you ask and pay the fees. Copy costs run $0.65 per page. A name search is $5 for each two-year period. The office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Public search terminals are available for walk-in use during those hours.

Search Ulster County Civil Records Online

The WebCivil Supreme tool covers Ulster County civil cases filed in Supreme Court. Search by name or case number. It is free. The system shows party names, docket entries, and case status for open and closed matters.

Ulster County runs its own online records search through the IQS portal. This tool indexes deeds, mortgages, and some court records from 1685 to the present. Guest access is free for basic name searches. You can filter by date range and document type. Many records have full document images you can view right on screen. The system includes colonial-era documents, which can be useful for genealogical research as well as legal matters.

E-filing through NYSCEF is mandatory for most civil case types in Ulster County. The 9th Judicial District court page for Ulster County shows how the courts are set up. The courthouse sits at 285 Wall Street in Kingston. Cases filed through the electronic system can be viewed online for free.

Ulster County Court Records Portal

The New York CourtHelp site explains how to get court records in any county including Ulster County civil court files.

This page walks you through the steps to find, view, and get copies of Ulster County court records online or in person at the Kingston courthouse.

Ulster County Court Record Fees

Fees for Ulster County civil court records follow state rules. Copies cost $0.65 per page under CPLR Section 8019(f). Certified copies add $0.65 per page on top. The minimum for plain copies is $1.30. The minimum for certified copies is $4.00.

A records search runs $5 per name for every two-year period under CPLR Section 8020(g). The Ulster County Clerk services page covers what the office provides. You can pay at the counter or by mail. Most online viewing is free. You only pay when you need a physical copy or a certified document from the clerk. Court transcripts have separate rates under 22 NYCRR Section 108.

Civil Record Access Rules in Ulster County

Public access to Ulster County civil court records comes from Judiciary Law Section 255. The clerk searches files and hands over copies. Docket books stay open under Judiciary Law Section 255-b. Most civil case files are public. You do not need to be a party to the case.

Some files are restricted. Matrimonial cases are sealed under Domestic Relations Law Section 235. Those stay sealed for 100 years. Only parties or their lawyers can view them. The Ulster County Surrogate's Court handles probate and estate matters in a separate division. Probate records here date back to 1685. The Ulster County Family Court keeps records confidential under Family Court Act Section 166. The Ulster County Supreme Court takes on civil disputes involving commercial matters, personal injury, and real estate cases.

To get copies by mail, write to the Ulster County Clerk at 240 Fair Street, Kingston, NY 12401. Include the case name or number, what you need, and payment by check or money order. Specify plain or certified copies in your letter. The clerk mails them back. In-person visits to the Kingston office are handled the same day for most records. The colonial-era records from 1685 are on microfilm and may take a bit more time to locate. Call (845) 340-3040 if you need help figuring out what is on file.

Cities in Ulster County

Ulster County includes Kingston, New Paltz, Saugerties, and other communities. All civil court cases in this area go through the Ulster County courts. No cities in the county meet the population threshold for a separate page, but civil matters for all residents are handled at the courthouse in Kingston.

Nearby Counties

Look at the address on the filing to figure out which county has the case. These counties border Ulster County.