Erie County Court Records

Erie County Court Records

Erie County court records refer to documents or information generated from legal proceedings held in a local court of law. They foster integrity and accountability within the judicial system and provide historical context for criminal and civil cases held in the county's courts. As such, they are considered part of Erie County Public Records, and members of the public can always refer to them to confirm specific facts and ensure that the legal process is fair.

Further, the courts in Erie County, New York work with the principle of judicial precedent, also known as stare decisis. This means that the lower courts must adhere to the decisions of the higher courts in matters that have similar facts. With court records, lower courts can determine what decisions to follow and apply. Court records are also significant for:

• Legal research and education
• Background investigations
• Policymaking
• Appeals

Under Article VI of the New York State Constitution and court rules, the court clerk is responsible for keeping and maintaining court records.

Are Court Records Public in Erie County?

Yes. Per Section 255 of New York's Judiciary Law and under common law, members of the public have the presumptive right to access court records in Erie County. Therefore, court clerks must search for and provide copies of court records upon request. If a requested record cannot be found, the court clerk must certify that it cannot be found.

However, the right to access court records is not absolute; courts can withhold certain documents, usually because the records are confidential, contain sensitive information, or will jeopardize justice. For example, criminal records in New York are sealed when a defendant is acquitted, or the case is dismissed. Only a few authorized persons can access those criminal court records. Other examples of restricted court records include juvenile and adoption records.

What Do Erie County Court Records Contain?

The following are some contents of Erie County court records:

• Case information (for example, names of case parties)
• Dockets
• Pleadings and other types of motions
• Transcripts
• Audio recordings and other materials submitted as evidence
• Judgments and orders

Where to Conduct an Erie County Case Lookup

Individuals who wish to access physical or electronic records of court cases in Erie County can:

• Visit the courthouse where a case was filed or heard
• Visit, mail, or contact the Office of the Erie County Clerk
• Access the Erie County Clerk's Official Records Public Search website
• Access the New York Judiciary State Courts Electronic Filing System (NYSCEF)

How to Conduct an Erie County Case Records Search

Here's how to conduct an Erie County case records search:

The Courthouse Where the Case Was Filed

One of the most reliable ways to search Erie County court case records is to visit the court where the records are kept during working hours. Erie County has several courthouses. As such, determining the presiding court is the first step when opting for an in-person search. For example, records of wills are available only at the surrogate's court; searching in other courts will be a waste of time. Individuals unsure if a court holds a particular record can call ahead to confirm or search NYSCEF (explained below).

Typically, requesters must provide some information to facilitate a record's retrieval, often a case number or party name. Also, while inspecting a record at no charge, copying or certifying copies of case documents may attract fees. For example, per the New York Judiciary Law, the superior court clerk may charge $5 for certifying requested court records.

The Office of the Erie County Clerk

• In-Person Search

The Erie County Clerk's Office keeps a wide range of court case documents for the Supreme and County Courts of Erie County. Individuals can visit during work hours at:

Erie County Clerk's Office
92 Franklin Street
Buffalo, New York 14202
Phone: (716) 858-8785

For certified or plain copies of court records, one must visit the Basement Records department. Meanwhile, one must go to the Actions and Proceedings Office for closed criminal records. Note that the Erie County Clerk's Office typically takes 5-7 business days to process requests and maintains records as far back as 1830.

• Search and Request Copies by Mail

Requesters can perform an Erie County court records search via mail. Such individuals must complete and submit a Request Form. A check or money order payable to the Erie County Clerk and a postage-paid, self-addressed envelope must accompany the form. Fees are calculated using the Copy Fees & Search Fees Chart. Individuals who cannot calculate the costs correctly can pay by credit card.

Any individual unable to download any request form can mail a letter instead. The letter should contain as much information about the record as possible (including the name of the requested document) and the requester's contact information.

• Online Search and Request for Copies

Interested individuals can search for and obtain copies of case records in their emails from the Erie County Clerk's Office by filling out and submitting a Document Request Form. It takes about 2 business days for the Records Office to contact a requester. Note that requesting certified or uncertified copies of records attracts fees as stipulated in the clerk's Copy Fees & Search Fees Chart. (Note: Criminal and divorce records are not available using this method. One should submit an in-person or mail request instead.)

The Erie County Clerk's Official Records Public Search Website

The Erie County Clerk maintains a public online repository of court records. A non-registered user can view Erie County court records on the system by clicking on the Basic, Advanced, or BrowserView search options. Note that only registered users can view, save, and print images and access the Registered Users Search.

The New York Judiciary State Courts Electronic Filing System

The New York Judiciary State Courts Electronic Filing System has records of court cases e-filed in the state. Members of the public can access the Case Search section as a guest to search for cases. A case number or party's name can be used to search court cases in Erie County.

Erie County Civil Court Case Records

Erie County civil court case records refer to the documents filed, generated, and kept by an Erie County court because of a civil lawsuit. Civil lawsuits refer to legal disputes between parties seeking monetary compensation or other relief for an injury, harm, or damage. Examples of civil proceedings include contract breaches, personal injury, and defamation cases.

Individuals can obtain civil court case records from the Erie County Clerk (for supreme and county court cases) or the courthouse where a case was heard. They can also access online case search databases like the Erie County Court Clerk's Official Records Public Search site and NYSCEF.

Erie County Criminal Court Case Records

Erie County criminal court case records refer to legal documents pertaining to criminal proceedings tried in the county's criminal courts. Criminal proceedings involve citizens accused of committing crimes against the state.

Criminal court case records are maintained in the courthouse where a case was tried and the Erie County Clerk's Office (for supreme and county court cases). The same procedures for searching civil court case records apply to criminal case records.

How to Get Court Records Online for Free

Individuals can access court records for free in Erie County through the Erie County Court Clerk's Official Records Public Search site and NYSCEF portals. Accessing these records on a third-party aggregator website may also be possible.

Court records available online are typically free to view. However, as a general rule, anyone who wants a copy of a court record will have to pay for it.

Courts in Erie County

Erie County Supreme Court
25 Delaware Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14202
Phone: (716) 845-9301
Fax: (716) 851-3293

Erie County Supreme Court
92 Franklin Street
Buffalo, NY 14202
Phone: (716) 845-9301
Fax: (716) 851-3293

Erie County Supreme Court
50 Delaware Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14202
Phone: (716) 845-9301
Fax: (716) 851-3293

Erie County Court
25 Delaware Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14202
Phone: (716) 845-9301
Fax: (716) 851-3293

Erie County Family Court
1 Niagara Plaza
Buffalo, NY 14202
Phone: (716) 845-7400
Fax: (716) 845-7546

Erie County Surrogate's Court
92 Franklin Street
Buffalo, NY 14202
Phone: (716) 845-2560
Fax: (716) 845-7565

Buffalo City Court
50 Delaware Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14202
Phone: (716) 845-2600
Fax: (716) 847-8257

Lackawanna City Court
City Hall
714 Ridge Road
Lackawanna, NY 14218
Phone: (716) 845-7220
Fax: (716) 845-7599

Tonawanda City Court
200 Niagara Street
Tonawanda, NY 14150
Phone: (716) 845-2160
Fax: (716) 845-7590

Alden Town Court
3311 Wende Road
P.O. Box 180
Alden, NY 14004
Phone: (716) 937-6969 ext. 6
Fax: (716) 937-9587

Alden Village Justice Court
13336 Broadway
Alden, NY 14004
Phone: (716) 937-9216 ext. 114

Amherst Town Court
400 John James Audubon Parkway
Amherst, NY 14228
Phone: (716) 689-4200
Fax: (716) 689-4249

Angola Village Court
8787 Erie Road
Angola, NY 14006
Phone: (716) 549-4035
Fax: (716) 549-0821

Aurora Town Justice Court
Village Hall
571 Main Street
East Aurora, NY 14052
Phone: (716) 652-5275
Fax: (716) 652-4687

Blasdell Justice Court
121 Miriam Avenue
Blasdell, NY 14219
Phone: (716) 821-7908

Boston Town Court
Town Hall
8500 Boston State Road
Boston, NY 14025
Phone: (716) 941-6115
Fax: (716) 941-5169

Brant Town Court
1272 Brant-North Collins Road
P.O. Box 232
Brant, NY 14027
Phone: (716) 549-0300
Fax: (716) 549-5684

Cheektowaga Town Justice Court
3223 Union Road
Cheektowaga, NY 14227
Phone: (716) 686-3436
Fax: (716) 686-3553

Clarence Justice Court
1 Town Place
Clarence, NY 14031
Phone: (716) 741-8948
Fax: (716) 741-2976

Colden Town Court
8812 State Road
P.O. Box 335
Colden, NY 14033
Phone: (716) 941-6242

Collins Town Court
14093 Mill Street
P.O. Box 420
Collins, NY 14034
Phone: (716) 532-3340
Fax: (716) 532-2874

Concord Justice Court
86 Franklin Street
P.O. Box 368
Springville, NY 14141
Phone: (716) 592-9898
Fax: (716) 592-0204

Depew Justice Court
85 Manitou Street
Depew, NY 14043
Phone: (716) 683-0978
Fax: (716) 686-0437

Eden Town Court
2795 East Church Street
Eden, NY 14057
Phone: (716) 992-3559

Elma Town Court
1600 Bowen Road
Elma, NY 14059
Phone: (716) 652-1855
Fax: (716) 805-1264

Evans Justice Court
Town Hall
8787 Erie Road
Angola, NY 14006
Phone: (716) 549-3707
Fax: (716) 549-0940

Grand Island Town Court
Town Hall
2255 Baseline Road
Grand Island, NY 14072
Phone: (716) 773-9600 ext. 650
Fax: (716) 775-3527

Hamburg Town Justice Court
Town Hall
6100 South Park Avenue
Hamburg, NY 14075
Phone: (716) 649-6116
Fax: (716) 646-5452

Hamburg Village Court
Village Hall
100 Main Street
Hamburg, NY 14075
Phone: (716) 649-7204
Fax: (716) 649-0672

Holland Town Court
Town Hall
47 Pearl Street
P.O. Box 70
Holland, NY 14080
Phone: (716) 537-2770
Fax: (716) 537-3586

Kenmore Justice Court
Municipal Building
2919 Delaware Avenue
Kenmore, NY 14217
Phone: (716) 873-4554
Fax: (716) 873-4559

Lancaster Town Court
525 Pavement Road
Lancaster, NY 14086
Phone: (716) 683-1814
Fax: (716) 685-5313

Lancaster Village Justice Court
Municipal Building
5423 Broadway
Lancaster, NY 14086
Phone: (716) 683-6780
Fax: (716) 601-0171

Marilla Town Court
1740 Two Rod Road
Marilla, NY 14102
Phone: (716) 652-5350 ext. 415
Fax: (716) 652-1213

Newstead Town Court
5 Clarence Center Road
P.O. Box 227
Akron, NY 14001
Phone: (716) 542-4575
Fax: (716) 542-5824

North Collins Town Court
Town Hall
10569 Main Street
P.O. Box 2
North Collins, NY 14111
Phone: (716) 337-3712
Fax: (716) 337-3435

Orchard Park Town Justice Court
4295 South Buffalo Street
Orchard Park, NY 14127
Phone: (716) 662-6415
Fax: (716) 662-6416

Orchard Park Village Court
4295 South Buffalo Street
Orchard Park, NY 14127
Phone: (716) 662-6415

Sardinia Town Court
12320 Savage Road
Sardinia, NY 14134
Phone: (716) 496-8903

Springville Village Court
65 Franklin Street
P.O. Box 362
Springville, NY 14141
Phone: (716) 592-4936 ext. 1335
Fax: (716) 592-9107

Tonawanda Town Justice Court
1835 Sheridan Drive
Buffalo, NY 14223
Phone: (716) 876-5536
Fax: (716) 876-0324

Wales Town Court
Wales Memorial Building
11006 Emery Road
P.O. Box 286,
South Wales, NY 14139
Phone: (716) 652-3320
Fax: (716) 652-3310

West Seneca Town Justice Court
1250 Union Road
West Seneca, NY 14224
Phone: (716) 558-3256
Fax: (716) 674-0518

Williamsville Village Court
5565 Main Street
Williamsville, NY 14221
Phone: (716) 632-0450
Fax: (716) 565-0342