Suffolk County, New York court records are available through several channels. SuffolkCourt.us allows you to search for public information on court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be found through the official online portals of the New York State court system, directly at the Clerk's Office, and through public terminals installed in court buildings. Below is a description of the courts operating in the county, how to find hearing schedules, and how to obtain copies of documents.
Suffolk Court System & Jurisdictions
Suffolk County has an extensive court system, each handling specific categories of cases.
Supreme Court — a court of general jurisdiction. It hears serious civil claims (over $25,000), divorce cases, and other family matters requiring a Supreme Court decision.
County Court handles felony-level criminal cases and some civil claims up to $25,000. This is where serious criminal charges are brought.
- District Court — covers five western towns of the county (towns of Babylon, Brookhaven, Huntington, Islip, Smithtown). It handles misdemeanors, small civil claims up to $15,000, small claims (up to $5,000), and traffic violations.
- Justice Courts — in the eastern towns of the county (Riverhead, Southampton, East Hampton, Shelter Island, Southold), local Town Justice Courts perform functions similar to the District Court: minor criminal cases, traffic violations, small claims.
- Family Court — cases regarding custody, child support, protective orders, juvenile justice, and adoption.
- Surrogate's Court — deals with probate matters, will approvals, and estate management of deceased persons.
If you are unsure which court your case is in, contact the County Clerk's Office or use the search on SuffolkCourt.us.
Suffolk Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
The schedule for court hearings today, tomorrow, or the current week can be found through the New York State Unified Court System — WebCivil Supreme for Supreme Court civil cases or eCourts for other case categories. The state court system website (nycourts.gov) publishes calendars of individual judges and lists of cases scheduled for hearing.
For criminal cases, the schedule is usually available at the office of the respective court. The District Court publishes daily case lists directly in the courthouse in Central Islip.
- Go to the eCourts portal of the New York State court system.
- Select the type of court (Supreme, County, District, Family, or Surrogate's).
- Specify the county — Suffolk.
- Enter the party's name or case number (index number).
If you are looking for information about inmates, the DOCCS inmate search allows you to find individuals in state correctional facilities. For local detention facilities, you can use the Commission of Correction locators.
How to Get a Copy of a Suffolk Court Document
Copies of court documents come in two types: uncertified and certified. An uncertified copy is suitable for review, while a certified copy is needed when the document is required for submission to another court, government agency, or for official purposes.
How to Obtain a Copy
- In person: visit the office of the respective court. For Supreme and County Court, this is the Suffolk County Clerk's Office.
- By mail: send a written request specifying the case number, party names, and type of document. Include a check or money order for the appropriate amount.
- Online: some Supreme Court documents are available through the NYSCEF (New York State Courts Electronic Filing) system. Registered users can download copies of filed documents for free.
For obtaining criminal records at the state level, contact the Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS). The court only issues copies of materials for a specific case, not a consolidated criminal history.
County Clerk's Office Address:
Note: Family Court and Surrogate's Court cases have separate offices. Requests for documents from these courts should be directed to them directly.
Suffolk Court Records Fees & Payment
The fee amounts are set according to New York State law (including CPLR and County Law). Below are approximate rates — it is better to confirm the exact amount with the office before applying.
| Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Record search (by name, for a period up to 2 years) | $5.00 |
| Search for each additional 2 years | $5.00 |
| Uncertified document copy (per page) | $0.65 |
| Certified copy (certification fee) | $1.25 per document |
| Exemplified copy with court seal | $5.00+ (depending on the court) |
| Copy of court judgment | $5.00 and above |
Payment is accepted by money order or check payable to Suffolk County Clerk. Some offices also accept credit cards for in-person transactions — check in advance.
For property and tax records search in the county, you can use the Suffolk County GIS Viewer, and for state tax information, visit the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance website. These resources do not replace court records but help identify property related to the case.