Broome County Court Records
Broome County court records are a formal documentation of legal proceedings within the county. They act as evidence of events in the case and the court’s actions. These records are produced and maintained in accordance with the New York Judiciary Law.
The Broome County Clerk’s Office is the primary custodian for most trial-level court records, though individual court clerks maintain custody of active and specialized case types. Court records are distinct from, but may interact with, other public records, such as arrest information, vital records, and federal case files.
Are Broome County Court Records Public?
Yes. Court records in Broome County are open for public inspection and copying. Access to court records in the state is governed by the New York Judiciary Law. The law permits public access to most court records, except confidential records. A confidential record is a protected record whose public disclosure may cause harm to an individual’s privacy or expose sensitive information. Examples of confidential records in the state include
- Divorce and separation records
- Grand jury records
- Juvenile records
- Social security numbers and financial account numbers
- Medical records
What Information is Available in Broome County Court Records?
Broome County court records document all information relevant to a case and include a variety of details, depending on the type of case. Typically found in court records are identifying information of the parties involved in the case, case-specific details, dockets, calendars, recordings, transcripts, petitions, motions, sentencing documents, and judgments.
Broome County Court Records Search
Broome County court records can be searched and accessed through the following methods:
Online Access
There are several public portals for searching Broome County court records at both the county and state levels. These include
- Broome County Online Records Search: The primary local search tool for civil and Supreme Court documents dating back to 1986, and land records back to 1946.
- Web Criminal: Tracks pending criminal cases in Broome County Supreme and County Courts.
- WebCivil Local: Specifically for city court civil cases.
- WebCivil Supreme: Provides access to active and disposed civil cases in Broome County Supreme Court.
- Web Family: Furnishes users with information on active family court cases in all counties.
- Web Surrogate: Accesses estate, probate, and will proceedings filed in the Broome County Surrogate’s Court.
-
New York State Courts Electronic Filing System: Allows individuals to view documents for cases filed electronically in
the Supreme Court.
In-Person Access
Court records management is split between the County Clerk’s Office and the Clerk of Court’s Office. Civil and Supreme Court records, along with archived criminal court records, are filed with the County Clerk, while criminal cases are maintained by the Clerk of Court. For local matters (traffic violations, local misdemeanors, and small claims), the records are maintained by the specific Town or Village Justice Court where the case was heard.
Individuals can access a record by visiting the relevant office.
Researchers need to provide some information about the record at the office.
For criminal records maintained by the County Clerk, requesters must provide
specific information, such as the case number or the defendant’s name, as the
office does not conduct broad searches of criminal files at the request of the
New York Office of Court Administration (OCA). Obtaining copies of a record from a custodian costs a fee.
Mail and Phone Requests
Requests for court records can be made by mail in Broome County and must be directed to the specific office holding the record. The mail request should include a written application that sufficiently describes the record sought, a self-addressed, stamped envelope, and payment for the copies.
Fees for Court Records in Broome County
In Broome County, individuals requesting copies of court records are often required to pay a fee. Most general court documents are subject to a standard fee schedule set by the Broome County Clerk. The fee schedule is as follows:
- Regular copies: 65 cents per page, minimum of $1.30
- Certification of a record: $5.20 for the first 8 pages, plus 65 cents for each additional page.
- Certificate of divorce, Issuance of a transcript, and certificate of disposition: $5
- Certificate of exemplified judgment: $15
- Broome County Online Records Search documents download: $1.90 per document
Broome County Courthouse Locations
The Broome County court system is part of the 6th Judicial District of the New York State Unified Court System. It is structured into three main levels: countywide superior courts, a city court for Binghamton, and numerous local town and village justice courts. Below are the addresses of the county’s courthouses.
Broome County Courthouse
92 Court Street
Binghamton, NY 13901
Surrogate Court Phone: (607) 240-5789
Supreme Court Phone: (607) 240-5800
Family and County Courts
65 Hawley Street
Binghamton, NY 13901
Family Court Phone: (607) 240-5799
County Court Phone: (607) 240-5800
Barker Town Court
151 Hyde Street
Castle Creek, NY 13744-0066
Phone: (607) 648-6961
Binghamton Town Court
279 Park Avenue
Binghamton, NY 13903-180
Phone: (607) 772-0357
Chenango Town Court
1529 Route 12
Binghamton, NY 13901
Phone: (607) 648-4809
Colesville Town Court
780 Welton Street
Harpursville, NY 13787-0166
Phone: (607) 693-1172
Conklin Town Court
1271 Conklin Road
Conklin, NY 13748- 182
Phone: (607) 775-5244
Dickinson Town Court
531Old Front Street
Binghamton, NY 13905
Phone: (607) 723-9403
Fenton Town Court
44 Park Street
Port Crane, NY 13833
Phone: (607) 648-4801
Kirkwood Town Court
70 Crescent Drive
Town Hall
Kirkwood, NY 13795-9654
Phone: (607) 775-2653
Lisle Town Court
PO Box 247
Lisle, NY 13797-0247
Phone: (607) 849-4685
Maine Town Court
12 Lewis Street
PO Box 141
Maine, NY 13802-0141
Phone: (607) 862-3427
Nanticoke Town Court
755 Cherry Valley Hill Road
Glen Aubrey, NY 13777-71
Phone: (607) 692-4041
Sanford Town Court
18 Church Street
Deposit, NY 13754-1140
Phone: (607) 467-2516
Triangle Town Court
2612 Liberty Street
Whitney Point, NY 13862- 289
(607) 692-7013
Union Town Court
3121 East Main Street
Endwell, NY 13760
Phone: (607) 786-2965
Vestal Town Court
605 Vestal Parkway West
Vestal, NY 13850-1495
(607) 748-1514
Windsor Town Court
124 Main Street
Windsor, NY 13865
Phone: (607) 655-1973
Endicott Village Court
225 Jefferson Avenue
Endicott, NY 13760
Phone: (607) 757-2483
Johnson City Village Court
31 Avenue C
Suite 2
Johnson City, NY 13790-2307
Phone: (607) 798-0002
Criminal Records Access in Broome County
Criminal court records in Broome County are accessed locally or on the state level, depending on the specific type of record needed. Criminal History Records, which are a form of criminal records, can only be obtained at the state level through the New York Office of Court Administration (OCA) or the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS). The OCA provides court-based criminal history records containing a person’s open and pending convictions, and searches are performed by the individual’s name. The DCJS is responsible for official statewide criminal history background checks, including sealed and public information, typically executed using an individual’s fingerprints.
Individuals may use the Criminal History Record Search (CHRS) system to conduct name searches for criminal history records through the OCA. The search fee is $95. Requests for a more detailed criminal history record may be made to the DCJS by following the department’s request process. The cost is $14.25 if requesting within New York.
For county-level criminal court records, individuals may use the WebCriminal portal or visit the Clerk of Court’s Office to access them.
Broome County Probate Records
Broome County probate records relate to wills and the administration of estates after a person’s death. The Broome County Surrogate’s Court manages these records, which are largely public information once filed. The Surrogate Court usually hears cases on estate administration, guardianships, conservatorships, and trusts.
Individuals can obtain a probate record in the county by visiting the Surrogate’s Court Office at the county courthouse. Public terminals at the courthouse may also provide some information on a particular probate case. The court does not conduct phone searches, but requesters can mail a written request if they are unable to visit the court.
While probate records are generally public, some records are restricted, and individuals may need to obtain a court order to access them. For online access to Broome County probate records, inquirers may use the WebSurrogate Portal.
Broome County Family Court Records
Broome County family court records relate to proceedings on domestic issues, including divorce, adoption, child custody, paternity, and spousal support. Under the New York Family Act, Section 166, these records are protected from "indiscriminate public inspection" to ensure the privacy of the families and children involved. Access is strictly limited to parties of the case, lawyers representing the parties, and authorized agencies.
To obtain a record, individuals may visit the Family Court’s Office and provide details about the specific case. Requesters may be asked to provide their ID to prove their right of access to the record. Requesters may also mail a written request, including a copy of their Photo ID, to the office. Divorce records should be obtained from the County Clerk’s Office.
Federal Court Records in Broome County
A case in Broome County becomes a federal case if it involves the U.S. Constitution, federal laws, or is an interstate matter. Federal cases originating in Broome County are handled by the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York and the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of New York.
Federal court records are accessible through the PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) system. PACER is the primary portal for searching federal cases. Users may search only if they have an account, and for a fee.