Bronx County Court Records

Bronx County court records are documents generated and maintained by trial courts as part of the judicial process. They include documents created, filed, or recorded during the resolution of a case. Bronx County has several courts, with the Supreme Court being the highest trial court in the county. Each court has a court clerk responsible for maintaining its records.

Court records preserve the legal rights of parties involved by providing an official record of judicial proceedings. They also provide a mechanism for appeals if a party is unsatisfied with the outcome of a case.

Although court records are distinct from other public records, such as arrest, vital, and property records, they are closely related to them. Such information is sometimes documented in court records, particularly when pertaining to a case.

Are Bronx County Court Records Public?

Yes. Bronx County court records are generally public under the New York Freedom of Information Law (FOIL). Section 87 of the FOIL mandates agencies to publish rules detailing how and where records can be accessed, including who the record custodian is. In line with this, New York Judiciary Law § 255 designates court clerks as the personnel in charge of disclosing court records to requesting parties.

While the overarching principle is to allow public access under the Judiciary Law and FOIL, several exceptions exist to protect privacy or comply with other state and federal laws. Records typically exempt from public disclosure in New York include

• Adoption records (Domestic Relations Law (DRL) § 114)
• Matrimonial records (Domestic Relations Law § 235)
• Family court records (Family Court Act (FCA) § 166)
• Drug/alcohol treatment records (42 U.S.C. § 290dd-2, 42 CFR Part 2)
• Mental health records (Mental Hygiene Law (MHL) § 33.13)
• Juvenile court records

Moreover, courts may restrict access to sensitive personal information, even when the record itself is public.

What Information is Available in Bronx County Court Records?

The contents of Bronx County court records vary depending on the case type. However, the following are typically included

• Case and party information (e.g., the case number and the names of the plaintiff, defendant, and attorneys of record)
• Case documents (evidence, exhibits, petitions, indictments, etc.)
• Hearing and trial dates
• Final verdicts

Criminal court records may also include information on arrests, bail amounts, and incarceration status. Civil court records may contain details on judgments, liens, and enforcement actions.

Bronx County Court Records Search

Individuals can generally access court records in Bronx County in a couple of ways:

Online Access

Bronx County court records can be accessed online through several New York State portals tailored by case type. These portals include:

• WebCivil Local: Contains cases from local civil courts in New York, including Bronx County
• WebCivil Supreme: Contains information on civil cases from the New York Supreme Court in all counties
• Web Criminal: Provides access to criminal cases heard in New York counties
• Web Family: Grants user access to family court cases with upcoming hearings in the state
• Web Surrogate: Provides access to probate records and related filings
• Bronx County Clerk's Office Case Search: Contains information on cases filed with the Bronx County Clerk's Office. New York attorneys and other authorized persons may have access to more detailed information.

In-Person Access

Inquirers may visit the Clerk of Court's Office where a case was filed to request a copy of a court record. Requesters may be required to submit the request in writing and pay a fee for copies. A case number, names of the involved parties, and other pertinent details may be necessary to locate a record.

Mail and Phone Requests

Requests by mail for Bronx County court records depend on the record type and the court that holds the record. For instance, the Supreme Court favors mail-in requests over in-person requests, except for records of cases heard before 1992, which may be requested in person. Mail requests must bear a self-addressed stamped envelope. In contrast, Family Court records may not be obtainable by mail due to their confidential nature under the law. Generally, phone requests for court records are not permitted in Bronx County.

Fees for Court Records in Bronx County

The fee for obtaining court records depends on the type of record, the format, and the delivery method. Standard copy fees for a court record are 65 cents per page, with a $1.50 minimum fee. Other fees are stated below.

• Search Certificate: This certificate covers the result of a two-year record search and costs $10. An additional $5 fee is charged for each subsequent two-year search period.
• Certified Copy: A court case record's certified copy costs about $8 per document. The fee is $10 for business and corporation filings.
• Exemplification fee: Exemplification costs $25, excluding the certification and copying fees.

Requests made by mail may attract extra costs.

Bronx County Courthouse Locations

Bronx County, like other New York City counties in the state, consists of a Supreme Court, Surrogate's Court, Family Court, Civil Court, and Criminal Court.

The Supreme Court handles major civil and criminal cases, while the Civil and Criminal Courts manage lesser civil and criminal matters. The Family Court addresses family law cases, and the Surrogate's Court deals with probate matters and adoptions.

Below is the address and contact information for each court:

Criminal Records Access in Bronx County

Bronx County Supreme and Criminal Courts maintain court records for criminal cases heard in the county. If the case is not confidential, records may be obtained by visiting the courthouse in person or searching the relevant online portal (Web Criminal or the County Clerk Case Search).

However, the New York Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) manages criminal history checks statewide. DCJS maintains the official criminal history records and is the sole authorized source for obtaining an official copy. Individuals seeking their criminal records can submit fingerprints to the department for a search. The fee is $14.25 for requests made within New York State and $44.25 for out-of-state requests. New York criminal records include information on arrests, indictments, convictions, and sentences.

Bronx County Probate Records

Bronx County probate records encompass documents related to the administration of decedents' estates, as well as cases involving wills, trusts, guardianships, and conservatorships. The Surrogate's Court has exclusive jurisdiction over probate matters, including the adoption of minors and mentally or physically disabled persons, in Bronx County.

Many probate records are open for public inspection once filed with the Surrogate Clerk. Interested persons may obtain these records at the clerk's office or search for them on the Web Surrogate portal. Some documents, such as adoption files, may be inaccessible to the general public. For confidential information, the requester must usually be a party to the record or be authorized by the court to obtain access.

Bronx County Family Court Records

The Bronx County court hears family-related cases, including divorce, juvenile delinquency, domestic violence, and neglect/abuse cases. Due to state privacy laws, family court records are highly restricted in Bronx County. Only persons directly involved in a family case and their attorneys typically maintain access. Third parties may obtain a court order permitting access.

The Web Family portal can provide information on future appearances for users with a case number or docket number. To access the actual records, individuals will need to visit the Family Court Clerk's Office. Since the records are mostly private, requesters may need to provide valid identification or a court order that validates their right to the record.

Federal Court Records in Bronx County

Bronx County does not have its own standalone federal courthouse. Federal cases arising in the county fall under the authority of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (SDNY), which also covers several surrounding counties. The court has four courthouses serving the counties. These include

Obtaining a copy of a federal court record depends on the courthouse where the case is filed. Court records in the Daniel Patrick Moynihan courthouse are kept in the Open Records Room, the Closed Records Room, and the Records Management Unit/Sealed Documents, depending on the case type and status. Individuals will need to visit the appropriate room to make a record request. For records maintained by other courthouses, inquirers can make a request directly to the Clerk's Office.

Alternatively, researchers may utilize the Public Access to Electronic Records (PACER) service to access federal court records electronically. PACER requires users to have an account before accessing records. Also, the public can access the records of certain Cases of Special Interest by entering a party name in the search box. These cases are specifically chosen and disclosed at the discretion of the court.