Steuben County, New York State Court Records
Steuben County court records are official documents pertaining to legal actions or proceedings handled by the county's local courts. The respective clerk's offices of these local courts are responsible for maintaining these records. For instance, the Steuben County Clerk's office has the constitutional duty of serving as the Clerk for the County Supreme Court and County Court. Thus, court records of cases heard by these courts are preserved by the County Clerk.
There are different ways Steuben County court records are connected to other government records, such as having shared information. For example, certain information found in arrest records may be included in court records of the criminal case arising from that arrest. Furthermore, information outlined in certain vital records, specifically divorce certificates issued by the New York Department of Health, is usually extracted from court records of divorce proceedings.
Are Steuben County Court Records Public?
Yes. Steuben County court records are subject to public disclosure pursuant to New York Judiciary Law §255. According to the statute, a clerk of a court must furnish requesters copies of court records, files, and dockets they maintain upon request and payment of relevant fees.
However, the statute is not absolute. Some court records are exempt from public access under specific state and federal laws or by court order. Examples of these records include, but are not limited to:
- Adoption records
- Divorce records
- Juvenile disposition records under Family Court Act §784
- Records of a criminal offense dismissed in the accused's favour per Criminal Procedure Law §160.50
- Records that reveal the identity of a sex offense victim per Civil Rights Law §50-B
- Sealed records
What Information is Available in Steuben County Court Records?
General information and documents that make up Steuben County court records include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Case number
- Filing date
- Case parties' names and their attorney's details
- The case judge's name
- Petitions
- Disposition
- Summons
- Complaints
- Motions
- Dockets
- Judgments
- Exhibits
- Answer
Note: The contents of Steuben County court records vary depending on the type of case (i.e., criminal, civil, probate, e.t.c.)
Steuben County Court Records Search
Individuals who wish to conduct a Steuben County court records search must possess sufficient information to identify the specific court record they seek. These include the case number, involved party name, attorney name, filing date, and/or judge name. Additionally, they must ascertain which court handled the case in question. These details enable them to facilitate their search and direct their request to the appropriate clerk of court.
Different avenues are available for conducting a Steuben County court record search. These include the following:
Online Access
The New York State Unified Court System's eCourts website is a free online service for searching and accessing information about active and disposed cases heard by local courts in New York, including those in Steuben County. E-filed court documents of relevant cases may also be accessible on the website. There are several resources on the website that record seekers may use to conduct searches, depending on the type of case and the court that handled it. These resources are usually searchable by case number or party name. Notwithstanding, other search criteria, such as judge/justice name and attorney name, may also be accepted for certain types of cases.
In-Person Access
On-site computer terminals are available in some local courthouses, through which individuals may electronically access public court records of cases heard by that court. Record seekers may visit a local courthouse during regular business hours to use these terminals. They may also request copies of court records from the courthouse clerk's office for a fee.
Mail and Phone Requests
Depending on how the clerk's office of a local court operates, it may accept mail or phone requests for court records in its custody. A good rule of thumb is to contact the clerk in advance to inquire about whether mail-in or phone requests are accepted, associated fees, and accepted payment methods. Record seekers may find contact information for most local courts through the Steuben County court locator directory provided by the New York State Unified Court System. In cases where a court clerk accepts mail-in requests, they may provide a dedicated form that individuals can use to submit a request. Alternatively, record seekers may draft a written request containing sufficient identifiable information about the sought-after court record and their contact information. Subsequently, they may mail the completed request form or a drafted written request along with applicable fee payment and a self-addressed stamped envelope to the clerk's office. For instance, mail-in requests for court records of cases heard by the county Supreme or County Court may be sent to the Steuben County Clerk at:
3 East Pulteney Square
Bath, NY14810
Fees for Court Records in Steuben County
According to the Steuben County Clerk's Fee Schedule, the County Clerk and other local clerks of court may charge the following for court records:
- Regular copies of recorded or filed documents: 0.65 per page
- Preparing and certifying a document: $5.00
- Exemplified document: 10.00
- Transcript: $5.00
Note: Record seekers may be allowed to inspect court records for free at local courthouses, either physically or electronically through available computer terminals. However, they may be charged a $0.25 per page fee to print documents from the terminals.
Steuben County Courthouse Locations
There are six (6) types of courts in Steuben County: a Supreme Court, County Court, Family Court, two (2) City Courts, and 38 Town/Village Courts. Listed below are their respective courthouse locations and contact information:
Steuben County Supreme Court and County Court
3 East Pulteney Square,
Bath, NY 14810
Phone: 607-622-8219
Fax: 607-622-8244
3 East Pulteney Square,
Bath, NY 14810
Phone: 607-622-8218
Fax: 607-622-8239
Steuben County Surrogate's Court
3 East Pulteney Square,
Bath, NY 14810
Phone: 607-622-8221
Fax: 607-622-8243
Steuben County City Courts
500 Nasser Civic Center Plaza, Suite 101,
Corning, NY 14830
Phone: 607-654-6033
Fax: 607-654-6030
82 Main Street, PO Box 627
Hornell, NY 14843
Phone: 607-590-3314
Fax: 607-590-3316
Steuben County Town and Village Courts
21 Main Street, Addison, NY 14801
Phone: 607-359-3615 ext. 2
Fax: 607-359-3663
3 Chase Street,
PO Box 463,
Avoca, NY 14809
Phone: 607-566-2093
110 Liberty Street,
PO Box 327,
Bath, NY 14810
Phone: 607-776-3192
Fax: 607-776-5661
110 Liberty Street,
PO Box 327,
Bath, NY 14810
Phone: 607-776-3192
Town Hall
7624 County Route 20,
PO Box 184,
Bradford, NY 14815
Phone: 607-583-4270
PO Box 1932,
Cameron, NY 14819
Phone: 607-695-9022
Fax: 607-695-9108
8529 Main Street,
Campbell, NY 14821
Phone: 607-527-8244
Fax: 607-527-8747
6 South Main Street,
Canisteo, NY 14823
Phone: 607-698-2129
8 Green Street,
Canisteo, NY 14823
Phone: 607-698-4307
Fax: 607-689-4534
11161 Hendy Hollow Road,
Corning, NY 14830
Phone: 607-524-6772
19 Main Street,
PO Box 221,
Atlanta, NY 14808
Phone: 585-534-5100 ext. 2
19 Main Street,
PO Box 221,
Atlanta, NY 14808
Phone: 585-534-5100 ext. 2
20 South Maple Street,
Corning, NY 14830
Phone: 607-936-6114 ext. 4
Fax: 607-936-2616 20
Town Hall
1487 Day Road,
Arkport, NY 14807
Phone: 607-295-9917
Fax: 607-295-7132
310 Town Center Road,
Painted Post, NY 14870
Phone: 607-936-3122
Fax: 607-937-3153
8217 Cream Hill Road,
PO Box 1017,
Arkport, NY 14807
Phone: 607-324-0009
Fax: 607-324-0685
2686 State Route 248,
PO Box 764,
Greenwood, NY 14839
Phone: 607-225-4654 ext. 3
5150 Purdy Creek Road,
Hornell, NY 14843
Phone: 607-698-4940
4830 Hornby Road,
Beaver Dams, NY 14812
Phone: 607-936-3267
Fax: 607-936-3292
Arkport Village Hall
6 Park Avenue,
PO Box 21,
Arkport, NY 14807
Phone: 607-295-8207
Fax: 607-295-0007
3725 Mill Road,
Avoca, NY 14809
Phone: 607-566-2058
PO Box 23,
Jasper, NY 14855
Phone: 607-792-3686
637 County Route 115,
PO Box 64,
Lindley, NY 14858
Phone: 607-523-8388
Fax: 607-523-8232
Painted Post Village Court
Village Hall
261 Steuben Street,
PO Box 110,
Painted Post, NY 14870
Phone: 607-962-4605
North Main Street,
PO Box 372,
Prattsburgh, NY 14873
Phone: 607-522-3731
9226 County Route 74,
PO Box 214,
Pulteney, NY 14874
Phone: 607-868-3931
8088 County Route 21,
Addison, NY 14801
Phone: 607-359-2583 ext. 3
Fax: 607-359-2249
15 McCoy Street,
PO Box 763,
Savona, NY 14879
Phone: 607-583-7618
Fax: 607-583-2238
Thurston Town Hall
7578 County Route 333,
Campbell, NY 14821
Phone: 607-527-6157
Fax: 607-527-6157
873 Main Street,
PO Box 83,
Troupsburg, NY 14885
Phone: 607-525-6403 ext. 3
1094 Gill Road,
Addison, NY 14801
Phone: 607-359-2066
8014 Pleasant Valley Road,
PO Box 186,
Hammondsport, NY 14840
Phone: 607-569-3743 ext. 7
17 North Main Street,
Wayland, NY 14572
Phone: 585-728-3504
Fax: 585-728-3881
Wayland Village Court
15 North Main Street,
Wayland, NY 14572
Phone: 585-728-3504
Fax: 585-728-5367
9772 Silsbee Road,
Wayne, NY 14893
Phone: 607-292-6003
1328 State Route 248,
Rexville, NY 14877
Phone: 607-225-4321 (Town Office)
Phone: 607-225-4429 (Justice)
6429 Gardner Road,
Bath, NY 14810
Phone: 607-776-7208
1585 Academy Street,
PO Box 56,
Woodhull, NY 14898
Phone: 607-458-5252
Criminal Records Access in Steuben County
In Steuben County, interested persons may conduct statewide criminal history record searches (CHRS) through the New York State Office of Court Administration (OCA). The OCA charges a $95.00 fee per CHRS request, and an individual's name and date of birth are required to facilitate the request. The contents of a CHRS report include public records related to open and pending convictions in criminal cases originating from Supreme, County, City, Town, and Village Courts across all New York counties, including Steuben County. Certain information, records, and cases are generally not included in CHRS reports. These include, but are not limited to:
- Sealed records
- Non-criminal offenses
- Family, Civil, and Federal court cases
- Deposition of Town or Village Court case from 1991 to 2002
- Criminal cases transferred or removed per CPL 725 to family court
The OCA offers two avenues for conducting a CHRS request: online or by mail. Record seekers may use the OCA's Online Direct Access Program website to make a request online. Conversely, the OCA's CHRS Application form may be used for mail-in requests. Requesters may complete the CHRS application form and mail it along with the applicable fee payments (via checks or money orders payable to the N.Y.S. Office of Court Administration) to:
NYS Office of Court Administration
Division of Technology and Court Research
Criminal History Record Search Unit
25 Beaver Street (Room 940)
New York, NY 10004
Meanwhile, record seekers may use the New York State Unified Court System's WebCriminal portal to search and access general information about criminal cases handled by relevant Steuben County local courts. On the portal, they may search for cases by case number, summons number, or defendant's name.
Interested persons may also visit local courthouses in Steuben County, where criminal cases are heard, to access or request related court records. On-site computer terminals may be available at these courthouses that they may use to access public criminal case records electronically. Alternatively, they may request copies of records from the court clerk's office for a fee.
Steuben County Probate Records
Steuben County probate records are official documents containing information about the administration and settlement of decedents' estates. These records are maintained by the clerk's office of the county's Surrogate Court, and they are subject to New York Judiciary Law §255, similar to other types of court records. Thus, most probate records are considered public, with certain exceptions. Examples of confidential probate records are wills deposited with a Surrogate's Court for safekeeping. Per the New York Surrogate's Court Procedure Act (SCPA) §2507, wills remain confidential throughout the testator's lifetime but become public upon their death. Besides wills, other examples of probate records include:
- Distributions
- Probate petition
- Estate inventories
- Letter testamentary
- Letters of administration
Steuben County Family Court Records
Steuben County Family Court has jurisdiction over all family law cases in the county. Generally, family law cases encompass matters involving children and families, such as guardianship, adoption, juvenile delinquency, foster care, family violence, child neglect and abuse, child support, custody disputes, and visitation. Per New York Family Court Act §166, family court records are, by default, not open to the public. Only certain eligible persons and entities are allowed access to these records, including:
- The case parties and their attorney
- Legal guardians and attorney of a child involved in the case
- Court personnels
- Authorized agencies, such as Child Protective Services
Nonetheless, the general public may access limited information about family law cases online through the New York Unified Court System's WebFamily Portal. However, certified copies of family law cases' court records are only available to eligible parties through the clerk's office of the Steuben County Family Court. They request these records in person at the clerk's office during regular business hours. They must provide an acceptable form of identification or relevant documentation establishing their eligibility to access the record when making requests.
Federal Court Records in Steuben County
The United States District Court for the Western District of New York (WDNY) is the primary Federal Court with jurisdiction over Steuben County. Thus, the WDNY hears most federal cases originating in Steuben County. Federal cases generally involve a federal law violation or the U.S. government or any of its agencies. It also encompasses disputes involving multiple states within the county, or disputes between parties or entities from different states, where more than $75,000 is in controversy.
The WDNY has only two courthouse locations. The physical addresses and contact information of these courthouses are listed below:
United States District Court (Buffalo)
2 Niagara Square
Buffalo, NY 14202-3498
Phone: (716) 551-1700
Fax: (716) 551-1705
United States District Court (Rochester)
2120 Kenneth B. Keating Federal Building
100 State Street
Rochester, NY 14614
Phone: (585) 613-4000
Fax: (585) 613-4035
Record seekers may request copies of court records of federal cases heard by WDNY using the Copy Request Form. They may complete and submit the form to the Clerk of Court at WDNY's federal courthouse, where the case was heard, and pay the required fees. Alternatively, they may access federal court records online through the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) website. They must log in or register for a PACER account to access federal records on the website. Furthermore, it costs $0.10 per page, capped at $3.00 per document, to access case information on PACER. However, if a user accrues $30.00 or less in charges in a quarter, their fees will be waived for the period.
