Rochester Court Docket Records
Rochester court docket records are maintained by the Monroe County Clerk's Office and Rochester City Court. As the county seat and the third largest city in New York State, Rochester has a busy court system that generates a high volume of case filings each year. The City Clerk's Office at 30 Church Street keeps vital records, while court docket records from Supreme Court and County Court are on file at the Monroe County Clerk's Office. Rochester City Court has separate locations for civil and criminal matters, and both produce their own docket entries. You can search many of these records online for free through state court portals.
Rochester Overview
Rochester City Clerk's Office
The Rochester City Clerk's Office is at 30 Church Street, Room 101A, in downtown Rochester. The phone number is (585) 428-7538. This office handles marriage licenses, vital records, and various city permits. They have marriage records on file from 1908 to the present.
The City Clerk does not keep Supreme Court or County Court docket records. Those are at the Monroe County Clerk's Office. But if you need a marriage certificate, birth record, or death certificate for something related to a court case, the City Clerk is where you go. These documents come up often in family court and estate matters.
| Office | Rochester City Clerk's Office |
|---|---|
| Address | 30 Church Street, Room 101A Rochester, NY 14614 |
| Phone | (585) 428-7538 |
| Website | www.cityofrochester.gov |
Rochester City Court Docket
Rochester City Court operates from two locations. The civil division is at 99 Exchange Boulevard, Room 6. Call (585) 371-3412 for civil matters. The criminal division is at 150 South Plymouth Avenue. Call (585) 371-3413 for criminal cases.
City Court has civil jurisdiction for cases up to $15,000 and handles small claims up to $10,000. The criminal side deals with misdemeanors and violations within Rochester. All of these cases produce court docket entries that track every filing and action in the case. The civil division also processes eviction proceedings and code violation cases.
To get copies of City Court docket records, contact the specific division that handles your case type. You can visit in person or call ahead. The WebCriminal system lets you search for pending criminal cases in Rochester City Court online. It is free and run by the state court system.
The Rochester city website at cityofrochester.gov has details on all city departments and services including the City Clerk.
Search Court Docket Records Online
You can search for Rochester court docket records through several state portals. The WebCivil Supreme system has civil cases filed in Monroe County Supreme Court. Search by party name or index number to find case status, appearance dates, and docket entries.
The NYSCEF e-filing system stores documents filed in Supreme Court cases. Use Guest Search to view case filings without creating an account. Every document filed electronically is part of the court docket and can be viewed online. This includes the initial complaint, responses, motions, and court orders.
For probate and estate cases, use the WebSurrogate system. Monroe County Surrogate's Court handles estates for Rochester residents who pass away. The online tool shows case information and docket activity.
The Criminal History Record Search costs $95.00 and covers all New York counties. Results arrive by email within one business day. This statewide search is more thorough than checking a single court system.
Note: Online court docket records may not include sealed cases, youthful offender matters, or records restricted under CPL § 160.50 after a case ends in the defendant's favor.
Monroe County Court Docket
Rochester is the county seat of Monroe County. The Monroe County Clerk's Office keeps all Supreme Court and County Court docket records for cases filed in the county. Since Rochester is the county seat, the clerk's office and the main courthouse are both right in the city.
Monroe County is in the 7th Judicial District. The Supreme Court has unlimited civil jurisdiction. County Court handles felony criminal cases and civil matters up to $25,000. Both courts use the county clerk for record storage and docket management. Under Judiciary Law § 255, the county clerk must keep and give public access to all these records.
Fees for Court Docket Copies
The Monroe County Clerk charges $0.65 per page for uncertified copies and $5.00 per page for certified copies of court docket records. These fees are standard across New York State for county clerk offices.
Rochester City Court may have different fees for copies of its own records. Call the civil division at (585) 371-3412 or the criminal division at (585) 371-3413 to ask about current copy fees. Small claims filing fees range from $20.00 to $35.00 depending on the claim amount.
The NYS Court Records Information page has a full breakdown of what each court charges for copies and searches. It also explains how to request records by mail if you cannot visit in person.
Nearby Cities
These cities and towns are near Rochester in the greater Monroe County area.