Erie County Court Docket Records
Erie County court docket records are on file at the County Clerk's Office in Buffalo. You can search for case filings, docket entries, judgments, and other court records in person or through the state's online portals. The office handles over two million transactions per year and serves as the clerk for both Supreme Court and County Court. Erie County is the most populous county in western New York, and its courthouse sees a high volume of civil and criminal cases. Whether you need to look up a pending case or get copies of old court docket filings, the County Clerk's Office at 92 Franklin Street is where you go to start your search.
Erie County Overview
Erie County Court Docket Office
The Erie County Clerk's Office is the main place to get court docket records in the county. Michael P. Kearns serves as County Clerk. The office sits at 92 Franklin Street in downtown Buffalo and is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Staff here can help you find civil cases, criminal records, judgments, and other court documents filed in Erie County.
The clerk serves multiple roles. As Clerk of the Supreme and County Courts, the office keeps all case filings and docket entries for those courts. The office also records deeds, mortgages, and land records. They handle naturalization records going back to 1827, and divorce records from 1830 to the present. Under Judiciary Law § 255, the County Clerk must maintain and give public access to all court docket records.
| Office | Erie County Clerk's Office |
|---|---|
| Address | 92 Franklin Street Buffalo, NY 14202 |
| Phone | (716) 858-8785 |
| ErieCountyClerkOffice@erie.gov | |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Website | www4.erie.gov/clerk |
The office has a phone system with specific extensions for each department. For land records like deeds and mortgages, press Option 1. For civil actions related to court docket filings, press Option 2 then 1. For closed criminal records, press Option 2 then 2. The Record Room where you can request copies of court docket documents is Option 4. For certificates, notary services, and judgments, press Option 7.
Search Erie County Court Docket Records
You can search Erie County court docket records online or in person. Online searches are free and fast. In-person visits let you see the full case file and get copies right away.
The WebCivil Supreme portal has civil Supreme Court docket records for Erie County. Search by index number, party name, or attorney name. The system shows case status, appearance dates, and docket entries. For criminal cases, the WebCriminal system covers pending cases in Erie County courts. Both tools are free to use and run by the New York State Unified Court System.
The Erie County Surrogate's Court is at 25 Delaware Avenue in Buffalo. Phone: (716) 845-7474. That court handles probate and estate matters. Surrogate's Court docket records are separate from the County Clerk's files. You can also search estate cases through the WebSurrogate system online.
The NYS Court Records Information page is a good starting point if you are not sure which system to use. It explains all the online tools and how to make records requests when online access is not enough.
To search in person, go to the Clerk's Office at 92 Franklin Street. Bring the case index number if you have it. Staff can also search by party name. The Record Room has public access terminals where you can look up court docket records yourself.
The Erie County Clerk's website at www4.erie.gov/clerk has details on all the services and records the office provides.
Erie County Court Docket Fees
Erie County follows a set fee schedule for court docket copies and services. Uncertified copies cost $0.65 per page. Certified copies run $5.00 per page. These fees apply to all court documents including docket sheets, judgments, and case filings.
Other fees you may run into when dealing with court docket records in Erie County:
- Index number for a new Supreme Court case: $210.00
- Statutory recording fee for deeds or mortgages: $45.00
- Per written side of page: $5.00
- TP-584 Transfer Tax Form filing: $10.00
- RP-5217 residential form: $125.00
- RP-5217 all other properties: $250.00
A Criminal History Record Search through the state system costs $95.00 per name. That search covers all 62 New York counties and is run by the Office of Court Administration. Results come by email the next business day. This is different from a local search at the Erie County Clerk's Office, which may have a lower fee but only covers Erie County records.
Note: CPLR § 8019 sets the standard for fees in courts other than Supreme and County Courts, so Town and Village Court fees in Erie County may differ from the amounts listed here.
Court Docket Records in Erie County
The Erie County Clerk maintains a wide range of court docket records. Civil case files from Supreme Court include the full docket of filings from petition to judgment. County Court records cover felony criminal cases and civil matters up to $25,000. The office also keeps judgment rolls, satisfaction records, and lien filings that come out of court docket activity.
Historical records go back a long way in Erie County. The office has naturalization records from 1827 to 1929. Marriage records span 1878 to 1935. Divorce records start from 1830 and run to the present. Buffalo birth records from September 17, 1881 through December 15, 1913 are on microfilm at the office. No index exists for those birth records, so research must be done in person. The court docket records themselves include everything filed in Supreme and County Court cases over the years.
Under Judiciary Law § 255-b, the County Clerk must keep a docket book for each case where a Request for Judicial Intervention or appeal is filed. That docket book has the full list of every paper filed in the case in order. This is what makes the court docket such a useful tool for tracking what has happened in a case over time.
Public Access to Erie County Court Docket
Court docket records in Erie County are open to the public. You do not need to be a party to the case. Judiciary Law § 4 requires all court sittings to be public, and that same idea extends to the records. Walk into the clerk's office, ask for a case file, and staff will help you. Some records are sealed by court order or restricted by law, but the default is open access.
If you plan to file documents in Supreme Court, e-filing through the NYSCEF system is now mandatory for new civil cases. Once filed, those documents become part of the court docket and can be searched through the NYSCEF Guest Search feature. You do not need an account to view publicly filed documents.
Cities in Erie County
Erie County has several cities and towns. All court docket filings go through the Erie County Clerk's Office in Buffalo.
Nearby Counties
These counties are near Erie County. If you are not sure which county handles your case, check the address where the case was filed.