AlbanyNYCourt.us can help you find publicly available information about court cases in Albany County, New York. Beyond that starting point, court records can be searched through the New York State Unified Court System's online tools, the Albany County Clerk's office, individual court clerks' offices, and public access terminals located inside county courthouses.
Albany Court System & Jurisdictions
Albany County is home to several courts within the New York State Unified Court System. Knowing which court handled a case is the fastest way to locate the right docket.
- Albany County Supreme Court — Handles major civil matters (claims above the County Court threshold), felony criminal cases, and matrimonial (divorce) proceedings. The Supreme Court has broad jurisdiction and also hears Article 78 proceedings against government agencies.
- Albany County Court — Presides over felony criminal prosecutions and civil cases with amounts in controversy up to $25,000.
- Albany County Family Court — Covers custody, visitation, child support, family offense (orders of protection), juvenile delinquency, persons in need of supervision (PINS), and abuse or neglect petitions. Most Family Court records are confidential under New York Family Court Act § 166.
- Albany County Surrogate's Court — Manages probate of wills, estate administration, guardianship of the property of minors and incapacitated persons, and adoptions. Adoption records are sealed.
- Albany City Court — Handles misdemeanor and violation-level criminal cases, civil claims up to $15,000, small claims up to $10,000, landlord-tenant disputes, and traffic/vehicle infractions within the City of Albany.
- Town and Village Justice Courts — Local courts in municipalities outside the City of Albany (e.g., Colonie, Guilderland, Bethlehem) adjudicate traffic tickets, minor criminal offenses, small claims, and local code violations.
If you are unsure which court heard a case, the New York State Courts Electronic Filing (NYSCEF) system and the WebCivil Supreme portal allow statewide searches of Supreme and Civil Court cases by party name.
Albany Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
Court calendars in Albany County are published through the New York State Unified Court System. To find today's or upcoming hearing schedules:
- Visit the Third Judicial District website, which covers Albany County, and look for daily court calendars posted by individual judges.
- Use the WebCivil Supreme case search to view future appearance dates on civil and matrimonial cases.
- For criminal matters, contact the Albany County District Attorney's office or the appropriate court clerk, as criminal calendars are not always published online.
- Town and Village Justice Court schedules are typically posted on each municipality's website or available by calling the court clerk directly.
Calendars are generally updated each business day. If a case was recently added or adjourned, there may be a short delay before the new date appears online.
How to Get a Copy of a Albany Court Document
The method for obtaining court documents depends on the court that maintains the file and whether you need a certified or uncertified copy.
Online
- NYSCEF — If the case was e-filed in Supreme Court, documents are available for free download through the NYSCEF system.
- WebCivil Supreme / WebCrims — These portals show case summaries and appearance histories but generally do not provide downloadable document images.
In Person
Visit the clerk's office of the court where the case was filed. Bring the case index number or the full names of the parties and the approximate filing year. Public access terminals at the Albany County Courthouse allow you to look up and print documents on-site.
By Mail
Send a written request to the appropriate clerk's office. Include the case caption, index or docket number, the specific document(s) requested, and a check or money order for the applicable fees. For Supreme and County Court filings, mail requests to:
Albany County Clerk
The Albany County Clerk's office maintains civil Supreme Court case files and can provide certified copies of judgments, deeds, and other recorded documents. For police reports or other City of Albany government records, a separate FOIL request may be required.
Restricted Records
Certain records are not available to the general public:
- Family Court records (NY Family Court Act § 166)
- Sealed criminal records (CPL § 160.50)
- Youthful offender adjudications
- Adoption files
- Grand jury minutes
Under the New York Personal Privacy Protection Law, individuals may request access to records about themselves held by state agencies and may seek correction of inaccurate information.
Albany Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for court record searches, copies, and certifications in New York are set by statute (CPLR § 8019) and by the individual court or clerk's office. The table below reflects standard fees commonly charged in Albany County courts and the County Clerk's office.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| County Clerk record search (per two-year block) | $5.00 |
| Photocopy of court document (per page) | $0.65 |
| Certification of a document | $1.25 per certification |
| Exemplified copy (with court seal) | $5.00 and up |
| Filing an index number (Supreme Court civil) | $210.00 (varies by case type) |
| NYSCEF document download | Free |
| Incarcerated individual lookup (NYS DOCCS) | Free via DOCCS Incarcerated Lookup |
Payment at the Albany County Clerk's office is accepted by cash, check, or money order. Credit card acceptance varies by court; confirm before visiting. For FOIL requests directed to state agencies, fees are generally limited to $0.25 per page for standard photocopies.
Always verify current fees directly with the clerk's office, as amounts may change when new fee schedules are adopted. If you need to look up an individual currently in state custody, the NYS DOCCS Incarcerated Lookup tool is available at no cost and can be searched by name or department identification number.