Court records of Onondaga County, New York, are available through several channels. OnondagaCourt.us allows you to quickly find public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be searched through official state court system resources, directly at the County Clerk's office, and at public terminals in court buildings.
Onondaga Court System & Jurisdictions
Several courts operate in Onondaga County, each handling specific categories of cases. Understanding jurisdictions will help determine where to look for the required docket.
Supreme Court — the court of general jurisdiction in New York State. It handles civil lawsuits for large sums, divorce cases, and real estate disputes. The County Clerk maintains Supreme Court records for the county.
- County Court — felony-level criminal cases and some civil lawsuits up to $25,000.
- Family Court — custody, child support, protective orders, and juvenile cases. Most records of this court are closed to public access.
- Surrogate's Court (equivalent to Probate Court) — wills, estate management, and appointment of guardians over property.
- Syracuse City Court — misdemeanor cases, small civil claims, and traffic violations within the city of Syracuse.
Town and Village Courts handle traffic tickets, minor offenses, and small claims up to $5,000 within their respective municipalities. Each such court maintains its own registry, so requests should be directed directly to the clerk of the specific court.
Onondaga Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
The hearing schedule depends on the specific court.
- WebCivil Supreme System. For Supreme Court and County Court cases, New York State maintains the WebCivil portal, where you can view upcoming sessions by entering the case number or party's last name.
- eCourts. The unified court system of New York State — NYSCEF — allows tracking of electronic filings and hearing dates for cases registered for e-filing.
- Phone Inquiry. For Town and Village Courts, which often do not have online calendars, the quickest way is to call the clerk of the respective court.
- In-person Visit. Public terminals at the Onondaga County Courthouse allow you to check the schedule for today and the coming days.
County Court criminal calendars are usually updated daily. If you are interested in a specific case, the County Clerk's office can confirm the date and time of the next session.
How to Get a Copy of a Onondaga Court Document
The procedure depends on the type of document and whether you need a certified copy.
Certified vs. uncertified
A certified copy has the clerk's seal and legal force — it is required by banks, immigration authorities, and other courts. An uncertified copy is suitable for familiarization.
How to order
- Online. Some Supreme Court documents can be ordered through NYSCEF. For real estate records — through the Mortgages and Deeds section on the County Clerk's website.
- In-person. Visit the County Clerk's office at the Courthouse:
- By mail. Send a written request to the address above. Include the full name of the party, case number (if known), type of document, and contact information. Attach a check or money order for the appropriate amount.
Family Court and Surrogate's Court records are requested directly from the clerk of the respective court, not through the County Clerk.
Access Restrictions
- Juvenile cases and most Family Court records are closed.
- Sealed records (sealed by court order) are not accessible without a court order.
- Records of child abuse are requested through the OCFS FOIL portal.
Onondaga Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees are set by New York State law (including CPLR § 8019 and County Law). Below are typical rates applicable to the Onondaga County Clerk's office.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Record search (by name, up to 2 years) | $5 per name |
| Each additional 2 years of search | $5 |
| Copy of document (uncertified), per page | $0.65 |
| Document certification | $1.25 per document |
| Certification with court seal (exemplified copy) | $5.00 |
| Copy of deed or mortgage (first 4 pages) | $5.00 |
| Each additional page of deed/mortgage | $0.65 |
Payment is accepted in cash, money order, or certified check. Some transactions are available by credit card — check when contacting. For mail requests, include a self-addressed envelope with prepaid postage.
State-level criminal records can also be requested through the Division of Criminal Justice Services; a separate fee applies there. For obtaining State Police reports, a FOIL request procedure is provided.
If you need information about county inmates, use the Inmate Lookup tool on the Onondaga County Sheriff's Office website. A list of active warrants is also available online.