Tompkins County Public Records /Tompkins County Court Records

Tompkins County Court Records

What Is Tompkins County Court Records

Court records in Tompkins County encompass all official documentation generated during legal proceedings within the county's court system. These records serve as the comprehensive documentation of judicial activities and decisions rendered by courts operating within Tompkins County, New York. Pursuant to New York Judiciary Law § 255, court records are maintained as public documents subject to specific access provisions.

Court records typically include:

Case files containing pleadings, motions, and supporting documentation
Docket sheets chronicling case events and filing chronology
Court orders and judicial decisions
Judgments and decrees
Hearing and trial transcripts
Evidence and exhibits admitted during proceedings
Sentencing information in criminal matters
Marriage and divorce records
Probate and estate documentation

Court records differ from other public records such as property deeds, birth certificates, and tax records, which are maintained by other county departments rather than the court system. The primary distinction lies in their creation through judicial proceedings rather than administrative functions.

In Tompkins County, court records are maintained by several courts within the New York State Unified Court System:

New York State Supreme Court (Tompkins County)
Tompkins County Court
Tompkins County Surrogate's Court
Tompkins County Family Court
City Court of Ithaca
Town and Village Courts within Tompkins County

These courts generate records pertaining to civil litigation, criminal proceedings, family matters, probate cases, and traffic violations, creating a comprehensive repository of legal documentation for the county.

Are Court Records Public In Tompkins County

Court records in Tompkins County are generally accessible to the public in accordance with New York's commitment to judicial transparency. The New York Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) and New York Judiciary Law § 255 establish the presumption that court records are public documents. However, this access is not absolute and contains important exceptions.

The following court records are typically available for public inspection:

Civil case files (with certain privacy exceptions)
Criminal case records (post-arraignment)
Court calendars and docket information
Judgments and court orders
Property records related to judgments
Probate records and wills

Certain categories of court records maintain confidentiality protections under New York law. These include:

Family Court proceedings (except as specified in Family Court Act § 166)
Juvenile delinquency records
Sealed criminal records pursuant to criminal procedure law
Mental health proceedings
Adoption records
Records specifically sealed by judicial order
Certain domestic violence and victim information

The New York State Unified Court System maintains specific rules governing public access to court records. Additionally, federal court records for cases heard in the Northern District of New York (which includes Tompkins County) are governed by federal access policies rather than state regulations.

The New York State Court of Appeals has consistently upheld the public's right to access court records while recognizing necessary privacy exceptions, as established in Matter of Newsday, Inc. v. Sise, which affirmed the presumption of openness while acknowledging statutory limitations.

How To Find Court Records in Tompkins County in 2026

Members of the public seeking court records in Tompkins County may utilize several methods to locate and access these documents. The appropriate approach depends on the specific court and record type being sought.

For in-person requests at the Tompkins County Courthouse:

Identify the specific court maintaining the desired records
Visit the appropriate clerk's office during regular business hours
Complete any required record request forms
Provide case identification information (names, case numbers, filing dates)
Pay applicable search or copy fees
Allow processing time for record retrieval

Tompkins County Clerk's Office
320 North Tioga Street
Ithaca, NY 14850
(607) 274-5431
Tompkins County Clerk

For written requests:

Prepare a formal written request specifying the records sought
Include all available identifying information
Address the request to the appropriate court clerk
Include contact information and preferred delivery method
Enclose applicable fees or payment information
Mail to the appropriate court address

For online access:

Visit the New York State Unified Court System website
Select the appropriate court system (Supreme/County, Family, Surrogate)
Enter search criteria (names, case numbers, date ranges)
Review available case information
Request specific documents through the e-filing system if available
Pay any applicable fees for document access

For attorney or legal representative requests:

Register for the New York State Courts Electronic Filing (NYSCEF) system
Log in with attorney credentials
Search for relevant cases by party name or index number
Access available documents through the secure portal
Download or request certified copies as needed

How To Look Up Court Records in Tompkins County Online?

Tompkins County residents and interested parties may access various court records through several online portals maintained by state and local authorities. Each system provides different types of record access with varying search capabilities.

The primary online resource is the New York State Unified Court System's WebCriminal and WebCivil portal, which provides:

Basic case information for Supreme and County Court matters
Case status and appearance dates
Party information and representation details
Document filing history
Motion and decision summaries

To use this system:

Select the appropriate court type (Supreme/County, Criminal, etc.)
Enter party names, case numbers, or other identifiers
Review the case summary information
Note that full document access may require in-person requests

For criminal case information, the WebCrims portal provides:

Defendant name and charges
Appearance dates and times
Case status information
Limited disposition details

The New York State Court of Appeals Public Access System offers:

Appellate case information
Decision summaries
Selected opinion text
Appeal status tracking

For Surrogate's Court matters, the Surrogate's Court Records Search provides:

Estate case information
Filing dates and status
Limited document indexes

Users should note that complete court documents are not always available through these online systems. Many records require in-person requests at the appropriate court clerk's office for full access. Additionally, certain confidential or sealed records will not appear in online searches regardless of search parameters.

How To Search Tompkins County Court Records for Free?

Tompkins County residents maintain the right to inspect public court records without charge, though fees may apply for copies or certified documents. New York Judiciary Law § 255 establishes that "A clerk of a court must, upon request and upon payment of, or offer to pay, the fees allowed by law, or, if no fees are expressly allowed by law, fees at the rate allowed to a county clerk for a similar service, diligently search for and produce any paper, record, or docket in his custody."

Free access options include:

In-Person Inspection:

Visit the appropriate court clerk's office during public hours
Request to view specific case files using available identification information
Examine records under staff supervision without charge
Pay only for any copies requested

Tompkins County Courthouse
320 North Tioga Street
Ithaca, NY 14850
(607) 274-5431
Tompkins County Courts

Online Resources Without Fees:

New York State Unified Court System eCourts - Basic case information search
WebCrims Public Portal - Criminal case status information
New York State Court of Appeals Public Access - Appellate case information

These free online resources typically provide:

Case indexes and party information
Appearance dates and times
Case type and status
Limited disposition information
Filing chronology

Users should note that while basic case information is available without charge, fees apply for:

Document copies (typically $0.25-$1.00 per page)
Certified copies of court documents
Record searches requiring extensive staff time
Expedited processing requests

The New York State Committee on Open Government provides guidance on free access rights and reasonable fee structures for court records.

What's Included in a Tompkins County Court Record?

Court records in Tompkins County contain comprehensive documentation of legal proceedings, with contents varying by case type and court jurisdiction. These records typically include several standard components alongside case-specific documentation.

Civil Case Records typically contain:

Summons and complaint initiating the action
Defendant's answer or response
Motions filed by either party
Affidavits and supporting documentation
Discovery materials (when filed with the court)
Court orders and judicial decisions
Judgment documentation
Transcript of proceedings (when prepared)
Exhibits admitted into evidence
Appeal documentation (if applicable)

Criminal Case Records generally include:

Charging documents (indictment or information)
Arraignment documentation
Bail and pretrial release information
Motion papers and responses
Evidence suppression hearing documentation
Plea agreements or trial records
Sentencing information
Probation reports (often confidential)
Appeal documentation (if applicable)

Family Court Records may contain:

Petitions for custody, support, or visitation
Orders of protection
Child protective proceedings
Juvenile delinquency documentation
Adoption records (typically sealed)
Paternity proceedings
Financial disclosure forms
Court orders and judicial decisions

Surrogate's Court Records typically include:

Wills and codicils
Probate petitions
Letters testamentary or administration
Estate inventories
Accounting documents
Guardianship proceedings
Trust documentation
Contested estate litigation records

Each court record also contains a docket sheet or case history that chronologically lists all actions taken in the case, providing a roadmap of the proceedings from initiation to conclusion. This includes filing dates, appearance information, and notation of all documents entered into the record.

How Long Does Tompkins County Keep Court Records?

Tompkins County courts maintain records according to retention schedules established by the New York State Unified Court System and the New York State Archives Records Retention and Disposition Schedule. These schedules vary by record type and court jurisdiction, with some records maintained permanently while others are subject to destruction after specified periods.

Supreme and County Court Records:

Civil case files: 25 years after case disposition
Criminal felony cases: Permanent retention
Criminal misdemeanor cases: 25 years after case disposition
Index books and case registers: Permanent retention
Judgment dockets: Permanent retention
Court minutes: Permanent retention

Family Court Records:

Child support proceedings: 25 years after youngest child turns 21
Custody proceedings: 25 years after disposition
Juvenile delinquency: Until subject's 21st birthday, then sealed
Adoption records: Permanent retention (sealed)
Orders of protection: 20 years

Surrogate's Court Records:

Probated wills: Permanent retention
Estate administration: Permanent retention
Guardianship records: 25 years after termination of guardianship
Trust documentation: 25 years after trust termination

City, Town and Village Court Records:

Civil proceedings: 6 years after disposition
Criminal proceedings: 6 years after disposition
Traffic violations: 6 years after disposition
Small claims: 6 years after disposition

Pursuant to New York Judiciary Law § 89, the Chief Administrator of the Courts establishes specific retention periods for court records. Additionally, the New York Civil Practice Law and Rules § 2103 governs certain aspects of court record preservation.

Records scheduled for destruction undergo review to ensure no legal holds exist. Historical records of significant value may be transferred to the New York State Archives or local historical repositories rather than destroyed, preserving important legal and cultural documentation.

Types of Courts In Tompkins County

Tompkins County's court system operates within New York State's Unified Court System, with several courts exercising different jurisdictions and handling various case types.

New York State Supreme Court - Tompkins County
320 North Tioga Street
Ithaca, NY 14850
(607) 274-5414
NYS Supreme Court - 6th Judicial District
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Tompkins County Court
320 North Tioga Street
Ithaca, NY 14850
(607) 274-5414
Tompkins County Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Tompkins County Surrogate's Court
320 North Tioga Street
Ithaca, NY 14850
(607) 274-5413
Tompkins County Surrogate's Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Tompkins County Family Court
320 North Tioga Street
Ithaca, NY 14850
(607) 274-5512
Tompkins County Family Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

City Court of Ithaca
118 East Court Street
Ithaca, NY 14850
(607) 216-6600
Ithaca City Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Town and Village Courts
Multiple locations throughout Tompkins County
Tompkins County Town and Village Courts
Hours: Vary by location

The court hierarchy in Tompkins County follows the New York State judicial structure:

Town and Village Courts (limited jurisdiction)
City Court of Ithaca (limited jurisdiction)
County, Family, and Surrogate's Courts (specialized jurisdiction)
Supreme Court (general jurisdiction)
Appellate Division, Third Department (appeals)
New York Court of Appeals (highest state court)

Cases may progress through this hierarchy through the appeals process, with the New York Court of Appeals serving as the state's highest judicial authority.

What Types of Cases Do Tompkins County Courts Hear?

Tompkins County's court system handles a diverse range of legal matters distributed among its various courts according to subject matter jurisdiction and case complexity.

New York State Supreme Court - Tompkins County:

Civil matters exceeding $25,000
Divorce and matrimonial actions
Corporate and business disputes
Real property actions
Article 78 proceedings (challenges to government actions)
Medical malpractice claims
Complex commercial litigation
Declaratory judgments
Mortgage foreclosures

Tompkins County Court:

Felony criminal prosecutions
Appeals from lower courts
Civil matters between $15,000 and $25,000
Criminal appeals from local courts
Handgun licensing

Tompkins County Surrogate's Court:

Probate of wills
Estate administration
Trust proceedings
Guardianships
Adoptions
Estate litigation
Kinship determinations

Tompkins County Family Court:

Child custody and visitation
Child support proceedings
Paternity determinations
Juvenile delinquency cases
Persons in need of supervision (PINS)
Family offense proceedings
Child protective proceedings
Adoption (concurrent with Surrogate's Court)
Guardianship of minors

City Court of Ithaca:

Misdemeanor criminal cases
Traffic violations
Civil matters up to $15,000
Small claims up to $5,000
Landlord-tenant disputes
Code violation cases
Preliminary hearings in felony cases

Town and Village Courts:

Misdemeanor criminal cases
Traffic violations
Civil matters up to $3,000
Small claims up to $3,000
Landlord-tenant proceedings
Town/village ordinance violations
Preliminary hearings in felony cases

Case assignment follows jurisdictional rules established by New York State law, with matters sometimes transferring between courts based on subject matter, monetary thresholds, or procedural requirements. The New York Unified Court System provides detailed information about each court's specific jurisdiction.

How To Find a Court Docket In Tompkins County

Court dockets in Tompkins County provide chronological listings of all actions taken in court cases, serving as roadmaps to case progression. Several methods exist for accessing these important records.

For online docket searches:

Visit the New York State Unified Court System's WebCriminal and WebCivil portal
Select the appropriate court type (Supreme/County, Criminal, etc.)
Enter search criteria (party names, case numbers, date ranges)
Review basic docket information displayed in search results
Note that complete docket details may require additional steps

For criminal case dockets:

Access the WebCrims portal
Enter defendant name or case number
Review appearance dates, charges, and case status
Note that detailed docket information may require court clerk assistance

For in-person docket access:

Visit the clerk's office for the relevant court
Provide case identification information
Request to view the docket or case file
Review the chronological listing of all filings and court actions

Tompkins County Clerk's Office
320 North Tioga Street
Ithaca, NY 14850
(607) 274-5431
Tompkins County Clerk

For upcoming court appearances:

Visit the New York State Court Calendar
Select Tompkins County and the appropriate court
Choose the relevant date range
Review scheduled appearances by judge or part

Attorneys and legal representatives may access more detailed docket information through:

The New York State Courts Electronic Filing (NYSCEF) system
Case management systems specific to their practice areas
Direct communication with court clerks

Court dockets typically contain:

Case caption and index number
Party names and attorney information
Chronological listing of all filings
Hearing and appearance dates
Judicial decisions and orders
Case status information

Which Courts in Tompkins County Are Not Courts of Record?

In the New York State judicial system, "courts of record" are those authorized by law to keep permanent, official records of their proceedings and possess the power to fine or imprison. Conversely, courts not of record maintain limited record-keeping requirements and typically handle less serious matters.

Pursuant to New York Judiciary Law § 2, the following Tompkins County courts are designated as courts not of record:

Town Courts (Caroline, Danby, Dryden, Enfield, Groton, Ithaca, Lansing, Newfield, Ulysses)
Village Courts (Cayuga Heights, Dryden, Freeville, Groton, Lansing, Trumansburg)

These courts share several common characteristics:

Limited jurisdiction over minor offenses and small claims
Proceedings not typically recorded verbatim
Presided over by justices who may not be attorneys
Appeals from these courts go to County Court for review
Simplified procedures compared to courts of record

By contrast, the following Tompkins County courts are courts of record:

New York State Supreme Court
Tompkins County Court
Tompkins County Surrogate's Court
Tompkins County Family Court
City Court of Ithaca

The distinction between courts of record and courts not of record affects:

Appeal procedures and standards of review
Record-keeping requirements
Procedural formalities
Enforcement mechanisms

The New York State Magistrates Association provides resources and training for justices serving in courts not of record, ensuring these courts maintain appropriate standards despite their less formal nature.