Ontario County Public Records /Ontario County Court Records

Ontario County Court Records

What Is Ontario County Court Records

Ontario County court records encompass all official documentation generated during legal proceedings within the county's court system. These records serve as the official account of court proceedings and are maintained pursuant to New York Judiciary Law § 255, which mandates the proper keeping of judicial records. Court records typically include case files, dockets, pleadings, motions, orders, judgments, transcripts, exhibits, and sentencing information.

Court records are distinct from other public records such as:

Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens)
Vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates)
Tax records
Business filings

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

New York State Supreme Court (Ontario County)
Ontario County Court
Ontario County Family Court
Ontario County Surrogate's Court
City Courts (Canandaigua, Geneva)
Town and Village Courts

These courts handle various case types including civil litigation, criminal proceedings, family matters, probate cases, and traffic violations. The Ontario County Clerk serves as the custodian for many of these records, particularly for Supreme and County Court cases.

Are Court Records Public In Ontario County

Court records in Ontario County are generally accessible to the public under New York's open courts principle and the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL). According to New York Public Officers Law § 87, government records, including court records, are presumptively open to public inspection unless specifically exempted by statute.

The following court records are typically available for public access:

Most civil case files
Criminal case files (post-arraignment)
Judgments and orders
Docket sheets
Hearing schedules
Court calendars

However, certain records may be sealed or redacted to protect privacy or sensitive information. Records that may have restricted access include:

Family Court proceedings
Juvenile delinquency cases
Sealed criminal records
Adoption records
Mental health proceedings
Records containing confidential personal information

It is important to note that federal court records for cases heard in the Western District of New York (which includes Ontario County) are governed by federal access rules rather than state laws. These records are accessible through the federal PACER system.

The New York State Unified Court System has established specific rules regarding public access to court records, which are outlined in Part 124 of the Rules of the Chief Administrator of the Courts.

How To Find Court Records in Ontario County in 2026

Members of the public seeking court records in Ontario County may utilize several methods to locate and access these documents. The process varies depending on the court and record type.

For Supreme and County Court records:

Contact the Ontario County Clerk's Office, which serves as the clerk of the Supreme and County Courts:

Ontario County Clerk's Office
20 Ontario Street
Canandaigua, NY 14424
(585) 396-4200
Ontario County Clerk
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Submit a records request form in person, by mail, or electronically through the county's online portal.
Provide specific case information including:
- Case number (if known)
- Names of parties involved
- Approximate date of filing
- Case type

For Family Court records:

Ontario County Family Court
20 Ontario Street
Canandaigua, NY 14424
(585) 412-5300
7th Judicial District - Ontario County Family Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

For Surrogate's Court records:

Ontario County Surrogate's Court
27 North Main Street
Canandaigua, NY 14424
(585) 412-5700
7th Judicial District - Ontario County Surrogate's Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

For City, Town, and Village Court records, contact the specific court directly. A complete listing of these courts is available through the New York State Unified Court System website.

How To Look Up Court Records in Ontario County Online?

Ontario County offers several online resources for accessing court records electronically. These systems provide convenient alternatives to in-person visits.

The primary online resources include:

Ontario County Clerk's Online Record Search - This portal provides access to:
- Supreme Court and County Court case indexes
- Land records
- Filed documents (selected cases)
To use this system:
- Navigate to the Ontario County Clerk's website
- Select "Online Record Search"
- Create a user account (if required)
- Enter search criteria (name, case number, date range)
- Review search results and select records for viewing
New York State Unified Court System's WebCriminal - For criminal case information:
- Provides basic case information for criminal matters
- Shows upcoming court appearances
- Lists case status and disposition
Search steps:
- Access the WebCriminal portal
- Enter defendant name or case number
- Select Ontario County from jurisdiction list
- Review case information
New York State Unified Court System's eCourts - For civil case information:
- Covers Supreme Court civil cases
- Provides case status, appearance dates, and motions
Search steps:
- Visit the eCourts website
- Select case type (civil, matrimonial, etc.)
- Choose Ontario County from location options
- Enter party name or index number
- View case information

For complete court records not available online, requestors must still contact the appropriate court office directly or visit in person.

How To Search Ontario County Court Records for Free?

New York State law guarantees the public's right to inspect court records without charge. According to New York Judiciary Law § 255, "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 furnish a certified or exemplified copy of any record, paper or proceeding of his court."

Free options for accessing Ontario County court records include:

In-person inspection at the respective court clerk's office:
- Supreme and County Court records at the County Clerk's Office
- Family Court records at the Family Court Clerk's Office
- Surrogate's Court records at the Surrogate's Court Clerk's Office
- City, Town, and Village Court records at their respective court offices
Online search systems with free access components:
- The Ontario County Clerk's Online Record Search offers free basic search functionality
- The New York State Unified Court System's WebCriminal provides free access to criminal case information
- The eCourts system offers free access to civil case information
Public access terminals located at:
- Ontario County Clerk's Office
- Ontario County Law Library (20 Ontario Street, Canandaigua)

While inspection is free, fees may apply for copies of documents. Current copy fees are:

Paper copies: $0.65 per page
Certified copies: $8.00 per document plus copy fees
Electronic copies (where available): varies by document type

What's Included in a Ontario County Court Record?

Ontario County court records contain various documents depending on the case type and court of origin. A comprehensive court record typically includes:

For Civil Cases:

Summons and complaint
Answer and counterclaims
Motions and supporting documentation
Affidavits and exhibits
Discovery materials (if filed with the court)
Court orders and decisions
Judgment documents
Transcripts of proceedings (if ordered)
Appeals documentation (if applicable)

For Criminal Cases:

Charging documents (indictment, information, complaint)
Arraignment records
Bail/bond information
Pre-trial motions and decisions
Plea documents
Trial exhibits (if admitted)
Verdict forms
Sentencing information
Probation reports (may be confidential)
Appeals documentation (if applicable)

For Family Court Cases:

Petitions and responses
Orders of protection
Support orders
Custody and visitation orders
Adoption records (typically sealed)
Juvenile delinquency proceedings (typically confidential)

For Surrogate's Court Cases:

Wills and codicils
Probate petitions
Letters testamentary or administration
Inventories of assets
Accounting documents
Guardianship records
Estate distribution records

Each document within a court file is typically assigned a sequential number and maintained in chronological order. The court's docket or register of actions serves as an index to these documents.

How Long Does Ontario County Keep Court Records?

Ontario County retains court records according to the New York State Unified Court System Records Retention and Disposition Schedule and the New York Local Government Records (LGS-1) schedule. Retention periods vary based on record type and significance.

Key retention periods include:

Civil Court Records:

Case files for contested matters: 25 years after case disposition
Uncontested matters: 10 years after case disposition
Index books and case registers: Permanent
Judgments: 20 years after satisfaction or expiration

Criminal Court Records:

Felony case files: Permanent
Misdemeanor case files: 10 years after case disposition
Violation case files: 6 years after case disposition
Dismissed cases: 6 years after dismissal

Family Court Records:

Permanent adoption records: Permanent
Custody proceedings: Until child reaches 28 years of age
Support proceedings: 25 years after youngest child reaches 21
Juvenile delinquency: Until child reaches 28 years of age

Surrogate's Court Records:

Estate proceedings: Permanent
Guardianship records: 25 years after termination of guardianship
Wills: Permanent

Records of historical significance may be transferred to the Ontario County Records and Archives for permanent preservation after their active retention period expires. Digital preservation initiatives are currently underway to ensure long-term access to court records.

Types of Courts In Ontario County

Ontario County's court system operates as part of New York State's Unified Court System and includes several levels of courts with varying jurisdictions:

New York State Supreme Court - Ontario County
27 North Main Street
Canandaigua, NY 14424
(585) 412-5100
7th Judicial District - Ontario County Supreme Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

The Supreme Court, despite its name, is the trial-level court of general jurisdiction handling major civil cases and some criminal matters.

Ontario County Court
27 North Main Street
Canandaigua, NY 14424
(585) 412-5200
7th Judicial District - Ontario County Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

County Court primarily handles felony criminal cases and civil matters up to $25,000.

Ontario County Family Court
20 Ontario Street
Canandaigua, NY 14424
(585) 412-5300
7th Judicial District - Ontario County Family Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Family Court handles matters involving children and families.

Ontario County Surrogate's Court
27 North Main Street
Canandaigua, NY 14424
(585) 412-5700
7th Judicial District - Ontario County Surrogate's Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Surrogate's Court handles estates, wills, and related matters.

Canandaigua City Court
205 North Main Street
Canandaigua, NY 14424
(585) 412-5550
7th Judicial District - Canandaigua City Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Geneva City Court
Public Safety Building
255 Exchange Street
Geneva, NY 14456
(585) 412-5600
7th Judicial District - Geneva City Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Additionally, Ontario County has numerous Town and Village Courts serving local jurisdictions. A complete listing is available through the New York State Unified Court System website.

Appeals from these courts are heard by the Appellate Division, Fourth Department, located in Rochester, with further appeals possible to the New York State Court of Appeals in Albany.

What Types of Cases Do Ontario County Courts Hear?

Ontario County courts adjudicate a wide range of legal matters according to their respective jurisdictions:

New York State Supreme Court - Ontario County

Major civil litigation (claims exceeding $25,000)
Divorce and matrimonial actions
Corporate and commercial disputes
Real property matters
Article 78 proceedings (challenges to government actions)
Medical malpractice cases
Some criminal matters (concurrent with County Court)

Ontario County Court

Felony criminal prosecutions
Appeals from lower courts
Civil cases with claims between $15,000 and $25,000
Specialized treatment courts (Drug Court, Veterans Court)

Ontario County Family Court

Child custody and visitation
Child support proceedings
Paternity determinations
Juvenile delinquency cases
Persons in Need of Supervision (PINS) petitions
Family offense proceedings/orders of protection
Adoption proceedings
Child abuse and neglect cases
Foster care approvals and reviews

Ontario County Surrogate's Court

Probate of wills
Administration of estates
Guardianships for minors and incapacitated persons
Adoptions (concurrent with Family Court)
Trust administration
Estate litigation

City Courts (Canandaigua and Geneva)

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

Town and Village Courts

Misdemeanor criminal cases
Traffic violations
Small claims (up to $3,000)
Civil cases (up to $3,000)
Landlord-tenant matters
Local ordinance violations
Preliminary proceedings in felony cases

Each court maintains its own records according to case type, with procedures for access varying by court and record type.

How To Find a Court Docket In Ontario County

Court dockets in Ontario County provide chronological listings of all proceedings and filings in a case. Members of the public may access docket information through several methods:

Online Docket Access:
- For Supreme and County Court cases: Use the Ontario County Clerk's Online Record Search
- For civil cases: Access the New York State eCourts system
- For criminal cases: Use the WebCriminal portal
Search steps:
- Enter case number or party name
- Select appropriate court and case type
- Review chronological listing of case events
In-Person Docket Review:
- Visit the clerk's office for the appropriate court
- Request to view the docket or register of actions for a specific case
- Provide identifying information (case number, party names, filing date)
Court Calendar Information:
- Daily court calendars listing scheduled appearances are available at:
  - Court clerk's offices
  - Court websites
  - Courthouse public information displays
Telephone Inquiries:
- Basic docket information may be available by calling the appropriate court clerk's office
- Be prepared to provide specific case information

For Supreme and County Court dockets, contact:

Ontario County Clerk's Office
20 Ontario Street
Canandaigua, NY 14424
(585) 396-4200
Ontario County Clerk

For Family Court dockets, contact:

Ontario County Family Court Clerk's Office
20 Ontario Street
Canandaigua, NY 14424
(585) 412-5300
7th Judicial District - Ontario County Family Court

For Surrogate's Court dockets, contact:

Ontario County Surrogate's Court Clerk's Office
27 North Main Street
Canandaigua, NY 14424
(585) 412-5700
7th Judicial District - Ontario County Surrogate's Court

Which Courts in Ontario County Are Not Courts of Record?

In New York State, including Ontario County, courts are classified as either "courts of record" or "courts not of record" pursuant to New York Judiciary Law § 2. This distinction affects how proceedings are documented and the appellate process.

Courts not of record in Ontario County include:

Town Courts These courts handle minor criminal matters, traffic violations, small claims, and civil cases within their town boundaries. Proceedings are typically recorded by electronic means rather than by official court reporters. There are 16 Town Courts in Ontario County, including:

Bristol Town Court
Canadice Town Court
Canandaigua Town Court
East Bloomfield Town Court
Farmington Town Court
Geneva Town Court
Gorham Town Court
Hopewell Town Court
Manchester Town Court
Naples Town Court
Phelps Town Court
Richmond Town Court
Seneca Town Court
South Bristol Town Court
Victor Town Court
West Bloomfield Town Court

Village Courts Similar to Town Courts, Village Courts handle minor matters within village boundaries. Ontario County has 8 Village Courts:

Bloomfield Village Court
Clifton Springs Village Court
Manchester Village Court
Naples Village Court
Phelps Village Court
Rushville Village Court
Shortsville Village Court
Victor Village Court

The primary characteristics of courts not of record include:

No official stenographic record of proceedings (though audio recordings may be made)
Presided over by justices who may not be attorneys
Appeals from these courts go to County Court for a trial de novo (new trial)
Limited jurisdiction in both civil and criminal matters

In contrast, courts of record in Ontario County include:

Supreme Court
County Court
Family Court
Surrogate's Court
City Courts (Canandaigua and Geneva)

These courts maintain verbatim records of proceedings through court reporters or electronic recording systems, and appeals from these courts involve review of the record rather than a new trial.