Bronx County Court Records
What Is Bronx County Court Records
Bronx County court records encompass all official documentation generated during legal proceedings within the jurisdiction of Bronx County, New York. These records serve as the authoritative account of court activities and are maintained pursuant to New York Judiciary Law § 255, which mandates the preservation of judicial records.
Court records in Bronx County typically include:
- Case files containing pleadings, motions, and supporting documentation
- Docket sheets chronicling chronological case events
- Judicial orders and final judgments
- Hearing and trial transcripts
- Evidence and exhibits admitted during proceedings
- Sentencing information in criminal matters
- Settlement agreements in civil cases
These records are distinct from other public records such as vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates) and property records (deeds, mortgages, liens), which are maintained by separate county departments.
The following courts maintain records within Bronx County:
Bronx Supreme Court
851 Grand Concourse
Bronx, NY 10451
718-618-1500
New York State Unified Court System
Bronx Family Court
900 Sheridan Avenue
Bronx, NY 10451
718-618-2098
New York State Unified Court System
Bronx Civil Court
851 Grand Concourse
Bronx, NY 10451
718-618-2500
New York State Unified Court System
Bronx Criminal Court
215 East 161st Street
Bronx, NY 10451
718-618-2460
New York State Unified Court System
Court records in Bronx County encompass a wide range of case types including civil litigation, criminal proceedings, family matters, probate cases, housing disputes, and small claims.
Are Court Records Public In Bronx County
Court records in Bronx County are generally accessible to the public in accordance with New York Public Officers Law § 84, also known as the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), and the common law right of access to judicial records. The New York State Constitution and court precedent establish a presumption of openness for court proceedings and associated records.
The following court records are typically available for public inspection:
- Civil case files (with certain exceptions)
- Criminal case files (post-arraignment)
- Court calendars and docket information
- Judgments and judicial orders
- Hearing schedules and court calendars
However, certain categories of records may be sealed or redacted pursuant to New York Judiciary Law § 4 and related statutes:
- Family Court proceedings involving minors
- Sealed criminal records following dismissal or acquittal
- Juvenile delinquency proceedings
- Adoption records
- Mental health proceedings
- Records containing confidential personal information
- Cases sealed by judicial order
The New York State Unified Court System has established comprehensive rules governing public access to court records, as detailed in Part 124 of the Rules of the Chief Administrator. These rules balance the public's right to information with privacy concerns and the administration of justice.
It is important to note that federal court records for cases heard in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, which has jurisdiction over Bronx County, are governed by federal access rules rather than state provisions.
How To Find Court Records in Bronx County in 2026
Members of the public seeking court records in Bronx County may utilize several methods to locate and access these documents. The New York State Unified Court System provides multiple pathways for record retrieval:
In-Person Requests:
- Visit the specific courthouse where the case was filed
- Proceed to the court clerk's office during regular business hours
- Complete a records request form providing case information
- Present valid photo identification
- Pay applicable search and copy fees
Written Requests:
- Submit a formal written request to the appropriate court clerk
- Include case number, party names, and filing date if known
- Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope for response
- Include payment for applicable fees
Online Access:
- Utilize the New York State Courts Electronic Filing System (NYSCEF)
- Access the WebCriminal and WebFamily portals for case information
- Search the eCourts system for case status and appearance dates
For criminal records, requestors may need to provide:
- Defendant's full name
- Date of birth or approximate age
- Case number if available
- Approximate date of arrest or court appearance
For civil records, the following information facilitates searches:
- Names of parties involved
- Index number
- Filing date
- Case type
Certain specialized records require specific procedures:
- Probate records are available through the Bronx County Surrogate's Court
- Housing Court records can be accessed at the Bronx Housing Court
- Small Claims records are maintained by the Bronx Civil Court
Certified copies of court records may be obtained for an additional fee and are typically required for official purposes such as legal proceedings or administrative matters.
How To Look Up Court Records in Bronx County Online?
Bronx County court records can be accessed through several online portals maintained by the New York State Unified Court System. These digital resources provide varying levels of information depending on the case type and court of jurisdiction.
New York State Courts Electronic Filing System (NYSCEF) This comprehensive system allows users to:
- Search for cases filed electronically
- View docket information and case status
- Access certain filed documents
- Track case developments
- Receive email notifications about case updates
To use NYSCEF:
- Navigate to the NYSCEF website
- Create a user account or log in as a guest
- Select the appropriate court (Bronx Supreme or Bronx Civil)
- Enter search criteria such as index number or party name
- Review available case information
WebCriminal For criminal cases in Bronx Criminal Court:
- Visit the WebCriminal portal
- Enter defendant name and date of birth
- Select Bronx County from the jurisdiction dropdown
- Review case status, appearance dates, and charge information
eCourts This system provides calendar and appearance information:
- Access the eCourts website
- Select the appropriate court type
- Enter case details or party names
- View upcoming court dates and basic case information
Bronx County Clerk's Office The County Clerk maintains certain court records:
- Visit the Bronx County Clerk website
- Navigate to the records search section
- Follow the instructions for the specific record type needed
WebFamily For Family Court matters:
- Access the WebFamily portal
- Enter required case information
- View limited case details and appearance dates
Users should note that complete case documents are not always available online, and certain sensitive or sealed records will not appear in search results. Additionally, some online systems may require registration or impose access fees for detailed information.
How To Search Bronx County Court Records for Free?
Bronx County residents and other interested parties may access certain court records without payment, as provided under New York Public Officers Law § 87, which establishes the right to inspect public records. The following methods allow for free access to court records:
In-Person Inspection:
- Visit the clerk's office at the appropriate courthouse during business hours
- Request to view specific case files using available case information
- Examine records on-site without charge
- Note that copying fees may apply if printed copies are requested
Free Online Resources:
- WebCriminal - Provides basic criminal case information without charge
- eCourts - Offers free access to case calendars and appearance dates
- New York State Court of Appeals Public Access - Provides free access to appellate decisions
Public Access Law Libraries:
- The Bronx Supreme Court Law Library offers public terminals for legal research
- Located at 851 Grand Concourse, Room 815, Bronx, NY 10451
- Open Monday through Friday, 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM
- Provides access to certain electronic legal resources
Public Interest Exceptions:
- Certain fee waivers may be available for indigent persons
- Non-profit organizations conducting research may qualify for reduced fees
- Academic researchers may request fee adjustments for educational purposes
While basic record searches are often available without charge, users should be aware that:
- Certification fees apply for official copies
- Extensive searches may incur research fees
- Printed copies typically cost between $0.25-$1.00 per page
- Electronic delivery of certain documents may require payment
The New York State Unified Court System maintains a fee schedule detailing all applicable charges for various record services.
What's Included in a Bronx County Court Record?
Bronx County court records contain comprehensive documentation of legal proceedings, with contents varying by case type and court of jurisdiction. These records typically include the following components:
Civil Case Records:
- Summons and complaint initiating the action
- Defendant's answer or response
- Motions filed by either party
- Affidavits and supporting exhibits
- Discovery materials (when filed with the court)
- Judicial orders and decisions
- Transcripts of hearings and trials
- Final judgment or disposition
- Post-judgment motions and enforcement documents
Criminal Case Records:
- Charging documents (indictment or information)
- Arraignment records
- Bail determination documents
- Pre-trial motions and responses
- Evidence suppression hearing transcripts
- Plea agreements when applicable
- Trial transcripts if case proceeded to trial
- Sentencing information
- Probation reports (may be partially confidential)
- Appeals documentation
Family Court Records:
- Petitions for custody, support, or visitation
- Orders of protection
- Child protective proceedings
- Juvenile delinquency records (often confidential)
- Adoption proceedings (typically sealed)
- Paternity determinations
- Support enforcement documents
Probate Court Records:
- Wills and codicils
- Petitions for probate or administration
- Inventories of estate assets
- Accountings of estate administration
- Objections to probate
- Guardian appointment documents
- Trustee reports and accountings
Housing Court Records:
- Eviction proceedings
- Warranty of habitability claims
- Rent control/stabilization disputes
- Housing code violation cases
- Tenant holdover proceedings
Each court record also contains a docket sheet or case history that chronologically lists all actions taken in the case, including filings, appearances, and judicial decisions. This serves as a roadmap to the entire case file and is often the starting point for record searches.
How Long Does Bronx County Keep Court Records?
Bronx County courts retain records according to schedules established by the New York State Unified Court System pursuant to New York Judiciary Law § 89, which governs the preservation and disposition of court records. Retention periods vary based on case type, disposition, and historical significance.
Criminal Case Records:
- Felony cases resulting in conviction: Permanent retention
- Felony cases dismissed or acquitted: Minimum 25 years
- Misdemeanor convictions: 25 years after case disposition
- Misdemeanor dismissals: 6 years after disposition
- Violation-level offenses: 6 years after disposition
- Youthful offender records: Sealed after disposition with limited retention
Civil Case Records:
- Supreme Court civil judgments: Permanent retention
- Civil case files with monetary judgments: 20 years after disposition
- Dismissed civil cases: 6 years after disposition
- Small claims judgments: 20 years
- Small claims dismissed cases: 6 years
- Housing court proceedings: 7 years
Family Court Records:
- Adoption proceedings: Permanent retention (though sealed)
- Child protective proceedings: Until child reaches age 28
- Custody and visitation: Until youngest child reaches age 24
- Support proceedings: 25 years after youngest child reaches majority
- Juvenile delinquency: Sealed upon reaching adulthood with exceptions
Probate Court Records:
- Wills: Permanent retention
- Estate administration: Permanent retention
- Guardianship proceedings: 25 years after termination of guardianship
Special Considerations:
- Cases deemed historically significant may be preserved permanently regardless of type
- Electronic records may have different retention schedules than paper records
- Sealed records remain subject to retention schedules despite limited access
- Expunged records are physically destroyed according to court order
The New York State Records Retention and Disposition Schedule provides comprehensive guidance on record retention requirements. Court administrators must adhere to these schedules, though certain records may be transferred to the New York State Archives rather than destroyed if they possess historical value.
Types of Courts In Bronx County
Bronx County's court system operates as part of New York State's Unified Court System, with various courts handling different case types and jurisdictional levels.
Bronx Supreme Court
851 Grand Concourse
Bronx, NY 10451
718-618-1500
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM
New York State Unified Court System
The Supreme Court, despite its name, is the main trial court with unlimited jurisdiction in civil matters involving claims exceeding $25,000 and criminal matters involving felony cases. It includes specialized parts for matrimonial cases, medical malpractice, and commercial disputes.
Bronx County Criminal Court
215 East 161st Street
Bronx, NY 10451
718-618-2460
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM
New York State Unified Court System
This court handles misdemeanor cases, violations, and initial proceedings in felony cases before they are transferred to Supreme Court. It also processes arraignments, bail hearings, and pleas for less serious offenses.
Bronx Civil Court
851 Grand Concourse
Bronx, NY 10451
718-618-2500
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM
New York State Unified Court System
The Civil Court has jurisdiction over civil cases involving claims up to $25,000, small claims up to $10,000, and housing matters including landlord-tenant disputes and housing code violations.
Bronx Family Court
900 Sheridan Avenue
Bronx, NY 10451
718-618-2098
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM
New York State Unified Court System
Family Court handles matters involving children and families, including custody, visitation, support, adoption, guardianship, juvenile delinquency, and child protective proceedings.
Bronx Surrogate's Court
851 Grand Concourse, Room 317
Bronx, NY 10451
718-618-1800
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM
New York State Unified Court System
This court oversees probate proceedings, estate administration, guardianships, and adoptions.
Court Hierarchy:
- Trial Courts (Supreme, Civil, Criminal, Family, Surrogate's)
- Appellate Division, First Department (covers Bronx and Manhattan)
- New York Court of Appeals (highest state court)
Cases from Bronx County courts may be appealed to the Appellate Division, First Department, located at:
Appellate Division, First Department
27 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10010
212-340-0400
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM
New York State Unified Court System
What Types of Cases Do Bronx County Courts Hear?
Bronx County courts adjudicate a diverse range of legal matters according to their respective jurisdictions as established by the New York State Constitution and statutory authority.
Bronx Supreme Court - Criminal Term
- Felony prosecutions (Class A through E felonies)
- Serious violent offenses including homicide, assault, robbery
- Complex white-collar crimes
- Drug trafficking cases
- Weapons offenses
- Post-conviction relief proceedings
- Criminal appeals from lower courts
Bronx Supreme Court - Civil Term
- Civil litigation exceeding $25,000 in damages
- Medical malpractice claims
- Product liability lawsuits
- Complex commercial disputes
- Real property actions
- Matrimonial cases (divorce, separation, annulment)
- Article 78 proceedings (challenges to government actions)
- Name change petitions
Bronx Civil Court
- Civil claims up to $25,000
- Small claims matters up to $10,000
- Commercial claims between businesses
- Consumer credit transactions
- Contract disputes
- Personal injury cases within jurisdictional limits
- Property damage claims
Bronx Housing Court (division of Civil Court)
- Landlord-tenant disputes
- Eviction proceedings
- Rent control and stabilization matters
- Housing code violations
- Warranty of habitability claims
- Tenant holdover proceedings
Bronx Criminal Court
- Misdemeanor prosecutions
- Violation-level offenses
- Initial arraignments in all criminal cases
- Preliminary hearings in felony cases
- Issuance of search warrants
- Desk appearance tickets
- Summons cases
Bronx Family Court
- Child custody and visitation
- Child and spousal support
- Paternity proceedings
- Orders of protection (family offenses)
- Juvenile delinquency cases
- Persons in Need of Supervision (PINS) petitions
- Child protective proceedings
- Foster care approvals and reviews
- Adoption proceedings
Bronx Surrogate's Court
- Probate of wills
- Administration of estates
- Trust administration
- Guardianships for minors and incapacitated persons
- Adoption proceedings
- Estate accounting proceedings
- Will contests
- Kinship hearings
Case assignment within the Bronx County court system follows jurisdictional guidelines established by New York Judiciary Law § 140-b and related statutes. Certain specialized proceedings may be directed to dedicated court parts or assigned judges with expertise in particular legal areas.
How To Find a Court Docket In Bronx County
Court dockets in Bronx County provide chronological listings of all actions taken in a case and serve as essential navigation tools for accessing specific court records. Members of the public may locate docket information through several methods:
Online Docket Access:
-
New York State Courts Electronic Filing System (NYSCEF)
- Navigate to the NYSCEF website
- Select "Search as Guest" or create an account
- Enter case index number or party names
- Select Bronx County from jurisdiction options
- View docket entries chronologically with filing dates
-
WebCriminal (for criminal cases)
- Access the WebCriminal portal
- Enter defendant name and date of birth
- Select Bronx County from location dropdown
- Review case history and appearance information
-
eCourts
- Visit the eCourts website
- Choose appropriate court type
- Enter search criteria (index number, party name)
- View calendar information and appearance history
In-Person Docket Searches:
-
Court Clerk's Office
- Visit the clerk's office for the specific court handling the case
- Provide case number or party names to the clerk
- Request to view the docket sheet or case history
- Public access terminals may be available for self-service searching
-
Bronx County Clerk's Office
- Located at 851 Grand Concourse, Room 118, Bronx, NY 10451
- Open Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM
- Request assistance with locating Supreme Court case dockets
- Provide index number or party information
Information Required for Docket Searches:
For most effective docket searches, prepare the following information:
- Complete case index number (preferred search method)
- Full names of all parties involved
- Approximate filing date
- Case type or court division
- Attorney names, if known
Specialized Docket Access:
- Family Court dockets require proper authorization due to confidentiality rules
- Surrogate's Court dockets are available through the Surrogate's Court clerk
- Housing Court dockets can be accessed through the Housing Court clerk's office
Pursuant to New York Judiciary Law § 255-b, court administrators must maintain docket information in an accessible format. While basic docket information is generally available without charge, fees may apply for printed copies or certified docket extracts.
Which Courts in Bronx County Are Not Courts of Record?
In Bronx County, certain judicial forums operate as "courts not of record," meaning they do not maintain comprehensive verbatim transcripts of proceedings and their decisions have limited precedential value. These courts are defined by New York Uniform Justice Court Act § 2001 and related statutes.
Small Claims Part of Bronx Civil Court
851 Grand Concourse
Bronx, NY 10451
718-618-2517
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM (Evening sessions available)
New York State Unified Court System
The Small Claims Part handles cases with monetary claims up to $10,000. Proceedings are informal, with relaxed rules of evidence and procedure. While basic case information is recorded, verbatim transcripts are not typically produced unless specifically requested in advance. Decisions from Small Claims Court have limited precedential value and restricted appeal options.
Housing Part of Bronx Civil Court (for certain proceedings)
1118 Grand Concourse
Bronx, NY 10456
718-466-3000
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM
New York State Unified Court System
While the Housing Court maintains records of proceedings, certain informal hearings and mediation sessions within this court may not generate verbatim transcripts. These include:
- Pre-trial conferences
- Informal settlement negotiations
- Certain administrative proceedings
- Housing inspections and reports
Characteristics of Courts Not of Record:
- Simplified procedures designed for pro se litigants
- Limited or no court reporters present
- Restricted appeal rights
- Decisions not binding as precedent in other courts
- Informal rules of evidence
- Expedited case processing
- Focus on practical resolution rather than legal formality
It is important to note that while these forums may be "courts not of record" for certain purposes, they do maintain basic case information and outcome documentation. Parties requiring a complete record of proceedings should request a court reporter in advance when permitted by court rules.
The distinction between courts of record and courts not of record affects:
- Appeal rights and procedures
- Evidentiary standards for subsequent proceedings
- Collateral estoppel and res judicata effects
- Availability of transcripts for later reference
All other courts in Bronx County, including Supreme Court, Criminal Court, Family Court, and Surrogate's Court, function as courts of record with comprehensive documentation of proceedings.