Court records in Broome County, New York can be searched through several channels. BroomeCourt.us can help you find publicly available information about court cases in the county. You can also access records through the New York State Unified Court System's online tools, the Broome County Clerk's Office, and public terminals available at courthouse locations. The method you use will depend on the type of case and the court that handled it.
Broome Court System & Jurisdictions
Broome County is part of New York's Sixth Judicial District. Several courts operate within the county, each handling specific case types:
- Supreme Court — Hears major civil matters, including cases exceeding the monetary limits of lower courts, matrimonial and divorce actions, and equity cases. The Broome County Clerk's Office maintains divorce records filed in Supreme Court.
- County Court — Has jurisdiction over felony criminal cases originating in Broome County. The County Clerk's Office warehouses some closed felony files from County Court, though many criminal files remain with the court itself.
- Family Court — Handles custody, visitation, child support, family offense petitions, juvenile delinquency, and persons in need of supervision (PINS) cases. Most Family Court records are confidential under New York law.
- Surrogate's Court — Manages probate proceedings, estate administration, guardianships, and adoptions. Adoption records are sealed.
- City Court (Binghamton) — Handles misdemeanor criminal cases, small claims (up to $5,000), civil matters up to $15,000, landlord-tenant disputes, and vehicle and traffic infractions within the city.
- Town and Village Courts — Local justice courts across Broome County's towns and villages handle vehicle and traffic tickets, misdemeanors, violations, small claims, and civil cases up to $3,000.
Knowing which court handled a case is essential before searching for docket information, since each court maintains its own records separately.
Broome Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
Court calendars for Broome County courts are managed through the New York State Unified Court System (NYSUCS). To find today's, tomorrow's, or this week's scheduled hearings:
- Visit the New York State Courts Electronic Filing system (NYSCEF) at iapps.courts.state.ny.us/nyscef for e-filed Supreme Court cases.
- Use the WebCivil Supreme application at iapps.courts.state.ny.us/webcivil to look up future court appearances in Supreme and County Court civil cases.
- For criminal case calendars, contact the specific court directly. Town and village justice courts post limited calendar information and are best reached by phone.
- The Broome County government website provides general contact information for county departments but does not host court calendars directly — court scheduling is administered by the state court system.
If you need to confirm a specific hearing date, call the clerk's office of the court where the case is pending. The Binghamton City Court clerk and the Broome County Supreme/County Court clerk can confirm upcoming appearances for cases in their courts.
How to Get a Copy of a Broome Court Document
The process for obtaining court documents depends on the court and the type of record.
Through the Broome County Clerk's Office
The County Clerk serves as clerk of Supreme Court and County Court. The office holds land records dating back to 1946 and court documents going back to 1986. You can request copies:
- In person — Visit the office at the address below. Staff can assist with searches of court documents and land records.
- By mail — Send a written request with the case name, index number (if known), and the specific documents needed, along with the applicable fee.
- Online — The Broome County GIS Portal includes a County Clerk search tool for certain recorded documents.
Certified vs. Uncertified Copies
- Certified copies bear the County Clerk's official seal and signature. These are typically required for legal proceedings, immigration matters, or official filings.
- Uncertified copies are plain photocopies without the seal. They are suitable for personal reference.
Restricted Records
- Divorce records — If you are not a party to the divorce, you must file a motion requesting a Supreme Court order before the Clerk's Office can release the file.
- Sealed or expunged records — Criminal records that have been sealed under CPL § 160.50 or § 160.55 are not available to the public.
- Family Court and Surrogate's Court adoption records — Generally confidential and not accessible without a court order.
For records not held by the County Clerk, you may need to submit a Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request to the specific agency or court that maintains them.
Criminal History Records
The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) maintains the state's official criminal history records. Individuals can request their own record through DCJS. Third-party background checks require fingerprint-based submissions through authorized channels.
Broome Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for court document copies and searches in Broome County are set by New York State statute and the County Clerk's fee schedule. The following table covers common requests at the Broome County Clerk's Office:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copies of court documents (per page) | $1.25 |
| Certification of a document | $5.00 per certification |
| County Clerk record search (per name, per type) | $5.00 |
| Exemplified copy (double certification) | $10.00 |
| Filing of a court document (varies by document type) | Varies — contact the Clerk's Office |
These fees are based on New York County Law and CPLR fee provisions. Payment methods accepted at the Broome County Clerk's Office typically include cash, check, and money order. Contact the office to confirm whether credit card payments are accepted for specific services.
For commonly requested forms filed with the County Clerk, visit the office's forms page. If you are unsure which fees apply to your request, call the Clerk's Office at (607) 778-2255 before submitting payment by mail.