Search Rensselaer Court Records

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Rensselaer County, New York State Court Records

In Rensselaer County, court records are official documents regarding court events, including case proceedings and judicial decisions. Such records are vital for various legal processes. Genealogy researchers may use court records as reference materials when tracing family history. Court records also help to ensure transparency in the judicial system.

In Rensselaer County, the trial courts and the county clerk’s office create and maintain court records in accordance with the Judiciary Law § 255 and the 22 NYCRR § 216.1. Both state laws govern public access to court documents generated in the county. For example, Judiciary Law 255 requires county clerks to search and provide copies of court documents.

The county clerk may also provide information on documents filed to initiate case proceedings. Documents, such as vital records and arrest reports, may be available in Rensselaer County court records.

Are Rensselaer County Court Records Public?

A majority of court records in Rensselaer County are accessible to the general public. The state law allows interested parties to inspect and obtain copies of court records in the custody of designated agencies. These agencies maintain court documents and may disclose them upon request. Nevertheless, record custodians may restrict public access to records whose disclosure is not in the public interest. Such records typically include information that may endanger the privacy and safety of specific parties. Examples of confidential court records in Rensselaer County include the following:

  • Court information regarding surrender of custody for adoption.
  • Divorce court records that are less than 100 years old.
  • Information regarding an ongoing criminal investigation.
  • Personal information about witnesses, juries, and complainants in case proceedings.
  • Court documents that are sealed or expunged.

What Information is Available in Rensselaer County Court Records?

Rensselaer County court records generally provide information on the following:

  • Names of parties involved, including the defendant, plaintiff, attorney, and presiding judicial officer.
  • Case identifiers, such as the filing year, judgment year, case number, and status.
  • Case summaries.
  • Transcripts
  • Judgments, motion, and orders
  • Initiating documents.

The content of a court record varies based on case type, status, and other circumstances. For example, a criminal case record may include information on exhibits, pleas, and sentencing, while civil case files may include summonses, complaints, agreements, and property documents.

Rensselaer County Court Records Search

Record seekers may search Rensselaer County court records by using any of these options:

  • Online Access: The New York eCourt platform provides online access to court documents generated in Rensselaer County. To search records on the platform, record seekers may follow these steps:
  1. Visit the eCourt platform and select the case type for the record you are seeking. The platform offers the following search options:
    1. WebCriminal.
    2. WebCivil Local.
    3. WebFamily.
    4. Web Civil Supreme (for civil cases heard in the supreme court).

    The eCourt platform does not charge fees for searching and viewing court documents.

    In addition, the county clerk’s office allows online searches and requests for court records in its custody. The clerk’sonline search database contains court index data and images from 2005 till the present date.

    In contrast, record seekers must fill out the clerk’s online request form to obtain more detailed court information. After receiving the request, the clerk will forward instructions for court record payments to the record subject’s mail. The payment must be a money order or check made payable to the Rensselaer County Chief Fiscal Officer. Record seekers must mail the payment to this address:

    Office of the Rensselaer County Attorney

    Attention: FOIL Officer

    99 Troy Road

    East Greenbush, NY 12061

  • In-Person Access: The Rensselaer County Clerk’s Office allows in-person viewing of court records. To view the records, record seekers must schedule an appointment via call to (518) 270-2984 or email to FOILrequests@rensco.com. Record seekers must visit the clerk’s office on the appointment date during official hours at this address:

105 3rd Street

Troy, NY 12180

Phone: (518) 270-4080

Fax: (518) 271-7998

  • Mail request: Record seekers may submit a mail request for court records to the county clerk’s office at this address:

Rensselaer County Clerk

105 Third Street

Troy, NY 12180.

The request must include the following:

  • A written request that contains specifics, such as the case party name, number, and filing year.
  • A money order or check for the copy fee. Mail-in requests cost $1 per page.

Fees for Court Records in Rensselaer County

Per the NY Public Officers Law § 87, the Rensselaer County Clerk’s Office charges different fees for retrieving court documents. The county clerk charges $0.25 per page of photocopied court documents, while electronic records are charged at a rate of $23 per hour spent in retrieving them.

Record seekers may qualify for fee waivers in Rensselaer County. To qualify for such waivers, the record seeker must submit an Affidavit in Support of Provisional Relief to a court of competent jurisdiction. Requesters are also required to provide evidence of their financial incapacity to pay the court fees.

Rensselaer County Courthouse Locations

The trial court system in Rensselaer County includes several types of courts: supreme courts, county courts, family courts, surrogate courts, city courts, town courts, and village courts. The supreme court has broad authority, handling all criminal and civil cases, as well as any case types that other courts cannot address. On the other hand, county courts specifically deal with criminal cases that exceed the limits of lower courts.

Rensselaer County Supreme Court

80 Second Street

Troy, NY 12180

Phone: (518) 285-5025

Fax: (518) 285-5077

Rensselaer County Court

80 Second Street

Troy, NY 12180

Phone: (518) 285-5025

Fax: (518) 285-5077

Rensselaer County Family Court

1504 Fifth Avenue

Troy, NY 12180

Phone: (518) 453-5515

Fax: (518) 285-8504

Rensselaer County Surrogate’s Court

80 Second Street

Troy, NY 12180

Phone: (518) 285-6100

Fax: (518) 272-5452

City Courts in Rensselaer County

Rensselaer City Court

62 Washington Street

Rensselaer, NY 12144

Phone: (518) 453-4680

Fax: (518) 453-8996

Troy City Court

51 State Street

Troy, NY 12180

Phone: (518) 453-5900

Fax: (212) 618-5846

Town Courts and Village Courts in Rensselaer County

Berlin Town Court

Town Hall

17563 NY 22

PO Box 488

Berlin, NY 12022

Phone: (518) 658-2020 ext. 3

Brunswick Town Court

336 Town Office Road

Troy, NY 12180

Phone: (518) 279-3461

East Greenbush Justice Court

225 Columbia Turnpike

Rensselaer, NY 12144

Phone: (518) 477-5412

Fax: (518) 477-6539

Grafton Town Court

PO Box 1

Grafton, NY 12082

Phone: (518) 279-4385

Fax: (518) 279-3594

Hoosick Falls Village Court

24 Main Street

Hoosick Falls, NY 12090

Phone: (518) 686-4399

Hoosick Town Court

80 Church Street

Hoosick Falls, NY 12090

Phone: (518) 686-3335

Fax: (518) 686-4745

Nassau Town Court

29 Church Street

PO Box 587

Nassau, NY 12123

Phone: (518) 766-2343 ext. 4

Fax: (518) 766-2348

Nassau Village Court

40 Malden Street

PO Box 452

Nassau, NY 12123

Phone: (518) 766-3044 ext. 1

Fax: (518) 931-4238

North Greenbush Town Justice Court

2 Douglas Street

Wynantskill, NY 12198

Phone: (518) 283-2789

Fax: (518) 286-2336

Petersburgh Town Court

65 Main Street

PO Box 514

Petersburgh, NY 12138

Phone: (518) 658-3777 ext. 15

Fax: (518) 658-3778

Pittstown Town Court

97 Tomhannock Road

Valley Falls, NY 12185

Phone: (518) 753-4222

Fax: (518) 753-6160

Poestenkill Town Court

38 Davis Drive

PO Box 164

Poestenkill, NY 12140

Phone: (518) 283-5100

Fax: (518) 283-8821

Sand Lake Town Court

8428 NY 66

PO Box 273

Sand Lake, NY 12153

Phone: (518) 674-2026 ext. 123

Fax: (518) 674-5066

Schaghticoke Town Court

290 Northline Drive

Melrose, NY 12121

Phone: (518) 753-6915

Fax: (518) 753-4374

Schodack Justice Court

265 Schuurman Road

Castleton, NY 12033

Phone: (518) 477-9390

Fax: (518) 477-2546

Stephentown Town Court

26 Grange Hall Road

Stephentown, NY 12168

Phone: (518) 733-5636 ext. 5

Fax: (518) 733-9057

Criminal Records Access in Rensselaer County

The New York State Office of Administration handles requests for criminal history records. To request such records, record seekers must complete an application form and submit it online or offline to this address:

Unified Court System

Office of Court Administration,

Criminal History Record Search Unit

25 Beaver Street,

New York, NY 10004,

CHRS@nycourts.gov

The agency charges $95 per criminal history request. You may also conduct criminal history searches by submitting an application form to the county clerk’s office at this address:

Rensselaer County Clerk

105 Third Street

Troy, NY 12180.

In contrast, criminal case records fall under the jurisdiction of the county clerk’s office. Record seekers may obtain the record by submitting a written request to the clerk’s office at this address:

Rensselaer County Clerk

105 Third Street

Troy, NY 12180

Rensselaer County Probate Records

The Rensselaer County courts oversee probate cases, such as the administration of wills, estates, and trusts. Such records may include confidential information, which is restricted from unauthorized access. Examples of confidential probate information are social security numbers, bank statements, and personal details of minors.

Record seekers may find probate court records in Rensselaer County by submitting a mail or in-person request to the county clerk’s office. For in-person access to the record, record seekers must visit the clerk at this location:

105 3rd Street,

Troy, NY 12180,

Phone: (518) 270-4080,

Fax: (518) 271-7998

In contrast, record seekers must submit a written request to obtain probate records via mail. The request must include specific data about the case, such as the case party name, number, and filing year.

Rensselaer County Family Court Records

Rensselaer County family court records reveal information on family-type cases heard in the county’s courts. Cases under the courts’ jurisdiction include divorce, custody, adoption, and support matters.

The New York eCourt platform allows online searches for family court records. To view records on the platform, record seekers must fill in relevant information like case party name, number, status, and filing year. Alternatively, the Rensselaer County Clerk’s Office allows in-person and mail-in requests for family court records. Record seekers must provide a written request and submit it to the clerk’s office at this address:

105 3rd Street,

Troy, NY 12180,

Phone: (518) 270-4080,

Fax: (518) 271-7998

Federal Court Records in Rensselaer County

Federal cases in Rensselaer County fall under the jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the District of New York. The court handles federal cases, such as bankruptcy, drug trafficking, and civil rights violations.

Record seekers can find federal court records by conducting searches on the PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) platform. To view records, record seekers must register an account and enter relevant search details. In contrast, you may obtain physical copies of federal case files by submitting a request to the district court at this address:

Albany

US District Court,

Northern District of New York,

James T. Foley Courthouse,

Suite 509,

445 Broadway,

Albany, NY 12207

Binghampton

US District Court,

Northern District of New York

Binghamton U.S. Courthouse,

15 Henry Street,

Binghamton, NY 13901

Plattsburgh

US District Court,

Northern District of New York,

The Gateway Building,

14 Durkee Street,

Plattsburgh, NY 12901

Syracuse

US District Court

Northern District of New York,

James M. Hanley Federal Building & U.S. Courthouse,

100 S. Clinton Street,

Syracuse, NY 13261

Utica

US District Court,

Northern District of New York,

Alexander Pirnie Federal Building & U.S. Courthouse,

10 Broad Street,

Utica, NY 13501