Erie County Clerk of Courts (NY): Case Search & Records

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Erie County, New York Court Records Guide

Erie County Clerk of Courts (NY): Case Search & Records

In New York, the office most people search as the “Erie County Clerk of Courts” is officially the Erie County Clerk. This office serves as the Clerk for the Supreme and County Courts of Erie County and maintains court-related papers, civil action files, closed criminal records, judgments, liens, land records, business filings, and other official records.

This guide explains how to search Erie County court records, when to use the Erie County Clerk’s online public records search, when to use NYSCEF or New York eCourts, how to request copies, where the Buffalo office is located, and which records are not handled by the County Clerk.

Search Erie County Clerk Records Search NYSCEF Cases New York eCourts

Independent guide last reviewed September 2026. Always confirm current fees, access rules, office hours, and filing instructions on the official Erie County Clerk and New York Courts websites before visiting, filing, or paying.

Quick Facts: Erie County Clerk of Courts / Erie County Clerk

Official office name Erie County Clerk.
County Clerk Michael P. Kearns is listed as Erie County Clerk.
Main office Old County Hall, 92 Franklin Street, Buffalo, NY 14202.
Office hours Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; complete filing documents should be ready by 4:15 p.m.
General phone 716-858-8785.
Record room / copy requests 716-858-8785.
Supreme and County Court building 25 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14202.
Court phone New York Courts list 716-845-9300 for Erie County Supreme / County Court.
Important local distinction: Erie County Clerk records, NYSCEF e-filed case records, and New York eCourts search tools can all matter. Erie County says users may need to search both the County Clerk system and NYSCEF because not every case type is handled the same way online.

Records Kept by the Erie County Clerk

The Erie County Clerk maintains a wide range of public records. These include court-related documents for Supreme and County Courts, deeds, mortgages, assignments, satisfactions, judgments, liens, business filings, and other official documents.

The Clerk’s official records search is indexed by party name, document type, and recording information. It is not a property-address search. If you only know the address of a property, first use Erie County real property tools to identify the owner name, then return to the Clerk’s records search.

Official records guideRecords Kept by the Erie County Clerk

After opening this link:

  1. Review the list of record types maintained by the Clerk.
  2. Check whether the record type has online index availability and online image availability.
  3. If you only have a property address, use the real property parcel search first to identify the owner.
  4. Return to the Clerk records system and search by name, document type, or recording details.
  5. For records without online images, use the copy request process or contact the Clerk’s record room.
Address-search warning: the Erie County Clerk’s Official Records Search is not designed as a public property-address search. Use owner names, document details, recording dates, book/page, or clerk file information whenever possible.

NYSCEF, eCourts, and Erie County E-Filing

Erie County Supreme Court uses mandatory electronic filing for many case types. Erie County Clerk guidance explains that cases commenced by e-filing after April 3, 2012 are available only through NYSCEF, while older or non-e-filed items may still require the County Clerk’s records system.

New York eCourts is also useful when you need case information, WebCivil, WebCriminal, WebFamily, eTrack case notifications, or statewide court lookup tools. NYSCEF is the document-filing and e-filed case-document system; eCourts is broader case-information access.

Official e-filingNYSCEF: New York State Courts Electronic Filing

After opening this link:

  1. Choose the case search or guest search option if you only need to look up an e-filed case.
  2. Search by index number, party name, attorney name, or case details where the system allows.
  3. Select Erie County and the correct court when narrowing the search.
  4. Open the matching case and review available document lists and case information.
  5. If the case is not in NYSCEF, search the Erie County Clerk official records system as well.

Official court search toolsNew York Courts eCourts

After opening this link:

  1. Choose the tool that matches your case type, such as WebCivil Supreme, WebCivil Local, WebCriminal, WebFamily, or eTrack.
  2. Search by case number, party name, attorney, court, or county where available.
  3. Use eTrack if you want case activity notifications for eligible cases.
  4. Contact the court directly if the information shown appears wrong, incomplete, or outdated.

Official Erie e-filing noteErie County Clerk Court Records / Filing

After opening this link:

  1. Read the Erie County Clerk’s explanation about mandatory e-filing.
  2. Pay special attention to the April 2012 e-filing transition notes.
  3. If your case began after the e-filing change, search NYSCEF first.
  4. If you cannot find the record in NYSCEF, search the County Clerk system or contact the Clerk’s Office.

How to Request Erie County Court Records and Copies

To request a plain or certified copy in person, the Erie County Clerk directs users to the appropriate record area. Closed criminal record copy requests are handled through the Actions & Proceedings Office at 92 Franklin Street, Buffalo, NY, generally between 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays.

Before requesting copies, search online first and write down the index number, book/page, clerk file number, party names, record type, and date. The more precise your request is, the easier it is for staff to locate the right file.

For plain or certified copies Visit the appropriate records area or submit a clear written request using the Clerk’s guidance.
For closed criminal records Use the Actions & Proceedings Office at 92 Franklin Street during posted copy-request hours.
For filed/recorded instruments Search online first, then use book/page, instrument number, or document details in your request.
For e-filed Supreme Court records Check NYSCEF first because many post-transition records are available only through the state e-filing system.

Official copy rulesGeneral Rules for Requesting Information

After opening this link:

  1. Start with the Official Online Records Public Search, as the Clerk recommends.
  2. Find the document details needed for a request, such as book/page, index number, document type, or party names.
  3. Review the in-person request instructions for plain or certified copies.
  4. For closed criminal records, follow the Actions & Proceedings Office instructions.
  5. Use FOIL only when the record is not already available through public search or normal copy-request channels.
Practical copy tip: ask for “certified” only when a court, agency, title company, employer, bank, or attorney specifically requires a certified copy. A plain copy may be enough for personal review.

Erie County Clerk Google Map, Address, Hours, and Court Locations

The Erie County Clerk’s Office is located in Old County Hall at 92 Franklin Street in Buffalo. The nearby Erie County Supreme Court and County Court building is listed by the New York Courts at 25 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14202.

Erie County Clerk’s Office

Address: Old County Hall, 92 Franklin Street, Buffalo, NY 14202

General phone: 716-858-8785

Office hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Filing note: If putting documents “on file,” the office says completed documents should be ready and you should be in line by 4:15 p.m.

Best for: County Clerk records, copy requests, filing and recording questions, land records, judgments, liens, business records, and Clerk-maintained court records.

Open Erie County Clerk in Google Maps

Erie County Clerk

Old County Hall
92 Franklin Street
Buffalo, NY 14202

Phone: 716-858-8785

Use for Clerk records, copies, filed instruments, judgments, liens, land records, certificates, and official record questions.

Erie County Supreme Court

Erie County Court Building
25 Delaware Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14202

Phone: 716-845-9300

Use for Supreme Court court operations, judge parts, courtroom questions, and court-specific instructions.

Erie County Court

Erie County Court Building
25 Delaware Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14202

Phone: 716-845-9300

Use for County Court operations, felony matters, limited civil authority, and court-contact questions.

Official contact pageErie County Clerk Contact Information

After opening this link:

  1. Confirm office hours and holiday closures before visiting.
  2. Choose the correct phone option for Customer Service, Land Records, General Information, or other Clerk services.
  3. Use the online question form for non-urgent questions when appropriate.
  4. Prepare the record type, party name, case or index number, and document details before contacting staff.

Civil Actions, Index Numbers, Divorce, and Supreme / County Court Records

Civil actions filed in Erie County use index numbers to identify the file. The Erie County Clerk states that index numbers are assigned only to actions and proceedings issued by the New York State Supreme Court or Erie County Courts.

If you do not know the index number, the Clerk may search by name for a fee based on each two-year period and each individual name. For uncontested divorce packets, Erie County Clerk guidance points users to court resources and New York State divorce forms.

Official civil recordsErie County Clerk Civil Actions

After opening this link:

  1. Read how civil actions and index numbers are handled.
  2. Use the index number on every filing, copy request, or search request when available.
  3. If you do not know the index number, review the Clerk’s search-fee instructions.
  4. For divorce forms, use the New York Courts divorce-form link provided by the Clerk.
  5. For active court-date questions, contact the court or use eCourts tools rather than relying only on Clerk records.

Official court locationErie County Supreme Court

After opening this link:

  1. Use this page for court location, hours, judge parts, clerk phone numbers, and courtroom information.
  2. Check whether your issue belongs in Supreme Court, County Court, Surrogate’s Court, City Court, Town Court, or Village Court.
  3. For document filing and record copies, return to the Erie County Clerk or NYSCEF where appropriate.

Land Records, Deeds, Mortgages, Judgments, and Liens

The Erie County Clerk records and maintains many land and legal records, including deeds, mortgages, assignments, satisfactions, judgments, liens, and other recorded instruments. This is separate from a full legal title search and separate from property-tax billing.

If you need to locate a deed or land record and do not know the owner name, first identify the owner through a real property parcel search. Then use the Erie County Clerk’s official records search by party name, document type, book/page, or other recording details.

Official deed guidanceHow to Record a Deed in Erie County

After opening this link:

  1. Read the Clerk’s recording-format warning before preparing or mailing a deed.
  2. Confirm that the deed has original signatures and notarization where required.
  3. Check that the legal description and party names/addresses are complete.
  4. Review the fee page for recording, cover page, page-count, transfer-tax, and form-related costs.
  5. Consult an attorney or title professional if you are changing ownership, transferring property, or correcting a deed.
Legal caution: Clerk staff can examine documents for recording format, but they cannot rewrite a deed, change document language, decide ownership, or give legal advice about title.

Erie County Clerk Fees, Searches, Copies, and Filing Costs

Fees depend on the type of record, filing, certificate, search, copy, recording, or service. Always check the official schedule before mailing payment, especially for court searches, deed recording, certificates, and passport applications.

$5.00 Certificate of search of court records for each name and record type, excluding the search fee.
$5.00 Issuing certain certificates not otherwise provided by CPLR Article 80.
$10.00 Certificate of exemplification, exclusive of certification.
$45.00 + $5/page Common recording structure for many recorded documents, with county cover page plus per-page fee.
$50.00 example The Clerk lists a one-page recorded document example as $50, before other applicable forms or taxes.
$5.00 / $10.00 Digital or manual search fees may apply by two-year period, name, and document type.
$35.00 Passport execution fee to the County Clerk, separate from Department of State fees.
Confirm first Copies, certifications, e-filed documents, court searches, and record requests may have additional rules.

Official fee scheduleErie County Clerk Schedule of Fees

After opening this link:

  1. Find the correct section: court certificates, searches, deeds, recordings, notaries, passports, or other services.
  2. Calculate page counts and cover-page charges if recording a document.
  3. Check whether additional state forms, real estate transfer tax, or surcharge rules apply.
  4. Confirm who the check or money order should be payable to before mailing.
  5. Call the Clerk before sending payment if the document type or fee total is uncertain.

Passports, Notaries, Business Records, and Other County Clerk Services

Although this page focuses on case search and records, the Erie County Clerk also provides related services such as passport application acceptance, notary-related filings, business certificates, certificates of official character, and public-record copy support.

Passport payments can involve separate payees: one payment to the U.S. Department of State and a separate execution or photo payment to the Erie County Clerk. Always review the passport page before bringing payment.

Official passport pageErie County Clerk Passports

After opening this link:

  1. Review whether your passport task is a new application, minor application, renewal, photo service, or urgent travel issue.
  2. Prepare proof of citizenship, photo ID, passport photo, completed form, and required payments.
  3. Check whether your payment must be made to the Department of State, the Erie County Clerk, or both.
  4. Confirm location and appointment instructions before visiting.

Records That May Need a Different Office

Not every Erie County record belongs with the County Clerk. If the record is a current court appearance, Surrogate’s Court estate matter, Family Court matter, City Court matter, traffic ticket, tax bill, property assessment, or vital record, another office may be the better starting point.

Use Erie County Clerk for

  • Supreme and County Court filings maintained by the County Clerk.
  • Civil action records and index-number searches.
  • Closed criminal record copy requests through Actions & Proceedings.
  • Deeds, mortgages, liens, judgments, satisfactions, and recorded instruments.
  • Business records, notary-related records, certificates, and official recorded documents.

Use another office for

  • Active court calendars, judge parts, courtroom rules, and appearance questions.
  • Surrogate’s Court estate and probate files.
  • Family Court custody, support, and family-case records.
  • City, town, village, or traffic court records not filed with the County Clerk.
  • Birth, death, marriage certificates, property taxes, and assessment records.

Official court directoryErie County Court – New York Courts

After opening this link:

  1. Use this page for County Court location, hours, judge information, and court contact details.
  2. Check whether your case belongs in County Court, Supreme Court, Surrogate’s Court, Family Court, City Court, or a local court.
  3. Use the Erie County Clerk for filed records and copies only after confirming the record belongs with the Clerk.

Before You Search or Request a Record: Practical Checklist

  • Write down the case number, index number, book/page, clerk file number, party names, and approximate filing or recording date.
  • Search the Erie County Clerk Official Records Public Search first for locally maintained Clerk records.
  • Search NYSCEF when the matter is an e-filed Supreme Court case.
  • Use eCourts for broader statewide case information, case tracking, WebCivil, WebCriminal, and WebFamily tools.
  • Call the Erie County Clerk before mailing payment if the fee, record type, or office is unclear.
  • For in-person filing, bring completed documents early enough to meet the Clerk’s posted filing cutoff note.
  • For legal advice, document drafting, title review, or litigation strategy, contact a qualified attorney rather than Clerk staff.
Best user path: start with online search, capture the exact document or case identifiers, then request copies or certificates from the correct Erie County Clerk or New York Courts channel.

Independent Guide and Record-Use Notice

This page is an independent informational guide for Erie County, New York court-record and County Clerk services. It is not the official Erie County Clerk website, and it does not provide legal advice, court representation, official filings, or title opinions.

This website is not a consumer reporting agency. Do not use this guide or linked case-search tools for employment screening, tenant screening, credit decisions, insurance eligibility, or any Fair Credit Reporting Act purpose.

Erie County Clerk of Courts FAQs

1. Is there an Erie County Clerk of Courts in New York?

The official office name is Erie County Clerk. In New York, the County Clerk serves as Clerk for the Supreme and County Courts of Erie County and maintains many court-related records.

2. How do I search Erie County court records online?

Start with the Erie County Clerk Official Records Public Search. For e-filed Supreme Court cases, also search NYSCEF. For statewide court case information, use New York eCourts.

3. Where is the Erie County Clerk located?

The Erie County Clerk’s Office is located in Old County Hall at 92 Franklin Street, Buffalo, NY 14202, on the first floor.

4. What is the Erie County Clerk phone number?

The general Erie County Clerk phone number is 716-858-8785. The same number is listed for many customer service, land records, and record-room copy request questions.

5. Why do I need to search both Erie County Clerk records and NYSCEF?

Erie County Clerk guidance explains that many e-filed cases after the April 2012 transition are available only through NYSCEF, while some records and case types may still require the County Clerk system.

6. How do I request a certified copy from the Erie County Clerk?

Search online first, gather the index number or document details, then follow the Clerk’s copy request instructions. Closed criminal record copies are handled through the Actions & Proceedings Office at 92 Franklin Street.

7. Can I search Erie County Clerk records by property address?

The Erie County Clerk states that official records are indexed by party name, document type, and recording information, not by public address search. Use real property parcel tools first if you only know the address.

8. What is an Erie County court index number?

An index number identifies a civil action file in New York Supreme Court or Erie County Court. It should be used on filings, copy requests, and record searches whenever available.

9. Does the Erie County Clerk handle deeds and mortgages?

Yes. The Erie County Clerk records and maintains many land records, including deeds, mortgages, assignments, satisfactions, judgments, liens, and related recorded documents.

10. Is this the official Erie County Clerk website?

No. This is an independent guide. For official records, fees, office hours, court filing rules, and copy requests, use the official Erie County Clerk and New York Courts links provided in this article.

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