eCourts NY

Remember when finding eCourts NY information meant endless trips to courthouses, dealing with piles of paper, and long waits? It was tough! Now, thanks to eCourts NY, things are much simpler. This system, run by the New York State courts, has changed how people interact with the law.

eCourts is like a central online hub. eCourt brings together many services to make things quicker, easier to access, and more open like NY case status. Whether you’re a lawyer, someone representing yourself in court, a student, or just curious about how the courts work, this guide will help you understand and use the e Courts NY system.

eCourts NY Online Tools

NYS unified court system is strong because it has many special online tools for NY case lookup , each made for different needs within the New York State court system.

Here is details of every tool

eCourts NY

WebCivil Local

WebCivil Local lets you find information about civil cases from all the local Civil Courts in New York State. This includes cases from 61 City Courts, and the District Courts in Nassau and Suffolk Counties, along with the New York City Civil Courts. You can easily look for cases using:

WebCivil Supreme

WebCivil Supreme gives you full information on both active (still going) and disposed (finished) Civil Supreme Court cases from all 62 counties in New York State. Just like WebCivil Local, you can search by:

There’s even a Mobile version of WebCivil Supreme, so you can check information on your phone or tablet.

WebCriminal (WebCrims)

Web Criminal or Webcrims , which used to be known as WebCrims, provides key details on criminal cases that are still waiting for a decision and have future court dates in certain New York State criminal courts. You can look for cases by:

There’s also a  WebCriminal Mobile version of WebCriminal for easy access on your device.

WebFamily

WebFamily is made for finding information on active Family Court cases in all 62 counties of New York State. It also includes cases from Integrated Domestic Violence (IDV) Courts in counties that have them. You can search for cases by:

eTrack

eTrack is a very helpful service that automatically sends you email updates when something new happens in cases you want to follow. You add cases to your “Case Notification list.” This service works with and lets you follow:

  • Active Civil Supreme Court cases from all 62 counties.
  • Cases from all available Local Civil Courts.
  • Criminal cases. Reminder Options: You can also set up reminders for court appearances 1, 7, 15, or 30 days before they happen, helping you stay organized.

New York State eCourts System

Court Type / System ComponentE-Filing Status (Mandatory/Consensual/Limited)General County CoverageKey Information You Can Find
WebCivil SupremeN/A (Search Tool)All 62 CountiesActive/Disposed Civil Supreme cases, Index Numbers, Party Names, Attorney Names, Justice Assigned, Basic Docket Entries (list of filings/actions).
WebCivil LocalN/A (Search Tool)All 62 Counties (City Courts, District Courts, NYC Civil Court)Active/Disposed Local Civil cases, Index Numbers, Party Names, Attorney Names, Basic Docket Entries.
WebCrimsN/A (Search Tool)Limited Counties (13 for Superior, NYC for Summons cases)Pending Criminal cases, Defendant Names, Case Numbers, Future Appearance Dates.
WebFamilyN/A (Search Tool)All 62 CountiesActive Family Court cases, File/Docket Numbers, Attorney Names, Court Calendars.
WebHousingN/A (Search Tool)NYC Counties Only (Bronx, Kings, New York, Queens, Richmond)Pending Landlord-Tenant cases, Index Numbers, Party Names.
NYSCEF (“Search as Guest”)Mandatory/Consensual (where e-filing is active)Varies significantly by Court Type & CountyActual E-Filed Documents (e.g., Complaints, Orders, Decisions), Detailed Docket Entries for e-filed cases.
Note: Small per-page fee for document downloads.

What is eCourts?

eCourts is the main online system run by the New York State courts. It’s the key place for everyone, the public, lawyers, and others , to get important court information and services.

Its main job is to let people see case details, find out future court dates, and help with filing and tracking documents online. The big goals of eCourts NY are to make court work more modern, much faster, easier for everyone to use, more open, and to cut down on the amount of paper used.

How eCourts NY Started

New York State Unified Court System started its journey to digital courts in the early 2000s. The idea was to make court processes smoother and easier for people to access.

A big step happened in 2005 with the launch of WebCrims (now called WebCriminal). This was one of the first tools that let people find criminal case information online.

Since then, the system has kept growing and adding more court types and features. This shows how the courts are always working to use new technology and meet the needs of users across the state.

This digital infrastructure allows for:

  • Electronic Filing (E-Filing): The submission of legal documents to the County Clerk and various courts (including Supreme Court, Surrogate’s Court, and Court of Claims) over the internet.
  • Electronic Service: The serving of legal papers on other parties in a case electronically, eliminating the need for traditional mail or personal delivery in e-filed cases.
  • Case Information Access: A public-facing portal to search for case information, track case status, and view available public documents.
  • Case Tracking: Features like “eTrack” that provide email updates and appearance reminders for specific case types.

NYSCEF (File Documents Online)

NYSCEF (New York State Courts Electronic Filing) is the special system for sending legal documents to the court online and for sending them to other people involved in the case electronically. It’s a key part of the eCourts NY digital services.

NYSCEF handles the online filing of court papers. The “Web” tools (like WebCivil, WebCriminal) are mainly for looking at case information. This means they work together to create a full digital system.

NYSCEF makes it easy to upload documents (usually in PDF files), pay court fees online, send documents to others electronically, and lets authorized users see documents that have been filed online. (For more details, look for specific articles on NYSCEF.)

How to Find Information on NY eCourts Portals

Finding what you need on the eCourts NY tools is designed to be straightforward, with different ways to help you locate case information.

General Search Methods

Across the different “Web” tools (WebCivil Local, WebCivil Supreme, WebCriminal, WebFamily), you’ll find similar ways to search:

  • Understanding Case IDs: Every case has a special ID. This could be an Index Number (for civil cases), Case Number (for criminal cases), Summons Number, File Number, or Docket Number (for Family Court). Knowing this ID is usually the quickest way to find a case.
  • Searching by Party Name: You can search for cases by typing in the name of a person or group involved, like the Defendant (accused), Plaintiff (the one suing), or Petitioner (the one asking the court for something).
  • Searching by Attorney/Firm Name: Lawyers and law firms can often search for all cases connected to a specific attorney or their firm.
  • Searching by Judge/Justice or Court Part: This lets you see calendars or cases assigned to a particular judge, justice, or a specific section of the court.

Note: You can only Find information if you have any case number or id otherwise you have to register your case.

How to Search Each NYS eCourts Tool

To start your search:

  • Pick the Right Tool: Choose the correct “Web” tool from the eCourts NY list based on the type of case you’re looking for (e.g., civil, criminal, family).
  • Type in Your Search Details: Enter the information you know into the search boxes. Be as specific as you can to get better results.
  • Click Search: Hit the “Search” or “Submit” button.
  • Look at the Results: The system will show cases that match your search. You can then click on a case to see more details.

Tips for Better Searches:

  • If searching by name gives too many results, try adding a middle initial or a more exact court location if the tool allows.
  • Always double-check the type of case and the court involved to make sure you’re searching in the right place.

Key Information Available

The NYS eCourts tools offer a lot of information, making court records much easier to get to

When you access the New York State eCourts portal as a member of the public (meaning, without a specific e-filing attorney or party account), you’re primarily looking to find information about cases. Here’s a breakdown of the key information you can expect to find:

Case Existence and Basic Details

  • Confirmation of Case Filing: You can determine if a particular case has been filed in the New York State court system.
  • Case Status: Is the case active, disposed (closed), or pending?
  • Court Type and Location: Which court (e.g., Civil Supreme, Family, Criminal, Civil) and county is the case in?
  • Index Number / Case Number: The unique identifier for the case. This is often the most efficient way to search.

Parties Involved

  • Names of Litigants: You can find the names of plaintiffs, defendants, petitioners, respondents, or other parties involved in the case.
  • Names of Attorneys: The names of the law firms and individual attorneys representing the parties.

Case Events and History (Docket Entries)

Docket Sheet: This is a chronological record of all official actions taken in the case. It’s a summary of the case’s journey through the court. Key information on the docket includes:

  • Date of Filing: When each document or action occurred.
  • Document Type: What was filed (e.g., Complaint, Answer, Motion, Order, Affidavit, Stipulation, Judgment).
  • Brief Description of Action: A short summary of the court’s action or the nature of the filing.
  • Judge Assigned: The name of the judge presiding over the case or who issued a specific order.

Court Appearances and Calendars

  • Scheduled Hearings/Appearances: Dates, times, and locations (courtroom/part) for upcoming court appearances, conferences, or trials.
  • Past Appearance Dates: A record of previous court dates.
  • Court Calendars: You can often generate daily or weekly calendars for specific judges, court parts, or attorneys to see what cases are scheduled.

Access to Public Documents (with potential fees)

View Actual Documents (NYSCEF “Search as Guest”): For cases that are e-filed through the NYSCEF system, you can often view and download the actual digital copies of publicly available documents. This is a significant feature. Examples include:

  • Complaints and Petitions
  • Answers and Responses
  • Motions and Supporting Affidavits
  • Court Orders
  • Decisions
  • Judgments
  • Notices
Important Note on Fees: While you can view the list of documents and their docket entries for free, downloading the full PDF versions of documents as a “guest” through NYSCEF typically incurs a small per-page fee (e.g., $0.10 per page), often with a cap per document.

Case Disposition

Outcome of the Case: For disposed cases, the docket will often indicate the final outcome, such as “Dismissed,” “Judgment Signed,” “Settled,” or “Discontinued.”

Search Capabilities

The NY eCourts portal provides various ways to search for the above information, including:

  • By Index Number / Case Number: The most direct and accurate way.
  • By Party Name: Searching by the name of a plaintiff, defendant, etc.
  • By Attorney Name / Firm Name: To find cases handled by a specific legal professional.
  • By Judge Name: To see cases assigned to a particular judge.
  • By Date Range: To narrow down searches by filing date or appearance date.
  • By County and Court Type: To focus your search on a specific jurisdiction.

What e Courts NY Cannot Do

Even though eCourts NY is very helpful, it’s good to know what it cannot do so you know what to expect:

  • What you WON’T find online:

Sealed Cases: Cases that a court has ordered to be kept secret are not available to the public.

Certain Private Records: Information that is private by law or court order, like some records for young people (juveniles) or very sensitive personal details, will not be shown.

Full Case Documents: While you can see summaries, you usually can’t view or download all the actual documents filed in a case directly online if you’re a public user. For full documents, you might need to go to the courthouse.

  • Differences for Public vs. Lawyers/Parties: Systems like NYSCEF (for online filing) give lawyers and people directly involved in a case more complete online access to documents. This is different from what the general public can see on the eCourts “Web” tools.
  • Information Depth: The tools mainly give summaries and key facts. For very detailed information or a full understanding of a case, you often need to contact the court directly or talk to a lawyer.
  • Coverage May Vary: While the system covers a lot, not every single court or type of case in New York State might be fully included, or have all historical information available on eCourts NY.
  • Not an Official Record: The information on eCourts NY is for general knowledge. For official legal purposes or the most exact and up-to-date information, you should always rely on official court records by contacting the court directly.

Benefits of NY e Court

The New York State eCourts system, particularly through its core component NYSCEF (New York State Courts Electronic Filing), offers a multitude of benefits for all stakeholders in the legal process: attorneys, litigants (including self-represented individuals), court staff, and the general public. These benefits stem from the fundamental shift from a paper-based system to a digital one.

  • 24/7 Accessibility: File documents and access case information anytime, anywhere with an internet connection. This eliminates the need to rush to a courthouse before closing or travel long distances.
  • Increased Efficiency & Time Savings:

  • Instantaneous Filing: Documents are officially received by the court immediately upon electronic submission, eliminating mail delays or physical queuing.
  • Simultaneous Service: E-filing automatically serves documents on all other registered parties in a case, significantly reducing the time and effort traditionally spent on printing, collating, addressing, and mailing multiple copies.
  • Reduced Administrative Work: Less time spent on paper handling, physical storage, and manual record-keeping.
  • Automated Notifications: Receive immediate email alerts for new filings, orders, judgments, and decisions in your cases, ensuring you’re always up-to-date.
  • Cost Savings:

  • Reduced Printing & Paper Costs: Less need for physical copies, paper, and toner.
  • Lower Postage & Courier Fees: Eliminates the expense of mailing or using courier services for document delivery.
  • Reduced Travel Expenses: Decreases the need for physical trips to the courthouse for filing or information gathering.
  • Simplified Storage: Less physical storage space needed for case files in law offices.
  • Enhanced Transparency & Collaboration:

  • Real-time Case Access: Multiple attorneys or team members can view the electronic case file concurrently from different locations, facilitating collaboration.
  • Clear Docket: The electronic docket provides a clear, comprehensive, and easily navigable history of all case events and filings.
  • Proof of Service: The system maintains a clear record of electronic service.
  • Improved Accuracy & Security:

  • Reduced Human Error: Less chance of misplacing documents or errors in data entry compared to manual processes.
  • Secure Submissions: Documents are uploaded securely. The system also supports confidentiality settings for sensitive documents where court-ordered sealing is in place.
  • Digital Record: Creates a permanent and easily retrievable digital record of all case documents.
  • Convenience:
  • Pay filing fees online via credit or bank card.
  • Easy to learn system with online help and training resources available.
  • Single User ID and Password for use across various authorized courts and case types.

For Litigants (Including Self-Represented):

  • Increased Accessibility: Allows individuals to file documents and access information remotely, anytime, without needing to take time off work or travel to a courthouse. This is particularly beneficial for those in rural areas or with limited mobility.
  • Immediate Access to Records: Once documents are filed electronically, they are generally available online, providing immediate access to case information and documents (subject to public access rules and potential fees for guests).
  • Cost and Time Savings: Similar to attorneys, self-represented litigants save on printing, mailing, and travel costs associated with traditional filing.
  • Simplified Process (with support): While there’s a learning curve, resources like the E-Filing Resource Center and CourtHelp are available to assist unrepresented litigants. The system aims to simplify document submission.
  • Timely Notifications: E-filing provides prompt email notifications of case developments, keeping litigants informed.

For Courts and County Clerks:

  • Streamlined Operations: Automates many manual processes, leading to increased productivity and reduced administrative burden on court staff.
  • Reduced Paper Management: Significantly less paper to process, sort, store, and manage, freeing up valuable physical space.
  • Enhanced Data Management: Centralized digital record-keeping improves the organization, retrieval, and integrity of court documents.
  • Improved Efficiency for Judges: Judges and their law clerks can access case files remotely, anytime, enhancing their ability to manage and administer cases.
  • Cost Savings: Reduced costs associated with paper, printing, storage, and personnel involved in manual processing.
  • Increased Preparedness: A digital system is more resilient during emergencies (like pandemics or natural disasters) that might affect physical access to courthouses and paper documents.

For the General Public:

  • Greater Transparency: Enables the public to easily search for case information, view docket entries, and access publicly available documents, fostering openness and accountability in the judicial system.
  • Easier Information Retrieval: Access to court records is much quicker and more convenient than requesting paper files from a clerk’s office.
  • Stay Informed: The ability to follow cases of interest without direct involvement, including appearance dates and document filings.
  • Environmental Benefits: By reducing the massive amount of paper consumed by litigation, e-filing contributes to a greener, more environmentally responsible justice system.

In essence, eCourts NY is a transformative system that leverages technology to make the judicial process more accessible, efficient, cost-effective, and transparent for everyone involved.

New York State Court System

Knowing how the New York State court system is set up helps you use the eCourts NY tools better. The system has several levels:

  • Court of Appeals: This is the highest court in New York.
  • Appellate Divisions: These are intermediate courts that hear appeals.
  • Supreme Courts: These courts handle major civil and criminal cases. This is where WebCivil Supreme cases come from.
  • County Courts: These courts deal with serious criminal cases (felonies) and some civil matters.
  • Family Courts: These courts handle family issues like child support and custody. This is where WebFamily cases are found.
  • Civil Courts (including NYC Civil Courts, City Courts, District Courts): These courts handle various civil cases, like small claims or landlord-tenant issues. This is where WebCivil Local cases are found.
  • Criminal Courts: These courts handle less serious criminal offenses (misdemeanors). This is where WebCriminal (WebCrims) cases are found.
  • Surrogate’s Courts: These courts deal with wills, estates, and guardianships.
  • Town/Village Courts: These are local courts for minor civil and criminal matters.

Each eCourts tool is made to give you information from its matching court level, making it easier to find what you’re looking for.

Help and Training for eCourts NY

The New York State courts want to make sure everyone can use their online systems well. That’s why they offer different types of help and training:

Free Training Classes: The court system often provides free training sessions. These can include:

  • Online Webinars: Live online classes you can join from your computer, with chances to ask questions.
  • In-Person Classes: Classroom lessons where you get hands-on practice and can talk directly with instructors.
  • Self-Paced Guides: Online manuals, step-by-step instructions, and video lessons you can use anytime at your own speed.

Taking part in these trainings is very important to learn how to use eCourts NY correctly, avoid mistakes, and get the most out of the system.

Contact Info

If you need technical help or have specific questions, you can reach the eCourts support team:

  • Phone Number: (646) 386-3033
  • Fax Number: (212) 401-9146
  • E-mail Address: nyscef@nycourts.gov
  • Address: Office of Court Administration, Attn: E-Filing Resource Center, 25 Beaver Street – 9th Floor, New York, NY 10004
  • Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM

To make sure you have direct access to the most official information, here are key links related to the eCourts NY system:

Best Tips for Using eCourts NY

To get the most out of eCourts NY and make sure your information is correct, follow these tips:

  • Always Double-Check Information: While eCourts NY offers good data, for important legal matters, always confirm details with official court records or talk to a lawyer.
  • Use Training Materials: Take advantage of the free classes, online sessions, and guides offered by the New York State courts to improve your skills.
  • Know What Each Tool Does (and Doesn’t): Understand what information each specific online tool covers and, importantly, what it doesn’t show online. This helps you avoid frustration and find information the right way.
  • Keep Your Login Details Safe: If you have an eTrack or NYSCEF account, protect your username and password to keep your case information private.
  • Tips for Smart Searching: Always use specific case IDs (like Index, Case, or Docket numbers) if you have them, as this gives the most exact results. When searching by name, make sure the spelling is correct.

NYS eCourts List

Albany City CourtElmira City CourtNewburgh City CourtRedhook Community Justice Center
Amsterdam City CourtFulton City CourtNiagara Falls City CourtRensselaer City Court
Auburn City CourtGeneva City CourtNorth Tonawanda City CourtRichmond County Civil Court
Batavia City CourtGlen Cove City CourtNorwich City CourtRochester City Court
Beacon City CourtGlens Falls City CourtOgdensburg City CourtRome City Court
Binghamton City CourtGloversville City CourtOlean City CourtRye City Court
Bronx County Civil CourtHarlem Community Justice CenterOneida City CourtSalamanca City Court
Buffalo City CourtHornell City CourtOneonta City CourtSaratoga Springs City Court
Buffalo City Court ViolationsHudson City CourtOswego City CourtSchenectady City Court
Canandaigua City CourtIthaca City CourtPeekskill City CourtSherrill City Court
Cohoes City CourtJamestown City CourtPlattsburgh City CourtSuffolk County District Court – 1st District
Corning City CourtJohnstown City CourtPort Jervis City CourtSuffolk County District Court – 2nd District
Cortland City CourtKings County Civil CourtPoughkeepsie City CourtSuffolk County District Court – 3rd District
Dunkirk City CourtKingston City CourtQueens County Civil CourtSuffolk County District Court – 4th District
Lackawanna City CourtLittle Falls City CourtLockport City CourtSuffolk County District Court – 5th District
Long Beach City CourtMechanicville City CourtMiddletown City CourtSuffolk County District Court – 6th District
Mt. Vernon City CourtNassau County District Court – 1st DistrictNassau County District Court – 2nd DistrictSyracuse City Court
Nassau County District Court – 3rd DistrictNassau County District Court – 4th DistrictNew Rochelle City CourtTonawanda City Court
New York County Civil CourtTroy City CourtUtica City CourtWatertown City Court
Watervliet City CourtWhite Plains City CourtYonkers City Court

Conclusion

The eCourts NY system is a huge step forward in making the New York State court system easier to use and more open. By putting court information and services online in one place, it has changed how lawyers, people representing themselves, and the public interact with the courts. From checking case statuses and court dates on WebCivil and WebCriminal, to getting automatic updates from eTrack, and filing documents through NYSCEF, the system makes things smoother and more transparent.

Knowing how the different parts of eCourts NY work and how to use them well is key for anyone dealing with the law in New York. We encourage you to explore the official eCourts NY website and its special tools, use the training materials available, and embrace this powerful digital system to make your experience with the New York courts more efficient and informed.

FAQs

eCourts NY is the main online system that lets the public see case information and use various online services (like WebCivil, WebCriminal, eTrack). NYSCEF (New York State Courts Electronic Filing) is a specific part within the larger eCourts system that handles sending legal documents to the court and serving them to others online, mainly for lawyers and parties involved in a case.

You usually file documents through NYSCEF, which is the online filing system connected to the eCourts NY initiative. The “Web” tools (WebCivil, WebCriminal, etc.) are mainly for looking at case information, not for filing new documents.

No, not all court information is available. eCourts NY gives you summaries, lists of events (docket information), and court dates. However, cases that are sealed, some private records, and full, detailed court documents are usually not available to the general public online. You might need to go to the courthouse to get complete records.

Information on the eCourts NY system is generally updated very quickly, often almost right after it’s entered by the court clerk. However, how fast updates appear can sometimes vary depending on the specific court.

Yes, you can use the eTrack service, which is part of the eCourts NY system. eTrack lets you get email notifications when something happens in cases you choose to follow, and it can also send reminders for court appearances.

No, eCourts NY is only for cases within the New York State court system. Federal cases (for example, those heard in U.S. District Courts) are handled by a separate federal online filing system and are not part of eCourts NY.

If you can’t find your case, first make sure you’re using the right online tool (e.g., WebCivil for civil, WebCriminal for criminal) and that your search details (like case number, name spelling) are correct. Also, check if the court and case type are covered by the eCourts system. If you still have trouble, it’s best to contact the specific court directly for help.

Looking at case information and using the search tools on the eCourts NY “Web” portals is generally free. However, there might be official fees for filing documents electronically through NYSCEF, which are usually paid online.