Common Questions About Kings County Court Records
How do I look up a Kings County civil court case?
Use WebCivil Supreme for civil Supreme Court cases in Brooklyn. Search by index number if you have it. The format is NNNNNN/YYYY. If you do not have the number, switch to a party, attorney, or firm search. Limit the search to Kings County so the list stays short. Statewide searches run slower and can pull same-number cases from other counties. For full search steps and the field table, see the court records page.
Does WebCivil Supreme include every Brooklyn case?
No. The official state FAQ says WebCivil Supreme leaves out Article 81 Mental Hygiene cases and sealed cases. It does cover civil Supreme Court records statewide and refreshes Kings County data four times a day. Older coverage varies by county. Kings may hold records from before 1986 if they were active when the system came online. To track a case over time, also check court dockets.
How do I find a Kings County criminal court date?
Use WebCrims if you know the name or docket number. A name search needs the first three letters of the last name and the first two of the first name. A case-number search uses the full docket, such as CR-######-YYSU. WebCrims does not show warrants, finished cases, or sealed cases. It is for upcoming dates only. See arrest records for more on Brooklyn criminal case lookups.
Where are felony cases handled in Brooklyn?
Kings County Supreme Court Criminal Term at 320 Jay Street handles felony cases. These are cases where a sentence over one year may be imposed. The Criminal Term phone line is 347-296-1076. The courthouse sits near the Marriott Hotel at Jay Street and Tech Place. For the full court profile and the divisions it runs, visit the Supreme Court page.
Where do I get a certified Supreme Court record?
Start with the Kings County Clerk at 360 Adams Street, Room 189. The Clerk keeps Supreme Court case records and certifies Supreme Court documents. The Record Room is Room 079. The main phone line is 347-404-9772. The free state portals do not issue certified copies, so the copy must come from the issuing court or clerk. See the Kings County Clerk page for hours and request steps.
Are Kings County court records requested through FOIL?
Usually no. The Unified Court System FOIL page says court case records are not subject to FOIL. They fall under Judiciary Law § 255 instead. FOIL covers court-system administrative records and other agency records. For case files, go to the clerk or the court records room. For the full open-records framework, see the public records page.
How do I search Kings County probate records?
Use WebSurrogate at websurrogates.nycourts.gov. It supports Name Search, File Search, Old Index Search, Index Book Pages, and Will Search. It is free and shows public estate-file data and documents where available. Restricted files stay blocked under Surrogate's Court rules. The system only links to document images filed on or after February 19, 2014. More detail is on the Surrogate's Court page.
Where is Kings County Surrogate's Court?
It is at 2 Johnson Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201. The phone line is 347-404-9700. The court is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:45 PM. On Wednesday it is open 9:00 AM to noon. It closes for lunch from 1 PM to 2 PM. Before you file, search the decedent's name on WebSurrogate to see if a file exists. Hours and filing rules are on the Surrogate's Court page.
How do I find someone in NYC jail custody?
Use the NYC DOC Person in Custody Lookup. It shows the current location of a person in DOC custody plus basic case data. It is not for people in police custody, state prison, or federal custody. Note that 48 hours or more can pass between arrest and data entry. For the search steps and what each profile shows, see the inmate records page.
How do release notifications work in Brooklyn?
NYC VINE gives free, 24-hour custody info and automated release or transfer alerts for NYC DOC. Call 888-846-3469 to register. VINE checks DOC status changes about every quarter hour. It then calls registered users once a release or transfer is entered. VINE does not track police lockups, state prisons, or federal detention. For more on tracking releases and reentry, see the released inmates page.
Is there a Kings County active warrant search?
No official public active warrant search was found. WebCrims does not show warrants. The Criminal Term Records Room keeps warrant files and the Warrant Clerk. The NYC Sheriff handles civil and court-order arrest warrants and may require an original or certified warrant, copies, an intake sheet, and a fee. For what to do about a possible warrant, see the warrant records page.
Where are divorces filed in Kings County?
Only Supreme Court handles divorce in New York. In Kings County, divorce cases are Supreme Court Civil Term matrimonial matters at 360 Adams Street. Uncontested divorce forms and steps are posted by New York Courts. A plaintiff must meet residency and grounds rules first. Marriage records are a separate matter and go through the City Clerk. See the marriage and divorce records page for both.
Are Kings County Family Court records public?
Not broadly. Family Court Act § 166 says Family Court records are not open to indiscriminate public inspection. The court may allow inspection in its discretion. Authorized agencies or parties may get access under set rules. Many child support, custody, abuse, and adoption records stay confidential. For court contacts and the services it offers, see the Family Court page.
What Kings County criminal records are sealed automatically?
Some criminal records seal by statute. CPL § 160.50 covers favorable terminations. CPL § 160.55 seals many violations and traffic infractions, with exceptions. CPL § 160.59 allows petition-based sealing of certain convictions after ten years. Family, juvenile, and adoption records have their own confidentiality rules. To read how sealing affects what shows up, see the arrest records page.
Which court handles a Brooklyn traffic ticket?
It depends on the type. Most New York City moving violations route through the state DMV Traffic Violations Bureau, not the regular criminal court. The court traffic record and the state driver record are two different files. A DUI or DWI is a criminal matter and follows a different path. For the search portals, fees, and how those records differ, see the traffic court records page.
Why does the same person show up in several systems?
Different offices keep different records. One arrest can create police records, a court docket, DOC custody data, VINE alerts, and DA prosecution files. After sentencing, state or federal custody records may follow. A divorce makes Supreme Court records, while a marriage certificate sits with the City Clerk. To start with a name and find the right portal, the court records page maps each one.
Still Have Questions?
For the right office, see the Kings County Clerk. For broader access rules, see public records. For records-by-topic, browse court records, criminal records, inmate records, warrant records, marriage and divorce, or probate.