Court records for Steuben County, New York, are available through several channels. SteubenCourt.us allows quick access to public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be searched through official resources of the New York State court system, including the New York eCourts portal, directly at the County Clerk's Office, or through public terminals installed in court buildings. Below is a practical guide to the court system, hearing calendar, obtaining documents, and paying fees.
Steuben Court System & Jurisdictions
Several courts operate in the county, each with its own jurisdiction. Understanding this structure will help you immediately refer to the necessary registry.
- County Court — handles felony-level criminal cases and civil claims where the dispute amount exceeds the limit of local courts. This is where the county's most serious criminal proceedings are conducted.
- Supreme Court (7th Judicial District) — the state's general jurisdiction court. Divorces, real estate disputes, complex civil claims, and equity cases are handled here.
- Surrogate's Court — equivalent to a probate court. Deals with wills, estate management, guardianship, and adoption.
- Family Court — cases involving child custody, alimony, protective orders, juvenile delinquency, and paternity recognition.
- City Courts (Hornell, Corning) — minor criminal cases (misdemeanors), traffic violations, and civil claims up to $15,000.
- Town and Village Justice Courts — over 30 local courts throughout the county. They handle minor offenses, traffic violations, and civil claims up to $3,000 (small claims — up to $5,000).
State-level criminal records are maintained by the Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS). To find a person in custody in a state correctional facility, use the DOCCS inmate lookup. For locating individuals in local jails (county jails), there is the Commission of Correction locator.
Steuben Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
The schedule of hearings depends on the specific court.
- New York State eCourts Portal — the New York State Unified Court System (nycourts.gov) website hosts the calendars for the Supreme Court and County Court. You can view hearings for today, tomorrow, and the current week by specifying Steuben County.
- City Courts — the courts of Corning and Hornell publish their own schedules. These can usually be found on the respective city websites or obtained by calling the clerk's office.
- Town and Village Justice Courts — local court schedules are most often available only by phone or in person, as most do not have online calendars.
For criminal cases where the defendant is in custody, the Steuben County Sheriff's Office can provide information about the date of the next hearing. Note: Family Court and Surrogate's Court maintain separate calendars, and access to them may be restricted due to case confidentiality.
How to Get a Copy of a Steuben Court Document
The County Clerk's Office stores civil and criminal cases for County Court and Supreme Court. Surrogate's Court and Family Court maintain their own archives.
Certified vs. Uncertified Copies
An uncertified copy is a regular photocopy suitable for review. A certified copy contains the official seal and signature of the clerk, confirming its authenticity. A certified version is usually required for submission to another court, government agencies, or immigration procedures.
How to Order
- In Person — visit the Steuben County Clerk's Office in Bath. Bring identification and know the case number or full name of the party.
- By Mail — send a written request specifying the case, type of document (certified/uncertified), and return address. Include a check or money order for the appropriate amount.
- Online — through the New York eCourts portal, you can view and download some documents. Not all cases are available remotely — older records are sometimes stored only in paper form.
Steuben County Clerk's Office
Family Court cases are generally closed to public access. Obtaining copies from such cases requires a court order or participant status in the proceedings.
Steuben Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees are set according to CPLR § 8019 and the New York State Unified Court System fee schedule. Below are approximate amounts — exact rates should be confirmed with the clerk's office, as they may change.
| Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Registry search (by name, up to 2 years) | $5.00 |
| Registry search (each additional 2 years or part thereof) | $5.00 |
| Document copy (per page) | $0.65 |
| Document certification | $1.25 per document |
| Certified copy with County Clerk's seal | $5.00 (first page) + $1.25 for each additional |
| Exemplified copy (double certification) | Additional fee — check with the clerk's office |
Payment is accepted in cash, check, or money order payable to "Steuben County Clerk." Some clerk's offices also accept credit and debit cards — it's best to confirm in advance by phone.
For state-level criminal history checks through DCJS, separate fees apply, set by the Division of Criminal Justice Services. A request for your own criminal record (record review) is submitted directly to DCJS, not through the County Clerk.