Erie County, NY Courts and Public Records
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This section covers the courts and public records for Erie County, New York. Verified court names, addresses, phone numbers, and judicial officer details are not listed on this page, so confirm them through the official New York courts website at NewYorkCourts.org.
How to Search Erie County Court Records
Have the person's full name, the case number if you know it, and approximate dates ready before you search. Erie County court records are kept by the county court clerk.
Online
Go to NewYorkCourts.org to find the official New York courts website.
Check the site for any current court search tools.
Best for: Finding official court information first
In Person
Ask the county court clerk where the records for your case are kept.
Confirm the office address on NewYorkCourts.org before you visit.
Best for: Records and copies not available online
By Mail or Email
Ask the county court clerk which mail or email channel accepts record requests.
Include the case number and party names if you have them.
Best for: Requests when you cannot visit in person
Search by Name on NewYorkCourts.org
Go to NewYorkCourts.org and enter a full name.
Search across record types without a case number.
Confirm results with the court, since they are not official court records.
Best for: Finding leads without a case number
Erie County Court Statistics (CY 2024)
Erie County's Supreme, County, Family and Surrogate's courts had 47,170 filings and 48,655 dispositions in CY 2024. Supreme Court civil and criminal figures are reported for the county, and the family law, probate, mental health and juvenile rows are estimated (~) from upstate (outside New York City) per-resident rates.
~47,170
Total filings in CY 2024
~48,655
Total dispositions in CY 2024
~761
Filings per judicial position (62 estimated positions)
~+0.6%
Change in total filings vs CY 2023
| Metric | CY 2024 | CY 2023 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Filings | ~47,170 | ~46,903 | ~+0.6% |
| Total Dispositions | ~48,655 | ~49,851 | ~-2.4% |
| Criminal Filings | 1,312 | 1,273 | +3.1% |
| Civil Filings | 7,392 | 6,968 | +6.1% |
| Family Law Filings | ~28,248 | ~28,634 | ~-1.3% |
| Probate Filings | ~8,236 | ~8,223 | ~+0.2% |
| Mental Health Filings | ~1,386 | ~1,195 | ~+16.0% |
| Juvenile Filings | ~596 | ~610 | ~-2.3% |
| Authorized Judicial Positions | ~62 | ~62 | ~0.0% |
Total filings rose 0.6%, and civil filings moved the most (+6.1%).
How Have Court Filings Changed in Erie County?
Total filings in Erie County rose over the last five years, with dispositions moving differently from filings; the Supreme Court civil and criminal parts are reported figures and the rest are estimates (~).
| Fiscal Year | Total Filings | Total Dispositions | YoY Filing Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| CY 2024 | ~47,170 | ~48,655 | ~+0.6% |
| CY 2023 | ~46,903 | ~49,851 | ~+5.9% |
| CY 2022 | ~44,301 | ~44,959 | ~+7.6% |
| CY 2021 | ~41,171 | ~39,061 | ~+12.2% |
| CY 2020 | ~36,709 | ~31,381 | ~-26.0% |
Filings changed +28.5% between CY 2020 and CY 2024, from 36,709 to 47,170. The largest annual change was -26.0% in CY 2020. The latest change of +0.6% was driven mainly by civil filings.
What Types of Cases Are Filed in Erie County?
Family law cases are the largest category in Erie County, at about 59.9% of filings in CY 2024.
| Case Type | Filings CY 2024 | Share of Total | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Family law | ~28,248 | ~59.9% | ~-1.3% |
| Probate | ~8,236 | ~17.5% | ~+0.2% |
| Civil | 7,392 | ~15.7% | +6.1% |
| Mental health | ~1,386 | ~2.9% | ~+16.0% |
| Criminal | 1,312 | ~2.8% | +3.1% |
| Juvenile | ~596 | ~1.3% | ~-2.3% |
Mental health filings grew fastest and juvenile filings fell fastest.
How Does Erie County Compare With New York Overall?
Erie County accounts for about 5.51% of the 856,215 filings counted statewide in CY 2024 on the same basis.
| Metric | Erie County | New York | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total filings | ~47,170 | 856,215 | ~5.51% of statewide filings |
| YoY change in filings | ~+0.6% | +2.2% | Below state (estimate) |
| Filings per judicial position | ~761 | ~657 | Above state (estimate) |
| Dispositions per judicial position equivalent | ~785 | ~636 | Above state (estimate) |
| Criminal share of filings | ~2.8% | 3.7% | Below state (estimate) |
| Civil share of filings | ~15.7% | 20.1% | Below state (estimate) |
| Family law share of filings | ~59.9% | 56.8% | Above state (estimate) |
Compared with the state, Erie County has a lower share of criminal filings and a higher share of family law filings. The county's criminal and civil figures are reported Supreme Court counts, so shares are approximate.
Erie County Crime Statistics (2025)
These are the crimes reported to the FBI in 2025 by the 24 law enforcement agencies in Erie County that reported, added together. For the agencies with both years on file, violent crimes fell 6.6% and property crimes fell 5.6% from 2024.
2,772
Violent crimes in Erie County, 2025
20,394
Property crimes in Erie County, 2025
292.8
Violent crime rate per 100K, Erie County, 2025
-5.7%
Change in total reported crimes vs 2024 (24,195 to 22,815)
| Offense | 2025 | Rate per 100K | 2024 | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 34 | 3.6 | ~36 | ~-5.6% |
| Rape | 249 | 26.3 | ~267 | ~-6.7% |
| Robbery | 585 | 61.8 | ~626 | ~-6.5% |
| Aggravated assault | 1,904 | 201.1 | ~2,039 | ~-6.6% |
| Violent crimes total | 2,772 | 292.8 | ~2,968 | ~-6.6% |
| Burglary | 2,108 | 222.7 | ~2,232 | ~-5.6% |
| Larceny-theft | 15,564 | 1,644.0 | ~16,484 | ~-5.6% |
| Motor vehicle theft | 2,722 | 287.5 | ~2,883 | ~-5.6% |
| Property crimes total | 20,394 | 2,154.1 | ~21,599 | ~-5.6% |
Erie County's violent crime rate of 292.8 per 100K is below the New York rate of 363.7, and its property crime rate of 2,154.1 is above the state's 1,542.3.
Erie County Courthouse Locations
Erie County court proceedings are held at the Erie County Court Building. Check your notice or case paperwork to confirm the courthouse assigned to your case before you go.
| Courthouse | Address | Phone | Verified Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Erie County Court Building | 25 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14202 | 716-845-9301 | See location page |
Addresses and phone numbers come from public directory listings and may change, so confirm them with the clerk before you visit.
Which Court Handles Your Case in Erie County?
In New York, the court that hears a case in Erie County depends on the case type and where it arose, including Supreme Court, County Court, Family Court, Surrogate's Court, and local Town, Village, and City Courts.
| Your Situation | Go To | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic ticket | Town or Village Justice Court, City Court, or the Traffic Violations Bureau | Where the ticket was issued decides the court; the ticket lists it. |
| Parking ticket | The city or village that issued the ticket | Parking tickets are handled by the issuing local agency or parking bureau. |
| Misdemeanor | Local Town, Village, or City Court in Erie County | Misdemeanors are heard in local criminal courts or County Court. |
| Felony | County Court of Erie County or Supreme Court | Felony cases begin in local court and proceed to County Court or Supreme Court. |
| DUI | Town, Village, or City Court in Erie County | DWI misdemeanors are handled locally; felony DWI goes to County Court. |
| Domestic violence | Erie County Family Court or local criminal court | Family Court handles orders of protection; criminal charges go to criminal court. |
| Civil lawsuit | Erie County Supreme Court or local civil court | Smaller claims may go to City, Town, or Village courts. |
| Small claims | Town, Village, or City Court in Erie County | Small claims are heard in the small claims part of the local court. |
| Eviction | City, Town, or Village Court (or Housing Court in New York City) | Landlord-tenant cases are heard by the local court covering the property. |
| Divorce | Erie County Supreme Court | Divorce is filed with the County Clerk and decided in Supreme Court. |
| Child custody or support | Erie County Family Court | Supreme Court may decide these issues when they arise within a divorce. |
| Probate or estate | Erie County Surrogate's Court | Surrogate's Court handles wills and estates. |
| Juvenile case | Erie County Family Court | Family Court hears juvenile delinquency and related matters. |
| Appeal | Appellate Division or Appellate Term | Federal matters go to the U.S. District Court instead. |
Are Erie County Court Records Public?
Access rules for New York court records are not set out on this page. Ask the county court clerk which records are open to the public and which are restricted, and check NewYorkCourts.org for current court rules.
How to Search Erie County Court Records Online
Online case information for Erie County is split across several New York court systems, so the right tool depends on the case type.
- Identify the case type (criminal, traffic, civil, family, probate, or juvenile).
- Pick the official portal that covers that case type and court.
- Search by party name or case number.
- Review the case details, parties, and listed events.
- Request documents that are not online from the clerk of court.
| Case Type | Where to Search | What You'll Find | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal | New York eCourts | Case and appearance information for many criminal courts; local courts may have separate records. | Not every Town or Village Justice Court is covered; contact the court for missing cases. |
| Traffic | New York eCourts | Ticket and case status where the court participates. | Coverage varies by court; confirm with the local court or Traffic Violations Bureau. |
| Civil | WebCivil Supreme and NYSCEF | Case status and appearances (WebCivil) and filed documents in e-filed cases (NYSCEF). | Not every case is e-filed; NYSCEF documents are only available in participating cases. |
| Small claims | Local Town, Village, or City Court (see New York eCourts) | Limited case information, depending on the court. | Not generally in the statewide portals; contact the local court clerk. |
| Family law | New York eCourts | Limited case status information for Family Court matters. | Many family records are confidential; contact the Family Court clerk. |
| Probate | Surrogate's Court in Erie County (see New York eCourts) | Limited estate case status information. | Documents are generally obtained from the Surrogate's Court clerk. |
| Juvenile | Not in the general public portal. | Nothing public in the general search. | Juvenile and Family Court records are confidential; contact the court clerk. |
How to Pay Fines & Citations in Erie County
Payment options for Erie County fines and citations are not listed on this page.
Check NewYorkCourts.org or contact the county court clerk to confirm how to pay before your court date.
Parking tickets are handled by the agency that issued them, not by the county court.
Erie County Court Records FAQ
How do I search county court records?
Start at NewYorkCourts.org to find official court information, and have a full name or case number ready.
Are county court records public?
This page does not state the access rules for these records. Ask the county court clerk which records are open.
How do I find a criminal case?
Search by name on NewYorkCourts.org and confirm results with the court, since they are not official court records.
How do I find a court date?
Check your ticket or notice for the court date, and confirm it with the county court clerk.
How do I pay a traffic ticket?
Payment methods are not listed here. Check NewYorkCourts.org or ask the county court clerk before your court date.
How many cases are filed in the county each year?
County filing counts are not published here, so no yearly filing total is available for Erie County.
What is the most common type of case?
County case-type counts are not published here, so the most common case type cannot be stated for Erie County.
Is crime rising or falling?
County crime counts are not available here. Statewide, reported violent crimes fell 4.3% to 72,747 in 2025 from 76,014 in 2024, and property crimes fell 6.9% to 309,767 from 332,698, as reported to the FBI. These are New York statewide figures, and reporting coverage changed between years.
Courts in the County
Erie County CourtMore Info
| Address: | 25 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY, 14202 |
| Phone Number: | 716-845-9301 |
| Fax: | 716-851-3293 |
| Website: | http://ww2.nycourts.gov/courts/8jd/Erie/countycourt.shtml |
Useful Links
- New York State Unified Court System - Official Website: Access court records, case information, and legal resources for New York State, including Erie County.
- Erie County Clerk's Office - Home: Official site for Erie County Clerk. Offers public records and court documents access, filing, and more.
- Erie County, NY Courts - General Information: Provides detailed information on court services, locations, hours, and contacts for Erie County courts.
- 8th Judicial District - NY State Courts: Covering Erie County, find court calendars, forms, and local court information here.
- WebCivil Local - New York State Unified Court System: Search for local civil court case information in Erie County and other counties.
- Western New York Law Center - Resources: Provides legal information, assistance, and access to court-related resources for residents of Erie County.
- LawHelpNY - Legal Information: Offers free legal information and resources, including court forms and guides, for New Yorkers, including those in Erie County.
- New York Legal Information Network: Connects residents with free legal advice, resources, and court information including services available in Erie County.
- Buffalo Lawyers - Erie County Legal Resources: Find local attorneys and access legal resources pertinent to Erie County residents.
- Alternative Dispute Resolution - NY Courts: Details on mediation and arbitration services in New York courts, including Erie County facilities.
- New York State Unified Court System - Criminal Court Calendars: Access criminal court calendars for scheduling and case information in Erie County.
- New York State Council on the Arts - Legal Guidance: Offers legal guidance and support for artists navigating legal and court systems in New York, including Erie County.
- Child Advocacy Center - Erie County: Provides legal advocacy and support for child victims and their families within the court system of Erie County.
- Erie County Family Court - New York State Courts: Information and resources for family court cases and services in Erie County, NY.
- Erie County District Attorney's Office - Home: Information on prosecution, victim services, and court-related programs in Erie County.
- Erie County Public Defender's Office - Home: Legal defense services and resources for indigent defendants standing trial in Erie County courts.
- University at Buffalo School of Law - Legal Clinics: Provides pro bono legal services and practical legal education for the Erie County community.
- Connecticut Judicial Branch: Law Libraries Services: Offers access to general legal resources and links relevant to New York, including Erie County.
- Erie County Surrogate's Court - New York State Courts: Manages estates and guardianships; provides resources on procedures and contacts in Erie County.
- NY State Court System - Guardianship Forms: Access forms for guardianship proceedings applicable throughout New York State, including Erie County.
Table of Contents
- Erie County, Courts and Public Records
- How to Search Erie County Court Records
- Erie County Court Statistics (CY 2024)
- How Have Court Filings Changed in Erie County?
- What Types of Cases Are Filed in Erie County?
- How Does Erie County Compare With New York Overall?
- Erie County Crime Statistics (2025)
- Erie County Courthouse Locations
- Which Court Handles Your Case in Erie County?
- Are Erie County Court Records Public?
- How to Search Erie County Court Records Online
- How to Pay Fines & Citations in Erie County
- Erie County Court Records FAQ
- Courts in the County
- Useful Links