Ulster County Court Records
What Is Ulster County Court Records
Court records in Ulster County encompass all official documentation generated during legal proceedings within the county's court system. These records consist of case files, dockets, pleadings, motions, orders, judgments, transcripts, exhibits, and sentencing records maintained by various courts throughout Ulster County. Pursuant to New York State Judiciary Law § 255, court records are defined as "all records, dockets, books, indexes, and papers required by law to be maintained by a clerk of the court."
Court records differ from other public records such as property deeds, vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates), and tax records, which are maintained by different government agencies. In Ulster County, court records are generated and maintained by several courts including:
- Supreme Court (trial court of general jurisdiction)
- County Court (handles felony criminal cases and civil matters)
- Family Court (domestic relations, juvenile delinquency)
- Surrogate's Court (probate and estate matters)
- City Courts (Kingston City Court)
- Town and Village Courts (local courts handling minor offenses)
These courts collectively produce records related to civil litigation, criminal proceedings, family matters, probate cases, and traffic violations. The New York State Unified Court System oversees the administration of all courts within Ulster County, while the Ulster County Clerk serves as the clerk of the Supreme and County Courts.
Are Court Records Public In Ulster County
Court records in Ulster County are generally accessible to the public in accordance with New York State's commitment to open courts and government transparency. The New York Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) and New York Judiciary Law § 255 establish the public's right to access court records, with certain exceptions.
The following court records are typically available for public inspection:
- Most civil case files (complaints, answers, motions, judgments)
- Criminal case files (post-charging documents)
- Court judgments and orders
- Docket sheets and case indices
- Court calendars and hearing schedules
However, certain records may be sealed or redacted to protect privacy or sensitive information. According to New York Civil Rights Law § 50-b, records involving victims of sex offenses are confidential. Additionally, Family Court proceedings, juvenile records, sealed criminal records, and certain matrimonial case details may have restricted access under various state laws and court rules.
It is important to note that federal court records for cases heard in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York (which includes Ulster County) are governed by federal access rules rather than state regulations. The New York State Court Administrative Rules provide further guidance on public access to court records throughout the state.
How To Find Court Records in Ulster County in 2026
Members of the public seeking court records in Ulster County may utilize several methods to locate and access these documents. The following procedures are currently in effect for obtaining court records:
In-Person Requests:
- Visit the Ulster County Clerk's Office, which maintains Supreme and County Court records:
Ulster County Clerk's Office
244 Fair Street
Kingston, NY 12401
(845) 340-3288
Ulster County Clerk
- Records may be inspected during regular business hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Bring identification and case information (names of parties, case number, filing date)
- Complete a records request form available at the clerk's counter
- Pay applicable fees for copies ($0.65 per page for standard copies)
Written Requests:
- Submit a written request to the appropriate court clerk
- Include specific case information, contact details, and payment for any applicable fees
- Mail requests to the court where the case was filed
Online Access:
- Use the New York State Unified Court System's WebCriminal and WebCivil portals for basic case information
- Access the Ulster County Clerk's online records portal for searchable indices
Pursuant to New York Judiciary Law § 255, clerks must provide access to court records upon proper request and payment of statutory fees. For certified copies, additional fees apply as established by state law.
How To Look Up Court Records in Ulster County Online?
Ulster County residents and interested parties may access various court records through several online portals, each providing different types of record access:
New York State Unified Court System WebCivil Supreme:
- Access to Supreme Court civil case information
- Search by index number, party name, attorney, or judge
- Provides case summary, appearance information, and calendar dates
- Available at WebCivil Supreme
New York State WebCriminal:
- Criminal case information for County and Supreme Courts
- Search by defendant name or case number
- Provides case status, next appearance date, and charge information
- Available at WebCriminal
Ulster County Clerk's Online Records System:
- Land records, court records, and other filed documents
- Search by name, document type, or date range
- Some documents viewable online, others require in-person inspection
- Available through the Ulster County Clerk's website
New York State eCourts:
- Case scheduling information
- Attorney/firm case listings
- Calendar information for upcoming court dates
- Available at eCourts
To conduct an online search:
- Select the appropriate portal based on the type of case
- Create an account if required (some systems allow guest access)
- Enter search criteria (names, case numbers, date ranges)
- Review search results and select specific cases for more detail
- Note that complete case files may not be available online; documents may need to be requested in person
The New York State Courts Electronic Filing System (NYSCEF) also provides access to electronically filed documents in participating courts, though user registration is required.
How To Search Ulster County Court Records for Free?
New York State law guarantees the public's right to inspect court records without charge, though fees may apply for copies. According to New York Public Officers Law § 87(1)(b)(iii), agencies may charge a fee for copies of records but not for inspection.
Free options for accessing Ulster County court records include:
In-Person Inspection:
- Visit the Ulster County Clerk's Office during business hours
- Public access terminals are available for searching indices
- No fee is charged for viewing records on-site
Ulster County Clerk's Online Index:
- Basic case information is available without charge
- Search functionality includes party names and case types
- Access through the Ulster County Clerk's website
New York State Unified Court System WebCivil and WebCriminal:
- Free access to basic case information
- No registration required for basic searches
- Available at NYS Courts website
Public Access Law Library Terminals:
- The Ulster County Law Library provides free access to legal research databases
- Located at the Ulster County Courthouse
- Includes access to some court records databases
While basic searches are free, users should be aware that:
- Printed copies typically incur fees ($0.65 per page)
- Certified copies have additional charges
- Some specialized searches may require paid subscriptions
- Complete case files may not be available online and may require in-person requests
The New York State Committee on Open Government provides guidance on free access to public records under state law.
What's Included in a Ulster County Court Record?
Ulster County court records contain various documents depending on the case type and court of origin. A comprehensive court record typically includes:
Civil Case Records:
- Summons and complaint
- Answer and counterclaims
- Motions and supporting affidavits
- Discovery documents (when filed with the court)
- Exhibits admitted into evidence
- Transcripts of proceedings
- Court orders and judgments
- Settlement agreements (if filed)
- Notices of appeal
Criminal Case Records:
- Indictment or information
- Arraignment documents
- Bail determination records
- Motions and responses
- Plea agreements
- Trial exhibits (when admitted)
- Sentencing documents
- Probation reports (may be confidential)
- Appeal notices and decisions
Family Court Records:
- Petitions and responses
- Orders of protection
- Child support orders
- Custody and visitation determinations
- Adoption records (often sealed)
- Juvenile delinquency proceedings (restricted access)
- Child protective proceedings
Surrogate's Court Records:
- Wills and codicils
- Probate petitions
- Letters testamentary or administration
- Inventories of assets
- Accountings
- Decree of distribution
- Guardian appointments
Case Management Information:
- Case number and filing date
- Party names and attorney information
- Docket entries showing case progression
- Scheduling information
- Judge assignments
Pursuant to New York Judiciary Law § 255-b, court records must be maintained in a manner that ensures their preservation and accessibility. However, certain information may be redacted or sealed, including Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and information protected by specific privacy statutes.
How Long Does Ulster County Keep Court Records?
Ulster County follows the New York State Unified Court System's records retention schedules, which establish mandatory minimum retention periods for various court documents. These retention periods vary significantly based on the type of case and document.
Criminal Case Records:
- Felony cases: Permanent retention for cases resulting in conviction
- Misdemeanor cases: 25 years after case disposition
- Violation/infraction cases: 6 years after case disposition
- Dismissed cases: 6 years after dismissal
Civil Case Records:
- Supreme Court civil cases: 25 years after disposition
- Contract/commercial litigation: 10 years after disposition
- Small claims: 6 years after disposition
- Landlord/tenant proceedings: 6 years after disposition
Family Court Records:
- Adoption records: Permanent retention (with restricted access)
- Child support proceedings: Until the youngest child turns 28
- Custody/visitation: Until the youngest child turns 28
- Juvenile delinquency: Until the subject turns 25
Surrogate's Court Records:
- Probated wills: Permanent retention
- Estate administration: Permanent retention
- Guardianship records: 25 years after termination of guardianship
These retention periods are established pursuant to New York Arts and Cultural Affairs Law § 57.25, which authorizes the Commissioner of Education to develop records retention schedules. The complete Records Retention and Disposition Schedule for New York State Courts provides detailed information on specific document types.
After the mandatory retention period expires, records may be destroyed according to established procedures. However, many historically significant records are preserved permanently in the Ulster County Archives or the New York State Archives.
Types of Courts In Ulster County
Ulster County's court system consists of several levels of courts, each with specific jurisdiction and authority:
New York State Supreme Court - Ulster County
285 Wall Street
Kingston, NY 12401
(845) 481-9300
New York State Supreme Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
The Supreme Court, despite its name, is the trial court of general jurisdiction handling major civil cases and some criminal matters.
Ulster County Court
285 Wall Street
Kingston, NY 12401
(845) 481-9320
Ulster County Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
The County Court handles felony criminal cases and civil matters up to certain monetary limits.
Ulster County Family Court
16 Lucas Avenue
Kingston, NY 12401
(845) 481-9330
Ulster County Family Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Family Court addresses matters involving families and children, including custody, support, and juvenile cases.
Ulster County Surrogate's Court
285 Wall Street
Kingston, NY 12401
(845) 481-9340
Ulster County Surrogate's Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Surrogate's Court handles probate of wills, estate administration, and guardianships.
Kingston City Court
1 Garraghan Drive
Kingston, NY 12401
(845) 481-9450
Kingston City Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
City Court handles misdemeanors, violations, small claims, and landlord-tenant disputes within city limits.
Town and Village Courts (Multiple locations throughout Ulster County) These local courts handle minor criminal matters, traffic infractions, small claims, and landlord-tenant disputes within their jurisdictions.
The court hierarchy in New York State progresses from Town/Village Courts and City Courts at the local level, to County and Supreme Courts at the trial level, to the Appellate Division of Supreme Court, and finally to the New York Court of Appeals (the state's highest court).
What Types of Cases Do Ulster County Courts Hear?
Ulster County courts adjudicate a wide range of legal matters, with each court having specific jurisdictional authority:
New York State Supreme Court - Ulster County:
- Major civil litigation (claims exceeding $25,000)
- Divorce and matrimonial actions
- Corporate and commercial disputes
- Real property matters
- Article 78 proceedings (challenges to government actions)
- Some criminal matters (concurrent with County Court)
- Equity proceedings (injunctions, specific performance)
Ulster County Court:
- Felony criminal prosecutions
- Appeals from lower courts
- Civil cases with claims between $15,000 and $25,000
- Drug treatment court proceedings
Ulster County Family Court:
- Child custody and visitation
- Child and spousal support
- Paternity determinations
- Juvenile delinquency proceedings
- Persons in Need of Supervision (PINS) cases
- Family offense proceedings/orders of protection
- Adoptions
- Child protective proceedings
- Foster care approvals and reviews
Ulster County Surrogate's Court:
- Probate of wills
- Administration of estates
- Trust administration
- Guardianships for minors and incapacitated persons
- Adoptions (concurrent with Family Court)
Kingston City Court:
- Misdemeanor criminal cases
- Traffic violations
- Small claims (up to $5,000)
- Civil cases (up to $15,000)
- Landlord-tenant proceedings
- Code violation cases
Town and Village Courts:
- Misdemeanor criminal cases
- Traffic infractions
- Small claims (up to $3,000)
- Civil cases (up to $3,000)
- Landlord-tenant matters
- Local ordinance violations
- Preliminary hearings in felony cases
These jurisdictional boundaries are established by the New York State Constitution Article VI and various state statutes including the Uniform Justice Court Act, Uniform City Court Act, and Family Court Act.
How To Find a Court Docket In Ulster County
Court dockets, which contain chronological listings of all proceedings and filings in a case, can be accessed through several methods in Ulster County:
Online Docket Access:
- Visit the New York State Unified Court System's WebCivil Supreme for civil cases or WebCriminal for criminal cases
- Enter search criteria (case number, party name, or attorney)
- Select the desired case from search results
- View the docket entries showing case progression
In-Person Docket Review:
- Visit the clerk's office for the appropriate court:
- Supreme and County Court: Ulster County Clerk's Office
- Family Court: Family Court Clerk's Office
- Surrogate's Court: Surrogate's Court Clerk's Office
- Provide case information to the clerk
- Request to view the docket or case file
- Review the docket sheet showing all case activities
Court Calendar Information:
- Access the New York State eCourts Calendar
- Select Ulster County and the appropriate court
- View upcoming court appearances by date
- Search by attorney, party name, or case number
Written Requests:
- Submit a written request to the appropriate court clerk
- Include case information, parties' names, and approximate filing date
- Provide contact information and any applicable fees
- Receive docket information by mail or email
For Town and Village Courts, docket information is typically only available by contacting the individual court directly, as most of these courts do not participate in the statewide electronic filing system. The New York State Court Electronic Filing System (NYSCEF) provides electronic access to dockets for cases filed through the e-filing system.
Which Courts in Ulster County Are Not Courts of Record?
In New York State, "courts of record" are defined by New York Judiciary Law § 2 as courts whose proceedings are recorded verbatim and whose judgments are formally entered and preserved. Courts not of record typically do not maintain stenographic transcripts of all proceedings and have more limited jurisdiction.
In Ulster County, the following courts are not courts of record:
Town Courts:
- Denning Town Court
- Esopus Town Court
- Gardiner Town Court
- Hardenburgh Town Court
- Hurley Town Court
- Kingston Town Court
- Lloyd Town Court
- Marbletown Town Court
- Marlborough Town Court
- New Paltz Town Court
- Olive Town Court
- Plattekill Town Court
- Rochester Town Court
- Rosendale Town Court
- Saugerties Town Court
- Shandaken Town Court
- Shawangunk Town Court
- Ulster Town Court
- Wawarsing Town Court
- Woodstock Town Court
Village Courts:
- Ellenville Village Court
- New Paltz Village Court
- Saugerties Village Court
These courts handle minor criminal matters (violations and misdemeanors), traffic infractions, small claims, and local ordinance violations. While these courts maintain records of their proceedings and dispositions, they are not considered "courts of record" under state law because:
- They do not typically employ official court stenographers
- Proceedings are often recorded electronically rather than by stenographic means
- Appeals from these courts involve a trial de novo (new trial) rather than a review of the record
- They operate under the Uniform Justice Court Act rather than the Civil Practice Law and Rules
Appeals from decisions in these courts are heard by the Ulster County Court, which conducts a new hearing rather than reviewing a transcript from the lower court. According to New York Uniform Justice Court Act § 1701, appeals from these courts are taken in accordance with article 440 of the criminal procedure law or article 18 of the uniform justice court act.