Court records in Chemung County, New York, are maintained by the County Clerk's office and the various courts serving the county. ChemungCourt.us can help you find publicly available court record information for Chemung County. You can also access records through official state court portals, the Chemung County Clerk's office, the Public Records and Information Department, and other government resources. Multiple tools are available for searching records online, in person, or by mail.
Chemung Court System Overview
Chemung County is part of the Sixth Judicial District of the New York State Unified Court System. The Sixth Judicial District encompasses ten counties in the southern tier and central regions of New York, including Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Madison, Otsego, Schuyler, Tioga, and Tompkins counties. New York's court system is administered statewide by the Office of Court Administration under the Chief Administrative Judge.
In Chemung County, the primary courthouse is located in the county seat of Elmira. Supreme Court, County Court, Family Court, Surrogate's Court, and City Court all operate within the county. The Chemung County government website provides general information about county departments and services.
Courts Serving Chemung County
Several state and federal courts serve residents of Chemung County:
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Chemung County Supreme Court & County Court | 203–209 Lake Street, Elmira, NY 14901 | (607) 737-2847 |
| Chemung County Family Court | 203–209 Lake Street, Elmira, NY 14901 | (607) 737-2902 |
| Chemung County Surrogate's Court | 203–209 Lake Street, Elmira, NY 14901 | (607) 737-2946 |
| Elmira City Court | 317 East Church Street, Elmira, NY 14901 | (607) 737-5681 |
| U.S. District Court, Western District of New York | 2 Niagara Square, Buffalo, NY 14202 | (716) 551-1700 |
| U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Western District of New York | Olympic Towers, 300 Pearl Street, Buffalo, NY 14202 | (716) 551-4130 |
Town and village justice courts also operate throughout Chemung County, handling local traffic violations, small claims, and minor criminal matters in their respective jurisdictions.
What Types of Cases Chemung County Courts Hear
Courts in Chemung County handle a broad range of case types:
- Criminal: Felonies, misdemeanors, violations, and infractions
- Civil litigation: Contract disputes, personal injury, property disputes, and monetary claims of varying amounts
- Small claims: Disputes involving limited dollar amounts
- Family law: Divorce, custody, child support, paternity, orders of protection, adoption
- Probate and estates: Wills, estate administration, guardianships, trusts
- Juvenile: Juvenile delinquency, persons in need of supervision (PINS)
- Traffic: Moving violations, parking violations, DWI/DUI
The sections below explain which court handles each type of matter.
District Court Cases in Chemung County
New York does not use a "district court" structure at the county level outside of New York City and Nassau and Suffolk counties. In Chemung County, the equivalent trial courts of general jurisdiction are Supreme Court and County Court.
Chemung County Supreme Court has unlimited original jurisdiction over civil matters and hears matrimonial actions, including divorces. It also handles civil cases involving larger monetary amounts. County Court handles felony criminal prosecutions after indictment by a grand jury, as well as civil cases where the amount in controversy is $25,000 or less. Appeals from lower courts—such as city court or town and village justice courts—are heard in County Court. The County Clerk's office serves as clerk for both Supreme Court and County Court, maintaining case files and processing filings, including e-filing through NYSCEF.
Magistrate Court Cases in Chemung County
Chemung County does not have a separate "magistrate court." The functions typically associated with magistrate-level courts are handled by Elmira City Court and the town and village justice courts throughout the county.
- Elmira City Court hears misdemeanors, violations, and lesser offenses committed within city limits, as well as civil cases up to $15,000, small claims up to $10,000, landlord-tenant matters, and arraignments including DWI charges.
- Town and village justice courts handle traffic tickets, vehicle and traffic law violations, local code violations, small claims up to $3,000, and misdemeanor cases arising within their jurisdictions. They also conduct preliminary hearings in felony cases before cases are sent to County Court.
The City of Elmira's daily activity logs provide information about recent law enforcement activity in the city.
Family Law, Probate, and Juvenile Matters in Chemung County
Family Law
Chemung County Family Court handles custody, visitation, child support, paternity, orders of protection, family offense proceedings, and termination of parental rights. Divorce cases are filed in Supreme Court. To request divorce records from the County Clerk, you may need to complete a Divorce File/Document Request Form. Note that a Supreme Court order may be required to release sealed divorce records to non-parties.
Probate
Surrogate's Court in Chemung County handles probate of wills, administration of decedent estates, guardianships of minors and incapacitated persons, and trust matters. The court is located at the Chemung County Courthouse in Elmira.
Juvenile
Juvenile delinquency and PINS (Persons in Need of Supervision) cases are heard in Family Court. Juvenile records are confidential under New York law and are not available to the general public. For adoption records or information regarding adoptions, contact the State Department of Health or Family Court.
How Cases Move Through the Chemung County Court System
- Filing or initiation: Criminal cases begin with an arrest or the filing of a criminal complaint or indictment. Civil cases start when a plaintiff files a summons and complaint. Family and probate matters begin with a petition.
- Assignment to a judge: Cases are assigned to a judge based on the court and case type. In Supreme Court, the case may be assigned through the Individual Assignment System (IAS).
- Initial appearance: In criminal cases, the defendant is arraigned and bail or release conditions are set. In civil cases, a preliminary conference or scheduling order is issued.
- Pre-trial phase: Parties exchange discovery, file motions, and in criminal cases, plea negotiations may occur. Civil cases may involve depositions, interrogatories, and motion practice.
- Trial or resolution: Cases proceed to trial (bench or jury) or are resolved through a plea, settlement, or default judgment.
- Post-judgment: Criminal cases may involve sentencing and appeals. Civil cases may involve enforcement of judgments or post-trial motions. Appeals from County Court and Supreme Court go to the Appellate Division, Third Department.
Court Administration, Local Rules, and Public Access in Chemung County
The courts in Chemung County are administered as part of the Sixth Judicial District under the direction of the Administrative Judge for that district. Day-to-day operations are managed by the District Administrative Judge and the Chief Clerk of each court.
Local court rules for the Sixth Judicial District are published by the New York State Unified Court System and are available on the NYCourts.gov rules page.
Public Access to Records
Under New York's Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) and court administrative rules, most court records are generally open to the public. Exceptions include:
- Sealed records (including certain criminal records after sealing orders)
- Divorce files (may require court authorization for non-parties)
- Juvenile and Family Court records (confidential by statute)
- Psychiatric guardianship records
The Chemung County Online Records Search allows users to search land records, civil actions, judgments, and other documents through the Landex system. Searching is free, but viewing and printing documents involves a fee. Note that sealed records, divorces, and psychiatric guardianships are excluded from the online system.
To review public records in person, you can schedule an appointment by calling (607) 737-2837 or (607) 737-2031.
Hearings are generally open to the public. Some proceedings in Family Court and juvenile matters are closed. Contact the specific court for information about attending hearings remotely, as virtual hearing options may vary by judge and case type.
Court Records and Related Court Resources in Chemung County
- Statewide court case search: The New York State Unified Court System offers eCourts for searching civil Supreme Court and Court of Appeals case information online.
- County Clerk records: The Chemung County Clerk maintains deeds, mortgages, federal tax liens, civil actions, UCCs, judgments, lis pendens, DBAs, and other recorded documents. E-filing is available through NYSCEF.
- Online records search: Use the Landex online records search for land and civil records. Free to search; fees apply for viewing and printing.
- Active warrants: The Chemung County Sheriff's Office publishes a list of active warrants on its website.
- Incarcerated individual lookup (county): The Chemung County Corrections Division provides information about individuals held at the Chemung County Jail.
- State inmate lookup: The New York State DOCCS Incarcerated Lookup tool allows searches for individuals in state correctional facilities.
- Sex offender registry: The New York State Sex Offender Registry is maintained by the Division of Criminal Justice Services.
- Criminal history records: The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services manages criminal background checks and crime statistics.
- Vital records: Birth, death, and marriage certificates for events in Chemung County can be obtained through the Chemung County Vital Records office. The New York State Department of Health also maintains statewide vital records.
- Sheriff's Office: The Chemung County Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement, civil process, and corrections. Contact them at (607) 737-2987.
- Property tax information: The Real Property Tax Services department provides assessment and property tax data for Chemung County.