Court records of Tompkins County, New York, are available through several channels. TompkinsCourt.us allows you to search publicly available information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be found through official New York State court portals, directly at the Clerk's Office, and at public terminals in court buildings. Online tools typically cover current and recent cases, while older records may require a personal visit or written request.
Tompkins Court System & Jurisdictions
Tompkins County is part of the 6th Judicial District of New York State. The court system here is not built on the "District Court / Magistrate Court" model as in some other states — instead, it follows the structure characteristic of New York.
Tompkins County Court
Handles felony-level criminal cases arising within the county. The County Court judge may also preside over Supreme Court cases by appointment.
Supreme Court (6th Judicial District)
This is a court of general jurisdiction. It handles civil claims without monetary limits, divorce cases, custody and other family disputes, as well as complex property issues.
Surrogate's Court
Deals with inheritance matters — probate of wills, estate administration, and appointment of guardians.
Family Court
Cases regarding child protection, adoption, child support, protection orders, and juvenile offenses. Most Family Court records are restricted from public access.
City Court of Ithaca
Misdemeanor cases, small civil claims up to $15,000, housing code violations, and certain categories of traffic offenses within the city of Ithaca.
Town and Village Courts
- Traffic tickets
- Minor criminal cases (misdemeanors, violations)
- Small claims up to $5,000
- Civil cases up to $3,000
Several such courts operate in the county — in the towns of Ithaca, Dryden, Groton, Lansing, Caroline, Danby, Enfield, Newfield, Ulysses, and others. Each maintains its own records.
Tompkins Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find out which cases are scheduled for today, tomorrow, or this week, use the New York State Unified Court System — WebCivil Supreme for Supreme Court civil cases and eCourts for general search. The schedule for Town and Village Courts is usually published on the respective municipalities' websites or available by phone.
Practical steps:
- Visit the eCourts portal on the NYCourts.gov website — you can search by party name or case index number.
- For Supreme Court cases, use WebCivil Supreme (iapps.courts.state.ny.us/webcivil).
- If the case is being heard in a Town or Village Court — call the respective court directly. These courts do not always have online calendars.
- Inmate information can be checked through the DOCCS lookup system or on the Find an Incarcerated Individual page on the state portal.
For state-level criminal cases, the NY DCJS maintains a registry of criminal histories, although access is restricted and requires fingerprinting.
How to Get a Copy of a Tompkins Court Document
The type of copy determines both the procedure and the cost. A regular (uncertified) copy is suitable for review, while a certified copy is needed for another court, employer, or government agency.
Channels for obtaining
- In person: visit the clerk's office of the respective court. For County Court and Supreme Court, this is the Tompkins County Courthouse.
- By mail: send a written request specifying the full name of the party, case index number (if known), type of document, and return address. Include a check or money order for the appropriate amount.
- Online: some Supreme Court documents are available through eCourts/WebCivil. Registration may be required to download full files.
Address of Tompkins County Clerk's Office
The County Clerk serves records for the Supreme Court and County Court. For Family Court or Surrogate's Court cases, contact the respective court's office in the same building.
Records sealed under Criminal Procedure Law §160.50 (acquittal, case dismissal) are not issued — DOCCS confirms that such records are sealed and unavailable.
For municipal public records of the city of Ithaca, you can use the Town of Ithaca public records search portal.
Tompkins Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees are set according to CPLR § 8020 and the fee schedule of the New York State Unified Court System. Below are typical amounts — a specific court may charge additional fees depending on the type of case.
| Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Search by name (per name, per 2-year period) | $5.00 |
| Regular copy (per page) | $0.65 |
| Certified copy (certification fee) | $1.25 per document |
| Certified copy with court seal (exemplified) | $6.00+ |
| Copy of judgment or decree | $5.00 for the first 2 pages + $0.65 for each additional |
| County Clerk filing fee (Supreme Court civil case) | $210.00 |
Payment is accepted in cash, money order, or check payable to "Tompkins County Clerk." Some courts also accept credit cards — confirm when contacting. Town and Village Courts may have their own fee schedules, so it's advisable to call in advance.
For criminal history checks through the NY Division of Criminal Justice Services, a separate fee is charged, which is not related to county court fees. Information about state county jails and detention conditions can be found on the State Commission of Correction website.