The County Clerk is responsible for receiving papers initiating actions and special proceedings and maintaining the official case files of the court, which contain all papers filed with the court in each case. These files (other than older files and electronic files described below) are kept in the Supreme Court Record Room (Room 103 B, in the basement at 60 Centre Street, hours: 9 A.M. to 3 P.M.). Anyone who wishes to do so may examine the case files in that room. There are, however, two exceptions. First, by law the files in all matrimonial cases are confidential and are available only to the parties to the case or their attorneys, upon presentation of proper identification. Second, by law, a Justice of the court may, upon an adequate showing of certain circumstances (e.g., where trade secrets are involved), order that a file in a particular case be sealed in whole or in part or that a portion of the file be impounded by the County Clerk. All documents subject to such an order are confidential and may not be viewed unless the Justice in the order provides for such examination; often, an order will provide for access by all parties and their attorneys upon presentation of proper identification.

Documents in cases that have been commenced by means of the New York State Courts Electronic Filing System ("NYSCEF") or that have been converted to e-filed status may be examined in the NYSCEF system at www.nycourts.gov/efile. There are some limits on availability of these documents (in general, some might be subject to a sealing order as described above and others may be viewable at the courthouse).

Older hard-copy files are stored as follows:

1996-2001 - 31 Chambers Street, 7th Floor
1984-1995 - In storage
1984 - Being converted to microfiche
1955-1983 - At 60 Centre Street on microfiche
1910-1954 - Files in storage
1799-1910 - 31 Chambers Street, 7th Floor

For additional information, contact County Clerk staff.

Supreme Court Record Room - 646-386-5942

County Clerk Archives, 31 Chambers Street, 7th Floor
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM
646-386-5395

July 2009

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