Find Court Records in White Plains
Court records in White Plains come from the White Plains City Court and the Westchester County courts, both located right in the city. White Plains serves as the Westchester County seat, which means the county courthouse is here. The city sits in the 9th Judicial District. White Plains City Court handles civil cases up to $15,000, misdemeanor criminal charges, housing disputes, small claims, and traffic tickets. County-level courts handle felonies, bigger civil suits, and divorce. This page explains how to search White Plains court records.
White Plains Court Records at a Glance
White Plains City Court Records
White Plains City Court is a full-service local court. The civil division handles claims up to $15,000, including debt cases, property disputes, and contract matters. The criminal part processes misdemeanors and violations. Housing Court is active here, dealing with housing conflicts and eviction proceedings. Small Claims Court covers disputes up to $5,000 for individuals. Traffic Court handles moving violations and parking matters.
To get court records, visit the City Court clerk during business hours. The clerk can look up cases by number or by party name. Copies of dispositions, judgments, and orders are available. Standard fees are $0.65 per page, $1.50 minimum. Certified copies add $5.00 per document. Bring the right payment since not every office takes cash for copy fees.
White Plains City Court is in the 9th Judicial District. Its criminal cases may show up on WebCriminal if there are future court dates. This free portal lets you search by name or case number. Records sealed under CPL 160.50 will not appear in any search.
Westchester County Court Records in White Plains
Because White Plains is the county seat, the Westchester County Clerk's office is right in town. This is where Supreme Court and County Court records are kept for all of Westchester County. Felony criminal cases from White Plains go to County Court. Civil cases over $25,000 and all divorce cases are filed in Supreme Court. The clerk's office maintains all the files.
Being the county seat has a practical benefit. If you need court records from any Westchester town or city, you can get them here in White Plains. The clerk's office lets you review files in person. Staff can pull case folders for you to look through at the counter.
WebCivil Supreme lets you search Westchester County civil cases for free. Use a party name, index number, or attorney name. The system shows case status, judge assignment, and dates. E-filed cases can be viewed in full on NYSCEF, which saves you a trip to the courthouse for many documents.
The OCA Criminal History Record Search checks all 62 counties for $95. It runs on exact name and date of birth. Results come by email the next business day. This is a useful supplement to local court record searches when you need broader coverage.
White Plains Court Records Access
Judiciary Law Section 255 says court records are open for public inspection. Clerks must keep them organized and available. You do not need to be involved in a case to see the file. That is the law.
Exceptions apply to sealed cases. CPL 160.50 seals criminal cases ended in the defendant's favor. Family Court records are mostly confidential. Custody, juvenile, and support cases are off limits to anyone who is not a party. Matrimonial Supreme Court files are also restricted. The Clean Slate Act adds another layer of sealing for qualifying older convictions.
To challenge a denial of records, file under CPLR Article 78. You have four months. The court must then decide if the denial was proper.
Background Checks and Criminal History
Official state criminal records are maintained by the Division of Criminal Justice Services. DCJS rap sheets require fingerprinting through IdentoGo. The fee is $14.25 for New York residents. Results take 3 to 4 weeks and come by mail. This covers the entire state.
The DOCCS Inmate Lookup provides free access to state prison inmate information. It shows current facility, sentence details, and parole eligibility. It does not cover county or federal inmates. For court forms, visit the NYS Court Forms Repository.
White Plains as the Westchester County Seat
White Plains is the seat of Westchester County. The county courthouse is located here, making it the central hub for all county-level court records in Westchester. Visit the county page for office hours, contact information, copy fees, and links to online search portals.