Search Genesee County Court Records

Genesee County court records are housed at the courts facility at 1 West Main Street in Batavia, New York. The county sits in the Eighth Judicial District and operates Supreme Court, County Court, Family Court, and Surrogate's Court from this single location. You can reach the main courthouse at (585) 201-5715. Genesee County court records are available through in-person visits to the clerk's office and through state online portals that cover civil and criminal case searches.

Genesee County Court Staff and Contacts

Genesee County packs all of its courts into one building at 1 West Main Street in Batavia. The Supreme Court judge is Hon. Diane Devlin, who can be reached at (585) 201-5722. The Supreme and County Court also has Judge Hon. Melissa Lightcap Cianfrini at (585) 201-5725, who handles Supreme, County, and Surrogate's Court matters. The Supreme and County Court Chief Clerk is at (585) 201-5727. Deputy Chief Clerk Jennifer Lamb can be reached at (585) 201-5730 or by email at GeneseeSupCt@nycourts.gov.

Surrogate's Court Chief Clerk is Stephanie Lewandowski. Call her at (585) 201-5733 or email GeneseeSurrogate@nycourts.gov. The fax for Surrogate's Court is (585) 201-5875. Family Court is presided over by Judge Hon. Thomas D. Williams at (585) 201-5741. The Family Court main number is (585) 201-5717. Family Court Chief Clerk Michele Zastempowski is at (585) 201-5744 or GeneseeFamily@nycourts.gov. The Commissioner of Jurors is Sarah Kingdon at (585) 201-5719 or GeneseeJury@nycourts.gov.

Having all courts in one building makes it easier to track down records in Genesee County. If you are not sure which court handled your case, start at the main number and the staff can direct you to the right clerk. The building is compact compared to larger counties, and the staff tends to know where things are filed.

How to Search Genesee County Court Records Online

Several state portals cover Genesee County court records. The WebCivil Supreme portal is free and lets you search for civil cases in Supreme Court by index number, party name, or attorney name. Cases appear once a Request for Judicial Intervention has been filed. The portal shows case status, judge assignment, and court dates. For e-filed cases, NYSCEF lets you view documents at no cost.

The OCA Criminal History Record Search covers all 62 New York counties for $95 per name and date of birth search. Results come by email the next business day. This is a name-based search that covers open criminal cases and convictions. It does not include sealed records or youthful offender adjudications. For a more thorough criminal history, the DCJS fingerprint-based process costs $14.25 for New York residents.

The DOCCS Inmate Lookup is free and shows people in New York state prisons. If someone was sentenced in Genesee County and is in state custody, this tool shows current facility, sentence details, and release dates. It does not include county jail inmates.

Supreme Court and County Court in Genesee County

Genesee County Supreme Court is part of the Eighth Judicial District, which also covers Erie, Niagara, Orleans, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Wyoming, and Allegany counties. Supreme Court handles civil cases over $25,000, felony criminal matters, and divorce proceedings. Under Judiciary Law Section 255, the clerk must maintain court records and make them accessible for public review. Matrimonial files remain sealed and are only available to the parties and their lawyers.

County Court handles felony criminal cases and civil cases up to $25,000. Criminal case records include indictments, bail orders, plea agreements, trial records, and sentencing orders. Grand jury proceedings are confidential, but the resulting indictments become public record once filed. Town and village courts across Genesee County handle local matters like traffic violations, code issues, and minor criminal cases. Each keeps its own records separate from the county courts.

Criminal Record Sealing and Privacy

Criminal records in Genesee County can be sealed under CPL Section 160.50 when a case ends in the defendant's favor. Dismissed charges and acquittals are sealed automatically. The records come off public search tools at that point. Law enforcement keeps access for official purposes. CPL 160.55 covers sealing of certain violation and traffic convictions. CPL 160.59 allows sealing of some older convictions after 10 years.

Family Court records in Genesee County are mostly confidential. Custody, child support, paternity, and juvenile delinquency files are restricted to the parties involved. Surrogate's Court handles probate, estates, and guardianships. Probate records are generally public. Adoption files are sealed. If records are wrongfully denied, CPLR Article 78 provides a way to challenge the decision in Supreme Court within four months of the denial.

How to Get Genesee County Court Records

Visit the courthouse at 1 West Main Street in Batavia during business hours. Bring the case index number or a party name. Staff can pull files for you to view. Standard copies are $0.65 per page. Certified copies add $5.00 per document. For mail requests, write to the Genesee County Clerk at 1 W. Main St., Batavia, NY 14020 with case details and a check or money order for the fees.

FOIL does not apply to court case records in New York. Courts are exempt from the Freedom of Information Law. Court records fall under Judiciary Law. The NYS Court Forms Repository has forms for all court types if you need to file or respond to a case in Genesee County.

Nearby Counties

Genesee County lies between Buffalo and Rochester in western New York. Each neighboring county has its own court system and records.