Ask a Law Librarian: FAQ's about Legal Research

The Unified Court System maintains two types of records: administrative records and court records. Administrative records are those records maintained by the different divisions within the Office of Court Administration ("OCA"), which do not constitute court records. Administrative records are subject to disclosure to the public under the Freedom of Information Law (“FOIL”). There's more information about how to request records via FOIL here. If you want a copy of a judicial oath, you can submit that request to the FOIL officer using this form.

Courts records are defined by the CourtHelp Glossary as "all the papers filed with the court in a case. For example, the summons and complaint, a judgment, any transcripts, etc."

Access to court records relies upon common law, constitutional law and New York statutes. This is governed generally by Article 6 of the NY Public Officers Law, also known as the Freedom of Information Law. Other relevant statutes include 22 NYCRR § 216.1, which stipulates that civil actions cannot be sealed without cause. NY Judiciary Law § 4 states that court proceedings must be open to the public except for certain types of cases, including divorce and rape. Per NY Mental Hygiene Law § 81.14 Record of the proceedings, the court may upon good cause seal the record and close hearings.  

Visit the nycourts.gov website for more information on how to obtain court records and court transcripts.

Some information is redacted from court filings and some cases are sealed. For more information, see 22 NYCRR § 202.5 (e) Omission or Redaction of Confidential Personal Information, and 22 NYCRR § 207.64 Omission or Redaction of Confidential Personal Information; Public Access to Certain Filings.