Court records in Ontario County, New York, are available through several channels. OntarioCourt.us allows you to quickly find public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, case indexes and land records can be viewed through the online search of the County Clerk's office, as well as directly at the court clerk's office or on public terminals in the courthouse in Canandaigua.
Ontario Court System & Jurisdictions
Ontario County has several court instances, each handling specific categories of cases.
Supreme Court — the general jurisdiction court of the state of New York. It hears serious civil claims (over $25,000), divorce cases, and other family law disputes requiring a supreme court decision. Divorce cases are stored in the County Clerk's office.
County Court handles criminal cases for felonies, as well as civil claims up to $25,000. Criminal and civil records of this court are kept by the County Clerk.
- Family Court — custody, child support, protective orders, cases of abuse and neglect of children. Most records here are restricted from public access.
- Surrogate's Court — probate cases, will approvals, appointment of estate administrators.
- City Courts (Canandaigua, Geneva) — minor criminal cases (misdemeanors), traffic violations, civil claims up to $15,000.
- Town and Village Courts — traffic fines, minor offenses, small claims (up to $5,000).
If you are unsure which court handled your case, contact the Clerk to the Courts — this office coordinates the document flow between the county's judicial instances.
Ontario Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
The court schedule in New York depends on the court level. The Supreme Court and County Court publish their calendars through the New York State Unified Court System (NYSCEF and eCourts). To check if a hearing is scheduled for today or this week:
- Visit the eCourts portal on nycourts.gov — select "7th Judicial District" and Ontario County.
- For local Town and Village Courts, schedules are usually posted on the respective municipalities' websites or can be obtained by phone from the court clerk's office.
- Current case indexes, including filing dates, are available through the online record search of the County Clerk's office.
City Courts in Canandaigua and Geneva maintain their own schedules. Call the respective court directly to confirm the time and date of the hearing — this is the most reliable way.
How to Get a Copy of a Ontario Court Document
Copies of court documents in Ontario County can be obtained in several ways. There are two types of copies:
- Uncertified copy — a simple duplicate of the document, suitable for review.
- Certified copy — has an official seal and the clerk's signature, accepted by courts and government agencies as an official document.
How to Order
- Online: review available indexes through the online search portal. Some documents can be ordered electronically through the county's online services page.
- In person: visit the County Clerk's office in the Ontario County Courthouse building.
- By mail: send a notarized request with the full case name, index number (if known), a self-addressed envelope, and payment.
For divorce cases, the minimum fee for a certified copy is $5. A mail request must include a notarized statement.
Archived documents that have exceeded the retention period according to the Retention and Disposition Schedule (LGS-1) may be available through the Records & Archives department.
Ontario Court Records Fees & Payment
The fees for court documents in Ontario County are set according to the tariffs of the New York State County Clerk's office. Below are the main rates:
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of a document | $5.00 minimum (for the first 4 pages); $1.00 for each additional page |
| Uncertified copy | $0.65 per page |
| Document certification/exemplification | $5.00 |
| Index search (per two-year block) | $5.00 |
| Document recording (first page) | Depends on document type; check the Recording & Filing page |
| Motor Vehicle Accident Report | Small fee; check with the Sheriff's Records Office |
Payment is accepted in person (cash, check, in some cases — bank card) or by mail (check or money order payable to Ontario County Clerk). For mail requests, be sure to include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Specific amounts may change — before sending a request, call the office at 585-396-4200 to confirm the current rate.