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 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 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.

Older files are stored as follows:

2000, and 1993-1998 - 31 Chambers Street, 7th Floor
1984-1992 - Certain files at 31 Chambers Street; others in storage
1983 - Being converted to microfiche
1955-1982 - 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

February 2008

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