Skip to main content

User account menu

  • Find a Court
  • Topics A - Z
New York State Unified Court System Logo
New York State Unified Court System

Main navigation

  • I am a ...

    Select which user type you most identify with.

    • Litigant / Self-Represented
      dropdown triangle
    • Judge
      dropdown triangle
    • Legal Professional
      dropdown triangle
    • Juror
      dropdown triangle
    • Member of the Media
      dropdown triangle
    • Job Seeker (Careers)
      dropdown triangle
    • Supplier Looking for Bid Opportunities
      dropdown triangle
    Looking for Divorce Resources...
    A silhouette of a man and a woman standing back-to-back

    Featured

    Looking for Divorce Resources...
    dropdown triangle
  • The Courts

    The Courts The mission of the Unified Court System is to promote the rule of law and to serve the public by providing just and timely resolution of all matters before the courts.

    • New York City Courts
      dropdown triangle
    • Long Island Courts
      dropdown triangle
    • Upstate Courts
      dropdown triangle
    • Specialized Courts
      dropdown triangle
    • Appellate Courts
      dropdown triangle
    • Rules
      dropdown triangle
    • Town & Village Justice Courts
      dropdown triangle
    • County Clerks, (NYC)
      dropdown triangle
    eCourts: eFile (NYSCEF), eTrack, Pay Online & more...
    Photo of man typing on a laptop with screen showing scales of justice and the word e-Courts

    Featured

    eCourts: eFile (NYSCEF), eTrack, Pay Online & more...
    dropdown triangle
  • Forms
    dropdown triangle
  • CourtHelp

    CourtHelp Get help when you don’t have a lawyer. Information here is constantly being updated to reflect changes in the law.

    • DIY Forms
      dropdown triangle
    • Safety & Violence
      dropdown triangle
    • Problems with Money
      dropdown triangle
    • Guardianship
      dropdown triangle
    • Families & Children
      dropdown triangle
    • Criminal
      dropdown triangle
    • After the Case Is Over
      dropdown triangle
    • Homes & Evictions
      dropdown triangle
    • When Someone Dies
      dropdown triangle
    • Small Claims
      dropdown triangle
    • Getting Help at the Courthouse
      dropdown triangle
    • Name Change and/or Sex Designation Change
      dropdown triangle
    dropdown triangle
  • About Us

    About Us The administration of the court system. Learn about our work and our structure.

    • Administration
      dropdown triangle
    • AMICI Podcast Series
      dropdown triangle
    • Careers
      dropdown triangle
    • Civic Engagement
      dropdown triangle
    • Contact Us
      dropdown triangle
    • OCA Support Units
      dropdown triangle
    • Publications
      dropdown triangle
    • Public Information
      dropdown triangle
    • Special Events
      dropdown triangle
    • Bias & Misconduct Complaints
      dropdown triangle
    • Terms of Court Calendar & Holidays
      dropdown triangle
    Court Leadership
    Hon. Joseph A. Zayas and Hon. Norman St. George

    Featured

    Court Leadership
    dropdown triangle
  • Programs & Services

    Programs & Services

    Placeholder

    Featured

    dropdown triangle

Main navigation

  • I am a ...

    Select which user type you most identify with.

    • Litigant / Self-Represented
      dropdown triangle
    • Judge
      dropdown triangle
    • Legal Professional
      dropdown triangle
    • Juror
      dropdown triangle
    • Member of the Media
      dropdown triangle
    • Job Seeker (Careers)
      dropdown triangle
    • Supplier Looking for Bid Opportunities
      dropdown triangle
    Looking for Divorce Resources...
    A silhouette of a man and a woman standing back-to-back

    Featured

    Looking for Divorce Resources...
    dropdown triangle
  • The Courts

    The Courts The mission of the Unified Court System is to promote the rule of law and to serve the public by providing just and timely resolution of all matters before the courts.

    • New York City Courts
      dropdown triangle
    • Long Island Courts
      dropdown triangle
    • Upstate Courts
      dropdown triangle
    • Specialized Courts
      dropdown triangle
    • Appellate Courts
      dropdown triangle
    • Rules
      dropdown triangle
    • Town & Village Justice Courts
      dropdown triangle
    • County Clerks, (NYC)
      dropdown triangle
    eCourts: eFile (NYSCEF), eTrack, Pay Online & more...
    Photo of man typing on a laptop with screen showing scales of justice and the word e-Courts

    Featured

    eCourts: eFile (NYSCEF), eTrack, Pay Online & more...
    dropdown triangle
  • Forms
    dropdown triangle
  • CourtHelp

    CourtHelp Get help when you don’t have a lawyer. Information here is constantly being updated to reflect changes in the law.

    • DIY Forms
      dropdown triangle
    • Safety & Violence
      dropdown triangle
    • Problems with Money
      dropdown triangle
    • Guardianship
      dropdown triangle
    • Families & Children
      dropdown triangle
    • Criminal
      dropdown triangle
    • After the Case Is Over
      dropdown triangle
    • Homes & Evictions
      dropdown triangle
    • When Someone Dies
      dropdown triangle
    • Small Claims
      dropdown triangle
    • Getting Help at the Courthouse
      dropdown triangle
    • Name Change and/or Sex Designation Change
      dropdown triangle
    dropdown triangle
  • About Us

    About Us The administration of the court system. Learn about our work and our structure.

    • Administration
      dropdown triangle
    • AMICI Podcast Series
      dropdown triangle
    • Careers
      dropdown triangle
    • Civic Engagement
      dropdown triangle
    • Contact Us
      dropdown triangle
    • OCA Support Units
      dropdown triangle
    • Publications
      dropdown triangle
    • Public Information
      dropdown triangle
    • Special Events
      dropdown triangle
    • Bias & Misconduct Complaints
      dropdown triangle
    • Terms of Court Calendar & Holidays
      dropdown triangle
    Court Leadership
    Hon. Joseph A. Zayas and Hon. Norman St. George

    Featured

    Court Leadership
    dropdown triangle
  • Programs & Services

    Programs & Services

    Placeholder

    Featured

    dropdown triangle

User account menu

  • Find a Court
  • Topics A - Z

CourtHelp Court System Basics

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Representing Yourself in Court
  3. Court System Basics

In This Section

  • Getting Help at the Courthouse
    • Court Help Centers
      • Community Resources
    • Lawyers & Legal Help
      • Find a Lawyer
    • Free Court Services
    • Getting Court Records
    • How the Clerk's Office Can Help
    • Language Help (Interpreters)
  • Court Forms & Fees
    • Fee Waivers
  • Court System Basics
    • The Right Court for Your Problem
    • Privacy of Court Cases
    • Confidential Records
    • Redaction Rules
    • People Who Work in the Courtroom
    • Official Policy on ICE Arrests in Courthouses
  • Court Case Basics
    • Basic Steps in a Court Case
    • How Court Cases Start
    • How Legal Papers Are Delivered (Service)
      • Conspicuous Service
      • Substituted Service
      • Mailing Copies of the Papers
      • Common Examples of Bad Service
      • Filing an Affidavit of Service
    • Trial
      • Discovery
      • Evidence
    • Judgments
    • Settlements
    • Ways to Settle Your Case (ADR)
    • How to Ask the Court for Something
      • Common Examples of Motions
    • Getting a Judge Assigned to Your Case (RJI)
    • Statute of Limitations
      • Statute of Limitations Timetable

Quick Links

Ask a Law Librarian
DIY Forms
eFiling
Find a Lawyer
Help Centers
LawHelp
Legal Glossary
Public Access Law Libraries

Find information about the court system in New York. Learn about court structure, rules, administration, history, and which court is right for you.

About the NY State Courts
Read an overview of how the New York State Courts are organized and the kinds of work they do.
The Right Court for Your Problem
In New York State, different courts handle different issues. Find out which court you should go to for your problem.
Privacy of Court Cases
Read about which court cases and records are private. Learn what sealing, CPI, and redaction mean.
The People Who Work in the Courtroom
Find out who you meet in the courtroom when you go to court.
History of the Courts
Find information about the history of the courts from the Historical Society of the New York Courts.
Court Administration
Information about the administration of all courts in the 62 counties in New York.
The Courts
Links to all courts inside and outside New York City, including specialized courts and appeals courts.
Court Rules
Search the Administrative Rules of the court system and the rules of the trial courts.
Juror Information
Find the information you need about jury duty.
Court Holidays
Find out what dates the courts are closed.
Court Closings & Emergencies
Get text messages about court closings and other emergencies.
Official Policy on ICE Arrests in Courthouses
Learn what immigration agents can do when you come to court on a civil case.

Related Information

Court Case Basics
Basic Steps in a Court Case
Getting Court Records

Footer languages

  • Español
  • 中文(简体)
  • Français
  • 한국어
  • Русский
  • Làkk
  • العربية
  • Kreyòl Ayisyen
  • język polski
New York State Unified Court System Logo

© 1996-2026 - All Rights Reserved.

Footer

  • Sign Up for Emergency Alerts
  • File a Complaint
  • Privacy Policy
  • Americans With Disabilities (ADA)
  • Contact Us