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Oswego County, New York State Court Records

Oswego County court records are all papers filed with the court or issued by a judge in a judicial proceeding. Common examples include pleadings (such as summonses and complaints), motions, judgments, and trial transcripts. Every pleading, plea, motion, or application to the court for an order, including exhibits presented to a judge during a hearing, must be filed or transmitted to the clerk of court for preservation and entry on the court's docket.

Court clerks typically maintain these documents on behalf of the courts and may make them available for access in accordance with state law, including the common law, constitutional law, and New York Statutes. Access to court records in Oswego County is governed primarily by Article 6 of the NY Public Officers Law, also known as the Freedom of Information Law.

Since judicial action typically provides the forum for challenging or affirming the validity of an official document, Oswego County court records sometimes consist of public records (birth, death, and marriage certificates) maintained by other government agencies. Legal attorneys can sometimes provide these records to establish a claim or maintain the non-existence of a professed legal right or entitlement.

Are Oswego County Court Records Public?

According to Article 6 of the NY Public Officers Law, also known as the Freedom of Information Law, all entities, including the courts, are required to accept requests for records submitted by members of the public to inspect or copy specific records in their custody. Court clerks are enjoined to develop an online form that may be used by the public to request records over the internet.

While court records are generally public, the public's right of access is not absolute and certain records may not be disclosed if disclosure might result in an unwarranted invasion of an individual's personal privacy.

What Information is Available in Oswego County Court Records?

An Oswego County, New York, court record typically contains detailed case information and specifics that vary by case type but typically include:

  • The names of the parties involved
  • The specific charges or lawsuit filed
  • Case dockets
  • Hearing dates, and
  • Final dispositions or judgments

Court files may also include transcripts, evidence lists, and sentencing details.

Oswego County Court Records Search

The County Clerk is responsible for filing records and maintaining documentation of legal proceedings including criminal and civil cases. Individuals who wish to obtain copies of an Oswego County court record can do this by contacting the County Clerk's office. The office has a variety of public-facing channels designated for record inquiries. These include:

Mail and Phone Requests

Inquiry for Oswego County court records can be made over the phone by calling 315-349-8615.

In-Person Access

Pro se divorce packets and the verified copies of Oswego County court records may also be available physically at Oswego County Courthouse. Individuals are required to come with an ID. The courthouse is located at:

25 E. Oneida St., Oswego,

NY 13126 (behind the Oswego County Legislative office building)

Clerk's Office Hours

Monday - Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Summer Hours (June through August

8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Online Access

Those who are unable to afford a strenuous journey to the courthouse may be able to obtain court records by visiting the Oswego County official website and navigating to the "Citizen Request Center." By filling out the form and indicating the preferred mode of contact on the Citizen Requester Center page, citizens may be able to relay their request for a specific court record or report a more modest concern.

Fees for Court Records in Oswego County

Although submitting a request is itself not subject to a fee, the court clerk charges the following amount for providing copies of a record:

Copies

  • To Prepare (per page) $.65
  • To certify a prepared copy (1-8 pages) $5.20

Additional pages

  • $.65
  • To prepare and certify a copy (1-4 pages) $5.00
  • Additional pages $1.25

Oswego County Courthouse Locations

Oswego County, New York, has six principal courts that serve county and city jurisdiction. The six courts operate from four primary courthouse locations within the county.

Court

Address

Phone

Oswego County Supreme Court

Oswego County Courthouse, 25 East Oneida Street, Oswego, NY 13126

(315) 207-7500

Oswego County Court

Oswego County Courthouse, 25 East Oneida Street, Oswego, NY 13126

(315) 207-7504

Oswego County Family Court

Public Safety Center, 39 Churchill Road, Oswego, NY 13126

(315) 207-7533

Oswego County Surrogate's Court

Oswego County Courthouse, 25 East Oneida Street, Oswego, NY 13126

(315) 207-7566

Oswego City Court

Conway Municipal Center, 20 West Oneida Street, Oswego, NY 13126

(315) 207-7251

Fulton City Court

Municipal Building, 141 South 1st Street, Fulton, NY 13069

 

The six courts are housed in four primary court locations:

Oswego County Courthouse
25 East Oneida Street, Oswego, NY 13126
Houses the Supreme Court, County Court, and Surrogate's Court

Public Safety Center
39 Churchill Road, Oswego, NY 13126
Houses the Family Court and certain County Court functions

Conway Municipal Center
20 West Oneida Street, Oswego, NY 13126
Houses Oswego City Court

141 South 1st Street, Fulton, NY 13069
Houses Fulton City Court.

Criminal Records Access in Oswego County

In Oswego County, New York, criminal history record checks are handled by the New York State Office of Court Administration (OCA) at the state level. If a person seeks to conduct a criminal history background check on another individual, they can do this by submitting a CHRS request through the department's online direct access program or by mailing in a CHRS application form. Search criteria include a $95.00 fee along with an exact match of the record subject's name and date of birth. Convictions and active criminal cases originating from county, city, town and village courts across the 62 counties are generally public, but subject to certain statutory restrictions.

Completed Criminal History Record Search (CHRS) Application Form may be mailed to:

NYS Office of Court Administration
Division of Technology and Court Research
Criminal History Record Search Unit
25 Beaver Street (Room 940)
New York, NY 10004

CHRS@nycourts.gov

While criminal history record checks are handled by the New York State Office of Court Administration (OCA) at the state level, local background checks and specific investigatory records are managed by the Oswego County Sheriff's Office.

Oswego County Probate Records

Oswego County probate records are documents relating to the court's distribution of an individual's asset after the person has died. While the content of these records vary by the circumstances of the case, they are typically constituted by documents relating to:

  • The administration of estates of deceased persons
  • Will contests
  • Guardianship of minors or incarcerated persons,
  • Appointment of administrators/executors
  • Inventories of estate assets
  • Creditor claims, and
  • Court orders approving the distribution of property

Oswego County Family Court Records

Oswego family court records are maintained exclusively by the Family Court System and are generally not open to the general public due to privacy laws. Section 166 of the New York State Family Court Act provides that family court records are generally not open for public inspection, although the court may provide access to specified individuals in a range of specified circumstances. For this reason, cases involving child custody, visitation, child support, paternity, abuse and neglect, juvenile delinquency, abuse and neglect, juvenile delinquency, adoption, and other related matters are generally not open to the public, except upon the application of the following individuals:

  • The parties to the case
  • Their attorneys
  • Certain government agencies
  • Individuals authorized by court order

Exempted individuals who wish obtain specific family court case files can do this by visiting the Family Court at their main office location:

39 Churchill Road

Oswego NY13126

United States

Office Hours:
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday - Friday
(Closed State & Federal holidays)

Email: Oswego-Family-Court@nycourts.gov

Phone: 315-207-7533

Fax: 315-266-4770

It is recommended to call at the office before embarking on any considerable distance to the courthouse.

Federal Court Records in Oswego County

Federal court records in Oswego County, New York, refer to all papers filed or issued by a federal judge in judicial proceedings instituted in a federal court. These include all case dockets, pleadings, judgments, and transcripts originating from the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York, the court with jurisdiction to handle all federal matters in Oswego County.

Individuals who wish to access federal court records in Oswego County can do so by utilizing the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system. The PACER system serves as the official case search portal for federal courts and allows individuals to search and view federal case files, including federal indictments and prosecutions and personal and corporate bankruptcy filings.

Some case files predate the PACER system and may not be directly accessible through the portal. However, Individuals may be able to make record inquiries in the court's offices in nearby Syracuse and Utica.

Oswego County Court