Chemung County
Chemung County was founded in 1836 and is home to an estimated population of 81,148 residents. It has approximately 407.3 square miles of land, ranking it as the 48th largest county in New York State. The county seat is in Elmira.
The courts in Chemung County include a Supreme Court, a County Court, a Family Court, a Surrogate's Court, the Elmira City Court, and 14 Town and Village Courts. Chemung County Supreme Court has authority over most civil and criminal cases involving felonies, tax assessment reviews, divorce, and general civil cases with claims over $25,000. The court handles felony cases beyond the jurisdiction of the County Court. The Chemung County Court handles cases such as certain felonies, evictions, property disputes, and civil cases with claims under $25,000. Cases related to juvenile matters and domestic relations, including child protection and juvenile delinquency, are handled by Chemung County Family Court. The Surrogate's Court has jurisdiction over cases related to the affairs of decedents, including probate of wills and administration of estates. The Elmira City Court handles misdemeanors and civil claims where the amount in disputes is under $15,000. Chemung County Town and Village Courts have jurisdiction over certain criminal and civil cases where the amounts in disputes are under $3,000.
Chemung County court records are official documents created or produced during legal proceedings within the county's territories. These records typically contain transcripts, statements, filings, judgments, and case summaries. Court records are available to the public under the New York State's Freedom of Information Law. Records related to juvenile matters, adoptions, and mental health are confidential, and public access to such records may be denied. Common Chemung County court records include:
- Family Records
- Probate Records
- Civil Records
- Criminal Records
- Family Records
The Chemung County Clerk is responsible for maintaining the county's records, including court records. Requesters may search for court records through the State Unified Court System portal or by visiting the county clerk's office. Certain fees may be charged for physical copies or certified copies.
