Herkimer County
Herkimer County is located in central New York. It has a rich history as part of the Mohawk Valley, which played a significant role during the American Revolutionary War. The county is also known as the "Home of the Diamond Mines" because of its famous Herkimer diamonds, dubbed the doubly terminated quartz crystals. It covers approximately 1,410.6 square miles, with a population of about 60,293 residents. The Village of Herkimer serves as the government seat.
Herkimer County operates a unified judicial system comprising the Supreme, County, Family, Surrogate, and Town and Village Courts. The Supreme Court has general jurisdiction over civil lawsuits beyond the jurisdiction of other trial courts, and certain criminal cases. It handles all felonies, general civil claims exceeding $25,000, divorce, and complex commercial cases. Meanwhile, the County Court oversees certain felony criminal cases, lesser-included offenses, civil matters involving amounts less than $25,000, civil counterclaims without financial limits, foreclosures, and evictions. On the other hand, the Family Court manages cases involving child custody, support, domestic violence, adoptions, and child welfare. The Herkimer County Surrogate's Court focuses on probate matters, estate administration, and guardianships. The Town and Village Courts, including those in Danube, Frankfort, Herkimer Town, Herkimer Village, and Ilion, serve as local justice courts. These courts handle misdemeanors, local ordinances, and traffic violations. They also arraign, set bails, and hold preliminary hearings in felony cases.
Court records in Herkimer County contain information on various court proceedings such as dockets, court judgments, dispositions, subpoenas, and case filings within the county. They are vital tools for legal research and analysis. These records are maintained by the County Clerk's Office and include:
- Civil Records
- Criminal Records
- Probate Records
- Family Court Records
Herkimer County Court records are open to the public upon request per New York Judiciary Law 255. However, records on juvenile and adoption cases contain sensitive information and are thereby restricted from public view. Anyone can obtain Herkimer County public court records by mail or in person at:
109 Mary Street
Herkimer, NY 13350
Phone: (315) 867-1129
Note that the County Clerk charges $0.65 per page for copies of public court records and $1.25 for certified copies. Online access to records is also available through the New York State eCourts platform.
