Saratoga County
Saratoga County is located in Upstate New York, covering a land area of 810 square miles. It was created in 1791 and given the name 'Sarach-togue,' which comes from a Native American word meaning 'place of the swift water.' The county is home to 236,328 residents, while its county seat is the Village of Ballston Spa.
Saratoga County's judiciary comprises a Supreme Court, a County Court, a Family Court, Surrogate Court, two City Courts, and several Town/Justice Courts. The Supreme and County Court in Saratoga County are within New York's 4th Judicial District. Being the general jurisdiction court, the Supreme Court adjudicates all criminal and civil cases not exclusive to other courts. The County Court, on the other hand, presides over felony-related criminal proceedings and civil cases where the amount in controversy is $25,000 or less. It also has appellate jurisdiction over appeals from Town and City Courts in Saratoga County. Saratoga County has a City Court in Saratoga Springs that handles misdemeanors and some civil violation cases. City Court judges typically resolve civil claims under $15,000 and conduct felony preliminary trials. In Saratoga County, the Surrogate's Court handles legal matters related to wills, estates, and the affairs of deceased persons, while the Juvenile Court addresses child custody disputes, spousal supports, adoption processes, and juvenile delinquencies. The Town/Village/Justice Courts settle landlord-tenant disputes, ordinance violations, and small claims cases.
Saratoga County court records are usually open to the public, per New York Freedom of Information Law. As such, anyone can request paper copies or view public court records online. Court records contain case information such as case numbers, filing dates, names of involved parties, hearing dates, and locations. They are important for future references, research purposes, and to promote public trust in the county's judiciary. The Saratoga County Clerk maintains the following public court documents:
- Criminal records
- Family records
- Property records
- Probate records
- Civil records
- Small claims records
Interested persons can obtain these documents by sending written requests to or visiting the court clerk at:
Saratoga County Clerk
40 McMaster Street
Ballston Spa, NY 12020
Phone: (518) 885-2213
Note that certain court records are restricted and confidential under state or federal laws. Examples of these records include sealed, juvenile, adoption, and mental health court records. Access to confidential records is possible if interested persons provide valid IDs or court orders granting them access. Saratoga County public court records are also accessible online via the Online Records Search or the NYS eCourts portal.
