Steuben County
Steuben County is part of the southern Tiger region of the state. It was created in 1796. It was named in honor of Baron Von Steuben. Its county seat is Bath, and its largest city is Corning. It measures 1,404 square miles, of which 1% makes up water. It has a population of over 93,000 people.
The Supreme, County, Family, Surrogate, City, and Town Courts and Village Courts are of several importance in the court system of Steuben County. The Supreme Court, as part of the seventh judicial district, handles most civil cases, including negligence, contract, and breach of warranty cases. They are of general jurisdiction and are the highest court. The Family Court legalizes the adoption of children, establishes the paternity of children, and oversees the placement and care of children in foster care. The County Court hears appeals from the decisions made in the Town and Village Courts and conducts trials related to criminal law. Furthermore, it hears family law matters involving criminal charges.
The Surrogate Court primarily finalizes the legal process of adoptions, provides validity for wills, and distributes the wealth and assets of a deceased. The Town Courts and Village Courts are usually the first point of contact for residents in the county. They resolve disputes with amounts up to $3,000, manage landlord-tenant cases, and handle speeding tickets and traffic infractions cases. They also preside over civil matters with relatively small amounts and misdemeanors.
The County Clerk is responsible for indexing and managing court records according to the rules and regulations provided by the Constitution. Case files are organized and indexed appropriately for easy referencing in the future.
Several court records are available for the public who are interested in inspecting court records:
- Civil Court Records
- Family Court Records
- Criminal Court Records
You can request records online through the New York State Unified Court System website. Dockets may be searched by providing detailed information such as party name, judge name, case number, and index number. For records that are stored in the courthouse, you may visit at 3 East Pulteney Square, Bath, NY 14810. You may also call the County Clerk's Office at (607) 664-2563.
