Putnam County court records, New York, are available through several channels. PutnamCourt.us allows you to search for public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be found through the official resources of the New York State court system, directly at the county clerk's office, and through public terminals installed in court buildings. Below is a practical guide to navigating the county's court system and obtaining the necessary documents.
Putnam Court System & Jurisdictions
Putnam County is small in population, but its judicial structure includes several levels, each handling specific categories of cases.
Putnam County Supreme Court is a court of general jurisdiction in New York State. It hears serious civil claims (amounts exceeding the limits of lower courts), divorce cases, and other family disputes, as well as felony-level criminal cases. The Supreme Court also hears appeals from lower county courts.
Putnam County Court handles felony-level criminal cases and some misdemeanors. This court often works closely with the Supreme Court, and both are located in the same building in Carmel.
- Family Court — custody, alimony, protective orders, juvenile cases. Records of this court are generally closed to public access.
- Surrogate's Court — wills, probate cases, appointment of guardians over estates. Most probate cases are public, except for certain sealed documents.
- Town and Village Justice Courts — traffic violations, minor criminal cases (misdemeanors), small claims (up to $5,000). Each of the six towns in the county — Carmel, Kent, Patterson, Philipstown, Putnam Valley, Southeast — has its own Justice Court.
If you are unsure which court handled the case, contact the Putnam County Clerk's Office — they hold civil and criminal court documents, decision registers, and liens.
Putnam Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
The schedule of hearings depends on the specific court. There is no unified online system that combines the calendars of all county courts, so you need to search separately for each level.
- Supreme Court and County Court. The hearing schedule is published through the New York State Unified Court System (NYSCEF / eCourts). The Ninth Judicial District calendar, which includes Putnam, can be found on the iCourts portal at ww2.nycourts.gov/courts/9jd.
- Town Justice Courts. Each town court maintains its own schedule. Hearings usually take place in the evening once or twice a week. The easiest way to confirm the date and time of a specific hearing is to call the respective Justice Court directly.
- Family Court and Surrogate's Court. Information about scheduled hearings can be obtained by contacting the respective court's office or through the eCourts portal.
To check the status of a criminal case or information about inmates, useful state-level resources include: DOCCS inmate lookup and local facility inmate locator.
How to Get a Copy of a Putnam Court Document
You can obtain a copy of a court document in several ways — depending on the type of case and whether you need a certified copy.
Certified and Uncertified Copies
A certified copy has the clerk's seal and legal validity — it is required by banks, immigration services, and other courts. An uncertified copy is suitable for personal review.
Channels for Obtaining
- In person. Visit the County Clerk's office in Carmel. You will need the case number or the full name of the party and an approximate date. The clerk will conduct a search and issue a copy on the spot.
- By mail. Send a written request with case details and a check or money order to the address below. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope.
- Through a FOIL request. If the document is not available through the standard procedure, submit a request under the Freedom of Information Law. The Public Records Access Request Form can be downloaded online.
Putnam County Clerk's Office
For documents from state-level criminal cases, contact the Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), which maintains the official New York criminal history registry.
Family Court records and juvenile cases are usually closed. The court may grant access only by a judge's decision or with legal grounds.
Putnam Court Records Fees & Payment
The fees are determined by New York State law and the internal rules of the clerk's office. Below is an approximate table of the main fees charged by the County Clerk. We recommend confirming the exact amounts directly with the clerk's office, as they may be updated.
| Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Search by name (for every two years of search) | $5.00 |
| Document copy (per page) | $0.65 |
| Document certification | $1.25 for the first page, $0.50 for each additional page |
| Exemplified copy with court seal | From $5.00 and up |
| FOIL request submission | Free (only copying fees apply) |
These fees are established in accordance with CPLR § 8019 and County Law § 525 of New York State. Separate state-level rates apply for criminal history checks through DCJS.
Payment Methods:
- In person — cash, check, or money order payable to "Putnam County Clerk."
- By mail — check or money order only.
- Online payment is available for some services through the county public access portal.
Credit cards are not accepted for all types of transactions — confirm this in advance by phone. If you need help finding court records, start with PutnamCourt.us, then contact the relevant court or clerk's office for official copies.