Richmond County Civil Court

About Richmond County Civil Court

The Richmond County Civil Court is located at 927 Castleton Avenue in the West Brighton neighborhood of Staten Island. This facility serves as the Staten Island branch of the Civil Court of the City of New York, a unified court system established in 1962 to handle civil matters with lower jurisdictional limits. Housed in a historic building completed in 1927, the court plays a central role in resolving local legal disputes for the borough’s residents. It shares the facility with the Housing Court, addressing landlord-tenant issues critical to the community. The court provides a venue for individuals and businesses to seek justice in matters involving monetary claims up to $50,000, as well as simplified procedures for smaller disputes. 🏛️

Court Divisions and Jurisdiction

The court is divided into several parts, each handling specific types of cases:

• Civil Part: Adjudicates civil lawsuits seeking monetary damages up to $50,000. This includes breach of contract, personal injury, and property damage cases.
• Housing Court: A specialized part dedicated to landlord-tenant disputes, including eviction proceedings, non-payment of rent, and housing code violations.
• Small Claims: Handles informal disputes between individuals for amounts up to $10,000.
• Commercial Claims: Similar to small claims but for corporations, partnerships, and associations.
• Name Changes: Processes petitions for legal name changes for residents of Richmond County.

Security and Entry Requirements

Strict security measures are enforced by New York State Court Officers to ensure the safety of all visitors and staff.

• Screening: All entrants must pass through metal detectors, and bags are subject to x-ray inspection.
• Identification: A valid government-issued photo ID is required for entry.
• Prohibited Items: Weapons, pepper spray, pocket knives, glass bottles, and sharp tools are strictly forbidden.
• Electronics: Mobile phones are generally permitted but must be silenced. Taking photographs or recording audio/video inside the courthouse is strictly prohibited without judicial authorization.

Location and Transportation

The courthouse is located on Castleton Avenue at the corner of Bement Avenue. Unlike other NYC boroughs, Staten Island does not have a subway network connecting directly to this location, so bus travel is the primary mode of public transit.

• Bus Access: The S46 and S96 (Limited) buses stop directly at Castleton Avenue and Bement Avenue. The S44 stops nearby at Henderson Avenue and Bement Avenue.
• From the Ferry: Visitors arriving via the Staten Island Ferry can transfer to the S46 or S44 bus at the St. George Terminal.
• Parking: There is no on-site public parking lot. Visitors must rely on street parking, which can be limited.

Payments and Fees

The Clerk’s Office accepts payments for filing fees and jury demands.

• Accepted Methods: Cash, certified checks, cashier’s checks, and money orders (payable to ‘Clerk of the Civil Court’).
• Credit Cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover are accepted for most civil filing fees.
• No Personal Checks: Personal checks are generally not accepted from the public.