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Although the law varies from state to state, most documents filed with a court—as well as settlement agreements and discovery documents that are not filed with the court in which the lawsuit is pending—are court records, and are presumed open to the public.

In New York, the principle of public access to court documents is upheld, consistent with the broader trend across the United States. Court records, which include documents filed with the court, are generally accessible to the public. This transparency is rooted in the idea that the public has the right to monitor the functioning of its judicial system. However, there are exceptions to this presumption of openness. Certain sensitive documents may be sealed by the court to protect privacy or confidentiality, such as in cases involving minors, sensitive personal information, trade secrets, or during ongoing investigations. Settlement agreements that are not filed with the court and certain discovery materials may also not be automatically accessible to the public. The exact rules governing access to these documents can be found in the New York State Unified Court System's rules and relevant state statutes, which may provide specific guidelines on the types of documents that are accessible or sealed.

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Courts

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Courts

court records

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