null
How to Find Public Records in Orleans County in 2026
Members of the public seeking government documents in Orleans County, New York, may access publicly available information through OrleansRecords.us, which aggregates data drawn from official government sources. The Orleans County official government portal serves as the primary starting point for locating records maintained by county departments. Depending on the record type and the custodial office, individuals may find documents related to property ownership, court proceedings, vital events, law enforcement activity, and county government operations. Access to specific records may be subject to statutory exemptions, and not all documents are available in their entirety through public channels.
Record categories that members of the public may search include:
- Property deeds, mortgages, and liens
- Court filings (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
- Business licenses and permits
- Tax assessment and property tax records
- Voting and election records
- County board meeting minutes and agendas
- Budget and financial documents
- Law enforcement incident reports and arrest logs (where permitted)
- Land use, zoning, and planning records
Online Access: The Orleans County records department provides access to select documents through the county's official web portal. Property records and land documents may be searched through the County Clerk's online index. Certain records require user registration or the submission of a formal Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request before digital copies are released.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Orleans County Clerk's Office to inspect records at the public access terminal. The office is located at 3 South Main Street, Albion, NY 14411. Counter hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Requestors should bring a valid photo identification and, where applicable, the case number or document index number to facilitate retrieval.
Written/Mail Requests: Written FOIL requests may be submitted by mail to the Records Access Officer at Orleans County, 14016 Route 31 West, Albion, NY 14411. Requests must include the requestor's name, mailing address, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for delivery. Under New York Public Officers Law § 89, agencies are required to respond within five business days of receipt.
Phone/Email: The main county government line is 585-589-7000. Individual department contacts are listed on the Orleans County government website.
What Are Public Records in Orleans County?
Public records in Orleans County are defined under New York State law as any information kept, held, filed, produced, or reproduced by, with, or for a government agency. Under New York Public Officers Law § 86, the term "record" encompasses any document, paper, book, photograph, film, computer file, map, chart, or other material made or received by a government entity in connection with official business.
The following record types are currently maintained by Orleans County agencies:
| Record Type | Custodial Office |
|---|---|
| Court records (civil, criminal, probate, family) | Orleans County Clerk |
| Property deeds, mortgages, liens | Orleans County Clerk |
| Vital records (birth, death, marriage) | NYS Department of Health / Town Clerks |
| Business licenses and permits | County Clerk / Municipal Offices |
| Tax assessment records | Orleans County Real Property Tax Service |
| Voting and election records | Orleans County Board of Elections |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | Orleans County Legislature |
| Budget and financial documents | Orleans County Treasurer |
| Law enforcement records | Orleans County Sheriff's Office |
| Land use and zoning records | Orleans County Planning Department |
As noted on the county clerk's official page, "All Supreme Court documents are the records of the County Clerk. The office is responsible to the Supreme Court as well as the Office of Court Administration."
Is Orleans County an Open Records County?
Orleans County operates in full compliance with New York State's Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), which governs public access to government records across all counties in the state. Under New York Public Officers Law Article 6, § 84–90, all state and local government agencies are required to make records available to any person upon request, subject to specific statutory exemptions.
The New York Committee on Open Government, which operates under the Department of State, has stated that "the people's right to know the process of governmental decision-making and to review the documents and statistics leading to determinations is basic to our society." This principle underlies the county's records access policies.
Orleans County designates a Records Access Officer within each agency to receive and process FOIL requests. The county does not require requestors to provide a reason for seeking records, and denial of access must be accompanied by a written explanation citing the applicable statutory exemption. Requestors who are denied access have the right to appeal to the agency head and, thereafter, to seek judicial review under Article 78 of the New York Civil Practice Law and Rules.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Orleans County?
The fee structure for public records in Orleans County is governed by New York Public Officers Law, which sets limits on what agencies may charge for records access. Current standard fees are as follows:
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Paper copies (up to 9" x 14") | $0.25 per page |
| Certification of records | Varies by document type |
| Electronic copies (where available) | No charge in many cases |
| Search fees | Not permitted under state law |
- Inspection fees: No charge for in-person inspection of records at the public access terminal.
- Copy fees: $0.25 per page for standard paper copies, consistent with the fee schedule established under New York Public Officers Law.
- Certification fees: Certified copies of court documents and land records carry fees set by the County Clerk's schedule; deed certifications are subject to recording fees established by statute.
- Electronic format fees: Agencies may not charge more than the actual cost of reproduction for electronic records.
- Fee waivers: Agencies may waive fees when disclosure is determined to be in the public interest, such as for news media or nonprofit organizations engaged in research.
Accepted payment methods at the County Clerk's Office include cash, check, and money order made payable to the Orleans County Clerk. Credit card acceptance may vary by department.
Does Orleans County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available to any person at the Orleans County Clerk's Office during regular business hours. Under New York FOIL, agencies are prohibited from charging a fee solely for the act of inspecting records; fees apply only when copies are requested.
The following resources provide free access to Orleans County records:
- Orleans County Clerk's public access terminal: Located at 3 South Main Street, Albion, NY 14411, the terminal allows in-person inspection of land records, court indices, and related documents at no cost.
- Orleans County government web portal: The Orleans County official website provides access to meeting minutes, budget documents, and other administrative records without charge.
- New York State Courts Electronic Filing (NYSCEF): Certain court records filed electronically through the state court system may be viewed at no cost through the NYSCEF public portal.
- Board of Elections records: Voter registration data and election results are available for inspection free of charge at the Orleans County Board of Elections.
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while any person may view records without charge, obtaining paper or electronic copies is subject to the fee schedule described above.
Who Can Request Public Records in Orleans County?
Any person may submit a public records request in Orleans County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. New York Public Officers Law does not restrict FOIL access to residents of the state or county, and requestors are not required to explain why they are seeking records.
Specific eligibility considerations include:
- Residency: Not required. Non-residents of Orleans County and New York State retain full FOIL rights.
- Identification: Agencies may not require identification as a condition of records access for most public documents. Identification may be required for records involving personal information, such as vital records, where the requestor's identity is relevant to access rights.
- Purpose: Requestors are not required to state a purpose for most records requests. Exceptions apply to certain sensitive record categories.
- Requesting your own records: Individuals seeking records about themselves may be entitled to access documents that would otherwise be withheld from third parties, such as certain personnel or law enforcement records.
- Restrictions for specific record types: Vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates) are subject to access restrictions under New York Public Health Law; certified copies are available only to the subject, immediate family members, or authorized legal representatives.
What Records Are Confidential in Orleans County?
Certain categories of records are exempt from public disclosure under New York law. The New York Committee on Open Government has noted that "the Legislature carefully balanced the rights of the public to be informed about the workings of government against the rights of individuals to privacy." Exemptions are construed narrowly, and agencies bear the burden of demonstrating that withholding is justified.
Records currently exempt from disclosure in Orleans County include:
- Sealed court records: Records sealed pursuant to court order or statute, including certain criminal case dispositions under New York Criminal Procedure Law § 160.50.
- Juvenile records: Records pertaining to persons adjudicated as juvenile delinquents are confidential under New York Family Court Act.
- Ongoing investigation records: Law enforcement records compiled for law enforcement purposes that, if disclosed, would interfere with an active investigation.
- Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted prior to disclosure.
- Medical records: Protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and New York Public Health Law.
- Adoption records: Sealed by statute under New York Domestic Relations Law.
- Child welfare and protective services records: Confidential under New York Social Services Law.
- Personnel records: Employee records are exempt to the extent that disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, though disciplinary records of public employees may be subject to disclosure.
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Exempt where disclosure would cause substantial competitive injury.
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Exempt to protect public safety.
Agencies applying exemptions are required to provide a written explanation citing the specific statutory basis for withholding, and requestors retain the right to appeal any denial.
Orleans County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Orleans County Clerk's Office 3 South Main Street, Albion, NY 14411 Phone: 585-589-5334 Orleans County Clerk
Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Closed on state and federal holidays.
The County Clerk serves as the official custodian of Supreme Court documents, land records, and a range of county government records. All Supreme Court filings, deeds, mortgages, and related instruments are recorded and indexed through this office.
Orleans County Sheriff's Office 13925 Route 31 West, Albion, NY 14411 Phone: 585-590-4142 Orleans County Sheriff's Office
Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (administrative offices) The Sheriff's Office maintains law enforcement records, including incident reports and arrest logs, subject to applicable FOIL exemptions.
Orleans County Main Government Center 14016 Route 31 West, Albion, NY 14411 Phone: 585-589-7000 Orleans County Government
Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
The main government center houses multiple county departments, including the Records department, which coordinates access to administrative documents across county agencies. The county records department provides guidance on which office maintains specific record types and how to submit requests.
Orleans County Board of Elections 14016 Route 31 West, Albion, NY 14411 Phone: 585-589-3274
Orleans County Real Property Tax Service 14016 Route 31 West, Albion, NY 14411 Phone: 585-589-7000