Niagara County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Niagara County?

Public records in Niagara County are defined as information or documents created, received, filed, recorded, or maintained by county government agencies in their official capacity, pursuant to New York Public Officers Law § 86. These records document government activities and are generally accessible to members of the public unless specifically exempted by law.

Niagara County maintains numerous types of public records, including:

Court Records: Civil, criminal, family court, and surrogate court proceedings maintained by the Niagara County Clerk's office
Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and property transfers recorded by the County Clerk
Vital Records: Birth certificates (from 1880), death certificates (from 1880), and marriage licenses (from 1908)
Business Records: DBA (Doing Business As) certificates, business licenses, and permits
Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, and tax maps maintained by the Real Property Tax Services
Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data and election results maintained by the Board of Elections
Meeting Minutes and Agendas: County Legislature proceedings, board meetings, and committee records
Budget and Financial Documents: County budgets, expenditure reports, and financial statements
Law Enforcement Records: Sheriff's reports, arrest logs, and incident reports (with statutory limitations)
Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, zoning maps, and environmental impact statements

Each record type is maintained by specific county departments. The Niagara County Clerk serves as the primary custodian for many official records, while specialized departments maintain records relevant to their functions. Under New York's Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), these records are presumed open for public inspection unless specifically exempted by statute.

Is Niagara County an Open Records County?

Niagara County adheres to New York State's Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), codified under Public Officers Law Article 6, §§ 84-90. This comprehensive open records law establishes the public's right to access government records with limited exceptions.

The law's declaration of legislative intent under § 84 clearly states: "The legislature hereby finds that a free society is maintained when government is responsive and responsible to the public, and when the public is aware of governmental actions." This foundational principle guides Niagara County's approach to records access.

Niagara County has implemented specific procedures to comply with FOIL requirements. The county maintains a designated Records Access Officer in each department who processes public records requests in accordance with state law. County agencies must respond to requests within five business days, either providing the records, denying access with specific reasons, or acknowledging receipt with an approximate date when the request will be granted or denied.

The county also complies with New York's Open Meetings Law (Public Officers Law Article 7), which requires that meetings of public bodies be open to the public and that meeting minutes be made available. This "sunshine law" ensures transparency in governmental decision-making processes.

Niagara County's commitment to open records is further demonstrated through its online records portal, which provides digital access to many frequently requested documents, enhancing accessibility beyond the minimum requirements of state law.

How to Find Public Records in Niagara County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records in Niagara County may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need. The county provides multiple access points for records retrieval:

Submit a FOIL Request: Individuals may submit a Freedom of Information Law request to the specific department maintaining the desired records. Requests should:
- Be made in writing (though email is acceptable)
- Reasonably describe the records sought
- Include contact information for response
Visit the County Clerk's Office: For court records, property documents, and other official filings, individuals may visit:

Niagara County Clerk's Office
175 Hawley Street
Lockport, NY 14094
(716) 439-7022
Niagara County Clerk
Access Online Resources: Many records are available through the county's online portals:
- Property records can be searched through the County Clerk's Land Records database
- Court records may be accessed through the New York State Unified Court System's WebCrims and WebCivil platforms
- Tax maps and assessment information are available through the Real Property Tax Services
Contact Specialized Departments: For specific record types, contact the relevant department:
- Vital Records: County Clerk's Office
- Law Enforcement Records: Niagara County Sheriff's Office
- Tax Records: Real Property Tax Services
- Voting Records: Board of Elections
Utilize the County Archives: Historical records may be accessed through:

Niagara County Historian's Office
139 Niagara Street
Lockport, NY 14094
(716) 439-7324

When requesting records, individuals should provide specific information to facilitate retrieval, such as names, dates, property addresses, or case numbers. Pursuant to FOIL guidelines, agencies must acknowledge requests within five business days and provide an approximate timeframe for fulfillment.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Niagara County?

Niagara County assesses fees for public records in accordance with New York Public Officers Law § 87(1)(b)(iii), which permits agencies to charge reasonable fees for copying or reproducing records. The current fee structure includes:

Standard Photocopies: $0.25 per page for letter or legal size documents
Certified Copies: $10.00 per document for certified copies of official records
Land Records: $5.00 per page for recording deeds, mortgages, and related documents
Vital Records:
- Birth Certificates: $30.00 per certified copy
- Death Certificates: $30.00 per certified copy
- Marriage Certificates: $30.00 per certified copy
Court Records: $1.00 per page for copies of court filings
Maps and Large Format Documents: $5.00 to $15.00 depending on size
Digital Records: $10.00 per CD/DVD for electronic copies when available

The county accepts payment via cash, check, money order, and credit/debit cards for most transactions. Electronic payments may incur additional processing fees of approximately 2.5%.

It is important to note that under FOIL, agencies may not charge for:

The search for or retrieval of records
Administrative costs associated with fulfilling requests
Inspection of records when no copies are made

Fee waivers may be granted when disclosure primarily benefits the general public, though such determinations are made on a case-by-case basis. Government agencies requesting records for official purposes are generally exempt from fees.

For voluminous requests requiring extensive staff time, the county may provide a cost estimate before proceeding with the request. All fees must be paid before records are released.

Does Niagara County Have Free Public Records?

Niagara County provides several avenues for accessing public records without charge. In accordance with state law, the county offers free in-person inspection of most public records during regular business hours. This right to inspect records without charge is guaranteed under New York Public Officers Law § 87(2).

Free public records access in Niagara County includes:

In-Person Inspection: Members of the public may examine non-exempt records at no cost by visiting the appropriate county office during business hours. Individuals must schedule appointments for certain record types or for voluminous requests.
Online Resources: The county provides free access to several digital record repositories:
Public Access Terminals: Computer terminals are available at the County Clerk's Office and certain other departments for searching electronic records at no charge.
Public Libraries: The county's public libraries offer free access to certain county records and can assist with navigating online resources.

While inspection is free, reproduction costs apply when copies are requested, as outlined in the fee schedule. Additionally, certain specialized searches or certified documents always carry statutory fees regardless of the request method.

The county's Records Access Officers can provide guidance on which records are available for free inspection and which require payment of statutory fees.

Who Can Request Public Records in Niagara County?

Under New York Public Officers Law § 89(1), any person, regardless of citizenship or residency status, may request access to public records in Niagara County. The law establishes a presumption of access that applies equally to:

New York State residents
Out-of-state residents
Foreign nationals
Organizations, businesses, and associations
Media representatives
Government agencies

Requestors are not required to:

Provide identification (except for certain restricted records)
State the purpose of their request
Explain why they want the information
Demonstrate "standing" or special interest in the records

However, specific record types may have statutory restrictions that limit access to certain individuals:

Vital Records: Birth and death certificates are restricted to the person named on the record, their parents, spouses, children, or legal representatives with proper identification and documentation of relationship.
Medical Records: Access is limited to the patient or their authorized representative pursuant to HIPAA regulations.
Certain Court Records: Some court documents may be accessible only to parties to the case or their legal representatives.
Voter Registration Records: While voter lists are public, certain personal information may be redacted, and commercial use is restricted.

For records with restricted access, requestors must provide proper identification and, where applicable, documentation establishing their legal right to access the information. The county may require a signed release from the subject of the record or court order in certain circumstances.

All requests are subject to the exemptions outlined in Public Officers Law § 87(2), regardless of who makes the request.

What Records Are Confidential in Niagara County?

Niagara County maintains certain records that are exempt from public disclosure pursuant to New York Public Officers Law § 87(2). These confidential records include:

Personal Privacy Information: Records that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, including:
- Social Security numbers
- Medical and health records
- Personal financial information
- Employment, medical, or credit histories
- Home addresses and telephone numbers of public employees
Law Enforcement Records: Information that would:
- Interfere with law enforcement investigations or judicial proceedings
- Deprive a person of the right to a fair trial
- Identify confidential sources or disclose confidential information
- Reveal criminal investigative techniques or procedures
Sealed Court Records: Including:
- Family Court proceedings
- Youthful offender records
- Sealed criminal records pursuant to Criminal Procedure Law
- Adoption records
- Mental health proceedings
Inter/Intra-Agency Materials: Deliberative process documents, including:
- Draft documents
- Recommendations and opinions
- Pre-decisional memoranda
Critical Infrastructure Information: Records that would:
- Jeopardize the security of information technology assets
- Endanger public safety or critical infrastructure
- Reveal security vulnerabilities
Trade Secrets: Commercial information submitted to the county that would cause substantial injury to the competitive position of the subject if disclosed
Attorney-Client Privileged Communications: Legal advice and attorney work product
Educational Records: Student records protected under FERPA
Records Specifically Exempted by Statute: Including those protected by:
- HIPAA (health information)
- DPPA (driver privacy)
- Various New York State laws protecting specific information types

When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the county will redact the confidential portions and release the remainder when possible. All denials of access must cite the specific statutory provision supporting the exemption and inform the requestor of their right to appeal.

The county applies a balancing test when considering discretionary exemptions, weighing the public interest in disclosure against the potential harm that might result from release.

Niagara County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Niagara County Clerk's Office
175 Hawley Street
Lockport, NY 14094
(716) 439-7022
Niagara County Clerk

Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Recording Division Contact Information:
Recording Department: (716) 439-7022
Land Records: (716) 439-7062
Court Records: (716) 439-7125

Additional Recording Locations:

Niagara Falls DMV Office
1001 11th Street
Niagara Falls, NY 14301
(716) 278-1782

North Tonawanda DMV Office
500 Wheatfield Street
North Tonawanda, NY 14120
(716) 743-4599

The Niagara County Clerk serves as the county recorder and is responsible for maintaining and preserving official records including deeds, mortgages, liens, judgments, military discharge papers, business certificates, and court records. The office provides recording services, certified copies, and public access terminals for record searches.

For specialized property tax records, the public may also contact:

Niagara County Real Property Tax Services
59 Park Avenue
Lockport, NY 14094
(716) 439-7077
Real Property Tax Services

Lookup Public Records in Niagara County

County Clerk

Real Property Tax Services