logo
AlbanyRecords.us
Search Public Records

Albany County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Albany County?

Public records in Albany County are defined as information created, received, or maintained by government agencies in the course of official business. According to the New York State Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), codified in Public Officers Law § 84-90, public records include "any information kept, held, filed, produced or reproduced by, with or for an agency... in any physical form whatsoever."

Albany County maintains numerous types of public records accessible to citizens:

  • Court Records: Civil, criminal, family court, and probate proceedings maintained by the Albany County Clerk and Unified Court System
  • Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and property transfers
  • Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees
  • Business Records: Business licenses, permits, DBAs (Doing Business As), and corporate filings
  • Tax Records: Property tax assessments, tax rolls, and payment records
  • Voting Records: Voter registration information and election results
  • Meeting Records: Minutes, agendas, and resolutions from County Legislature meetings
  • Financial Documents: County budgets, expenditure reports, and financial statements
  • Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs, incident reports (with certain restrictions)
  • Land Use Records: Zoning maps, building permits, and planning documents

The Albany County Clerk's Office serves as the primary custodian for many county records, while specialized departments maintain records specific to their functions. The Albany County Department of Management and Budget maintains financial records, while the Albany County Board of Elections maintains voter and election records.

Is Albany County an Open Records County?

Albany County fully adheres to New York State's Freedom of Information Law (FOIL). Under Public Officers Law § 87, all government records are presumed to be open and accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statute.

The law states: "Each agency shall... make available for public inspection and copying all records," establishing a clear presumption of access. Albany County has implemented this mandate through local procedures that facilitate public access to government information.

The County operates in compliance with New York's Open Meetings Law, ensuring that government meetings are conducted openly with public access. This commitment to transparency extends to the proactive publication of many records online through the county's official websites.

Albany County has established specific FOIL procedures pursuant to state requirements. The Albany County Legislature has designated Records Access Officers within each department to process public records requests in accordance with state law.

How to Find Public Records in Albany County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records from Albany County may utilize several methods to access information:

  1. Online Access: Many records are available through the county's official websites:

  2. Submit a FOIL Request: For records not available online, individuals may submit a formal FOIL request:

    • Complete the FOIL Request Form
    • Submit requests to the appropriate department's Records Access Officer
    • Requests must reasonably describe the records sought
    • Agencies must respond within 5 business days, either providing records, denying access with reasons, or acknowledging receipt with an approximate date when the request will be granted or denied

  3. In-Person Inspection: Visit the appropriate county office during business hours:

Albany County Clerk's Office
Albany County Courthouse
16 Eagle Street, Room 128
Albany, NY 12207
(518) 487-5100
Albany County Clerk

  1. Written Requests: Mail FOIL requests to the relevant department's Records Access Officer, clearly describing the records sought.

  2. Electronic Requests: Email FOIL requests to departmental Records Access Officers or through the county's online FOIL portal.

Pursuant to Public Officers Law § 89(3), agencies must provide records in the format requested if reasonably able to do so, including electronic formats when available.

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

Albany County assesses fees for public records in accordance with Public Officers Law § 87(1)(b)(iii), which permits agencies to charge reasonable fees for copying or reproducing records.

Current standard fees include:

  • Paper Copies: $0.25 per page for standard letter/legal size documents
  • Certified Copies: Additional $5.00 certification fee per document
  • Large Format Documents: Actual cost of reproduction (maps, plans, etc.)
  • Electronic Records: No charge when records are already in electronic format and can be emailed
  • Storage Media: Actual cost of USB drives or other media if electronic records cannot be emailed

Specialized record fees:

  • Vital Records:
    • Birth Certificates: $10.00 per copy
    • Death Certificates: $10.00 per copy
    • Marriage Licenses: $40.00 for license, $10.00 per certified copy
  • Property Records:
    • Deed Recordings: $40.00 first page, $5.00 each additional page
    • Mortgage Recordings: Fee varies based on document length and type

Payment methods accepted include:

  • Cash (in-person only)
  • Personal checks
  • Money orders
  • Credit cards (subject to processing fee)

Agencies may waive fees when disclosure primarily benefits the general public. Inspection of records in person is always free of charge, though copying fees still apply if copies are requested.

Does Albany County Have Free Public Records?

Albany County provides free access to numerous public records. Pursuant to state law, in-person inspection of non-exempt public records is available at no cost during regular business hours. The public may examine records without charge, though fees apply for copies as detailed above.

Free online access is available for several record types:

The Albany County Clerk's Office maintains public access terminals where visitors may search property records, court filings, and business records at no cost, though printing from these terminals incurs standard copy fees.

Additionally, the Albany County Public Library system provides free public access to computers where residents can access online county records.

Who Can Request Public Records in Albany County?

Under New York's Freedom of Information Law, any person may request public records from Albany County agencies regardless of citizenship or residency status. As established in Public Officers Law § 89(1), the right of access extends to "any person," with no qualification based on residency, citizenship, age, or purpose.

Key provisions regarding requestors:

  • Requestors need not disclose the purpose of their request for most records
  • Identification is generally not required except for:
    • Vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates) where proof of eligibility is required
    • Records where access is restricted to certain individuals (e.g., one's own personnel records)
  • Organizations, businesses, and government agencies may request records
  • Non-residents have the same rights of access as New York residents
  • Anonymous requests are permitted for publicly available records

For certain restricted records, requestors must demonstrate a qualifying relationship or legitimate interest:

  • Birth certificates are available only to the person named, parents, or legal representatives
  • Death certificates are available to close relatives or those with a documented property or financial interest
  • Sealed court records require court authorization
  • Personnel records are generally available only to the subject employee

Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, email, or through online portals, depending on the specific agency.

What Records Are Confidential in Albany County?

While Albany County operates under a presumption of openness, certain records are exempt from disclosure under Public Officers Law § 87(2). These exemptions protect privacy, safety, and other important interests.

Records exempt from disclosure include:

  • Personal Privacy: Information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, including:

    • Social Security numbers
    • Medical records
    • Personal financial information
    • Home addresses and telephone numbers of public employees
    • Employment, medical, or credit histories

  • Law Enforcement Records:

    • Active investigation materials that would interfere with proceedings
    • Information that would identify confidential sources
    • Information that would reveal non-routine criminal investigative techniques
    • Records that could endanger the life or safety of any person

  • Inter/Intra-Agency Materials: Deliberative process documents, including:

    • Draft documents
    • Recommendations and opinions (factual portions remain accessible)
    • Pre-decisional memoranda

  • Trade Secrets: Commercial information submitted to an agency that would cause substantial injury to the competitive position of the subject enterprise

  • Critical Infrastructure: Information that could jeopardize security of information technology assets or physical facilities

  • Court-Protected Records:

    • Sealed court records
    • Juvenile delinquency proceedings
    • Family Court Act proceedings
    • Adoption records

  • Attorney-Client Materials: Communications between agencies and their attorneys

  • Collective Bargaining: Records pertaining to current or future negotiations

Agencies must apply these exemptions narrowly and, when possible, redact exempt information while disclosing the remainder of the record. Denials of access must cite the specific statutory provision justifying withholding.

Albany County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Albany County Clerk's Office
Albany County Courthouse
16 Eagle Street, Room 128
Albany, NY 12207
(518) 487-5100
Albany County Clerk

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and legal holidays

Records Management Division
112 State Street, Room 1200
Albany, NY 12207
(518) 487-5127
Records Management

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and legal holidays

City of Albany Clerk's Office (FOIL Requests)
City Hall, Room 202
24 Eagle Street
Albany, NY 12207
(518) 434-5090
City Clerk's Office

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and legal holidays

Lookup Public Records in Albany County

Records Access / FOIL | Albany, NY

Categories

Criminal RecordsCourt RecordsInmate RecordsArrest recordsWarrant SearchProperty RecordsDivorce Records