What are Albany City Public Records?
Albany City abides by the New York Freedom of Information Law, which defines public records as any information that a government agency creates, uses, recreates, or stores. The only exception to these are records legally restricted from public view. Albany City public records may take multiple formats, including handwritten or typewritten documents, photographs, audio or video recordings, or even email. State laws mark government-generated records as exempt from public view if:
- Making the record publicly available would invade the subject’s privacy;
- Public access would interfere with ongoing contract awards or union negotiations;
- Public access would interfere with an ongoing law enforcement investigation or court proceeding;
- Public access would expose a confidential law-enforcement informant;
- Public access would reveal secret investigative techniques or procedures;
- The record is an unfinished draft.
Albany City Crime Statistics
In Albany City, the Police Department records all crimes and arrests as they take place. It pools these records into readable statistics and shares them with the Federal Bureau of Investigation to use in the Bureau’s annual Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program.
In 2017, the Police Department recorded 876 violent crimes and 3394 property crimes among a population of 98174 residents. Property crimes took a larger share of total crimes, with 2853 cases of larceny-theft, 434 burglaries, 109 vehicular thefts, and 14 cases of arson. A breakdown of the violent crimes revealed 567 cases of aggravated assault, 267 robberies, 54 rape cases, and eight murders. By 2019, the city’s population had marginally declined, as did the number of crimes and arrests that the police department recorded. Over two years, violent crimes fell by 12.9%, with robberies dropping by 31%, aggravated assault by 14.8%, and murders by 50%. Among property crimes, larceny-theft cases decreased by 18.9%, while vehicular theft cases rose by 45% and arson by 14%.
Are Albany City Criminal Records Public?
New York State’s public records laws make certain Albany City criminal records publicly available. However, requirements for accessing these records are set by the individual custodian offices. For example, the New York Division of Criminal Justice Services restricts access to criminal records to the registrant and other law enforcement agencies. On the other hand, the New York State Office of Court Administration (OCA) provides the public with access to a New York Statewide criminal history record search (CHRS) for $95 per search. Also, the Albany City police department will provide copies of arrest records to the persons named in them.
How to Obtain Albany City Police Reports and Arrest Records?
Interested persons can obtain public Albany City Police reports by making FOIL requests to the Albany City Clerk. To submit FOIL requests, interested persons must visit the online Albany FOIL Center and create accounts. The account holder must then generate an FOIL request, highlight the Police Department as the records’ custodian, and include all known details, such as names, descriptions, and relevant dates. Requesters may receive the documents via email, pick up physical copies, or receive them by mail. Physical copies of records cost twenty-five cents per page. Parties may also request records copied to CDs at $10 per disc.
Albany City Clerk
City Hall
24 Eagle Street, Room 202
Albany, NY 12207
Phone: (518) 434-5090
Fax: (518) 434-5081
Email: cityclerk@albanyny.gov
Individuals with arrest records may obtain copies by contacting the Albany City Police Department in person. Requesters must provide a valid government-issued ID to prove eligibility.
Albany Police Department Headquarters
165 Henry Johnson Blvd.
Albany, NY 12210
Phone: (518) 438-4000
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Albany City?
The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services keeps records of all sex offender convictions in the state. The division groups offenders into levels one through three, while courts assign levels to offenders based on the severity of their offenses. The CJS makes sex offender information publicly available on the New York Public Registry of Sex Offenders. Individuals who wish to find information on Albany City sex offenders can search this registry for details of Levels two and three sex offenders, choosing to input the offender’s last names, county, or zip code.
To obtain information on Level One sex offenders, interested persons may call the DCJS at (800) 262-3257, anytime between 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Requesters must provide the following information:
- The offender’s name;
- The offender’s address;
- Date of birth;
- Driver’s license number, or
- Social Security number.
How to Find Albany City Inmate Records?
Individuals arrested in Albany City serve time in the Albany County Jail. The Albany County Sheriff’s Office maintains a record of all individuals housed in the correctional facility. It allows the public to view Albany City inmate records through a third-party online provider. Requesters may also contact the jail in person to obtain inmate information.
Albany County Correctional Facility
840 Albany Shaker Road
Albany, NY 12211
The New York State Department of Corrections also allows interested persons to find inmates across the state. Researchers must complete a form with the inmate’s Department Identification Number (DIN), New York State Identification Number (NYSID), full name, or birthdate.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Albany City Jail?
The Albany County Sheriff allows inmates in the County Jail to receive two visits per week and two visitors per visit. According to the first letter of inmates’ last names, the facility schedules visits and regularly publishes the schedule online.
Visitors must provide a valid government-issued ID to access the facility. The jail accepts valid drivers’ licenses, armed service IDs, or international passports as valid identification. Minors may visit inmates if accompanied by adults and must present valid birth certificates as identification. Visitors may not bring any of the following items to the facility:
- Cigarettes;
- Alcohol or other intoxicants;
- Guns, knives, or any other type of weapons;
- Cameras;
- Food.
The facility advises visitors to dress comfortably but conservatively and to wear sneakers. Visitors will not gain entry to the facility if they are wearing any of the following types of clothing:
- Jeggings
- Sundresses
- See-through clothing
- Hats or scarves
- Hooded clothing
- Orange clothes or anything resembling prison-wear
Inmates can also receive visitors using online video visitation systems. Visitors can schedule video visits with inmates according to their convenience using a third-party app on a computer, smartphone, or tablet.
Albany City Court Records
As part of the Albany County Judicial System, the Albany City Court handles all of the city’s legal proceedings at its Civil, Criminal, and Traffic divisions. The court offers access to all non-confidential court records upon request.
Locations of Courts in Albany City
Albany County Supreme Court
Albany County Courthouse
16 Eagle Street,
Room 102,
Albany, NY 12207
Phone: (518) 285-8989
Fax: (518) 238-4385
Albany County Court
Albany County Courthouse
6 Lodge Street,
Albany, NY 12207
Phone: (518) 285-8777
Fax: (518) 453-8697
Albany County Family Court
30 Clinton Avenue,
Albany, NY 12207
Phone: (518) 285-8600
Fax: (518) 238-4344
Albany County Surrogate's Court
16 Eagle Street,
Room 123,
Albany, NY 12207
Phone: (518) 285-8585
Fax: (518) 285-8237
Albany City Court - Civil Part
Albany City Hall
24 Eagle Street,
Room 209,
Albany, NY 12207
Phone: (518) 453-4640
Fax: (518) 453-8679
Albany City Court - Criminal Part
Public Safety Building
1 Morton Avenue,
Albany, NY 12202
Phone: (518) 453-5520
Fax: (518) 453-8990
Albany City Court - Traffic Part
Albany City Hall
24 Eagle Street,
Albany, NY 12207
Phone: (518) 453-4630
Fax: (518) 453-8699
Are Albany City Court Records Public?
Section 255 of the New York Judiciary Law stipulates that most Albany City court records are open to the public. However, certain court records are exempt from public view, including:
- Criminal cases in which the accused is exonerated
- Grand jury minutes
- Mental Health Records
- Probation reports and pre-sentence notes
- Juvenile court records
- Court records that identify sex offense victims
- Defendant criminal history records
- Alcohol and drug treatment records
- Sex offender registry forms
- Adoption records
- Family court records
- Juror records
- Attorney disciplinary proceedings
Can You Look Up An Albany City Court Case Online?
The public cannot obtain Albany City Court records online. However, the New York Unified Court System allows the public to find Albany City court records on its E-filed Case Records Guest Search page. On the search page, interested persons can find various Albany City court records, as well as records from other cities and counties.
Also, the Supreme Court Records On-Line Library (SCROLL), maintained by the New York State Supreme Court, holds Albany City court records and makes them available to interested persons.
How to Obtain Albany City Civil Court Case Records
The civil division of the Albany City Court provides interested persons with copies of Albany City civil court case records. Interested individuals may visit the court at Albany City Hall between 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. (excluding holidays). To request copies of civil court case records, applicants must provide all known information, including the parties’ names, the court date, and the case number.
Albany City Court - Civil Part
Albany City Hall
24 Eagle Street,
Room 209,
Albany, NY 12207
Phone: (518) 453-4640
Fax: (518) 453-8679
How to Obtain Albany City Criminal Court Records
The criminal part of the Albany City Court provides interested persons with copies of Albany City criminal court records. Interested individuals may visit the court at the Public Safety Building between 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (the court is closed between 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.). To request copies of Albany criminal court records, applicants must provide details of the records, such as names, dates of birth, and case numbers.
Albany City Court - Criminal Part
Public Safety Building
1 Morton Avenue,
Albany, NY 12202
Phone: (518) 453-5520
Fax: (518) 453-8990
What are Albany City Vital Records?
Albany City vital records refer to the official documents that government agencies generate to record the details of life events among local residents. These include birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce decrees, and death certificates. Albany City vital records are mostly available to eligible requesters at the custodian agents’ offices.
Where and How to Obtain Albany City Divorce Records?
The Albany County Clerk handles all divorces and provides copies of Albany City divorce records to the following eligible persons:
- The divorcees;
- The divorcees’ legal representatives;
- Anyone with a notarized letter of consent from one of the divorcees
While certified copies of divorce records are available only to eligible persons, the public may request disposition certificates that show the divorce results. To obtain a copy of an Albany City divorce record, eligible persons must visit the Albany County Clerk’s Office and submit accurate information about the desired document, such as:
- The divorcees’ names
- The divorce date
- The case file number
The County Clerk’s office charges $5 for each name for every two years searched.
Albany County Clerk,
County Court House,
Room 128,
16 Eagle Street,
Albany, NY 12207-1077
Where and How to Get Albany City Marriage Records
The Albany City Clerk provides couples with marriage licenses and makes copies of marriage records available to eligible parties, including:
- The couple;
- The couple’s legal representatives;
- Anyone with a notarized letter of consent from the couple;
- Anyone with a court order to obtain a marriage license copy
Eligible persons may request copies of Albany marriage records by querying the City Clerk’s office in person or by mail. Requesters must provide proof of eligibility and pay the set fee for certified copies.
Albany City Clerk
City Hall
24 Eagle Street,
Room 202
Albany, NY 12207
Phone: (518) 434-5090
Fax: (518) 434-5081
General Email: clerkinfo@albanyny.gov
Eligible persons can also request Albany City marriage records from 1881 to date from the New York State Department of Health. Requesters must complete a Marriage Record Application Form and submit it in person or by mail. Applicants must pay $45 for in-person requests and $30 for mail-in requests. A valid government-issued ID should be submitted for all requests.
New York State Department of Health
Vital Records Certification Unit
P.O. Box 2602
Albany, NY 12220-2602
Where and How to Find Albany City Birth Records
The Albany City office of Vital Statistics manages the city’s birth register and makes copies of Albany City birth records available to eligible parties, including:
- The registrant (above eighteen years old);
- Parents named on the records;
- Anyone with a notarized letter of consent from the registrant or parents;
- Anyone with a court order to obtain a copy
Eligible persons who wish to obtain copies of Albany City birth certificates must download and complete a birth certificate request form and present it to the Vital Statistics office in person or by mail. The form must contain all of the following information:
- Name
- Date of birth
- Place of birth
- Father’s name
- Mother’s name (including maiden name)
- Relationship to the person making the request
- Purpose of request
The fee for copies of birth certificates is $15, payable by cash, check, money order, or credit card.
City of Albany
Registrar, Vital Statistics
24 Eagle Street
Room 254M
Albany, NY 12207
Eligible persons can also request Albany City birth records from the New York State Department of Health by completing a Birth Record Application Form and submitting it by mail or in person. Mail and in-person requests cost $30 and $45, respectively, and require a valid, government-issued ID.
New York State Department of Health
Vital Records Certification Unit
P.O. Box 2602
Albany, NY 12220-2602
Where and How to Find Albany City Death Records
The Albany City Office of Vital Statistics manages the city’s death register and makes copies of Albany City death records available to eligible parties, including:
- The deceased’s surviving spouse
- The deceased’s parents
- The deceased’s siblings
- Anyone with a notarized letter of consent from the above persons;
- Anyone with a court order to obtain a copy
Eligible persons who wish to obtain copies of Albany City birth certificates must download and complete a death record request form and present it to the Vital Statistics office in person or by mail. The form must contain all of the following information:
- Name
- Date of death
- Place of death
- Father’s name
- Mother’s name (including maiden name)
- Social security number
- Date of birth
- Relationship to the person making the request
- Purpose of request
The fee for copies of death certificates is $10, payable by cash, check, money order, or credit card.
City of Albany
Registrar, Vital Statistics
24 Eagle Street
Room 254M
Albany, NY 12207
Eligible persons can also request Albany City death records from the New York State Department of Health by submitting a Death Record Request Form in person or by mail. All requests require valid and government-issued IDs. Applicants must pay $45 for in-person requests and $30 for mail-in requests. Requests should be submitted to the:
New York State Department of Health
Vital Records Certification Unit
P.O. Box 2602
Albany, NY 12220-2602
