What are Dutchess County Public Records?
As defined by the New York Freedom of Information Law, a Dutchess County public record is any information prepared, maintained, stored, or reproduced in any physical form whatsoever by and for a public agency or state legislature. These include, and are not limited to, reports, statements, opinions, and files. In compliance with the state statutes, every public agency must make its public records available for inspection and copying. However, a public body also has the right to deny access to certain documents that federal or state statutes specifically exempt from public view. Access to records may be blocked if it's found to:
- Constitute a threat to privacy
- Interfere with pending negotiations
- Undermine a person's right to a fair hearing
- Interfere with law enforcement investigations
Dutchess County Crime Statistics
The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (NYS DCJS) publishes crime statistics for all New York counties. According to the latest crime data for Dutchess County, local law enforcement reported 568 violent crimes and 2,981 property crimes, indicating a 5.8% surge in violent crime counts and a 3.9% decline in property crime counts. Dutchess County's total index crime count in 2019 was 3,549, representing a 2.4% drop from the previous year.
The county's index crime breakdown for 2019 includes five murders, 104 rape, 108 robberies, 381 aggravated assaults, 285 burglaries, 2,570 larcenies, and 126 motor vehicle thefts. Robbery and aggravated assault were the only two crime categories that saw an increase between 2018 and 2019. Dutchess County's total index crime rate was 1,217 crimes per 100,000 population, representing a 3% drop from the previous year. Its violent and property crime rates also dipped by 5.2% and 4.5%, respectively.
Are Dutchess County Criminal Records Public?
Access to Dutchess County criminal records is decided based on the legal merits of the request. For instance, third-parties cannot access a criminal record to determine if a person has an offense history. However, a person may obtain a Personal Record Review from the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS). The Personal Record Review enables individuals to request a copy of their own Dutchess criminal record (otherwise known as rap sheets). The NYS DCJS provides fingerprint-based background checks for all New York State citizens. Those requesting their criminal history records must make appointments with this live scan fingerprinting provider. Interested parties can schedule an appointment online or by calling (877) 472-6915.
While making an appointment, the requester will need to provide a Personal Record Review Service code. The individual should provide 15464Z if requesting a suppressed record and give the following code, 15465F, to receive an unsuppressed record. Requesters must also bring valid photo I.D.s to their appointments as well as payment for the service. Each background check fee is $62, payable with a check, credit card, or money order.
How to Obtain Dutchess County Police Reports and Arrest Records?
While the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office investigates crimes and auto crashes, it shares jurisdiction with various city and town police departments in the county. The Sheriff's Office does not provide instructions about obtaining Dutchess County arrest records and accident reports. However, interested individuals can inquire about getting a Dutchess arrest record by contacting the Sheriff's Office. Call or visit the law enforcement agency at:
108 Parker Avenue
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Phone: (845) 486-3800
The other law enforcement agency in the City of Poughkeepsie is the Poughkeepsie Police Department, located at:
62 Civic Center Plaza
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Phone: (845) 451-4000
The requestor should visit the Records Department of the Police Department to request copies of police reports. This office handles such requests on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Interested parties should also call the Records Department on (845) 451-4154 or (845) 451-4155 to expedite the process.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Dutchess County
Following the New York Sex Offender Act, the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) maintains a statewide sex offender registry. It makes part of this database available online. People can search for Level 2 (moderate risk) and Level 3 (high risk) sex offenders on the New York Sex Offender Registry.
To find those living, working, and attending school in Dutchess County, the record seeker should simply select Dutchess from the county menu. Searches for offenders can be conducted by name and zip code. The search results will return available information such as the offender's name, offense committed, and pictures if available. The Dutchess County community can also subscribe to offender email alerts for new and updated information.
How to Find Dutchess County Inmate Records
Members of the public can use the New York State Commission of Correction Inmate Locator to find individuals incarcerated in the county jail. Interested parties can search for inmates by providing the inmate's first name, last name, and birth date on the available search box. Once the locator tool completes the search, it will summarize the inmate's jail profile. The enquirer can then click on the inmate's name to access additional data. Available information on the inmate locator website includes first and last name, known aliases, physical descriptors, age, date of birth, sex, booking identification number, address, charges, and criminal convictions, and Special Order Number (SON). The Correction Division of the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office runs the Dutchess County Jail. A record seeker may also contact this department for further inquiries about the inmate. The Dutchess County correctional facility is located at:
150 North Hamilton Street
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Phone: (845) 486-3900
How Do I Visit an inmate in Dutchess County Jail?
The Dutchess County Sheriff's Office provides visiting privileges to detained inmates in the Dutchess County Jail. The corrections department allows each inmate to receive one non-contact visit within the first 24 hours of detention. The first visit’s duration is twenty minutes and does not count as part of the inmate's weekly visitation scheme. After the first 24 hours of incarceration, inmates can only receive visitors twice a week and for one hour each. Visitation can be contact or non-contact depending on the day of visits. The facility does not permit contact visits on Mondays, Saturdays, and during holiday seasons.
Some inmates cannot participate in contact visits. Therefore, visitors should contact the facility before visiting to affirm if the inmate is eligible for contact visitation. The Dutchess County Jail will attend to visitors on a first-come, first-serve basis. The facility does not schedule visits on the phone, meaning that intending visitors can only make reservations in person. Furthermore, each inmate can receive up to two adults, two adults, one child, or one adult. The visitor must come along with a valid photo I.D. (the only acceptable ones are a driver's license, passport, or New York State Benefit Card). Visitors will need to complete a scanning exercise before they can enter the facility.
Court Records
Courts in Dutchess County are part of the 9th Judicial District of New York State. They include a Supreme and County Court, a Family Court, a Surrogate’s Court, and two City Courts. Listed below are their addresses and contact information:
Dutchess Supreme and County Courts
10 Market Street
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Phone: (845) 431-1710
Fax: (845) 431-1743
Dutchess Family Court
50 Market Street
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Phone: (845) 431-1850
Fax: (845) 486-2510
Dutchess Surrogate's Court
10 Market Street
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Phone: (845) 431-1770
Fax: (845) 476-3659
City Court of Beacon
One Municipal Plaza
Suite 2
Beacon, NY 12508
Phone: (845) 431-1900
Fax: (845) 431-1736
City Court of Poughkeepsie
62 Civic Center Plaza
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Phone: (845) 483-8200
Dutchess County is also home to 26 town and village courts.
Amenia Town Court
4988 Route 22
P.O. Box 126
Amenia, NY 12501
Phone: (845) 373-7017 (Judge Moore)
Phone: (845) 373-8434 (Judge Devine)
Fax: (845) 373-8435
Beekman Town Court
4 Main Street
Poughquag, NY 12570
Phone: (845) 724-5300 ext. 1
Fax: (845) 724-3284
Clinton Justice Court
1215 Centre Road
Rhinebeck, NY 12572
Phone: (845) 266-5988
Fax: (845) 266-3335
Dover Justice Court
126 East Duncan Hill Road
Dover Plains, NY 12522
Phone: (845) 877-6128 (Judge Abrams)
Phone: (845) 832-9373 (Judge Fusco)
East Fishkill Justice Court
330 Route 376
Hopewell Junction, NY 12533
Phone: (845) 226-4229
Fishkill Town Justice Court
807 Route 52
Fishkill, NY 12524
Phone: (845) 831-7860
Fax: (845) 831-1569
Fishkill Village Justice Court
1095 Main Street
Fishkill, NY 12524
Phone: (845) 897-2103
Fax: (845) 897-4940
Hyde Park Justice Court
1 Cardinal Road
Hyde Park, NY 12538
Phone: (845) 229-1620
Fax: (845) 229-2137
LaGrange Justice Court
Town Hall
120 Stringham Road
Lagrangeville, NY 12540
Phone: (845) 452-1830
Fax: (845) 473-7079
Milan Town Justice Court
Wilcox Memorial Town Hall
20 Wilcox Circle
Milan, NY 12571
Phone: (845) 758-6960
Fax: (845) 758-1175
North East Town Court
19 North Maple Avenue
P.O. Box 516
Millerton, NY 12546
Phone: (518) 789-3300 ext. 604
Fax: (518) 789-9530
Pawling Town Justice Court
160 Charles Colman Boulevard
Pawling, NY 12564
Phone: (845) 855-3516
Fax: (845) 855-7265
Pawling Village Court
9 Memorial Avenue
Pawling, NY 12564
Phone: (845) 855-5602
Pine Plains Justice Court
Town Hall 3284 Route 199
P.O. Box 320
Pine Plains, NY 12567
Phone: (518) 398-7194
Fax: (518) 398-0227
Pleasant Valley Justice Court
Town Hall
1554 Main Street
Pleasant Valley, NY 12569
Phone: (845) 635-2856
Fax: (845) 635-1989
Poughkeepsie Town Justice Court
17 Tucker Drive
Poughkeepsie, NY 12603
Phone: (845) 485-3692
Fax: (845) 790-4637
Red Hook Town Justice Court
7340 South Broadway
Red Hook, NY 12571
Phone: (845) 758-4609
Phone: (845) 758-4611
Fax: (845) 758-2033
Red Hook Village Court
7467 South Broadway
Red Hook, NY 12571
Phone: (845) 757-4113
Fax: (845) 758-1695
Rhinebeck Town Justice Court
80 East Market Street
Rhinebeck, NY 12572
Phone: (845) 876-3858
Fax: (845) 876-8265
Rhinebeck Village Justice Court
76 East Market Street
Rhinebeck, NY 12572
Phone: (845) 876-4119
Fax: (845) 876-7068
Stanford Town Court
26 Town Hall Road
P.O. Box 436
Stanfordville, NY 12581
Phone: (845) 868-2269
Fax: (845) 868-1570
Tivoli Village Justice Court
Watts dePeyster Hall
86 Broadway
P.O. Box 397
Tivoli, NY 12583
Phone: (845) 757-3219
Union Vale Town Court
249 Duncan Road
Lagrangeville, NY 12540
Phone: (845) 724-3288 (Court in session)
Fax: (845) 724-3757 (Court in session)
Phone: (845) 223-5514 (Messages)
Fax: (845) 223-5514 (Daytime)
Wappinger Justice Court
Town Hall
20 Middlebush Road
Wappingers Falls, NY 12590
Phone: (845) 297-6070
Fax: (845) 297-0145
Wappingers Falls Justice Court
2582 South Avenue
Wappingers Falls, NY 12590
Phone: (845) 297-6777
Fax: (845) 298-6057
Washington Justice Court
10 Reservoir Drive
Millbrook, NY 12545
Phone: (845) 677-6366
Fax: (845) 677-2085
Are Dutchess County Court Records Public?
Dutchess County court records are generally open to the public. However, according to New York statutes, the right to access a court record is not absolute as a court may restrict access to certain information on a court file. Some of such records include certain matrimonial agreements, family court records, adoption records, criminal court records of individuals not found guilty of an offense, and civil commitments. A court may also seal a court record if it finds substantial reasons to do so, although it is still possible to request such records under certain conditions (22 NYCRR § 216.1). The New York Jud. Law 255 to 255-B guides and regulates accessibility to Dutchess court records.
How to Obtain Dutchess County Civil Court Case Records
The Dutchess County Clerk provides access to civil court case records that are open to the public. While anyone can use the Clerk's Document Search Tool, requesters will need to input the names of the parties involved, recorded date(s), document year - number, liber, and page on the provided search box. Record seekers can also use filter options for a more accurate search result. There are options to download or print copies of a court record at a cost. Interested parties can make the required payments using a credit card and log in with a registered account or create a new one. Alternatively, people can visit or call the Clerks of the court with jurisdiction over the case to inquire about obtaining copies of court records. The Courts in Dutchess County website has more information on how to contact each Court Clerk.
How to Obtain Dutchess County Criminal Court Records
The Dutchess County Clerk maintains the county's open criminal court records. The office provides round-the-clock access to a Document Search Tool. Record seekers can search for court documents by giving the involved parties’ names, recorded date(s), document year - number, liber, and page. It is also possible to filter the search for accuracy. As a second option, a record seeker can visit the courthouse and contact the court's Clerk to request and make copies of court records. Information on business hours and how to make inquiries are available on the Courts in Dutchess County website.
What are Dutchess County Vital Records?
Dutchess County vital records are official documents that provide details about significant life events. These documents include birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce records, and death records. According to the New York Consolidated Laws, Public Health Law, vital records are not public records and are only available to the record subject(s), close relatives, and anyone with a court order from a New York Court. The New York State Department of Health grants access to vital records. Some vital records are also available at the Dutchess County Clerk's Office or any Town or City Clerk's Office.
Requesters can forward mail requests for vital records to:
New York State Department of Health
Vital Records Certification Unit
P.O. Box 2602
Albany, NY 12220-2602
The Health Department provides a different address for those requesting priority handling. Vital records requested with this option can take two to four weeks to process, while regular handling takes ten to twelve weeks. For priority handling, send the completed application form to:
New York State Department of Health
Vital Records Certification Unit
800 North Pearl Street
Menands, NY 12204
Where and How to Obtain Dutchess County Divorce Records
The Dutchess County Clerk's Office issues Divorce Decrees providing the following information:
- Names of the parties involved
- Index number
- The date of filing the divorce judgment
Divorce records are only available to divorcees and anyone that can provide a court order from a New York State Court. To obtain a divorce certificate, eligible parties should visit:
Dutchess County Office Building
County Clerk
22 Market Street
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Phone: (845) 486-2120
The Clerk charges $5 for each copy of a divorce decree. Records are also available at the Office of the City of Town Clerk in the municipality where the event occurred.
Eligible individuals can also request to obtain copies of a Dutchess County divorce record filed since June 1963 from the New York State Department of Health. A certified copy of a divorce record is $30 under New York Consolidated Laws, Public Health Law, and priority handling costs an additional $15 per request. Third-parties can also request divorce records, although they will need notarized permission from any of the registrants.
The requester should download and complete a Divorce Records Request Form, provide a valid means of identification, and submit the required fees and documents to:
New York State Department of Health
Vital Records Certification Unit
P.O. Box 2602
Albany, NY 12220-2602
Where and How to Get Public Dutchess County Marriage Records
Dutchess County marriage records that are older than 50 years are historic. Therefore, they are open to the public. Interested parties can search the New York State Archives for indexes to a public marriage record or visit the office in person at:
222 Madison Avenue
Albany, NY 12230
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Dutchess County
In the State of New York, marriage records that are less than 50 years are confidential and only available to the married couples, their immediate family members, and anyone with a New York State Court Order. Eligible individuals can obtain copies of a Dutchess County marriage certificate from the New York State Health Department. Requesters will need to download and complete a Marriage Records Request Form, tender a valid I.D., provide a $30 check or money order made payable to the New York State Department of Health, and mail them to:
New York State Department of Health
Vital Records Certification Unit
P.O. Box 2602
Albany, NY 12220-2602
The Dutchess County Clerk's Office also has marriage certificates issued between 1907 and 1935. Interested parties may mail a written request to the Clerk or visit the office in person at:
Dutchess County Office Building
County Clerk
22 Market Street
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Phone: (845) 486-2120
For more recent marriage records, interested parties may also contact the town or city clerk's office where the event occurred.
Where and How to Find Dutchess County Birth Records
The New York State Health Department can issue certified copies of a Dutchess County birth certificate for $30 each. There is an additional $15 fee per copy of the certificate requested for a priority handling request. Under New York law, birth certificates are only available to the registrant, immediate family members, and anyone that can provide a New York State Court Order. Eligible individuals will need to download and fill out a Birth Certificate Application Form, submit a valid photo I.D., and mail all documents and fees to:
New York State Department of Health
Vital Records Certification Unit
P.O. Box 2602
Albany, NY 12220-2602
Dutchess County birth records are also available at the town or city clerk's office in the municipality where the birth occurred.
Where and How to Find Dutchess County Death Records
Dutchess County death certificates are available at the New York State Health Department. In compliance with New York law, the department will only release Dutchess County death records to the deceased's immediate family members and anyone who can provide a New York State Court Order. Legible applicants should download and complete a Death Certificate Application Form. They will also need to provide a valid photo I.D. The fee for a Dutchess County death certificate is $30 made payable by check or money order to the New York State Department of Health. Priority handling requests will incur an additional $15 fee per requested copy.
Mailing Address
New York State Department of Health
Vital Records Certification Unit
P.O. Box 2602
Albany, NY 12220-2602
