What Are Erie County Arrest Records?
Erie County arrest records are official documents generated by law enforcement agents in the county upon the apprehension of persons following crimes within the territory or issuance of arrest warrants. These documents include details about arrests and the individual taken into custody. Information contained includes alleged offense, prior apprehensions, warrant information, and basic identifying descriptions of the suspect.
Erie county arrest records can be found online at the New York Division of Criminal Justice Services (NYS DCJS). These include records that cover up to 2017. These arrest records are online and available for download. These records provide a detailed breakdown of arrest rates for violent and property crimes. The NYS DCJS also provides a 10-year trend data of parolee and probationer arrests in Erie County.
The NYS DCJS collates juvenile arrests records for those between ages 16 and 17 for all counties. Their five-year record covers the period between 2013 and 2017. For the most recent data, check the statewide juvenile arrest records, which provides details for the months between January and June 2018.
Crime Statistics
Erie County recorded a total of 23,371 crimes in 2017. Out of these, there were 3,463 violent crimes and 19,908 property crimes. The most frequent violent crime was aggravated assault with 2,055 incidents. In the same year, there were 1,111 robberies, 251 rapes, and 46 murders. The property crime with the highest incidence was larceny with 15,013 cases. This was followed by burglary with 3,755 incidents and 1,140 cases of motor vehicle theft.
Crime trends in Erie County over the last five years show that overall reported cases fell by 20%. A full breakdown of crime data shows a reduction in robbery (26%), murder (16%), aggravated assault (12%), burglary (28%), larceny (20%), and motor vehicle theft (9%). The only crime to experience an increase in the period is rape (20%).
Most Dangerous Areas
The Buffalo City area is the largest and most dangerous community in Erie County. The Buffalo City Police Department recorded 12,437 crimes in 2017. The town of Tonawanda was a distant second with the police department recording 1,012 crimes in the same period.
What Are Erie County Criminal Records?
Erie County criminal records are documents that provide official summaries of a resident’s criminal activities as well as convictions of crimes committed in the county. Also called rap sheets, these records include the bio-data information, details contained in an Erie arrest record, and information concerning prosecution, sentence, and incarceration. These details included in Erie County criminal records are originally generated by law enforcement agencies and courts in the county’s jurisdiction. However, the criminal justice agencies forward the information to the state-run custodians, i.e. the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services and the state’s unified court system.
How Do I Get Erie County Criminal Records?
Individuals interested in obtaining local criminal history information should contact the Erie County Sheriff's Office ID Bureau by calling (716) 858-6566. Those seeking offline records must download the CHRS application forms and send them by mail to the Criminal History Record Search, NYS Office of Court Administration, Office of Administrative Services, Criminal History Record Search at 25 Beaver Street (Room 840 - Front Desk), New York, NY 10004. Applications can also be hand-delivered to the address between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. from Monday to Friday.
Section CPLR § 8019(f) of the Judiciary Law stipulates that there are specific fees that a county clerk may charge for copying and certifying records, and a court clerk similarly may charge the same fees to copy and certify court records. In accordance with this provision, using the statewide Criminal History Record Search attracts a nominal fee of $65 paid by check or money order to the NYS Office of Court Administration.
Individuals can also review their criminal records or obtain records for employment, licensing, or legal purposes from the New York State Police, Division of Criminal Justice Services. Interested parties should visit the nearest approved vendor or fingerprinting site and take along a copy of government-issued identification and relevant information such as name, race, sex, date of birth, and so on.
How to Find Erie County Sex Offender Information?
The New York Division of Criminal Justice Services maintains a public sex offender registry that provides public information about Level 2 and Level 3 offenders. Requesters can search the sex offender registry by providing a name, county, or zip code. To get a list of sex offenders in Erie County, simply select it in the dropdown list of New York counties. The search tool also allows visitors to exclude offenders in police custody, in ICE custody, and in prison.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Erie County Jail?
Inmates in the Erie County Correctional Facility and Holding Center can have onsite or video visits from family, friends, and other pre-approved persons. Persons interested in video visits must register and schedule visits beforehand using the third-party app. Meanwhile, onsite visits to either facility can last up to one hour and require prior registration as well before persons can visit the facility or center at:
Erie County Holding Center
40 Delaware Avenue,
Buffalo, NY 14202
Erie County Correctional Facility
11581 Walden Avenue,
Alden, NY 14004
Individuals should contact the Jail Management Division of the Sheriff’s Office or visit the website for the jail and visiting rules, schedule, and dress code.
Note: Jail procedures and schedules can change at any time without notice.
Where and How to Find Erie County Inmate Information?
Erie County Inmate Records for all the counties in the state are available on the website of the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. Use the inmate lookup/locator tool to find individual inmates. For other inmate records for Erie County, fill the Open FOIL NY form. It’s also possible to send a completed FOIL (Freedom of Information Law) request form by email. Alternatively, submit the request form at the FOIL Unit of the Office of Counsel at the NYS Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, Building 2, 1220 Washington Ave, Albany, NY.
What Are Erie County Court Records?
Erie County court records refer to documents managed or obtained from the courts in the county. These include records concerning civil and criminal cases tried by the county courts as well as documents generated by or submitted to court personnel during judicial processes. Examples of these Erie public records include transcripts, audio recordings, dockets, electronic files, and so on.
Interested parties can find and retrieve court records for Erie County on the website of the New York State Unified Court System. Users can search the file proceedings of appellate, civil, and supreme courts as well as the surrogate court and court of claims. To find records for specific cases, access the search page as a guest or public user and then input case numbers and the year the case took place in. Make sure to narrow the statewide search by selecting Erie County as well as case type.
Location of All Courts in Erie County
Erie County Supreme Court
25 Delaware Avenue,
Buffalo, NY 14202
Phone: (716) 845-9301
Fax: (716) 851-3293
Erie County Supreme Court
92 Franklin Street,
Buffalo, NY 14202
Phone: (716) 845-9301
Fax: (716) 851-3293
Erie County Supreme Court
50 Delaware Avenue,
Buffalo, NY 14202
Phone: (716) 845-9301
Fax: (716) 851-3293
Erie County Court
25 Delaware Avenue,
Buffalo, NY 14202
Phone: (716) 845-9301
Fax: (716) 851-3293
Erie County Family Court
1 Niagara Plaza,
Buffalo, NY 14202
Phone: (716) 845-7400
Fax: (716) 845-7546
Erie County Surrogate's Court
92 Franklin Street,
Buffalo, NY 14202
Phone: (716) 845-2560
Fax: (716) 845-7565
Buffalo City Court
50 Delaware Avenue,
Buffalo, NY 14202
Phone: (716) 845-2600
Fax: (716) 847-8257
Lackawanna City Court
City Hall
714 Ridge Road,
Lackawanna, NY 14218
Phone: (716) 845-7220
Fax: (716) 845-7599
Tonawanda City Court
200 Niagara Street,
Tonawanda, NY 14150
Phone: (716) 845-2160
Fax: (716) 845-7590
Alden Town Court
3311 Wende Road,
P.O. Box 180,
Alden, NY 14004
Phone: (716) 937-6969 ext. 6
Fax: (716) 937-9587
Alden Village Justice Court
13336 Broadway,
Alden, NY 14004
Phone: (716) 937-9216 ext. 114
Amherst Town Court
400 John James Audubon Parkway,
Amherst, NY 14228
Phone: (716) 689-4200
Fax: (716) 689-4249
Angola Village Court
8787 Erie Road,
Angola, NY 14006
Phone: (716) 549-4035
Fax: (716) 549-0821
Aurora Town Justice Court
Village Hall
571 Main Street,
East Aurora, NY 14052
Phone: (716) 652-5275
Fax: (716) 652-4687
Blasdell Justice Court
121 Miriam Avenue,
Blasdell, NY 14219
Phone: (716) 821-7908
Boston Town Court
Town Hall
8500 Boston State Road,
Boston, NY 14025
Phone: (716) 941-6115
Fax: (716) 941-5169
Brant Town Court
1272 Brant-North Collins Road,
P.O. Box 232,
Brant, NY 14027
Phone: (716) 549-0300
Fax: (716) 549-5684
Cheektowaga Town Justice Court
3223 Union Road,
Cheektowaga, NY 14227
Phone: (716) 686-3436
Fax: (716) 686-3553
Clarence Justice Court
1 Town Place,
Clarence, NY 14031
Phone: (716) 741-8948
Fax: (716) 741-2976
Colden Town Court
8812 State Road,
P.O. Box 335,
Colden, NY 14033
Phone: (716) 941-6242
Collins Town Court
14093 Mill Street,
P.O. Box 420,
Collins, NY 14034
Phone: (716) 532-3340
Fax: (716) 532-2874
Concord Justice Court
86 Franklin Street,
P.O. Box 368,
Springville, NY 14141
Phone: (716) 592-9898
Fax: (716) 592-0204
Depew Justice Court
85 Manitou Street,
Depew, NY 14043
Phone: (716) 683-0978
Fax: (716) 686-0437
Eden Town Court
2795 East Church Street,
Eden, NY 14057
Phone: (716) 992-3559
Elma Town Court
1600 Bowen Road,
Elma, NY 14059
Phone: (716) 652-1855
Fax: (716) 805-1264
Evans Justice Court
Town Hall
8787 Erie Road,
Angola, NY 14006
Phone: (716) 549-3707
Fax: (716) 549-0940
Grand Island Town Court
Town Hall
2255 Baseline Road,
Grand Island, NY 14072
Phone: (716) 773-9600 ext. 650
Fax: (716) 775-3527
Hamburg Town Justice Court
Town Hall
6100 South Park Avenue,
Hamburg, NY 14075
Phone: (716) 649-6116
Fax: (716) 646-5452
Hamburg Village Court
Village Hall
100 Main Street,
Hamburg, NY 14075
Phone: (716) 649-7204
Fax: (716) 649-0672
Holland Town Court
Town Hall
47 Pearl Street,
P.O. Box 70,
Holland, NY 14080
Phone: (716) 537-2770
Fax: (716) 537-3586
Kenmore Justice Court
Municipal Building
2919 Delaware Avenue,
Kenmore, NY 14217
Phone: (716) 873-4554
Fax: (716) 873-4559
Lancaster Town Court
525 Pavement Road,
Lancaster, NY 14086
Phone: (716) 683-1814
Fax: (716) 685-5313
Lancaster Village Justice Court
Municipal Building
5423 Broadway,
Lancaster, NY 14086
Phone: (716) 683-6780
Fax: (716) 601-0171
Marilla Town Court
1740 Two Rod Road,
Marilla, NY 14102
Phone: (716) 652-5350 ext. 415
Fax: (716) 652-1213
Newstead Town Court
5 Clarence Center Road,
P.O. Box 227,
Akron, NY 14001
Phone: (716) 542-4575
Fax: (716) 542-5824
North Collins Town Court
Town Hall
10569 Main Street,
P.O. Box 2,
North Collins, NY 14111
Phone: (716) 337-3712
Fax: (716) 337-3435
Orchard Park Town Justice Court
4295 South Buffalo Street,
Orchard Park, NY 14127
Phone: (716) 662-6415
Fax: (716) 662-6416
Orchard Park Village Court
4295 South Buffalo Street,
Orchard Park, NY 14127
Phone: (716) 662-6415
Sardinia Town Court
12320 Savage Road,
Sardinia, NY 14134
Phone: (716) 496-8903
Springville Village Court
65 Franklin Street,
P.O. Box 362,
Springville, NY 14141
Phone: (716) 592-4936 ext. 1335
Fax: (716) 592-9107
Tonawanda Town Justice Court
1835 Sheridan Drive,
Buffalo, NY 14223
Phone: (716) 876-5536
Fax: (716) 876-0324
Wales Town Court
Wales Memorial Building
11006 Emery Road,
P.O. Box 286,
South Wales, NY 14139
Phone: (716) 652-3320
Fax: (716) 652-3310
West Seneca Town Justice Court
1250 Union Road,
West Seneca, NY 14224
Phone: (716) 558-3256
Fax: (716) 674-0518
Williamsville Village Court
5565 Main Street,
Williamsville, NY 14221
Phone: (716) 632-0450
Fax: (716) 565-0342
What Are Erie County Vital Records?
Erie County's vital records refer to certified or uncertified documents relating to vital life events that happened in the county, such as births, divorces, marriages, and deaths that happened to individuals while within the territory. These Erie public records can also be about events that were licensed by an Erie County authority. The New York State Department of Health, Vital Records Office manages vital records for all counties in New York and processes requests for copies.
Informational or uncertified copies of most vital records are available to the public. However, certified copies of birth, death, or divorce are mainly restricted from public access. Eligible persons include the registrants, close relatives or legal guardians, and other authorized persons. Requesters should be ready to fill forms with relevant names, locations, and dates, as well as provide fees and government-issued identification,
Where and How to Get Erie County Divorce Records
Certificates of divorces that happened in Erie County from 1963 till present are available at the New York State Department of Health, Vital Records Office. Requests can be in person, online, or via mail. For mailed request, send filled application form for copy of divorce certificate, valid identification, and $30 per copy to:
New York State Department of Health
Vital Records Certification Unit
P.O. Box 2602
Albany, NY 12220-2602
Note: Divorce decrees are also obtainable from the clerk of the specific court where the divorce was granted.
Where and How to Get Erie County Marriage Records
Records of marriages that happened in Erie County from 1880 till present are available at the New York State Department of Health, Vital Records Office. Requests can be in person, online, or via mail. For mailed request, send filled application form for copy of marriage certificate, valid identification, and $30 per copy to:
New York State Department of Health
Vital Records Certification Unit
P.O. Box 2602
Albany, NY 12220-2602
Where and How to Get Erie County Birth Records
Records of births that happened in Erie County from 1881 till present are available at the New York State Department of Health, Vital Records Office. Requests can be in person, online, or via mail. For mailed request, send filled application form for copy of birth certificate, valid identification, and $30 per copy to:
New York State Department of Health
Vital Records Certification Unit
P.O. Box 2602
Albany, NY 12220-2602
Birth records are also available in the office of the Registrar of Vital Statistics in each town and city in the county. For example, birth records for Buffalo city may be requested from the Vital Records Office of the City of Buffalo. It is located at City Hall, 65 Niagara Square, Buffalo and can be reached at (716) 851-5432. All requests must be written and mailed to the City Clerk in a self-addressed stamped envelope with a $10 money order included.
Adoption records in Erie County are sealed and maintained by the Erie County Surrogate Court. The court is on the 2nd floor of Erie County Hall located at 92 Franklin Street, Buffalo, and can be reached at (716) 845-2560. Parties interested in adoption records will need to obtain relevant court orders.
Where and How to Get Erie County Death Records
Records of deaths that happened in Erie County from 1881 till present are available at the New York State Department of Health, Vital Records Office. Requests can be in person, online, or via mail. For mailed request, send filled application form for copy of death certificate, valid identification, and $30 per copy to:
New York State Department of Health
Vital Records Certification Unit
P.O. Box 2602
Albany, NY 12220-2602
In addition to government agencies, county public records may also be obtained from third-party websites. These non-government platforms come with intuitive tools that allow for expansive searches. Record seekers may either opt to use these tools to search for a specific record or multiple records. Users are able to search third-party websites remotely for multiple records at a time with just the name of the record subject and their last known location, including the city, county, or state. Third-party sites are not sponsored by government agencies. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
Are Property Records Open to the Public in Erie County?
Erie County property records are open to the public as established under the New York Freedom of Information Law. People interested in obtaining copies of Erie County property records can apply to the county department responsible for issuing copies of the documents.
Where and How to Find Property Records in Erie County
Erie county property documents may be found using the Erie County Clerk's Online Public Record Search Portal. The clerk's office does not index nor allow searches by address. However, people who need copies of a deed but are unsure of the owner's name can use the Real Property Parcel Search to search by address. They can click “details” on the search result to obtain the Deed Book and Deed Page number from the site.
People can also obtain electronic copies of records by email by completing and submitting an Online Request Form. To request and obtain a plain or a certified copy of documents in person, applicants must visit:
92 Franklin Street
Buffalo, NY 14202
Actual document images are viewable in the Clerk's Office at publicly accessible computer terminals. Requesters can make Payment by Check, Cash, or Credit Card in person.
Requesters can obtain uncertified or certified copies of a record by mail by completing the Deed Request Form, Copy Request Form ( for people who have the book & page of the document they are requesting. People who do not have the book and page of the record they want can complete and submit the Search & Copy Request Form. Applicants can also write letters in the absence of the required forms to request records by mail, containing as much detail as possible, including:
- the name of the required document, such as "a deed" or “mortgage discharge.”
- the name of the owner, the property address including the village, town, or city
- the approximate date of the transaction or years
- the Book and Page number, if known.
- Contact information for the requestor.
When submitting a request via mail, requesters must mail alongside their request form, a check or money order payable to the Erie County Clerk, and a postage-paid, self-addressed envelope, to the Erie County Clerk’s Office at; 92 Franklin St., Buffalo, NY 14202.
Copies of property records cost $1.30 for the first two pages and 65 cents for each additional page, while Copies of certified records cost $5.00 for the first two pages and $1.25 for each additional page. Certified presented copies cost $5.20 for the first presented pages, and each extra page cost 65 cents. Individuals can obtain large Map copies for $5, and they may have to pay $3.50 as postage charges for large map copies. The maximum amount for copies or certified copies of a property document is $40.00. Manual record Search costs $10 per name per 2-year period, while digital record Search costs $5 per name and 2-year period.
How to Look Up Erie County Property Records
The Department of Real Property Tax Services is responsible for appraising real estate located in Erie County and maintains a repository of properties. The public can search online for Erie County properties using the parcel number, owner’s name, or property address. Necessary information, such as the name and location of the property, may show up on an Erie County Property Search. Applicants can click on the “details” link to get more information on the property.
Erie County Real Property Tax Services
Edward A Rath County Office Building
95 Franklin Street - Room 100
Buffalo, NY 14202
Phone: (716) 858-8333
Fax: (716) 858-7744
Location of Erie County Assessors
Buffalo City
Hall Niagara Square
Buffalo, NY 14202
Phone: (716) 851-5739
City Lackawanna
Ridge Road
Lackawanna, NY 14218
Phone: (716) 827-6451
City Tonawanda
Niagara Street
Tonawanda, NY 14150
Phone: (716) 695-8639
Town Alden
Wende Road
Alden, NY 14004
Phone: (716) 937-6969
Town Amherst
Main Street
Williamsville, NY 14221
Phone: (716) 631-7038
Town Aurora
Southside Municipal Center
Gleed Ave East
Aurora, NY 14052
Phone: (716) 652-0011
Town Boston
Boston State Road
Boston NY, 14025
Phone: (716) 941-6113
Town Brant
Brant North Collins Road
P.O. Box 228
Brant, NY 14027
Phone: (716) 549-4423
Town Cheektowaga
Broadway
Cheektowaga, NY 14227
Phone: (716) 686-3440
Town Clarence
Town Place
Clarence, NY 14031
Phone: (716) 741-8941
Town Colden
State Road
P.O. Box 335
Colden, NY 14033
Phone: (716) 941-5012
Town Collins
Mill Street
P.O. Box 420
Collins, NY 14034
Phone: (716) 532-4887
Town Concord
Franklin Street
P.O. Box 368
Springville, NY 14141
Phone: (716) 592-4947
Town Eden
East Church Street
Eden, NY 14057
Phone: (716) 992-9135
Town Elma
Bowen Road
Elma, NY 14059
Phone: (716) 652-3260
Town Evans
Erie Road
Angola, NY 14006
Phone: (716) 549-5752
Town Grand Island
Baseline Road
Grand Island, NY 14072
Phone: (716) 773-9648
Town Hamburg
South Park Avenue
Hamburg, NY 14075
Phone: (716) 649-6111
Town Holland
Pearl Street
P.O. Box 403
Holland, NY 14080
Phone: (716) 537-9443
Town Lancaster
Central Avenue
Lancaster, NY 14086
Phone: (716) 683-1311
Town Marilla
Two Rod Road
Marilla, NY 14102
Phone: (716) 652-5497
Town Newstead
Clarence Center Road
Akron, NY 14001
Phone: (716) 542-4574
Town North
Main Street
North Collins, NY 14111
Phone: (716) 337-0384
Town Orchard Park
South Buffalo Street
Orchard Park, NY 14127
Phone: (716) 662-6420
Town Sardinia
Savage Road
Sardinia, NY 14134
Phone: (716) 496-8900
Town Tonawanda
Delaware Avenue
Kenmore, NY 14217
Phone: (716) 877-8811
Town Wales
Big Tree Road
Wales Center, NY 14169
Phone: (716) 652-0589
Town West Seneca
Union Road
West Seneca, NY 14224
Phone: (716) 558-3209
