What Are Niagara County Public Records?
Niagara County public records refer to any form of information gathered, maintained, produced, or reproduced by, with, or for public bodies in the county. These include maps, microfilms, reports, papers, photographs, computer tapes, and other physical or electronically-recorded materials. According to the New York’s Freedom of Information Law, government agencies must make records available for public inspection and copying except when they contain:
- Information specifically exempted by state or federal statute
- Information that may infringe on personal privacy if disclosed
- Records that may impair existing or imminent contract awards or negotiations if revealed
- Trade secrets
- Law enforcement records that may impair judicial proceedings, disclose an informant/confidential information, impair the right to a fair trial, or reveal investigative procedures
- Information that may endanger an individual’s life or safety if revealed
- Inter-agency or intra- agency materials except for external audits, statistical/factual data, staff instructions that affect the public, and final agency policies or determinations
- Examination questions and answers requested before final administration of such questions
- Information that may harm the security of an agency, entity, or assets
Niagara County Crime Statistics
The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services maintains a repository of the annually collated index crimes of various New York state counties. As per 2018 reports, Niagara county recorded a 22% decline in crime rate, as total reported crimes went from 5,458 incidents in 2017 to 4,241 incidents in 2018. The sharp decline was mostly accounted for by a 20% downturn in property crime.
While most violent crimes held steady with only a 3.3% change in the occurrence of rape and murder, aggravated assault recorded a marked 26% decline going from 484 incidents in 2017 to 354 in 2018. Nonetheless, property crime remained the top recorded criminal act with 507 incidents of burglary, 2866 incidents of larceny, and 274 reported vehicle thefts.
Are Niagara County Criminal Records Public?
Access to Niagara County criminal records is restricted to eligible persons. The New York Division of Criminal Justice Service allows personal record reviews to interested persons but does not permit third-party reviews of criminal history records except if the requesting party is a licensing agency or employer. Licensing entities and employers may access full Niagara county criminal history information by completing the Request for Access to Criminal History Record Information application, which should be sent to the DCJS at:
New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services
Alfred E. Smith Building
80 South Swan Street,
Albany, NY 12210
Email: dcjslegalservices@dcjs.ny.gov
Phone: (518) 457-8413
Individuals may also request personal record reviews from the Division. These can only be done by the requestor alone and cannot be used in exchange for full criminal history records offered to agencies and employers. Furthermore, Niagara County Courts provide access to criminal case information, or individuals may conduct statewide criminal history records search through the New York State Office of Court Administration (OCA).
How to Obtain Niagara County Police Reports and Arrest Records?
The Reports Division of the Niagara County Sheriff's Office processes requests for police, arrest, accident, and incident reports generated by the County Sheriff's office or in its custody. Interested persons may request these records from the county sheriff's office during business hours at:
Niagara County Sheriff’s Office
5526 Niagara Street Ext.,
P.O. Box 496
Lockport, NY 14095-0496
Phone: (716) 438-3393
Fax: (716) 438-3302
Requesting persons will be required to pay $3 for accident, arrest, and incident reports. Individuals may also make queries for police reports by calling:
Phone: (716) 438-3416
Fax: (716) 438-3312
Alternatively, individuals may obtain Niagara County arrest records from the municipal police that made the arrest. These records will contain summaries of the arrest incident including the arrestee’s name, arrest date/time, charges, and booking details. Note that Niagara arrest records do not often contain information on convictions and can not serve as a replacement for Niagara criminal records.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Niagara County
The Niagara County Sheriff Office maintains a registry of sex offenders residing within its jurisdiction. Niagara County residents may access information about the sex offender's conduct, location, and compliance using the registry or subscribe to the Sheriff's free email alert system to stay up to date about sex offender-related information. Individuals can search the registry by name, registration number, or proximity to specific addresses. For statewide search, interested persons can also search the public registry of sex offenders managed by the New York Division of Criminal Justice Services.
How to Find Niagara County Inmate Records
Information relating to inmates incarcerated in the Niagara County Correctional Facility or Jail is managed and disseminated by the Sheriff’s Office. Interested persons may find current inmate information like full name, mugshot, age, sex, physical description, and criminal charge details on the inmate search page.
Interested persons may request further information about current and past inmates’ location, transfer or release by calling the Jail Records Center on (716) 438-3419. Inmate location, charges, or bail/bond conditions may also be obtainable through the New York State Inmate Locators, which can be by county or facility.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Niagara County Jail?
Individuals interested in visiting inmates in the Niagara County Correctional Facility or Jail may conduct contact or video visits on Tuesdays to Thursdays between 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. or other preapproved days. However, all visitors must pre-register visits online using the approved visitation vendor site and schedule appointments at least two days before the preferred date. Inmates can have up to two free contact visit weekly and up to two visitors per session. On the other hand, remote video visits are paid and only subject to the inmate’s availability.
For contact visits, pre-scheduled visitors must be present and signed-in at least 15 minutes before the appointed time to fill the visitor log with information such as visit date/time, name, address, and inmate's details. All visitors must come with valid picture identification, dress appropriately, and keep the jail visitation rules.
Court Records
Niagara County court records are materials and documents created, filed, or maintained by courts in the county. These materials contain information on civil, juvenile, criminal, family law, and probate matters brought to the court. Examples of Niagara court records include audio recordings, dockets, transcripts, and electronic files. Listed below are the locations and contact information of all the courthouses in Niagara County, New York:
Niagara County Supreme Court
Angelo A. DelSignore Civic Building
775 3rd Street,
Niagara Falls, NY 14301
Phone: (716) 371-4000
Fax: (716) 371-4040
Niagara County Court
Angelo A. Delsignore Civic Building
775 3rd Street,
Niagara Falls, NY 14301
Phone: (716) 371-4000
Fax: (716) 371-4040
Niagara County Family Court - Lockport
Niagara County Courthouse
175 Hawley Street,
Lockport, NY 14094
Phone: (716) 280-6500
Fax: (716) 439-7170
Niagara County Family Court - Niagara Falls
Angelo A. DelSignore Civic Building
775 3rd Street,
Niagara Falls, NY 14301
Phone: (716) 371-4050
Fax: (716) 278-1877
Niagara County Surrogate's Court
Niagara County Courthouse
175 Hawley Street,
Lockport, NY 14094
Phone: (716) 280-6460
Fax: (716) 280-6480
Lockport City Court
1 Locks Plaza,
Lockport, NY 14094
Phone: (716) 280-6205
Fax: (716) 439-6684
Niagara Falls City Court
1925 Main Street,
Niagara Falls, NY 14305
Phone: (716) 371-4100
Fax: (716) 278-9869
North Tonawanda City Court
216 Payne Avenue,
North Tonawanda, NY 14120
Phone: (716) 845-7240
Fax: (716) 743-1754
Cambria Justice Court
4160 Upper Mountain Road,
Sanborn, NY 14132
Phone: (716) 433-3088
Hartland Town Court
Town Hall
8942 Ridge Road,
Gasport, NY 14067
Phone: (716) 735-7239
Fax: (716) 735-3504
Lewiston Justice Court
1375 Ridge Road,
P.O. Box 330,
Lewiston, NY 14092
Phone: (716) 754-8213
Fax: (716) 754-0741
Lockport Justice Court
6564 Dysinger Road,
Lockport, NY 14094
Phone: (716) 439-9528
Fax: (716) 434-2931
Newfane Justice Court
2896 Transit Road,
Newfane, NY 14108
Phone: (716) 778-9292
Fax: (716) 778-5793
Niagara Town Court
7105 Lockport Road,
Niagara Falls, NY 14305
Phone: (716) 215-1486
Pendleton Justice Court
6570 Campbell Boulevard,
Lockport, NY 14094
Phone: (716) 625-8833
Fax: (716) 210-1056
Porter Justice Court
3265 Creek Road,
Youngstown, NY 14174
Phone: (716) 745-3730 ext. 6
Fax: (716) 745-9022
Royalton Town Court
Town Hall
5316 Royalton Center Road,
Middleport, NY 14105
Phone: (716) 772-2588
Fax: (716) 772-7229
Somerset Justice Court
8700 Haight Road,
Barker, NY 14012
Phone: (716) 795-9193 ext. 4
Fax: (716) 795-9401
Wheatfield Town Court
Town Hall
2800 Church Road,
Wheatfield, NY 14120
Phone: (716) 694-6793
Fax: (716) 694-3969
Wilson Justice Court
375 Lake Street,
P.O. Box 537,
Wilson, NY 14172
Phone: (716) 751-0549
Fax: (716) 751-0549
Are Niagara County Court Records Public?
The right of accessing court records is not absolute in Niagara County. While most files are non-confidential by nature, New York’s Freedom of Information Law and certain court rules limit some categories of information from public inspection and duplication. Exemptions include:
- Information subject to attorney-client privilege
- Information that may endanger an individual’s life or safety if revealed
- Information that may infringe on personal privacy if disclosed
- Law enforcement records that may impair judicial proceedings, disclose an informant/confidential information, impair the right to a fair trial, or reveal investigative procedures
- Records of closed proceedings
- Sealed or expunged records
However, interested persons may get documents with redacted confidential sections or petition the court to gain access to exempted or sealed court records.
How to Obtain Niagara County Civil Court Case Records
The Niagara County Clerk Office maintains court records of civil cases filed in the county courts and issues non-confidential records to interested members of the public on request. Interested persons may access Niagara county court records by making in-person queries to the office of the county clerk at:
Niagara County Courthouse,
175 Hawley Street,
First Floor,
P.O. Box 461,
Lockport, NY 14095-0461
Requestors will be required to have sufficient record information needed for the document search. This may include the defendant or plaintiff's names, case number, and filing date of the record.
How to Obtain Niagara County Criminal Court Records
Niagara County criminal court records are available at the Niagara County Clerk. Individuals may make requests in person or mail the criminal case record request form, fees, and self-addressed, stamped envelope to:
Niagara County Courthouse,
175 Hawley Street,
First Floor,
P.O. Box 461,
Lockport, NY 14095-0461
Also, interested persons can make record inquiries at the clerk office of the court where proceedings took place or conduct statewide criminal history records search through the New York State Office of Court Administration (OCA).
Where and How to Get Bankruptcy Records
Records of bankruptcy cases filed in Niagara County from June 2003 to date are managed and disseminated by the Clerk of Western District of New York US Bankruptcy Court. Interested persons may access records by self-serving with the court's public terminals. Searches can be conducted using details of the debtor and the date of filing or judgment. Electronic copies cost 50 cents per page.
Alternatively, requestors may mail written requests to the Clerk's office. Queries must be accompanied by the requester's contact information, a stamped and self-addressed envelope, as well as a cheque or money order payment of 50 cents per page requested.
U.S. Bankruptcy Court,
Robert H. Jackson U.S. Courthouse,
2 Niagara Square,
Buffalo, NY 14202
Bankruptcy records of cases filed before June 2003 and closed more than 2 years ago are in the custody of the National Archives and Records Administration. These may be retrieved by submitting a completed Order Instruction Form to the agency.
What Are Niagara County Vital Records?
Niagara County vital records are official or government-generated documents that provide information on life events such as births, deaths, marriages, and divorces that happened to individuals while within the territory. The Vital Records Division of the New York State Department of Health is tasked with managing and issuing statewide vital records of New York residents. However, county vital records are maintained locally and retrievable from the clerk of the municipality where the event occurred or from the office of the Niagara County Clerk, depending on the record of interest.
Where and How to Obtain Niagara County Divorce Records
Records of divorces granted by the Niagara County courts are available at the Niagara County Clerk office. Interested persons may access these records by making in-person or mailed queries to the office during business hours. Requestors will be required to present information about the divorcees and the date of its decree to facilitate search and retrieval. The office charges $5 for Certificate of Dissolution given to unauthorized persons, $5 for certified copies of up to four pages, with an additional $1.25 per page. Submit or send the request to:
Niagara County Courthouse,
175 Hawley Street,
First Floor,
P.O. Box 461,
Lockport, NY 14095-0461
Individuals can also get certificates of divorces or civil annulments that happened since 1963 from the Vital Records Office of the New York State Department of Health by mailing application form, valid identification, and $30 check or money order 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 Niagara County Marriage Records
Niagara County marriage records are available locally at the respective city or town clerk office where the marriage license was issued. Interested persons may make requests by sending request letters to these offices or the Registrar of the municipality by providing the marriage date, the couple’s name at the time of marriage, and other descriptions to the custodian along with fees and valid identification when required.
Alternatively, individuals may direct requests for Niagara County marriage certificate to the New York Vital Records Office. However, only the spouses and persons legally authorized to access the marriage record will be given access to it. Make requests by sending a completed Application for Copy of Marriage Certificate along with the acceptable means of identification and fees to:
New York State Department of Health
Vital Records Certification Unit
P.O. Box 2602
Albany, NY 12220-2602
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Niagara County
Confidential Niagara County marriage records are available at state or local offices such as the New York Vital Records Office or the city or town clerk office where the license was issued. However, access to these documents is restricted to the married couple, attorneys who require the record as evidence, and other legally authorized parties. Qualified parties may make requests in person by presenting proper identification or authorization, document description, and appropriate fees in the form of an attorney's check, credit card, or money order made payable to the City/Town Clerk.
For requests to the New York Vital Records Office, send a completed Application for Copy of Marriage Certificate along with the indicated ID requirements and fees to:
New York State Department of Health
Vital Records Certification Unit
P.O. Box 2602
Albany, NY 12220-2602
Where and How to Find Niagara County Birth Records
Niagara County birth records are available at the New York Vital Records Office and city or town clerk/registrar offices of the municipalities where the birth happened. However, only parties like the registrants, parents, spouses, children, and court-ordered persons can get copies. For local records, interested persons may contact the relevant offices in person or send mailed requests with the registrant’s name at birth, parents’ name, date of birth, appropriate fees, and other requirements.
However, individuals interested in records from the New York Vital Records Office should complete and mail an Application for Copy of Birth Certificate along with the stated fees and ID copies to:
New York State Department of Health
Vital Records Certification Unit
P.O. Box 2602
Albany, NY 12220-2602
The office charges $30 for each copy of Niagara County birth certificates. Payments should be in check or money order payable to the New York State Department of Health.
Where and How to Find Niagara County Death Records
Eligible persons with direct claims or legitimate interests can get records of deaths that happened in Niagara County from the city or town clerk/registrar offices of the municipalities where the death occurred. Records are also available at the New York Vital Records Office. For local records, make queries in person or send request letters with the deceased name, sex, date of death, and other details to the appropriate custodian and provide the required fees and identification.
Alternatively, individuals interested in records from the New York Vital Records Office should complete and mail an Application for Copy of Death Certificate along with a $30 check or money order and copies of identification to:
New York State Department of Health
Vital Records Certification Unit
P.O. Box 2602
Albany, NY 12220-2602
