What are Schoharie County Public Records?
As per the New York FOIL, Schoharie County public records include any information kept in custody, filed, printed, or reprinted by any department, board, commission, division, bureau, council, or government entity within the county. Schoharie County public records may be in the form of reports, memoranda, folders, files, manuals, books, statements, pamphlets, examinations, regulations, codes, maps, drawings, letters, forms, pictures, microfilms, or computer discs. However, the law restricts access to certain public records. Examples include:
- Records exempted by a state or federal statute
- Trade secrets
- Certain law enforcement records that could interfere with ongoing investigations or identify a confidential informant
- Inter-agency or intra-agency records
- Records that could impair contract award
- Records that could cause unjustified invasion of personal privacy
- Record request for non administered examination questions
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.
Schoharie County Crime Statistics
The New York's Division of Criminal Justice Service (DCJS) puts together annual data for offenses reported. The DCJS generates Schoharie County crime statistics from crimes recorded by all law enforcement agencies in the county.
In 2019, crimes reported in Schoharie County were 46 violent crimes and 189 property crimes from 18 rapes, 1 robbery, 27 aggravated assaults, 35 burglaries, 145 larceny thefts, and 9 motor vehicle thefts. In 2020, offenses recorded by law enforcement agencies include 43 violent crimes from 12 rapes, 4 robberies, 27 aggravated assaults, and 272 property crimes, including 31 burglaries, 229 larceny thefts, and 12 motor vehicle thefts. Violent crimes reduced by 6.5%, and property crimes increased by 44% between both years. This increase in property crimes results in a 34% rise in the overall county crime rate.
Are Schoharie County Criminal Records Public?
Schoharie County criminal records are not public records. In New York, criminal records are not subject to the FOIL, and only the person named on the criminal record may obtain copies of the record. The DCJS is the central repository of criminal records in the state. Parties seeking their criminal record may call (877) 472-6915 to schedule a fingerprint-taking appointment and bring a valid form of identification to the appointment. It costs $13.50 to obtain the record, and requesters can pay with checks or money orders. Record seekers may send an email to recordsreview@dcjs.ny.gov or call (518) 457-9847 or (518) 485-7675 for any clarification needed during the criminal record request process.
Record seekers can also obtain Schoharie’s criminal records from the Schoharie County Sheriff's Records Office. Interested persons can contact the Record's Office on (518) 295-2269.
How to Obtain Schoharie County Police Reports and Arrest Records
The Schoharie County Sheriff’s Records Office maintains the Schoharie County arrest records and police reports, and all persons interested may obtain these records from the Records office. Record seeker can contact the office at the following address:
Schoharie County Sheriff’s Records Office
Public Safety Facility
157 Steadman Way
P.O. Box 159
Howes Cave, NY 12092
Phone: (518) 295-2269
Fax: (518) 295-2267
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Schoharie County
All persons seeking Schoharie County sex offender information may obtain it from the New York DCJS Public Registry of Sex Offenders record. The registry contains the name, photo, known aliases, date of birth, gender, home address, weight, height, eye color, and convictions of the offender. Searchers should have the last name, county, or zip code of the sex offender.
A judge categorizes sex offenders into three levels based on the risk of re-offense by the sex offender, with level 1 being low risk and level 3 high risk. The sex offenders’ registry includes only level 2 and 3 sex offenders. Parties interested in obtaining information about level 1 offenders can call (800) 262-3257 between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM Monday through Friday. All callers should have the name and exact date of birth, social security number, or driver's license number of the sex offender.
How to Find Schoharie County Inmate Records
The Schoharie County Sheriff's Office maintains the county jail facility, and all parties seeking inmate records may contact the county jail at:
Schoharie County Jail
Public Safety Facility
157 Steadman Way
P.O. Box 159
Howes Cave, NY 12092
Phone: (518) 295-2264
Fax: (518) 295-2284
Schoharie County Court Records
Schoharie County has a Supreme Court, County Court, Family Court, Surrogate Court, and various Town and Village Courts. The Supreme Court has superior authority and has general jurisdiction over all criminal and civil cases ranging from felony cases to general civil claims over $25,000. The County Courts handle all civil and criminal cases beyond the control of the lower courts, such as lesser felonies and civil claims below $25,000. The Family Court has authority over certain juvenile, abuse prevention, and domestic relations cases. The Surrogate Court presides over probates of wills, guardianships, and administration of estates cases. Lastly, the Town and Village Courts preside over some particular civil and criminal cases ranging from local ordinance and infractions to landlord/tenant matters.
All persons interested in Schoharie Court records may contact the court where the litigant filed the case. The locations of the various courthouses across Schoharie County are as follows:
Schoharie County Supreme Court
Schoharie County Courthouse
290 Main Street
P.O. Box 669
Schoharie, NY 12157
Phone: (518) 453-6998
Schoharie County Court
Schoharie County Courthouse
290 Main Street
P.O. Box 669
Schoharie, NY 12157
Phone: (518) 453-6998
Schoharie County Family Court
Schoharie County Courthouse
290 Main Street
P.O. Box 669
Schoharie, NY 12157
Phone: (518) 453-6982
Schoharie County Surrogate Court
Schoharie County Courthouse
290 Main Street
P.O. Box 669
Schoharie, NY 12157
Phone: (518) 453-6986
Blenheim Town Court
1748 State Route 30
P.O. Box 161
North Blenheim, NY 12131
Phone: (518) 827-6115
Broome Town Court
920 State Route 145
Middleburgh, NY 12122
Phone: (518) 827-8777
Carlisle Town Court
541 Crommie Road
P.O. Box 104
Carlisle, NY 12031
Phone: (518) 234-7080 Ext 2
Fax: (518) 234-1830
Cobleskill Town Court
378 Mineral Springs Road
Cobleskill, NY 12043
Phone: (518) 234-7886
Fax: (518) 234-2481
Conesville Town Court
1306 State Route 990V
Gilboa, NY 12076
Phone: (601) 588-7211
Fax: (601) 588-6832
Esperance Town Court
1216 State Highway 30A
P.O. Box 2
Central Bridge, NY 12035
Phone: (518) 868-5165
Fax: (518) 875-6037
Fulton Town Court
1168 Bear Ladder Road
Suite 2
West Fulton, NY 12194
Phone: (518) 827-6391
Fax: (518) 285-4368
Gilboa Town Court
373 State Route 990V
Suite 1
P.O. Box 105
Gilboa, NY 12076
Phone: (607) 588-7604
Fax: (607) 588-7365
Jefferson Town Court
677 North Harpersfield Road
Jefferson, NY 12093
Phone: (607) 652-2109
Fax: (607) 652-2610
Middleburgh Town Court
143 Railroad Avenue
P.O. Box 946
Middleburgh, NY 12122
Phone: (518) 827-7433
Fax: (518) 827-7444
Richmondville Town Court
104 Municipal Lane
P.O. Box 7
Richmondville, NY 12149
Phone: (518) 294-8851
Fax: (518) 285-4364
Schoharie Town Court
300 Main Street
Suite 8
P.O. Box 865
Schoharie, NY 12157
Phone: (518) 295-6575
Fax: (518) 295-7832
Schoharie Village Court
P.O. Box 219
Schoharie, NY 12157
Phone: (518) 295-8500
Fax: (518) 295-8501
Seward Town Court
795 Lowe Road
P.O. Box 71
Cobleskill, NY 12043
Phone: (518) 234-2292
Fax: (518) 234-3451
Sharon Town Court
106 Park Street
P.O. Box 96
Sharon Springs, NY 13459
Phone: (518) 284-3419
Fax: (518) 284-3014
Summit Town Court
1580 Charlotte Valley Road
P.O. Box 132
Summit, NY 12175
Phone: (518) 287-1194
Wright Town Court
Gallupville House
P.O. Box 43
Gallupville, NY 12073
Phone: (518) 872-1784
Fax: (518) 453-8619
Are Schoharie County Court Records Public?
According to the New York FOIL, most Schoharie County court records are available to the public. The Schoharie County Clerk is the official custodian of the county's court records. The record seeker may access the document in person at the County Clerk's Office or by mail providing relevant details related to the court case. However, the FOIL exempts do not permit public access to certain records, such as:
- Adoption records
- Sealed court case records
- Confidential documents such as judicial surrenders and military discharges
- Juvenile records
- Mental health records
- Hospital records
- Divorce records - available only to the divorcing couples and their attorneys
- Some law enforcement officers' investigation reports
How to Obtain Schoharie County Civil Court Case Records
Schoharie County civil court case records are open records filed and kept by the Schoharie County Clerk Records Management and Archives Office. All persons interested may visit the office or mail a written request describing the civil court record required with details such as the business or case name, citation number, filed date, and charges. The Court Clerk charges a fee payable by check or money order to obtain copies of the record. The County Clerk also provides public access to view civil court case records from the public computers located within the Records Room. Parties can access the records from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. The office opens till 7:00 PM on Wednesday. The address of the County Clerk's Office is at:
Schoharie County Clerk
Records Management and Archives Office
284 Main Street
Room 118
P.O. Box 549
Schoharie, NY 12157
Phone: (518) 295-8385
Fax: (518) 295-8383
Parties can also obtain Schoharie County civil court case records online using the Schoharie County Clerk Search. Record seeker may conduct a name search by name, providing the company or individual name and filing date or a location search using the document number and locator.
How to Obtain Schoharie County Criminal Court Records
Section 255 of the Judicial Law permits the Schoharie County Court Clerk to make non-confidential court records available to the public on request, including criminal court records. Requesters can visit the Schoharie County Clerk Records Management and Archives Office and view the desired document on the public computer within the Records Room during its official business hours. The Court Clerk only charges when a record seeker obtains copies of the record from the Record Room. Parties may also mail a written request to the Court Clerk providing relevant details of the desired criminal court record. The Court Clerk charges for this service, and the parties can make payment with a check or money order. Mail all requests for Schoharie County criminal court records to:
Schoharie County Clerk
Records Management and Archives Office
284 Main Street
Room 118
P.O. Box 549
Schoharie, NY 12157
Phone: (518) 295-8385
Fax: (518) 295-8383
What are Schoharie County Vital Records?
Schoharie County's vital records are documents containing records of significant life events kept by the county government. Schoharie County's vital records include birth, marriage, divorce, and death. Vital records in New York are not open records and are available only to persons with a direct and credible interest in the record.
Divorce Records
A divorce decree is a formal document issued by the court bringing a marriage to an end. It typically states the terms and conditions to end the union formally. In New York, only the couple and their attorneys may obtain certified copies of the divorce records. Record seekers may contact the Schoharie County Clerk's Office for divorce decrees granted within the county.
Schoharie County Clerk
284 Main Street
First Floor
P.O. Box 549
Schoharie, NY 12157
The New York State Department of Health issues divorce certificates for $45 for walk-in requests and $30 for mail requests. Divorce certificates contain basic information such as their names, date of birth, and place of divorce about the disjoined couple. All requesters can fill out the Application for Copy of Divorce Certificate and include a valid ID, and the fees. Mail or drop the request at:
New York State Department for Health
Vital Records Certification Unit
P.O. Box 2602
Albany, NY 12220-2602
Marriage Records
A marriage record is an official document confirming the joining of two people. There are no confidential marriages in Schoharie County as New York only approves of public marriages. According to the state laws, parties requesting a Schoharie County marriage record should be the spouse, someone with a documented judicial purpose, or someone with a New York state court order. All parties interested in obtaining a Schoharie County marriage certificate can get the record from the Town Clerk's Office that issued the marriage license. Record seekers should have a valid ID at the time of the request.
Birth Records
A birth record documents the existence of an individual typically issued by a government official. Only eligible people may obtain certified copies of the Schoharie County birth record. Eligible individuals include:
- The person named on the record
- The parents whose name must be on the birth record
- Spouse and children of the record holder
- Someone with a New York State court order
All qualified persons may request a Schoharie County birth certificate from the Town Clerk's Office where the record holder was born. The Town Clerk charges a fee to obtain the record.
Death Records
A death record is a document issued by a government official stating when, where, and the cause of a person’s death. Only immediate family members like the spouse, parents, siblings, or children of the deceased may order certified copies of the death record. However, other parties not listed may request the death record provided they have an official document stating a lawful claim or right. Record seekers may purchase Schoharie County death records from the Town Clerk’s Office, where the deceased passed.
