What are Steuben County Public Records?
Steuben County public records comprise documents and information, physical or electronic, created and maintained by an agency approved by the government. These records serve varying purposes and are regarded as proof of transparency. Under the New York FOI laws, public records must be accessible to requesters regardless of their characteristics and physical form. Nonetheless, the law also prohibits general accessibility to specific records like:
- Details or documents the federal or state statute specifically exempts from disclosure
- Records that, if disclosed, may result in an invasion of personal privacy (as stated in subdivision 2 S. 89)
- Records that if exposed would negatively impact present or imminent bargaining negotiations or contract awards
- Trade secrets
- Documents recorded for law enforcement purposes
- Documents that have the potential to endanger the life of a state resident
- Specific Intra and inter-agency materials
Steuben County Crime Statistics
According to the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services, Steuben county recorded a total of 117 violent crimes, which comprised 3 murders, 56 rapes cases, six robberies, and 52 aggravated assaults. Information from this 2020 report also showed that Steuben County recorded a total of 746 property crimes, which included 164 burglaries, 536 larceny-theft cases, and 46 motor vehicle thefts. When compared to the statistics reported in 2019, violent crimes in Steuben County evidently reduced by 15.2% (138) while property crimes also reduced by 2.6% (766).
Are Steuben County Criminal Records Public?
Obtainable criminal records at the state repository are maintained by the New York State Office of Court Administration. Interested persons can perform background checks using Online Direct Access. Alternatively, record seekers can download and complete the CHRS Application Form and send it via mail to:
Office of Court Administration
25 Beaver Street
New York, NY 10004
Phone: (212) 428-2810
Email: CHRS@nycourts.gov
Each requested copy of the criminal record is $95.00. All methods of payment are accepted except cash. Requesters should make the money orders and check payable to the N.Y.S. Office of Court Administration. Requesters should note that sealed or expunged criminal records are not available to the public.
How to Obtain Steuben County Police Reports and Arrest Records?
Interested individuals can access Steuben County arrest records and police reports through the Office of the Steuben County Sheriff. Accident reports, crash reports, and arrest warrants are examples of Steuben County police reports accessible online. Parties can collect other police reports or arrest records in Steuben County by visiting the sheriff's office at:
Steuben County Sheriff's Office
7007 Rumsey Street.Extension
Bath, NY 14810
Phone: (800) 724-7777
Requesters are advised to call the office numbers of the county sheriff to determine whether or not the concerned records are available. Persons requesting Steuben County police reports and arrest records do so during business hours from Monday to Friday.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Steuben County
Steuben County sex offender information is a record accessible by the general public. The Sheriff's Department of Steuben County, in collaboration with the county's district attorney, provides an online search tool for sex offenders. Interested parties can search for sex offenders' information within Steuben County using the name, address, address type, city, and zip code. Interested parties can also register to receive an email notification for free and updated when a sex offender registers with Steuben County Sheriff's Office. Also, visitors can send out the search results to the email of a family or relative. Alternatively, interested persons can search the statewide sex offender registry with the offender's full name, city, zip code, compliance status, and county of incarceration.
How to Find Steuben County Inmate Records
The Steuben County Sheriff's Office is in charge of the daily operations of the county jail. Parties interested in obtaining Steuben County inmate records can do so in person by contacting the following:
Steuben County Sheriff's Office
7007 Rumsey Street.Extension
Bath, NY 14810
TelePhone: (800) 724-7777
Interested individuals can also access Steuben County inmate records via the online inmate lookup tool provided by the New York Department of Corrections. To query the database, researchers should have the following inmate details:
- Last name and first name
- Initials of middle name and name suffix
- Year of birth
- Department ID number
- New York state I.D. number (for criminal justice cases)
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Steuben County Jail?
The Sheriff's Office of Steuben County grants family and relatives visitation privileges to inmates in the county jail. Visitors must confirm visiting times from the Steuben County visitation rules. Visitors are required to register 30 minutes minimum before the time of visitation. They must also present a valid photo I.D. before entering the premises.
Visitors under 18 are not allowed unless with a guardian. All persons must pass through screening before being admitted into the facility. Visitors are not allowed to carry items including food & beverages, phones, and cameras into the visiting room. Furthermore, provocative and tight-fitting outfits are not accepted, and visitors who violate the jail's visitation rules will be suspended from future visits.
Steuben County Court Records
Steuben County court records are official documents containing the events in a court proceeding. New York FOIL makes court records available to the public on request. The Steuben County court system is made up of the:
- Supreme and county court - handles all cases relating to violations and crimes
- The family court - Handles all cases concerning the family, i.e., domestic violence
- The surrogate court - handles all cases concerning decedents, i.e., intestate estates, the probate of wills, and so on.
Locations of Courts in Steuben County
Steuben Supreme & County court
3 East Pulteney Square
Bath, NY 14810
Phone: (607) 622-8219
Fax: (607) 622-8244
Steuben family court
3 East Pulteney Square
Bath, NY 14810
Phone: (607) 622-8218
Fax: (607) 622-8239
Steuben Surrogate court
3 East Pulteney Square
Bath, NY 14810
Phone: (607) 622-8221
Fax: (607) 622-8243
All courthouses are open from Monday - Friday between 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.
Are Steuben County Court Records Public?
Steuben County courts operate a transparent government by making its court records public. Steuben County court records are accessible through in-person and online requests. However, the New York FOIL exempts some records from public view; they include:
- Records specifically exempted by federal or state statute
- Records that may lead to invasion of personal privacy (as stated in subdivision 2 S. 89)
- Trade secrets
- Records concerning law enforcement purposes
- Documents that have the potential to endanger the life of a state resident
How to Obtain Steuben County Civil Court Case Records
The Steuben County Circuit Clerk maintains the court records for the county. Individuals interested in Steuben County court case records can go to the County Clerk website. Requesters can also visit the office at:
Steuben County Clerk
3 East Pulteney Square
Bath, NY 14810
Phone: (607) 664-2563
How to Obtain Steuben County Criminal Court Records
Criminal court records are records detailing the court proceedings of a criminal case. In Steuben County, a deputy clerk is present in all court cases and records the proceedings. These documents are obtainable for all interested persons. Requesters can contact the clerk online via the county clerk webpage. Also, interested parties can get Steuben County criminal court records from the Supreme & County Court Clerk's office at:
Steuben County Clerk
3 East Pulteney Square
Bath, NY 14810
Phone: (607) 664-2563
What are Steuben County Vital Records?
Steuben County vital records are government-issued documents concerning a resident's significant life milestones. These records are death records, birth records, marriage records, and divorce records. The Steuben County Historian administers some of these records in the county. Alternatively, the records are obtainable from the New York Health Department.
Where and How to Obtain Steuben County Divorce Records
A divorce certificate is the court document issued by a court legally ending a marriage. Steuben County divorce records are available to the public. In New York, requesters can only obtain a divorce decree from the court that issued it. Steuben County divorce records can be obtained from the county office 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Monday to Friday at:
Steuben County Family Court
First Floor, Building 2
3 East Pulteney Square
Bath, NY 14810
The New York Health Department also issues divorce certificates. However, divorce certificates for marriages that were dissolved before 1963 are not available. Interested parties can request this record in three ways, namely:
Requests made online or by phone call cost $45.00 (plus $8 processing fee) and are payable via electronic check, American express, discover, Visa, or MasterCard. To order a copy, requesters should visit the state health department website. In-person requests cost $45 and are payable in cash, money order, or check. The address to visit is:
New York Department of Health (Certification Unit)
Vital Records Section/2nd floor
800 North Pearl Street
Menands, NY 12204
Email requests cost $30 and are payable via personal check, money order, or certified check. Requesters are to fill a form and send it to:
New York Department of Health
Vital Records (Certification Unit)
P.O. Box 2602
Albany, NY 12220-2602
It is critical to note that these documents are accessible only to either the spouse or a person with an order from a New York Court. Also, requesters will need to submit a valid means of identification along with the following:
- Telephone or utility bills (two copies)
- A government agency letter (dated within the previous six months)
- A U.S. passport (if the applicant is applying from a foreign country)
Where and How to Get Public Steuben County Marriage Records
Marriage records are only obtainable by the record holders, legal representatives, or persons with a court order in Steuben County. Requesters of a marriage record can mail the Steuben County Historian at:
3 East Pulteney Square
Bath, NY 14810
Phone: (607) 664-2199
Email: Historian@SteubenCountyNY.gov
Alternatively, requesters can order Steuben County marriage records online from the New York health department office. It is vital to note that these documents are accessible to either the spouse, a legal representative or a person with a New York Court order. Also, requesters will need to submit a valid means of identification along with the following:
- Telephone or utility bills (two copies)
- A government agency letter (dated within the previous six months)
- A U.S. passport (if the applicant is applying from a foreign country)
Requests can be made online, by phone call requests, via mail-in requests, or in person. Online and phone call requests cost $45.00 (plus an $8 processing fee) payable in electronic check, American Express, Discover, Visa, or MasterCard. To order a copy, requesters should visit the marriage certificate request page. In-person requests cost $45 and are payable in cash, money order, or check. The address to visit is:
New York Department of Health (Certification Unit)
Vital Records Section/2nd floor
800 North Pearl Street
Menands, NY 12204
Email requests cost $30 and are payable via personal check, money order, or certified check. Interested individuals will be required to fill a form and send it to:
New York Department of Health
Vital Records (Certification Unit)
P.O. Box 2602
Albany, NY 12220-2602
Where and How to Obtain Confidential Marriage Records in Steuben County
Confidential marriage records do not exist in New York; all marriages in Steuben County are public marriages.
Where and How to Find Steuben County Birth Records
The New York Health Department issues birth records of persons born in Steuben county. These documents are only available to the record holder, the parents, and a spouse or child (must have a New York court order). Requesters can obtain marriage records by completing a birth certificate request form and submitting it in person or by mail. Requesters should send the forms along with the payment payable in money orders or checks to:
New York Department of Health
Vital Records (Certification Unit)
P.O. Box 2602
Albany, NY 12220-2602
Certified birth records ordered via mail cost $30.00, online and phone requests cost $45.00 (plus $8 processing fee), while in-person requests cost $45.00. Only requesters making in-person requests can pay in cash, and all payments are to be made to the Health Department.
Where and How to Find Steuben County Death Records
Death records in Steuben County are only obtainable by the deceased's parent, spouse, sibling, or child. The only other persons who may access it are requesters with:
- A documented lawful right/claim
- A documented medical need
- A court order
Interested parties may access death records by completing a death request form and submitting it in person or by mail. Requesters should send these with the payments to:
New York Department of Health
Vital Records (Certification Unit)
P.O. Box 2602
Albany, NY 12220-2602
Death records ordered via mail cost $30.00, online and phone requests cost $45.00 (plus an $8 processing fee), while in-person requests cost $45.00. Mail-in and online requesters should pay with checks, money orders, and Visa/MasterCard (only online). Only in-person requesters can pay with cash.
Steuben County death records are also obtainable from the county historian. The historian's office is open from 10 A.M. to 3 P.M. from Mondays to Thursdays, while on Fridays, it is open from 10 A.M. to 2:30 P.M.
