What are Mount Vernon Public Records?
According to the New York Freedom of Information Law, Mount Vernon public records are documents in recording or writing that are received, cataloged, corrected, or issued by public agencies concerning a public business or activity. The public records may exist as videotapes, maps, photographs, papers, audio recordings, SMS, emails, charters, or memoranda. That said, Mount Vernon public agencies are responsible for maintaining and providing access to records in their custody. Nevertheless, the Freedom of Information Law restricts the disclosure of certain documents to the public. For example, the following documents are exempt from public view:
- Personal data containing information, such as social security numbers, credit or debit card account numbers, and driver's licenses;
- Information revealing the identity of a law enforcement employee;
- Complaints of misconduct filed against an employee of the Florida Department of Management Services;
- Security protocol and strategies utilized in a government-owned building or structure;
- Trade secrets and negotiations involving public agencies;
- Security protocol and strategy for government-owned buildings;
- Attorney-client communication;
- Information on crime witnesses, complainants, or victims;
- Audit working papers;
- Location of archeological sites and endangered species;
- Drafts and preliminary notes of policy-making documents;
- Information on pending litigation;
- Information on an ongoing investigation;
- Personal identifying information, such as social security number and driver's license;
- Data about competition or bidding;
- Location of archeological sites and information on endangered species;
- Confidential vital records, such as death and birth records;
- Information about student records.
Public county records may also be accessible from third-party websites. Record seekers may use these non-governmental platforms to search for a specific record or multiple county records. However, users will need to provide enough information to assist with the search, such as:
- The address of the requestor;
- A case number or file number (if known);
- The location of the document or person involved;
- The name of the subject involved in the record (not juvenile);
- The last known or current address of the registrant.
Government agencies do not sponsor third-party sites. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
Mount Vernon Crime Statistics
The Mount Vernon Police Department documents all arrests conducted by law enforcement employees within the city. Furthermore, it creates yearly crime statistics from all documented arrests. Persons interested in viewing Mount Vernon crime statistics must visit the FBI Uniform Crime Report platform. Per the FBI UCR for 2019, Mount Vernon documented 1,183 overall index crimes, including 381 violent crimes and 842 property crimes. The accumulated figure features the following index crimes and rates: two murders, 20 rapes, 98 robberies, 261 aggravated assaults, 91 burglaries, 642 larceny thefts, 109 motor vehicle thefts, and six arson. In contrast, Mount Vernon recorded 1,688 overall index crimes in 2016. Compared with the 2016 report, index crimes in the city reduced by 29 percent.
Are Mount Vernon Criminal Records Public?
New York Freedom of Information Law determines which criminal records are accessible to the public. For example, state law restricts public access to juvenile criminal records. Nevertheless, custodian agencies release copies of juvenile criminal records to the record subject, parents, guardians, and other authorized persons.
The Westchester County Clerk's Office provides access to Mount Vernon criminal records. Record seekers may obtain the documents via an online search portal or via the public viewing terminal at the Westchester County Clerk's Office. Note that the public viewing terminal contains criminal records created from 2002 to the present. In contrast, the online search portal provides information on criminal records from 1978. Furthermore, requesters must create an account or sign-in on the Westchester online search portal to view online copies of criminal records.
To obtain criminal records created before 2002, record seekers must make an in-person request to the Westchester County Clerk at:
110 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
White Plains, NY 10601
Phone: (914) 995-3080
Fax: (914) 995-4030
Likewise, the Westchester County Clerk allows mail requests for criminal records. To obtain the records via mail, requesters must send a written request containing the following data:
- The record bearer's name;
- Index, or file number;
- The specific name of the document;
- Date when the record was filed.
Requesters must include a $10 check or money order payable to "Westchester County Clerk" in the mail request. Next, requesters must send the necessary documents to the Westchester County Clerk at:
110 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
White Plains, NY 10601
How to Obtain Mount Vernon Police Reports and Arrest Records
Mount Vernon police reports and arrest records are obtainable via the New York Police Department and the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
Through the DMV, interested persons may get collision reports recorded before September 30, 2016, via mail, online, or in person. Requesters can use the online portal to obtain copies of collision reports. Note that requests for collision reports cost $7 for searches and $15 for each report.
On the other hand, mail requests attract a fee of $10 per search and $15 per report. Requesters must send mail requests to obtain collision reports via mail by completing the Request for Copy of Accident Report (MV-198C). The request must provide these details:
- The date of the crash/accident;
- The county where the crash/accident happened;
- And one of the following information:
- The plate number of a vehicle involved in the crash/accident
- The driver license number of a person who was involved in the crash/accident
- Name and date of birth of a person who was involved in the crash/accident
Record seekers can make a request in-person at:
NYSDMV, MV-198 C Processing
6 Empire State Plaza
Albany, NY 12228
In contrast, the NYPD processes requests for incidents recorded after September 30, 2016, through the NYPD Collision Report website. Requesters can obtain the required report by filling out the Request for Collision Record form and selecting either "Police Report" or "Motor Vehicle Collision Report". Next, requesters can send the completed form with a self-addressed envelope to:
New York City Police Department
Collision Investigation Squad
198-15 Grand Capital Parkway
Hollis, Queens, NY 11423
How to Obtain Sex Offender Information in Mount Vernon
The New York Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) maintains a sex offender registry that contains information on all registered sex offenders. The sex crime level determines access to sex offenders' information. Record seekers can access information on level 2 and level 3 sex offenders via an online searchable portal. In contrast, residents may call to obtain Level 1 sex offenders information. Call requests are processed between Monday to Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Requesters must provide the following information:
- The sex offender's name and contact details;
- Date of birth;
- Driver's license number;
- Social Security number.
How to Find New York Inmate Records?
The Westchester County Department of Corrections provides information on all offenders incarcerated in the county's correctional facilities. Persons or entities can obtain Mount Vernon inmate records by inputting the inmate's full name, birth, and age into the DOC online database.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Mount Vernon City Jail?
The Westchester County Department of Corrections enables video visitation to all inmates incarcerated within the county. Thus, intending visitors must register on the Securus video visitation platform to visit inmates remotely. Visitors can register by providing their name, current address, and photo.
What are Mount Vernon Vital Records?
Mount Vernon vital records consist of all government-generated records of life events within the city. Vital records contain information on birth, death, marriage, and divorce events. Mount Vernon vital records fall under the purview of local and state public agencies. Thus, interested persons can view or obtain copies of vital records from custodian agencies. The Westchester County Clerk's Office is the custodian of all Mount Vernon divorce records. In contrast, the New York State Department of Health maintains a statewide repository of all vital records.
Where and How to Obtain Mount Vernon Divorce Records
Record seekers can obtain Mount Vernon divorce decrees from the Westchester County Clerk's Office. The Clerk's Office provides access to divorce decrees via in-person or mail requests.
To obtain divorce decrees in person, record seekers must visit the Legal Division of the Westchester County Clerk's Office. Requesters must present a valid ID alongside the required fee to obtain divorce decrees. Note that third-party requesters must present a notarized statement from one of the record subjects.
In contrast, mailed requests for Mount Vernon divorce decrees require the following:
- A written request containing the record subject's information and the requester's contact details;
- A check or money order payable to the "Westchester County Clerk". A certified copy of a divorce decree cost $1.25 per page with a minimum and maximum fee of $5 and $40, respectively;
Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope alongside the mail request to:
Office of the Westchester County Clerk
Legal Division, Room 330
110 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
White Plains, NY 10601
Where and How to Get Mount Vernon Marriage Records
The New York Department of Health is the custodian of all marriage licenses issued in Mount Vernon. The Department maintains copies of Mount Vernon marriage records from 1880. Therefore, interested persons may submit in-person or mail requests to obtain copies of marriage records. To obtain copies of Mount Vernon marriage records, a requester should complete the Marriage Record Application Form and enclose the required fees ($45 for walk-ins and $30 for mail request) and a government-issued ID. Next, the requester may mail or submit them in person to:
New York State Department of Health
Vital Records Certification Unit
P.O. Box 2602
Albany, NY 12220-2602
The New York State Department of Health releases copies of marriage records to the record subject and other persons with a legitimate right to obtain the documents. Furthermore, requesters must present a valid government-issued photo ID to obtain the records.
Note: the State Department of Health does not accept cash payments for mail requests. Hence, requesters must enclose the search fee as a money order or check payable to the New York State Department of Health. That said, marriage records cost $45 and $30 for in-person or mail requests, respectively.
Where and How to Find Mount Vernon Birth Records
Record seekers can find Mount Vernon birth records at the New York State Department of Health. It is responsible for generating copies of birth certificates from 1881 to present. Thus, interested persons can request for birth records from the Department of Health through in person or mail orders. Note that birth records are accessible to the following:
- The record subject;
- Parent named on the birth certificate;
- Other persons empowered by a court order to obtain the birth certificate.
To obtain Mount Vernon birth records in person, a requester must present a valid ID alongside a completed birth record application form to the New York State Department of Health at:
New York State Department of Health
Vital Records Certification Unit
P.O. Box 2602
Albany, NY 12220-2602
Requesters using the mail request option, must send these documents to the New York State Department of Health:
- A completed birth record application form;
- A check or money order payable to the New York State Department of Health;
- A stamped, self-addressed envelope.
Note: the State Department of Health does not accept cash payments for mail requests. That said, birth records cost $45 and $30 for in-person or mail requests, respectively.
Where and How to Find Mount Vernon Death Records
Record seekers can obtain Mount Vernon death records at the New York State Department of Health. The Health Department is responsible for providing access to death certificates from 1881 to present. Death certificates are accessible to interested persons via mail-in or in-person orders. To obtain Mount Vernon death records in person, a requester must present a valid ID alongside a completed death record application form to the New York State Department of Health at:
New York State Department of Health
Vital Records Certification Unit
P.O. Box 2602
Albany, NY 12220-2602
Requesters using the mail request option must follow these steps:
- Complete a death record application form;
- Next, include a check or money order payable to the New York State Department of Health;
- Send the aforementioned documents in a stamped, self-addressed envelope to:
New York State Department of Health
Vital Records Certification Unit
P.O. Box 2602
Albany, NY 12220-2602
Note: the State Department of Health does not accept cash payments for mail requests. That said, death records cost $45 and $30 for in-person or mail requests, respectively.
