Cattaraugus County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Cattaraugus County?

Public records in Cattaraugus County are defined according to the New York Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) under New York Public Officers Law § 87, which states that all government records are presumed to be available to the public unless specifically exempted by law. These records document the business of government and are maintained by county offices and departments.

Cattaraugus County maintains numerous types of public records, including:

• Court Records: Civil, criminal, family court, and surrogate's court records are maintained by the Cattaraugus County Clerk's Office and respective courts.
• Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and property transfers are recorded and maintained by the County Clerk's Office.
• Vital Records: Birth certificates (from 1880), death certificates (from 1880), marriage licenses (from 1908), and divorce decrees are available through specific county departments.
• Business Records: DBA (Doing Business As) certificates, business licenses, and permits are filed with the County Clerk.
• Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, and tax maps are maintained by the Real Property and GIS Services.
• Voting and Election Records: Voter registration information and election results are maintained by the Board of Elections.
• Meeting Minutes and Agendas: County legislature meetings, board meetings, and committee proceedings are documented and maintained by the respective departments.
• Budget and Financial Documents: County budgets, expenditure reports, and financial statements are available through the County Treasurer's Office.
• Law Enforcement Records: Certain police reports, arrest logs, and incident reports are maintained by the Sheriff's Office, subject to privacy restrictions.
• Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, zoning maps, and building permits are maintained by the Department of Economic Development, Planning and Tourism.

Each record type is maintained by a specific county department, with the County Clerk serving as the primary custodian for many official records. The Cattaraugus County Clerk's Office maintains land records, court records, and business filings, while vital records are handled through the Department of Health.

Is Cattaraugus County an Open Records County?

Cattaraugus County adheres to New York State's Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), which is codified under Article 6 of the Public Officers Law § 84-90. This law establishes the public's right to access government records at all levels of state and local government, including counties.

The law explicitly states: "The legislature hereby finds that a free society is maintained when government is responsive and responsible to the public, and when the public is aware of governmental actions. The more open a government is with its citizenry, the greater the understanding and participation of the public in government."

Cattaraugus County has established procedures for FOIL requests in compliance with state law. Each county department has a designated Records Access Officer responsible for responding to public records requests. The county maintains a public records portal where citizens can find information about accessing various types of records.

The county also complies with New York State's Open Meetings Law, which requires that meetings of public bodies be open to the public and that notice of the time and place of all meetings be given prior to every meeting.

Cattaraugus County's commitment to transparency is further demonstrated through its online resources, where many public records are made available digitally, though some records still require in-person requests.

How to Find Public Records in Cattaraugus County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records in Cattaraugus County may follow these steps to obtain the information they need:

1. Identify the Appropriate Department: Determine which county department maintains the records you seek. The County Clerk's Office handles many official records, while specialized departments maintain others.

2. Submit a FOIL Request: For records not readily available online, submit a Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request to the appropriate department's Records Access Officer. Requests can be submitted:

   • In person at the relevant department
   • By mail to the department address
   • By email to the designated Records Access Officer
   • Through the county's online FOIL request system, if available

3. Provide Specific Information: Include detailed information about the records sought, including:

   • Type of record
   • Date range
   • Names of involved parties
   • Property addresses (for property records)
   • Case numbers (for court records)

4. Access Online Resources: Many records are currently available through online portals:

   • Property records and tax information through the Real Property and GIS Services
   • Court records through the County Clerk's online system
   • Meeting minutes and agendas on the county website

5. Visit In Person: For records not available online or requiring certified copies:

Cattaraugus County Clerk's Office
303 Court Street
Little Valley, NY 14755
Phone: 716-938-9111
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

6. Allow Processing Time: Under FOIL, agencies must acknowledge receipt of requests within 5 business days and provide records or a determination within 20 business days. Complex requests may require additional time.

7. Appeal If Necessary: If a request is denied, requestors have the right to appeal to the designated appeals officer within 30 days of the denial.

For specialized records such as vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates), additional identification requirements and specific forms may be necessary. The New York State Department of Health provides guidance on obtaining these records.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Cattaraugus County?

Cattaraugus County charges fees for public records in accordance with New York Public Officers Law § 87(1)(b)(iii), which permits agencies to charge reasonable fees for copying or reproducing records. Current standard fees include:

• General Photocopies: $0.25 per page for standard letter/legal size documents
• Certified Copies: $10.00 per document for certified copies of most records
• Land Records:
  • $5.00 per page for deed copies
  • $40.00 filing fee for new deeds and mortgages
  • $5.00 per name for records searches
• Court Records:
  • $10.00 for exemplified copies
  • $1.00 per page for uncertified copies
• Vital Records:
  • $10.00 for birth certificates
  • $10.00 for death certificates
  • $10.00 for marriage certificates
• Maps and Large Format Documents:
  • $5.00 for standard tax maps
  • $15.00-$30.00 for large format prints, depending on size
• Digital Records:
  • $10.00 for records provided on CD/DVD
  • No charge for records that can be emailed (if file size permits)

Payment methods accepted by most county offices include:

• Cash (in-person only)
• Personal checks
• Money orders
• Credit cards (subject to processing fees)

Fee waivers may be granted when disclosure would primarily benefit the general public, as determined by the Records Access Officer. Government agencies requesting records for official purposes are generally exempt from fees.

It is important to note that while fees may be charged for copies, inspection of records in person is free of charge under FOIL, provided advance arrangements are made with the appropriate department.

Does Cattaraugus County Have Free Public Records?

Cattaraugus County provides several avenues for accessing public records at no cost to requestors:

Free in-person inspection of public records is available at various county offices during regular business hours, as guaranteed by the New York Freedom of Information Law § 87(2). Individuals wishing to inspect records should contact the appropriate department in advance to schedule an appointment.

The county also offers free access to numerous records through online platforms:

• The Cattaraugus County Clerk's Office provides free online access to certain land records, court filings, and business records through their public access terminal.
• The Real Property and GIS Services offers free online access to property assessment data, tax maps, and GIS information.
• County Legislature meeting minutes and agendas are freely available on the county website.
• Budget documents and financial reports can be viewed online at no cost.
• The New York State Sex Offender Registry, which includes offenders in Cattaraugus County, is available for free public access.

Additionally, the Cattaraugus County Public Library system provides free public computer access where residents can search many online county records without charge.

While inspection is free, fees may still apply for obtaining physical or certified copies of records as detailed in the previous section. Electronic copies of records may be provided free of charge when feasible, particularly when records already exist in electronic format and can be emailed to the requestor.

Who Can Request Public Records in Cattaraugus County?

Under New York Public Officers Law § 89(1), any person has the right to request and receive public records from Cattaraugus County government offices. The law states that records shall be made available to "any person," with the following provisions:

• Residency Requirements: There is no residency requirement for requesting public records in Cattaraugus County. Both New York residents and non-residents have equal access rights under FOIL.

• Identification Requirements: For most general records, requestors are not required to provide identification or state the purpose of their request. However, certain sensitive records may require verification of identity, including:

  • Vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates) require proof of identity and established eligibility
  • Court records with sealed components may require verification of authorized access
  • Medical records require proof of authorization

• Business Entities: Corporations, organizations, and business entities may request public records through authorized representatives.

• Representatives: Attorneys, researchers, and other agents may request records on behalf of clients with appropriate authorization.

• Media: Journalists and media organizations have the same rights of access as any member of the public, with no special privileges or restrictions.

For requests involving personal records, the county follows privacy protections established under New York Public Officers Law § 89(2), which protects against unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. When requesting another individual's records, additional documentation may be required to establish legal authority or legitimate interest.

Government agencies requesting records for official purposes are generally accommodated through interagency cooperation rather than formal FOIL procedures.

What Records Are Confidential in Cattaraugus County?

Certain records in Cattaraugus County are exempt from public disclosure under New York Public Officers Law § 87(2), which establishes specific categories of protected information. These confidential records include:

• Sealed Court Records: Records sealed by court order, including certain family court proceedings, youthful offender adjudications, and expunged criminal records.

• Juvenile Records: Records pertaining to juvenile delinquency proceedings and family court matters involving minors are confidential under New York Family Court Act § 375.1.

• Law Enforcement Records: Information that would:

  • Interfere with active investigations or judicial proceedings
  • Deprive a person of the right to a fair trial
  • Identify confidential sources or disclose confidential information
  • Reveal non-routine criminal investigative techniques or procedures

• Personal Privacy Information: Records containing personal information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy, including:

  • Social Security numbers
  • Medical records (protected under HIPAA)
  • Financial account information
  • Home addresses and telephone numbers of public employees
  • Personal information in personnel records

• Security Information: Records that could endanger life or safety if disclosed, including:

  • Critical infrastructure details
  • Security plans for public buildings
  • Emergency response protocols

• Inter/Intra-Agency Materials: Deliberative materials, draft documents, and communications between agencies that are pre-decisional in nature.

• Trade Secrets: Commercial information submitted to the county that would cause substantial injury to the competitive position of the subject if disclosed.

• Attorney-Client Privileged Materials: Communications between county attorneys and county officials protected by attorney-client privilege.

• Child Welfare Records: CPS reports and investigations are confidential under New York Social Services Law § 422.

• Adoption Records: Sealed adoption records are confidential under New York Domestic Relations Law.

When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the county is required to redact the confidential information and release the remainder of the record. The county must cite the specific statutory provision that justifies any denial of access to records.

Cattaraugus County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Cattaraugus County Clerk's Office
303 Court Street
Little Valley, NY 14755
Phone: 716-938-9111
Fax: 716-938-6357
Cattaraugus County Clerk's Office

Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Recording Division Services:

• Land records (deeds, mortgages, liens, easements)
• Military discharge papers
• Business certificates (DBA filings)
• Notary public registrations
• Passport applications (by appointment)
• Pistol permits
• Court records

Real Property Tax Services
303 Court Street
Little Valley, NY 14755
Phone: 716-938-9111 ext. 2219
Real Property and GIS Services

Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Department of Health (Vital Records)
1 Leo Moss Drive
Olean, NY 14760
Phone: 716-373-8050
Cattaraugus County Health Department

Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

For specialized services or to confirm availability of specific records, members of the public are encouraged to call ahead before visiting these offices.

Lookup Public Records in Cattaraugus County

County Clerk's Office records and filings

Public Records access information

New York State Sex Offender Registry

Real Property and GIS Services