Greene County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Greene County in 2026
Members of the public seeking government documents in Greene County, New York, may access a range of publicly available information through official county offices, state repositories, and online portals. GreeneNYRecords.us aggregates publicly available data that may assist individuals in locating records related to property, court proceedings, and other government activities. The information available through official channels may include, but is not limited to, the following categories:
- Property deeds, mortgages, and liens
- Court records from Supreme Court and County Court proceedings
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
- Business licenses and permits
- Tax assessment and property tax records
- Voting and election records
- County legislative meeting minutes and agendas
- Law enforcement incident reports (where permitted by law)
- Land use, zoning, and planning documents
Records may be searched through official court resources, the Greene County Clerk's office, public access terminals located at county offices, and online tools maintained by state and county agencies.
Online Access:
- The Greene County government portal provides access to department-level information and links to available online databases.
- Property and land records may be searchable through the County Clerk's online index.
- The New York State Department of State maintains a state records repository for filings including Executive Orders, oaths of office, and local laws.
- Some records require account registration or in-person verification before digital access is granted.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Greene County Clerk's Office to inspect or request copies of records. The office is located at 411 Main Street, Catskill, NY 12414. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Requestors should bring a valid government-issued photo identification and be prepared to complete a written request form if required by staff.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests should be directed to the Greene County Clerk's Office at 411 Main Street, Catskill, NY 12414. Each request must include the requestor's full name, mailing address, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for delivery. Under New York's Freedom of Information Law, agencies are required to respond within five business days of receipt, either by providing the records, acknowledging the request, or stating a reason for denial.
Phone/Email:
- Phone: (518) 719-3255
- Email: records@greenecountyny.gov
What Are Public Records in Greene County?
Public records in Greene County are defined under New York Public Officers Law § 86 as any information kept, held, filed, produced, or reproduced by, with, or for a government agency in any physical form. The Greene County Clerk is the primary custodian of many county-level records, including deeds, mortgages, criminal records, and all court records for the Supreme Court and County Court.
The following record types are maintained across various county offices:
| Record Type | Custodial Office |
|---|---|
| Deeds and mortgages | County Clerk |
| Supreme Court and County Court records | County Clerk |
| Vital records (birth, death, marriage) | Town/City Clerks; NYS Dept. of Health |
| Property tax assessments | County Real Property Tax Service |
| Business certificates | County Clerk |
| Voting and election records | Greene County Board of Elections |
| Legislative minutes and agendas | Greene County Legislature |
| Zoning and land use records | Municipal Planning/Zoning Boards |
| Incarcerated individual records | NYS DOCCS Incarcerated Lookup |
The New York State Department of State's state records unit serves as the filing office for state and local laws, Executive Orders, and oaths of office for state officials, supplementing county-level holdings.
Is Greene County an Open Records County?
Greene County operates in full compliance with New York State's open records framework. Under New York Public Officers Law § 84–90, commonly known as the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), all state and local government agencies—including those in Greene County—are required to make records available to the public upon request, subject to specific statutory exemptions.
As stated by the New York State Committee on Open Government, the Freedom of Information Law "provides rights of access to records reflective of governmental decisions and policies that affect the lives of every New Yorker." This principle governs how Greene County agencies respond to public records requests.
The county does not maintain a separate local open records ordinance; state FOIL provisions apply uniformly. Each county agency designates a Records Access Officer (RAO) responsible for coordinating responses to FOIL requests. Members of the public may direct requests to the appropriate RAO within the relevant department.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Greene County?
The fee structure for public records in Greene County follows the limits established under New York Public Officers Law § 87(1)(b), which governs the charges agencies may impose for records access.
Standard Copy Fees:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Paper copies (up to 9" x 14") | $0.25 per page |
| Certification of records | $5.00 per document (County Clerk) |
| Electronic copies (where available) | Actual cost of reproduction |
| Search fees | Not permitted under FOIL |
- Inspection of records at a public counter is provided at no charge.
- Agencies may charge the actual cost of reproducing records in electronic format, provided the cost does not exceed the standard per-page rate for paper copies when the electronic format is a standard file type.
- Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or when disclosure is determined to be in the public interest, at the discretion of the agency.
- Accepted payment methods at the County Clerk's Office include cash, check, and money order payable to the Greene County Clerk.
Fees for certified copies of vital records (birth, death, marriage) are set by the New York State Department of Health and are separate from FOIL copy fees.
Does Greene County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available to members of the public at county offices during regular business hours. Under New York FOIL provisions, agencies are prohibited from charging a fee solely for inspecting records; charges apply only when copies are requested.
The following resources provide free access to certain records:
- The Greene County government website provides free access to legislative agendas, meeting minutes, budget documents, and departmental information.
- The New York State DOCCS incarcerated individual lookup tool allows members of the public to search for individuals currently or previously held in state correctional facilities at no cost.
- The New York State Department of State's state records portal provides free access to filed state and local laws, Executive Orders, and related documents.
- Property assessment data may be reviewed at no cost through the Greene County Real Property Tax Service office.
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: members of the public have the right to view records in person without charge, but reproduction of those records is subject to the fee schedule described above.
Who Can Request Public Records in Greene County?
Any person may submit a public records request in Greene County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. New York Public Officers Law § 84 establishes that the right of access to government records belongs to "the people," and agencies may not require requestors to identify themselves or explain the reason for their request as a condition of access.
Specific provisions include:
- Residency: Not required. Non-residents of Greene County and New York State retain full FOIL rights.
- Identification: Agencies may not require identification as a precondition for inspecting public records, though identification may be required for certified copies or records involving personal information.
- Purpose: Requestors are not required to state a purpose for most records requests.
- Requesting personal records: Individuals seeking their own records (e.g., criminal history, personnel files) may be required to provide proof of identity to prevent unauthorized disclosure.
- Restrictions by record type: Certain records, such as sealed court files or juvenile records, are accessible only to authorized parties as defined by statute.
Members of the public who believe a request has been improperly denied may file an administrative appeal with the agency head within 30 days of the denial, and may subsequently seek judicial review under Article 78 of the New York Civil Practice Law and Rules.
What Records Are Confidential in Greene County?
Not all government records in Greene County are subject to public disclosure. New York Public Officers Law § 87(2) enumerates categories of records that agencies may withhold from public access. The following record types are exempt from disclosure under current law:
- Sealed court records: Records sealed pursuant to court order or statute, including certain criminal case dispositions.
- Juvenile records: Records pertaining to individuals adjudicated as juvenile delinquents or persons in need of supervision.
- Ongoing investigation records: Law enforcement records compiled for law enforcement purposes that, if disclosed, would interfere with active investigations or endanger individuals.
- Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted prior to disclosure.
- Medical and health records: Protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
- Adoption records: Sealed by statute and accessible only through court order or specific statutory procedures.
- Child welfare and protective services records: Maintained as confidential under New York Social Services Law.
- Personnel records: Employee records are exempt to the extent that disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, though certain information (e.g., job title, salary) remains public.
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Submitted to agencies in confidence and exempt from disclosure.
- Critical infrastructure and security plans: Documents that, if disclosed, could endanger public safety or security.
Agencies apply a balancing test when determining whether partial disclosure—with exempt portions redacted—is appropriate in lieu of full denial.
Greene County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
The primary office responsible for recording and maintaining land records, court records, and related documents in Greene County is the County Clerk's Office.
Greene County Clerk's Office
411 Main Street
Catskill, NY 12414
(518) 719-3255
Greene County Clerk
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays.
Greene County Records Center
465 Main Street
Catskill, NY 12414
records@greenecountyny.gov
Greene County Records Center
Note: The Greene County Records Center does not provide direct public access to county records. Members of the public seeking records should direct requests to the County Clerk's Office or the relevant department maintaining the records in question.
Additional Offices:
Greene County Board of Elections
411 Main Street, Suite 105
Catskill, NY 12414
(518) 719-3550
Greene County government portal
Greene County Real Property Tax Service
411 Main Street
Catskill, NY 12414
(518) 719-3525
Greene County government portal
As noted by the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, the Freedom of Information Law "provides the public right to access to records maintained by government agencies with certain exceptions," and this standard applies to all offices operating within Greene County.