Westchester County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Westchester County?
Public records in Westchester County are defined according to the New York Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), codified under New York Public Officers Law § 87. These records encompass any information kept, filed, produced, or reproduced by, with, or for Westchester County government agencies in any physical form whatsoever.
Westchester County maintains numerous categories of public records accessible to citizens, including:
- Court Records: Civil, criminal, family court, and probate proceedings maintained by the Westchester County Clerk's Office
- Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments
- Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees
- Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious business name registrations
- Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, and tax maps
- Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data and election results maintained by the Westchester County Board of Elections
- Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records from County Board meetings, commission proceedings, and other public bodies
- Budget and Financial Documents: County expenditures, financial reports, and budgetary planning documents
- Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs, incident reports (with certain restrictions), and police blotters
- Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, zoning maps, and environmental impact statements
The Westchester County Government serves as the central authority for many public records, though specific record types are maintained by different departments:
Westchester County Clerk's Office
110 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
White Plains, NY 10601
(914) 995-3070
Westchester County Clerk
The County Clerk maintains land records, court records, business certificates, and naturalization records.
Westchester County Department of Health
145 Huguenot Street
New Rochelle, NY 10801
(914) 813-5000
Westchester County Department of Health
The Department of Health maintains vital records including birth and death certificates.
Is Westchester County an Open Records County?
Westchester County adheres to New York State's open records laws, specifically the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL). Under New York Public Officers Law § 84, the legislature has declared that "government is the public's business and that the public, individually and collectively and represented by a free press, should have access to the records of government."
The statute explicitly states: "The people's right to know the process of governmental decision-making and to review the documents and statistics leading to determinations is basic to our society." This foundational principle guides Westchester County's approach to public records access.
Westchester County has implemented specific procedures to comply with FOIL requirements. The county maintains a Records Access Officer responsible for coordinating responses to public records requests across all county departments. Each department also designates personnel to handle records specific to their operations.
Additionally, Westchester County complies with New York State's Open Meetings Law, which requires that meetings of public bodies be open to the public, with limited exceptions for executive sessions. Meeting notices, agendas, and minutes are made available as public records.
The county has established a Records Management Program that governs the retention and disposition of county records in accordance with New York Arts and Cultural Affairs Law § 57.25, ensuring systematic management of public information.
How to Find Public Records in Westchester County in 2026
Members of the public seeking records in Westchester County may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they require. The county currently provides multiple access points for public records retrieval:
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Online Access: Many records are available through the Westchester County Government website. The county maintains several searchable databases:
- Property records through the Land Records Portal
- Court records via the WebCivil Supreme system
- Tax records through the Tax Parcel Viewer
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Submit a FOIL Request: For records not available online, individuals may submit a Freedom of Information Law request:
- Complete the county's FOIL Request Form
- Submit requests via email, mail, or in person to the appropriate department
- Clearly identify the records sought with reasonable specificity
- Provide contact information for response delivery
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Visit In Person: Many records may be inspected in person at the relevant county office:
- The County Clerk's Office for land and court records
- The Department of Health for vital records
- The Department of Finance for tax records
- The Board of Elections for voter registration and election records
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Contact Records Officers: Each department maintains designated records access personnel:
- Call the department directly to inquire about record availability
- Request guidance on the most efficient method to obtain specific records
- Determine if an appointment is necessary for in-person inspection
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Check the County Archives: Historical records may be available through:
- Westchester County Archives
- 2199 Saw Mill River Road
- Elmsford, NY 10523
- (914) 231-1500
The county typically responds to FOIL requests within five business days, either providing the records, denying access with explanation, or acknowledging receipt with an estimated date when the request will be granted or denied.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Westchester County?
Westchester County assesses 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. The current fee structure for Westchester County public records is as follows:
- Standard Photocopies: $0.25 per page for letter and legal size documents
- Large Format Documents: $5.00 per page for maps, surveys, and other oversized materials
- Digital Records:
- $10.00 for records provided on CD/DVD
- No charge for records that can be emailed (if file size permits)
- Certified Copies:
- Court records: $8.00 per document
- Vital records: $10.00 per certificate
- Land records: $5.00 per document plus $0.25 per page
- Search Fees:
- Name/record search: $5.00 per name
- Extensive research: $20.00 per hour after the first hour (which is free)
The Westchester County Clerk's Office maintains a comprehensive fee schedule for land records and court documents. Special fees may apply for specific record types:
- Birth certificates: $10.00 per copy
- Death certificates: $10.00 per copy
- Marriage licenses: $10.00 per copy
- Divorce decrees: $8.00 per copy
Accepted payment methods include:
- Cash (in-person only)
- Personal checks (made payable to "Westchester County Clerk" or appropriate department)
- Money orders
- Credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express) - a 2.5% convenience fee applies
It is important to note that pursuant to FOIL, fees are waived for records that will be inspected in person but not copied. Additionally, agencies may waive fees if doing so is in the public interest.
Does Westchester County Have Free Public Records?
Westchester County provides several avenues for accessing public records at no cost to requestors. Under New York Public Officers Law § 87(2), all records are available for public inspection at no charge, though fees may apply for copies.
Free public records access is available through the following means:
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In-Person Inspection: Members of the public may examine records at the appropriate county office during regular business hours without charge. This includes:
- Land records at the County Clerk's Office
- Court files at the County Courthouse
- Tax assessment records at the Department of Finance
- Meeting minutes at the County Board Office
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Online Resources: Westchester County maintains several free online databases:
- Property Records Search - Basic property ownership information
- GIS Tax Parcel Viewer - Property boundaries and basic assessment data
- County Board Meeting Minutes - Public meeting records
- County Budget Documents - Annual financial plans
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Public Access Terminals: Computer terminals are available at several county facilities for searching electronic records at no charge:
- County Clerk's Office - Land records and court filings
- Public libraries throughout the county - Various county databases
- Board of Elections Office - Voter registration information
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Published Reports: The county regularly publishes reports that are freely available:
- Annual financial reports
- Department performance reports
- Environmental impact statements
- Public health statistics
The Westchester County Department of Public Safety provides certain basic incident information at no charge, though detailed reports may incur fees.
Who Can Request Public Records in Westchester County?
Under New York Public Officers Law § 89(1), any person has the right to request and receive public records from Westchester County agencies. The law establishes broad eligibility criteria with minimal restrictions:
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Residency Requirements: There is no residency requirement for requesting public records in Westchester County. Requestors need not be New York State residents or U.S. citizens.
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Identification Requirements: For most general records, requestors are not required to provide identification. However, certain sensitive records may require verification:
- Vital records (birth/death certificates) require proof of identity and established relationship
- Medical records require proper authorization
- Some court records may require identification to access
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Purpose Declaration: Requestors are generally not required to state the purpose of their request or intended use of records. The law specifically states that an agency may not deny access based on the purpose for which the record will be used.
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Special Considerations:
- Commercial entities have the same access rights as individuals
- Media organizations receive no special privileges but have equal access
- Attorneys may request records on behalf of clients
- Incarcerated individuals may request records with certain limitations
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Requesting Your Own Records vs. Others' Records:
- Individuals have greater access rights to their own records
- Requesting another person's records may require authorization or may be limited by privacy exemptions
- Next of kin may have special access to vital records of deceased family members
The Westchester County Clerk's Office processes requests for court and land records, while the Westchester County Department of Health handles vital records requests, each with specific identification requirements based on record sensitivity.
What Records Are Confidential in Westchester County?
While Westchester County strives for transparency, certain records are exempt from disclosure under New York Public Officers Law § 87(2). These exemptions protect privacy, security, and other important interests. Records that are generally confidential include:
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Court Records:
- Sealed criminal records
- Family Court proceedings involving minors
- Adoption proceedings
- Mental health proceedings
- Orders of protection in domestic violence cases
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Personal Information:
- Social Security numbers
- Driver's license numbers
- Financial account information
- Medical and health records protected under HIPAA
- Personal email addresses and phone numbers of county employees
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Law Enforcement Records:
- Active criminal investigations
- Records that would interfere with law enforcement proceedings
- Records that would deprive a person of a fair trial
- Confidential informant information
- Criminal history information (with limited exceptions)
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Government Operations:
- Critical infrastructure information
- Computer access codes and security information
- Inter-agency or intra-agency deliberative materials
- Examination questions before administration
- Trade secrets submitted to the county
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Personnel Records:
- Employee medical information
- Performance evaluations (with exceptions)
- Personal information in personnel files
- Disciplinary records (with certain exceptions following recent reforms)
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Other Protected Records:
- Attorney-client privileged communications
- Records specifically exempted by state or federal statute
- Certain economic development negotiations
- Unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
The county applies a balancing test when considering disclosure of potentially exempt records, weighing the public's right to know against protected interests. Each FOIL request is evaluated on its specific merits, and partial disclosure with redactions may be provided when possible.
Westchester County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
The recording of deeds, mortgages, and other land records in Westchester County is handled by the County Clerk's Office, which serves as the official recorder for the county. Complete information for this office is provided below:
Westchester County Clerk's Office
110 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
White Plains, NY 10601
(914) 995-3070
Westchester County Clerk
Regular Office Hours:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Saturday and Sunday: Closed
Holidays: Closed
Land Records Division:
Direct Phone: (914) 995-3080
Email: CCLandRecords@westchestergov.com
Services Provided:
- Recording of deeds, mortgages, and liens
- Filing of maps and surveys
- Recording of judgments and lis pendens
- Issuance of certified copies of recorded documents
- Searching of land records
- Recording of military discharge papers (DD-214)
- Notary public services and registrations
Document Recording Requirements:
- Original documents must be submitted (no photocopies)
- Documents must be signed and notarized as required by law
- Proper recording fees must be paid
- Real Property Transfer Tax forms must accompany deeds
- Mortgage Tax Affidavit must accompany mortgages
Electronic Recording:
The Westchester County Clerk's Office accepts electronic recording through approved vendors. Information about e-recording can be obtained by contacting the Land Records Division directly.
Satellite Offices:
The County Clerk maintains three satellite offices with limited services:
Peekskill Office
24 Mitchell Place, Room 115
Peekskill, NY 10566
(914) 995-3082
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Yonkers Office
131 Warburton Avenue
Yonkers, NY 10701
(914) 995-3087
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Mount Vernon Office
100 East First Street
Mount Vernon, NY 10550
(914) 995-3089
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM