Find Public Records in Amherst

Amherst public records span court filings, property documents, vital records, and town government files managed by the Town Clerk and Erie County offices. Amherst is the largest suburb of Buffalo with over 129,000 residents, sitting in the eastern part of Erie County. The Town Clerk in Williamsville handles local records and FOIL requests, while the Erie County Clerk manages court filings, land records, and other county-level documents. Online search tools from the state court system provide access to many Amherst-area case records without a trip to the courthouse.

Erie County Records

Amherst is part of Erie County. Court records and land filings for the town go through the Erie County Clerk's Office in downtown Buffalo. The Clerk is the registrar of deeds and serves as clerk of the Supreme and County Courts. Civil case data can be searched through the state eCourts portal. Deeds, mortgages, and liens are recorded at the County Clerk's office.

For full details on county records, see our Erie County public records page.

Amherst Town Clerk's Office

The Amherst Town Clerk keeps local government records and vital statistics. This office handles town board meeting minutes, local laws, resolutions, and licensing records. The Clerk also serves as the Records Access Officer for the town, processing all FOIL requests for town-held documents. Vital records for births, deaths, and marriages that took place in Amherst are available through this office.

Certified copies of birth and death certificates cost $10 each. Marriage licenses are $40. You need a valid photo ID to pick up vital records. The Town Clerk also issues dog licenses, handles notary services, and files oaths of office. Call the office if you are not sure what documents you need or what the current fees are.

How to Search Amherst Public Records

For court records, use the state online tools. WebCivil Supreme has civil case data from Erie County Supreme Court. Search by party name or case index number. This covers lawsuits filed by or against Amherst residents in Supreme Court.

Criminal records work a bit differently. The WebCriminal search shows pending cases with upcoming court dates. It does not have old or closed cases. For a complete statewide criminal history check, use the Criminal History Record Search from the Office of Court Administration. The fee is $95, and results come by email.

Property records for Amherst are filed at the Erie County Clerk. You can search deeds and mortgages online through the Clerk's document search system. Tax and assessment data for Amherst properties is at the Erie County Real Property Tax Services office. The Amherst town assessor also keeps local assessment rolls and exemption records.

Local government records like building permits, zoning board decisions, and code enforcement actions are at the relevant Amherst department. These records are available through a FOIL request to the Town Clerk. Be specific when you ask. The more detail you provide, the faster you get a response.

FOIL Requests in Amherst

You have the right to ask for records from any Amherst town office under New York's Freedom of Information Law. Public Officers Law Section 87 says government records are presumed open to the public. Only specific exemptions can block access.

Send your FOIL request in writing to the Amherst Town Clerk at 5583 Main Street, Williamsville, NY 14221. Describe the records you want. Include dates, names, and any details that will help staff find the right files. The town has five business days to respond. Copy fees are 25 cents per page for standard documents.

If the town denies your request, you can appeal within 30 days. The appeal goes to the head of the agency. If that fails, you can take the matter to court under Article 78. The Committee on Open Government provides guidance on FOIL at (518) 474-2518. They can advise you on whether a denial was proper or if you should push back.

Amherst Public Records Resources

The New York State Department of Health maintains vital records for all of New York. Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates can be ordered from the state. Each certified copy costs $30. Processing by mail takes 8 to 10 weeks.

The Department of State FOIL page provides instructions for requesting records from state agencies. The Corporation and Business Entity Database lets you look up businesses registered in New York for free. You can search by entity name and see filing dates, status, and registered agent details.

Voter registration records for Amherst residents are at the Erie County Board of Elections. Public voter data includes name, address, party enrollment, and voting history. Driver's license and social security numbers are not part of the public file. Use the Online Voter Registration portal to register or update your information.

The Amherst Police Department maintains its own records for incidents and accident reports within the town. Contact the department's Records Access Officer for police reports. Some police records may need a written FOIL request. Call ahead to check availability and fees.

The Amherst Town Justice Court handles traffic tickets, small claims, and minor criminal matters for the town. Court records are available through the court clerk's office. The University at Buffalo has its main campus in Amherst, so the town sees a large transient population of students. This affects the volume of local records, particularly police reports and housing-related filings.

Erie County Records

Amherst is in Erie County. For county-level court records, land records, and more, visit our county page.

Nearby Cities and Towns

Other communities near Amherst with public records pages on our site.