Search Buffalo Public Records
Public records in the City of Buffalo are held by the City Clerk, the Erie County Clerk, and several state and federal agencies. Buffalo is the second largest city in New York State, with a population around 278,000. The city sits at the eastern end of Lake Erie in western New York. The City Clerk at City Hall handles local vital records, FOIL requests, and municipal government files. Court records, property deeds, and other county-level filings go through the Erie County Clerk downtown. Between the city and county offices, you can access a wide range of public records for the Buffalo area.
Buffalo Public Records Overview
Erie County Court and Land Records
The Erie County Clerk manages court filings and land records for Buffalo. The Clerk's office is in the Erie County Hall at 92 Franklin Street in downtown Buffalo. Supreme Court cases, property deeds, mortgages, liens, and judgments are all filed there. Erie County has an online records search tool that lets you look up land documents and court cases from your computer.
Erie County is in the 8th Judicial District. This district covers eight counties in western New York, but the busiest courts are in Buffalo. The eCourts portal has Supreme Court civil case data from Erie County. You can search by party name or index number at no cost. For City Court cases in Buffalo, the WebCivil Local search is where to look. Buffalo City Court handles small claims, evictions, and misdemeanor cases within city limits.
Property records for Buffalo are at the Erie County Clerk. Deeds, mortgages, and other recorded documents can be searched online. For tax records, the Erie County Real Property Tax Service Agency maintains assessment rolls and tax information. The city of Buffalo also has its own assessment office that handles property tax matters within the city.
Buffalo City Clerk
The Buffalo City Clerk is at City Hall, Room 1302, 65 Niagara Square, Buffalo, NY 14202. The phone number is (716) 851-5431.
| Office | City Clerk, City of Buffalo |
|---|---|
| Address | City Hall, Room 1302, 65 Niagara Square, Buffalo, NY 14202 |
| Phone | (716) 851-5431 |
| County | Erie County |
The City Clerk handles vital records for events in Buffalo. Birth, death, and marriage certificates for events that took place in the city are available from this office. The Clerk also maintains city council minutes, local laws, and ordinances. Licenses and permits issued by the city are on file here too.
For vital records from outside Buffalo, the New York State Department of Health keeps statewide records going back to 1881. A certified copy costs $30 from the state. The Erie County Clerk is another option for some records, depending on the type and the time period.
How to Search Buffalo Public Records
The approach depends on what you need. Court records and land filings are at the county. Vital records and city files are with the City Clerk. Here is how to get started.
Court cases are the easiest to find online. Use the eCourts system for Supreme Court civil cases. It is free. Search by name or case number. For criminal history, the Criminal History Record Search covers all courts statewide at $95 per search. It uses exact name and date of birth matching.
Property records go through the Erie County Clerk. Their online database covers deeds, mortgages, and other land documents. You can search by owner name, address, or document number. For assessment and tax records, the county and city assessment offices both have search tools. These show property values and tax bills for Buffalo properties.
Police records from the Buffalo Police Department at 74 Franklin Street may be available through a FOIL request. Accident reports, incident reports, and other police records are kept by the department. Contact them directly to ask about procedures and fees for obtaining copies. Some records may be restricted due to ongoing investigations or privacy rules.
Building permits and inspection records are at the city level. The Buffalo Office of Permits and Inspections handles these. You can visit in person or file a FOIL request through the City Clerk to get copies.
FOIL Requests in Buffalo
You can request records from the City of Buffalo under the Freedom of Information Law. Send your request in writing to the City Clerk at City Hall. Describe the records you want clearly. Include dates, names, departments, and any other details that will help them find what you need.
The city has five business days to respond. Copies are up to 25 cents per page. Electronic copies should cost less. If your request is denied, appeal to the city's designated appeals officer within 30 days. The Department of State FOIL page explains the process in detail.
For Erie County records, file your FOIL request with the specific county department that has the files. Each department has its own Records Access Officer. The Committee on Open Government is available to help resolve disputes about records access at any level of government.
Legal Resources in Buffalo
Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo provides free civil legal services to low-income residents of Erie County. They handle housing, family law, public benefits, and consumer cases. Neighborhood Legal Services also serves the western New York area with free legal help on civil matters. The Erie County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service for people who need to hire an attorney.
The 8th Judicial District courts have a Help Center in the courthouse in downtown Buffalo. Staff can assist with court forms and basic questions about procedures. LawHelp NY at lawhelpny.org is a statewide resource for finding legal aid providers. For questions about your right to access records, the Committee on Open Government can help.
Nearby Cities
Other cities and towns near Buffalo with public records pages: