Greene County Public Records Search
Greene County public records are maintained by the County Clerk in Catskill and by New York State agencies that serve the Hudson Valley area. The Clerk's office keeps Supreme and County Court records, deeds, mortgages, and other recorded land instruments. State-level search tools from the Unified Court System give you free online access to civil and criminal case data covering Greene County. This page walks you through where to find the records you need and how the process works.
Greene County Public Records Overview
Greene County Clerk Office
The Greene County Clerk is the custodian of court records and land records for the county. Located on Main Street in Catskill, the office records deeds, mortgages, and liens, and stores court files for Supreme and County Court. The Clerk also handles pistol permits and other filings required by state law. All recorded instruments are indexed by the names of the parties and the type of document.
| Office | Greene County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 411 Main Street, Catskill, NY 12414 |
| Phone | (518) 719-3255 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Copy Fee | $0.50 per page |
| Certified Copies | $5.00 plus page fees |
On the land records side, the Clerk records all instruments that affect real property in Greene County. This includes warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, bargain and sale deeds, mortgages, assignments, satisfactions, and mechanics' liens. Each filing gets a time stamp and is entered into the grantor/grantee index. Title companies and real estate attorneys rely on these records to verify clear title before closings. The Clerk can provide certified copies of any recorded document for a fee.
Court records at the Greene County Clerk's office cover Supreme Court civil matters and County Court criminal cases. Files contain all papers from the start of a case to its resolution. You can visit the office to inspect a file or request copies. Phone and mail requests are also handled, though you should have the index number or case number ready to speed up the process.
How to Search Greene County Public Records
Online court record searches are free through the state system. The WebCivil Supreme portal covers civil Supreme Court cases from Greene County. Search by party name, index number, or attorney. Results include case details and filing history. Updates happen regularly throughout the day for most counties.
For statewide criminal records, use the Criminal History Record Search. The $95 fee gets you a check of all court levels in all 62 counties. Supply the exact legal name and date of birth. Convictions and open cases show up. Sealed records do not. The results come by email, usually within a few business days.
Land records in Greene County can be searched at the Clerk's office in person. Call (518) 719-3255 to ask about what is available for remote searches. Some counties in New York offer online land record portals, and Greene County may have options for searching from home. Check with the Clerk for the most current information on online access. For vital records, the New York State Department of Health handles birth, death, and marriage certificates for events outside New York City. Town clerks in Greene County can also issue copies for local events.
Types of Public Records in Greene County
Greene County's public records fall into several main groups. Court records from Supreme and County Court are held by the Clerk. These include civil complaints, criminal indictments, motions, orders, and judgments. Family Court and Surrogate's Court keep their own files, and some case information can be found through the state eCourts system.
Land records make up the other major collection at the Clerk's office. Deeds, mortgages, liens, satisfactions, and other instruments create a full picture of every property's ownership history. The recording system protects buyers and lenders by making these documents public. Anyone can search the index and request copies. Tax records and assessment rolls are kept by the county Real Property Tax Services department, which is a different office from the Clerk.
Voter registration data is available from the Greene County Board of Elections. Business entity filings are at the state Department of State. Government records from local agencies can be obtained through FOIL requests. The State Board of Elections runs the statewide voter registration database, though county boards handle day-to-day operations.
FOIL Requests in Greene County
New York's Freedom of Information Law applies to all government agencies in Greene County. Under Public Officers Law Section 87, most records are open to the public. To request records, write to the Records Access Officer at the agency that has what you need. Include as much detail as possible about the specific records you want.
Agencies must respond within five business days. They can release the records, deny the request with a legal reason, or ask for more time. Copy fees are 50 cents per page maximum. You can inspect records in person instead of paying for copies. The Department of State FOIL page explains the process in detail and provides sample request letters that you can use as a starting point.
Appeals of denied requests must be filed within 30 days. Send the appeal to the agency head. If the appeal also fails, you can file an Article 78 proceeding in court. The Committee on Open Government at (518) 474-2518 can help with questions about your rights under FOIL and has published hundreds of advisory opinions interpreting the law.
Legal Resources for Greene County
Legal Aid of Northeastern New York provides free civil legal services to eligible Greene County residents. They cover housing, family law, government benefits, and consumer issues. The New York State Bar Association lawyer referral program can connect you with local attorneys if you need representation on a records or court matter.
The New York Courts website offers self-help forms and instructions for people filing court papers without an attorney. The Greene County Courthouse in Catskill may have a help desk or resource materials as well. For guidance on public records access, contact the Committee on Open Government. They are available by phone and can issue written opinions on specific FOIL questions.
Nearby Counties
Greene County sits on the west side of the Hudson River in the Catskill Mountains area. These neighboring counties also have searchable public records.