Access Ontario County Public Records
Ontario County public records are maintained by the County Clerk's Office in Canandaigua and the state court system. You can search for court cases, property filings, vital records, and other official documents through local and state sources. The Clerk's Office is the primary local point of contact for land records, court filings, and other legal documents in this Finger Lakes region county.
Ontario County Quick Facts
Ontario County Clerk's Office
The Ontario County Clerk is the central office for public records in the county. This office records deeds, mortgages, and other land documents. It keeps Supreme and County Court files. The Clerk also handles passport applications and various licenses.
| Office | Ontario County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 27 North Main Street, Canandaigua, NY 14424 |
| Phone | (585) 396-4200 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | co.ontario.ny.us |
Visit the office on North Main Street in Canandaigua during business hours. The staff can help you search for records and get copies. Standard copies cost 50 cents per page. Certified copies are $1.25 for the first page and 50 cents for each page after, plus a $5 certification fee. Bring valid ID if you need certified documents.
Ontario County is a mid-size county in the Finger Lakes area. The Clerk's Office handles a steady flow of land filings and court records. If you are searching for property records tied to lakefront land on Canandaigua Lake or other Finger Lakes properties, this is where those deeds and mortgages are filed. Older records may be on microfilm and can take a bit longer to pull.
How to Search Ontario County Records
You can search Ontario County records online, in person, or by mail. Each method works for different types of records.
For court cases, the eCourts portal lets you search civil Supreme Court cases from Ontario County for free. Search by name, index number, or attorney. The system updates daily and covers cases going back many years. You get case summaries and filing details at no charge.
Criminal records are searchable through the Criminal History Record Search. The $95 fee covers a search of all courts in all 62 counties. You need the person's exact legal name and date of birth. Sealed records do not appear. Results come back by email, usually within a few business days.
For land records, the Clerk's Office in Canandaigua is your best bet. You can search by grantor, grantee, or property address. Deed transfers, mortgage filings, liens, and other property records are all indexed. Call ahead if you have a complex search, and the staff can get things started before you arrive.
Vital records like birth and death certificates are available from the New York State Department of Health. Marriage licenses can be obtained from the Ontario County Clerk or from town clerks within the county. For records from the City of Canandaigua, the city clerk's office also issues marriage licenses.
Types of Records in Ontario County
Court records here include civil suits, criminal cases, family court filings, and probate matters. The Supreme Court handles the biggest civil cases and felonies. County Court covers criminal cases and some civil matters. Surrogate's Court manages wills, estates, and guardianships. Family Court addresses custody, support, and domestic relations.
Land records form a major part of the Clerk's holdings. Every property transaction in Ontario County is recorded here. Deeds, mortgages, satisfactions, assignments, liens, and lis pendens filings are all public. UCC filings for personal property security interests are also on file. Title companies and real estate attorneys use these records daily.
Other records include assumed name certificates for businesses, federal tax liens, and maps. Older naturalization records are available for historical and genealogy research. The Clerk also files various court orders, judgments, and legal notices that become part of the permanent public record.
FOIL Requests in Ontario County
New York's Freedom of Information Law lets you request government records from any state or local agency. Ontario County departments must respond within five business days of getting your written request.
Address your FOIL request to the records access officer at the office that has the records. Be specific about what you want. You do not have to explain your reasons. The agency will either provide the records, deny the request with a legal basis, or ask for more time if the request is large. Most records are available. Only specific exemptions allow an agency to withhold documents.
For help with denied requests, contact the Committee on Open Government. The Department of State FOIL page has forms, sample letters, and information about the law. FOIL copy fees max out at 25 cents per page.
Ontario County Resources
Ontario County is part of the 7th Judicial District, which covers the Rochester area and surrounding counties. Supreme Court sits in Canandaigua. County Court handles felonies and civil cases. The Surrogate's Court processes wills and estate matters.
Canandaigua City Court handles local cases within the city, including small claims and traffic matters. Geneva City Court serves the eastern part of the county. Town and village courts throughout Ontario County process local offenses and traffic tickets. Many of these records are available through the state eCourts search tools.
Legal aid in Ontario County is provided through the Legal Aid Society of Rochester and the Volunteer Legal Services Project. The Ontario County Bar Association offers a lawyer referral service. The court system has self-help resources and forms available online for people who represent themselves in legal matters.
The Ontario County Sheriff's Office handles police reports. The District Attorney prosecutes criminal cases. Real Property Tax Services keeps tax rolls and assessment data. All of these records are public under New York law, subject to the standard exemptions in FOIL.
Nearby Counties
Records for nearby areas may be filed in these neighboring county offices.