Orange County Public Records
Orange County public records are kept by the County Clerk's Office in Goshen and through the New York State Unified Court System. This Hudson Valley county holds court records, land filings, and other legal documents that are open to the public. Whether you need to search a civil case, look up a deed, or check court filings, there are both online and in-person options available to you.
Orange County Quick Facts
Orange County Clerk's Office
The Orange County Clerk maintains court records, land records, and other public documents. The office records deeds, mortgages, liens, and other real property documents. It stores Supreme Court and County Court case files. The Clerk also processes passport applications and issues certain permits.
| Office | Orange County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 255 Main Street, Goshen, NY 10924 |
| Phone | (845) 291-2690 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | orangecountygov.com |
Orange County has grown a lot in recent decades. More people means more real estate transactions, more court cases, and more demand for public records. The Clerk's Office in Goshen handles all of it. You can visit in person during business hours or call ahead with questions about specific records. The staff can tell you what's available and what fees apply before you make the trip.
Copy fees follow state rates. Simple copies are 50 cents per page. Certified copies cost $1.25 for the first page, 50 cents for each added page, and a $5 certification fee. For property transfers, the Clerk charges recording fees that vary by document type. Bring photo ID for certified documents.
How to Search Orange County Records
Several search methods are available. Online tools cover court cases. The Clerk's Office handles in-person and mail requests.
The eCourts portal covers civil Supreme Court cases from Orange County. This free tool lets you search by party name, case number, or attorney. Data updates daily. You can see case details, filing dates, and the parties involved. No registration is needed to use this tool.
The Criminal History Record Search costs $95 and covers criminal cases from all 62 New York counties. You supply the exact name and date of birth. Results come by email. The search includes cases from every court level but does not show sealed records or most violations.
Land records are searchable at the Clerk's Office in Goshen. Staff can look up deeds, mortgages, and liens by name or property information. Some Orange County land records may be accessible online through the county website. For historical documents, older indexes and microfilm records are available at the office.
Vital records are handled by the New York State Department of Health for birth and death certificates. Marriage licenses come from the Orange County Clerk or from local town and city clerks. Middletown and Newburgh city clerks issue marriage licenses within their city limits.
Types of Records in Orange County
Court records in Orange County include civil lawsuits, criminal cases, family court matters, and surrogate proceedings. The Supreme Court covers major civil and criminal cases. County Court handles felonies and some civil matters. Middletown and Newburgh city courts process local cases. Town and village courts handle traffic and minor matters throughout the county.
Property records are a big part of the Clerk's work. Deeds, mortgages, satisfactions, assignments, and liens are all recorded and indexed. UCC filings, lis pendens notices, and other property-related documents are on file. These records are essential for real estate transactions, title searches, and legal proceedings.
Business name certificates, federal tax liens, judgments, and court orders are also part of the public record. The Clerk keeps older records including naturalization documents and historical filings. Maps, surveys, and subdivision plats for Orange County properties are maintained as well.
FOIL Requests in Orange County
You can request records from any Orange County agency under FOIL. New York's Freedom of Information Law gives the public broad access to government records. Most documents are available unless a specific legal exemption applies.
Submit a written request to the records access officer at the agency that holds what you need. Describe the records clearly. You do not need to state why you want them. The agency has five business days to respond. They may provide the records, deny with an explanation, or request more time for large searches.
If your request is denied, appeal to the agency head. For further help, the Committee on Open Government issues advisory opinions. The Department of State FOIL page has templates and guidance. FOIL copy charges are capped at 25 cents per page.
Orange County Resources
Orange County sits in the 9th Judicial District. Supreme Court sessions are held in Goshen. County Court handles criminal and civil matters. The Surrogate's Court manages estates and probate. Family Court addresses custody, support, and juvenile issues.
Legal aid resources include Legal Services of the Hudson Valley, which provides free civil legal assistance to qualifying residents. The Orange County Bar Association has a lawyer referral program. The state courts website has self-help forms and guides for people without attorneys.
The Orange County Sheriff's Office handles police reports and law enforcement records. The District Attorney's Office prosecutes criminal cases. Middletown City Court and Newburgh City Court each handle local cases in their jurisdictions, including small claims, housing matters, and local criminal charges. Town courts across Orange County deal with traffic tickets and minor offenses.
For property tax information, the county Real Property Tax Services department keeps assessment rolls and tax maps. These records are public. The county also has an online GIS mapping system that can help with property research and boundary questions.
Nearby Counties
For records from areas bordering Orange County, check these neighboring county offices.