Schoharie County Public Records

Schoharie County public records include court filings, land documents, and other government records kept by the County Clerk. This rural county in central New York has a small population but maintains the same types of records as larger counties. The Clerk's office in the village of Schoharie handles deed recording, mortgage filings, and court document management. Searches can be done in person at the courthouse or through state-level online tools that cover all New York counties. If you need a specific record from Schoharie County, the Clerk's office is the place to start.

Schoharie County Clerk

The Schoharie County Clerk keeps land records, court files, and other public documents for the county. This is a small office but it handles the same range of filings as any County Clerk in New York. You can get copies of deeds, mortgages, liens, and court judgments here.

Fees follow New York State law. Copies cost $0.50 per page. A certified copy of a recorded document is $5.00 for the first page and $1.25 for each extra page. Court record copies are $5.00 each. Recording fees for deeds start at $15.00 for the first page. The office takes cash, checks, and money orders. Call ahead to ask about credit card payments.

Because Schoharie County is small, the Clerk's staff can often help with search requests over the phone. If you know the name on the document or the approximate date, they may be able to find it for you without a formal written request. For more detailed searches, plan to visit in person or submit a written request by mail.

How to Search Schoharie County Records

Start online with the state tools. The eCourts system lets you look up Supreme Court civil cases from Schoharie County by name or index number. This is free and covers cases from all 62 counties.

For criminal records, the Criminal History Record Search through the Office of Court Administration checks for criminal convictions across the state. You need the person's name and date of birth. A fee applies for this search.

Land records in Schoharie County are best searched in person. The Clerk's office has index books and some computerized records. Call (315) 295-8300 to ask what they can look up for you before you make the trip. If you are searching for a deed or mortgage, have the property address or the names of the parties ready. The more details you give, the faster the search goes.

FOIL requests work here too. Write to the Schoharie County Clerk and ask for the specific record you want. They have five business days to respond. The New York FOIL page has sample request letters and more details on the process.

Types of Public Records Available

The Clerk records deeds, mortgages, mortgage satisfactions, easements, liens, and lis pendens. Court records include Supreme Court civil case files, judgments, and court orders. The office also files maps, military discharges (DD-214), and business certificates (DBAs).

Vital records are not held by the County Clerk. Birth and death certificates come from the New York State Department of Health or from the local city or town registrar. Marriage licenses are issued by the town or city clerk, not the county. So if you need a birth certificate or marriage record, contact the town clerk where the event took place or the state health department.

Surrogate's Court records cover wills, estates, and guardianship matters. Family Court records are mostly sealed. Both courts have their own clerks, and you would need to contact them directly for those records. The County Clerk does not handle those files.

Property tax records are kept by the county's Real Property Tax Service Agency, not the County Clerk. The Clerk records documents related to property transfers and mortgages, but actual tax bills and assessments come from the tax office.

FOIL Requests in Schoharie County

The Freedom of Information Law covers all government agencies in New York. You can request records from the County Clerk, the Sheriff's Office, or any other county department. Put your request in writing. Be specific about what you want. You do not need to say why you want it.

Agencies must respond in five business days. They can grant access, deny it with a reason, or ask for more time (up to 20 extra business days). If denied, you can appeal. The Committee on Open Government can help with appeals and questions about access rights. Copy fees under FOIL are capped at $0.25 per page for standard copies.

State Court Search Portal

Use the eCourts portal to search for civil cases filed in Schoharie County Supreme Court. The system is free and shows case details, filing dates, and status. It covers every county in the state.

Schoharie County Resources

• Schoharie County Clerk - Land records, court filings, recording services
• NYS eCourts - Search Supreme Court civil cases
• Criminal History Record Search - Statewide criminal conviction records
• NYS Vital Records - Birth, death, marriage certificates
• FOIL Information - Public records access rights

Cities and Towns in Schoharie County

Schoharie County is made up of small towns and villages. No cities in this county meet the population threshold for a dedicated page. The village of Schoharie serves as the county seat, and other communities include Cobleskill, Sharon Springs, and Middleburgh. For public records, all of these areas are served by the Schoharie County Clerk.

Nearby Counties