Access Tompkins County Public Records

Tompkins County public records are managed by the County Clerk's office in Ithaca. Home to Cornell University and Ithaca College, Tompkins County has an active real estate market and a steady flow of court filings. The Clerk records deeds, mortgages, liens, and judgments while serving as Clerk of the Supreme and County Courts. You can search for records in person at the courthouse on North Tioga Street, by mail, or through state online tools. The county is part of the Sixth Judicial District.

Tompkins County Clerk

The Tompkins County Clerk is the main office for land records and court document management. Deeds, mortgages, mortgage discharges, liens, and judgments are all recorded here. The office also handles maps, business certificates, and military discharge papers. As Clerk of the Supreme and County Courts, civil case files are maintained in this office.

Standard New York fees apply. Copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies of recorded documents are $5.00 for the first page and $1.25 for each page after. Court record copies cost $5.00 per document. Recording a new document starts at $15.00 for the first page. The office accepts cash, checks, and money orders at the counter.

Tompkins County has a busy real estate market, partly because of the university population and the demand for rental housing. The Clerk's office processes a high volume of deed and mortgage filings relative to the county's size. If you are doing a title search, expect thorough index records. The staff is experienced with complex property searches.

How to Search Records

Online court searches start at the eCourts system. This free state tool lets you look up Supreme Court civil cases by name or index number. It covers all 62 counties including Tompkins.

For land records, visit the Clerk's office in Ithaca. The office maintains grantor/grantee indexes and computerized records. You can search by name to find deeds, mortgages, and other filed documents. If you have a property address, the staff can help you locate the relevant records in the index.

Criminal history searches go through the Criminal History Record Search. This statewide system checks for convictions in all New York courts. You need a name and date of birth, and a fee applies.

FOIL is another option. Write to the records access officer at any Tompkins County agency and describe what records you want. The agency must respond within five business days. The FOIL page at the Department of State has instructions and sample letters you can use.

Types of Public Records

The County Clerk files land records such as deeds, mortgages, easements, liens, and lis pendens. Court records from Supreme Court and County Court are here too, including civil case files, judgments, and orders. The Clerk also records maps, subdivision plats, and business certificates.

Vital records are handled elsewhere. The New York State Department of Health issues birth and death certificates. Local registrars in each town and city also have copies. Marriage licenses come from the town or city clerk where the couple applies. The County Clerk does not issue vital records.

Surrogate's Court in Tompkins County handles probate, wills, and estate matters. Family Court covers custody, support, and related matters, and most of those records are sealed. Each court has its own clerk for record requests. The County Clerk does not hold those files.

Ithaca City Court handles local criminal and civil matters within the city. Those records are kept by the city court clerk. For town and village courts, contact the individual court. Each has its own records system separate from the County Clerk.

Property tax records are managed by the Tompkins County Assessment Department. The County Clerk records transfers and mortgages but does not manage tax bills or assessments. Each town has its own assessor. For questions about taxes on a specific parcel in Tompkins County, contact the assessment department or the local town assessor.

FOIL Access

New York's Freedom of Information Law applies to all government agencies in Tompkins County. You can request records from the County Clerk, the Sheriff, or any department. No reason is needed for your request. Just describe what you want in writing.

The agency has five business days to respond. Denials must include a reason and cite a specific exemption. You can appeal to the agency head. If that fails, the Committee on Open Government can help. Copy fees under FOIL are $0.25 per page.

State Court Search Portal

The eCourts portal lets you search for civil cases in Tompkins County Supreme Court. Enter a party name or index number to find case details, filing dates, and status. This free tool covers all 62 New York counties.

Tompkins County Resources

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

Cities and Towns in Tompkins County

Tompkins County is centered on the city of Ithaca, the county seat. No cities in this county meet the population threshold for a separate page. Other communities include Trumansburg, Dryden, Groton, and Lansing. The Tompkins County Clerk serves all of these areas for land records and court filings. Ithaca City Court handles local criminal and civil matters in the city, while town courts manage cases in the surrounding areas.

Nearby Counties