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How to Find Public Records in Monroe County in 2026

Members of the public seeking government documents may access publicly available information related to public records through MonroeNYRecords.us, which aggregates data drawn from official sources across Monroe County, New York. The types of records that may be found through official channels include, but are not limited to:

Court filings (civil, criminal, and probate)
Property deeds, mortgages, and liens
Vital records (birth, death, and marriage certificates)
Business licenses and permits
Tax assessment records
Voting and election records
County meeting minutes and agendas
Law enforcement incident reports (where permitted by law)

Records may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools maintained by Monroe County government.

Online Access:

The Monroe County official website provides a central portal for accessing a range of public documents. The Monroe County Clerk's office maintains an online search tool for official records, including land records and court filings. Members of the public may search land records, deeds, and mortgages through the county's digital index without prior registration. Vital records requests may be initiated through the county's online vital records portal for birth certificates issued to persons born in Monroe County–Rochester, New York.

In-Person Requests:

Members of the public may visit the Monroe County Clerk's Office in person to inspect or request copies of official records. The office is located at 39 West Main Street, Rochester, NY 14614. Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Requestors should be prepared to provide identifying information and specify the record type sought.

Written/Mail Requests:

Written requests may be submitted by mail to the Monroe County Clerk's Office at 39 West Main Street, Rochester, NY 14614. Requests should include the requestor's full name, mailing address, a description of the record sought, and any applicable fees. Under New York Public Officers Law § 89, agencies are required to respond to written requests within five business days of receipt.

Phone/Email:

The Monroe County Clerk's Office may be reached by telephone at (585) 753-1600. Email inquiries may be directed through the contact forms available on the official county website.

What Are Public Records in Monroe County?

Public records in Monroe County are defined under New York State law as any information kept, held, filed, produced, or reproduced by, with, or for any agency, in any physical form whatsoever. Under New York Public Officers Law § 86, the term "record" encompasses all documents, regardless of physical form or characteristics, that are made or received pursuant to law or in connection with the transaction of official business.

The following record types are currently maintained by Monroe County agencies:

Record Type	Maintaining Office
Court records (civil, criminal, probate)	Monroe County Clerk – Court Filings
Property deeds, mortgages, liens	Monroe County Clerk – Land Records
Vital records (birth, death, marriage)	Monroe County Department of Public Health
Business licenses and permits	Monroe County Clerk's Office
Tax assessment records	Monroe County Assessor's Office
Voting and election records	Monroe County Board of Elections
Meeting minutes and agendas	Monroe County Legislature
Law enforcement records	Monroe County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records	Monroe County Planning Department

The Monroe County Clerk's Office serves as the primary custodian for land records, court filings, and business-related documents. Vital records, including birth and death certificates, are maintained by the Monroe County Department of Public Health.

Is Monroe County an Open Records County?

Monroe County operates in full compliance with New York State's Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), which establishes the public's right to access government records. Under New York Public Officers Law § 84, the Legislature declared that "a free society is maintained when government is responsive and responsible to the public, and when the public is aware of governmental actions." This statutory framework obligates all county agencies to make records available to any person upon request, subject to specific exemptions.

The New York State Committee on Open Government, which operates under the Department of State, provides guidance on FOIL compliance and has stated that "the people's right to know the process of governmental decision-making and to review the documents and statistics leading to determinations is basic to our society." Monroe County agencies are required to maintain a records access officer and to respond to FOIL requests within five business days of receipt. The county does not impose residency requirements on requestors, and members of the public are not required to state a reason for their request in most circumstances.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Monroe County?

The fee structure for public records in Monroe County is governed by state law and varies by record type and the office maintaining the record. Under New York Public Officers Law § 87(1)(b), agencies may charge fees not to exceed twenty-five cents per page for photocopies up to nine inches by fourteen inches.

The following standard fees apply at present:

Fee Type	Amount
Photocopies (up to 9" x 14")	$0.25 per page
Certified copies of land records	$5.00 per document
Birth certificate (certified)	$30.00 per copy
Death certificate (certified)	$30.00 per copy
Marriage certificate (certified)	$30.00 per copy
Electronic record reproduction	Actual cost of reproduction
Search fee	No charge for standard FOIL requests

Accepted payment methods at the Monroe County Clerk's Office include cash, check, and money order. The Monroe County Department of Public Health, which issues birth and death certificates, also accepts these payment forms at its public counter. Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or for records sought in the public interest, subject to agency discretion.

Does Monroe County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to members of the public at several Monroe County offices. New York State law does not permit agencies to charge a fee solely for inspecting records; charges apply only when copies are requested. The following resources provide free access to public records at present:

The Monroe County Clerk's online portal allows free searching of land records, deed indexes, and court filing indexes without registration or payment.
Public access terminals are available at the Monroe County Clerk's Office, 39 West Main Street, Rochester, NY 14614, during regular business hours.
The Monroe County government website provides free access to meeting minutes, agendas, budget documents, and other legislative records.
The New York State Courts Electronic Filing (NYSCEF) system provides free online access to certain court documents filed in Monroe County Supreme Court.

The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: members of the public may inspect records at no cost, but obtaining physical or certified copies is subject to the fee schedule described above.

Who Can Request Public Records in Monroe County?

Any person may submit a public records request in Monroe County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. New York's Freedom of Information Law does not restrict access based on the identity or affiliation of the requestor. Members of the public are not required to provide identification to submit a FOIL request, nor are they required to explain the reason for their request when seeking most categories of records.

Certain record types carry additional access requirements:

Vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates): Access is restricted to the subject of the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, or persons with a documented legal interest. Photo identification is required when requesting vital records in person at the Monroe County vital records office.
Criminal history records: Detailed criminal history information maintained by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services may require fingerprint-based searches and is subject to separate statutory authority.
Sealed or expunged records: Access is restricted by court order and applicable state law.

Individuals requesting their own records are subject to the same procedures as any other requestor, though they may be entitled to access certain records that would otherwise be restricted to the subject of the record.

What Records Are Confidential in Monroe County?

Not all government records are subject to public disclosure. New York Public Officers Law § 87(2) enumerates categories of records that agencies may withhold from public access. The following record types are currently exempt from disclosure in whole or in part:

Sealed court records and expunged criminal records
Juvenile delinquency and youthful offender records
Records compiled for law enforcement purposes that would interfere with ongoing investigations
Personal identifying information, including Social Security numbers and financial account data
Medical and health records protected under HIPAA and state law
Adoption records (sealed by statute)
Child welfare and protective services records
Personnel records, employment history, and performance evaluations (with limited exceptions)
Trade secrets and proprietary business information submitted to government agencies
Security plans, infrastructure vulnerability assessments, and emergency response protocols

As the New York State Committee on Open Government has noted, "the exceptions to disclosure are to be narrowly construed," meaning that agencies bear the burden of demonstrating that a specific exemption applies before withholding a requested record. A balancing test may apply in cases where the public interest in disclosure outweighs the potential harm from release.

Monroe County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Monroe County Clerk serves as the official recorder of deeds and custodian of land records, court filings, and related documents for Monroe County, New York.

Monroe County Clerk's Office
39 West Main Street, Room 101
Rochester, NY 14614
(585) 753-1600
Monroe County Clerk

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays

Monroe County Department of Public Health – Vital Records
111 Westfall Road
Rochester, NY 14620
(585) 753-5061
Vital Records – Birth/Death Certificates

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Monroe County Board of Elections
39 West Main Street, Suite 400
Rochester, NY 14614
(585) 753-1550
Monroe County Board of Elections