Delaware County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Delaware County in 2026
DelawareCountyRecords.org provides publicly available information related to public records maintained by government agencies in Delaware County, New York. Members of the public seeking official documentation may access a range of records through county offices, state repositories, and authorized online portals. The categories of records that may be available include:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family court)
- Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, and tax assessments)
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates)
- Business licenses and permits
- Law enforcement records, including arrest logs and incident reports where permitted
- Land use, zoning, and planning documents
- Meeting minutes, agendas, and budget documents from county boards
Records can be searched through official court resources, the Delaware County Clerk's office, public access terminals located at the courthouse, and authorized online tools.
Online Access:
- The Delaware County official government portal provides access to board of supervisors meeting minutes, agendas, and select departmental records.
- The Delaware County Clerk's office maintains land records and court filings; some documents are accessible through the office's in-office terminals.
- The Delaware County Sheriff's Office accepts Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) requests online for law enforcement records.
- No general registration is required to submit a FOIL request, though requestors must provide contact information.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Delaware County Clerk's Office at 3 Courthouse Square, Delhi, NY 13753. The office is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Requestors should identify the specific record sought, provide relevant identifying details (such as names, dates, or parcel numbers), and submit a written or verbal request at the public counter.
Written/Mail Requests: Written FOIL requests may be mailed to the Records Access Officer at the applicable department. Requests must include the requestor's name, return address, and a reasonably specific description of the record sought. Under New York Public Officers Law § 89, agencies are required to respond within five business days of receipt, either by providing the record, denying the request in writing, or acknowledging receipt and providing a projected response date.
Phone/Email:
- Delaware County Clerk's Office: (607) 746-2123
- Delaware County Sheriff's Office FOIL inquiries: (607) 746-2336
What Are Public Records in Delaware County?
Public records in Delaware County are defined under New York State law as any information kept, held, filed, produced, or reproduced by, with, or for a government agency in any physical form. Under New York Public Officers Law Article 6, all records of a government agency are presumed to be accessible to the public unless a specific statutory exemption applies.
The following record types are maintained by Delaware County agencies:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Deeds, mortgages, liens | Delaware County Clerk |
| Civil and criminal court filings | Delaware County Clerk / Supreme Court |
| Historical court records (1797–2003) | Delaware County Clerk's Office – Historical Records |
| Vital records (birth, death, marriage) | NYS Department of Health / Town Clerks |
| Property tax assessments | Delaware County Real Property Tax Service |
| Business licenses and permits | Delaware County Clerk / Municipal Offices |
| Law enforcement records | Delaware County Sheriff's Office |
| Board meeting minutes and agendas | Delaware County Board of Supervisors |
| Inmate custody information | Delaware County Sheriff's Office – Inmate Search |
| Zoning and land use records | Delaware County Planning Department |
Historical court records dating from 1797 to 2003 are preserved in paper, microfiche, and microfilm formats at the Delaware County Clerk's Office. Supreme Court records from that period are also held at the same location.
Is Delaware County an Open Records County?
Delaware County operates in full compliance with New York State's open records framework. Under New York Public Officers Law § 87, every state and local government agency is required to maintain a record of all documents it holds and to make those records available for public inspection and copying, subject to enumerated exemptions.
As stated in the law, "Each agency shall, in accordance with its published rules, make available for public inspection and copying all records." This provision establishes a strong presumption of openness, placing the burden on the agency to justify any denial of access.
The Delaware County Sheriff's Office affirms this obligation on its FOIL request page, noting that "New York State Public Officers Law Article 6 § 87 governs access by the public to government records." The county does not maintain a separate local open records ordinance; state law governs all public records access countywide. The New York State Committee on Open Government, a division of the Department of State, provides oversight and advisory opinions on FOIL compliance statewide.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Delaware County?
The fee structure for public records in Delaware County follows the schedule established under New York Public Officers Law. Standard fees currently applicable include:
- Paper copies: $0.25 per page (standard 8.5" x 11" or 8.5" x 14")
- Certification of records: Fees vary by document type; the Delaware County Clerk charges a per-document certification fee for instruments such as deeds and court filings
- Electronic copies: Agencies may charge the actual cost of reproduction for records provided in electronic format, provided that cost does not exceed the statutory per-page rate
- Search fees: New York State law does not permit agencies to charge a fee solely for searching records
- Inspection: No fee is charged for in-person inspection of records
Accepted payment methods at the Delaware County Clerk's Office include cash, check, and money order made payable to the Delaware County Clerk. Credit card acceptance may vary by department. Fee waivers are not broadly mandated under state law, though agencies retain discretion to waive fees in cases where disclosure is determined to be in the public interest.
Does Delaware County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available to any member of the public at the Delaware County Clerk's Office during regular business hours. New York State law requires that agencies permit in-person inspection of records at no charge; fees apply only when copies are requested.
The following resources provide free access to certain Delaware County records:
- The Delaware County government website provides free access to board of supervisors meeting minutes, agendas, budgets, and select departmental documents.
- The Delaware County Sheriff's Office inmate search tool allows members of the public to search current custody information at no cost.
- Delaware County historical court records may be inspected in person at the Clerk's Office without charge; reproduction fees apply if copies are requested.
- The New York State Courts Electronic Filing System (NYSCEF) provides free online access to certain filed court documents in participating cases.
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: members of the public have the right to view records at no cost, but obtaining physical or electronic copies is subject to the fee schedule described above.
Who Can Request Public Records in Delaware County?
Any person may submit a public records request in Delaware County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. New York Public Officers Law does not restrict FOIL access to New York State residents, nor does it require requestors to explain why they are seeking a record.
Key eligibility provisions include:
- Residency: Not required. Non-residents retain full rights to request public records.
- Identification: Requestors are not required to present identification to submit a FOIL request, though providing contact information is necessary for the agency to respond.
- Purpose: Agencies may not condition access on the requestor's stated purpose for most record types.
- Requesting your own records: Individuals seeking records about themselves follow the same FOIL process as any other requestor. Certain records, such as sealed court records or records protected by other statutes, require additional legal process regardless of whether the subject is the requestor.
- Restrictions by record type: Some records, such as adoption records, juvenile records, and certain law enforcement investigative files, are subject to access restrictions that apply to all requestors, including the subjects of those records.
Members of the public submitting requests to the Delaware County Sheriff's Office may do so through the FOIL request portal maintained by that office.
What Records Are Confidential in Delaware County?
Certain categories of records are exempt from public disclosure under New York Public Officers Law § 87(2), which enumerates specific grounds for withholding records. Agencies must apply these exemptions narrowly and may not withhold records on grounds not specified in the statute.
Records that are currently exempt from disclosure include:
- Sealed court records: Records sealed pursuant to court order or statute, including certain criminal case dispositions
- Juvenile records: Records pertaining to persons adjudicated as juvenile delinquents or persons in need of supervision
- Ongoing investigation records: Law enforcement records that, if disclosed, would interfere with a pending investigation or identify a confidential source
- Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar information whose disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
- Medical and health records: Records protected under HIPAA and New York State health privacy statutes
- Adoption records: Sealed by statute and accessible only through court order
- Child welfare and protective services records: Maintained as confidential under New York Social Services Law
- Personnel records: Employee records exempt to the extent that disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy, subject to collective bargaining agreements
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Submitted to agencies in confidence and protected from competitive disclosure
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Records whose disclosure could endanger public safety or security
When an agency denies a FOIL request, it must provide a written explanation citing the specific statutory basis for the denial. Requestors have the right to administratively appeal a denial within 30 days of receipt of the denial letter, and may seek judicial review under Article 78 of the New York Civil Practice Law and Rules if the appeal is unsuccessful.
Delaware County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
The Delaware County Clerk serves as the official recorder of deeds, mortgages, and other land instruments, as well as the custodian of court records and other official county documents.
Delaware County Clerk's Office
3 Courthouse Square, PO Box 426
Delhi, NY 13753
(607) 746-2123
Delaware County Clerk
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Additional Offices:
Delaware County Sheriff's Office
280 Phoebe Lane, Suite 1
Delhi, NY 13753
(607) 746-2336
Delaware County Sheriff's Office
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (administrative offices)
The jail and dispatch operate 24 hours per day, 7 days per week
Delaware County Board of Supervisors
111 Main Street
Delhi, NY 13753
(607) 746-2603
Delaware County Government
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
As noted by the New York State Committee on Open Government, "The Freedom of Information Law is based upon a presumption of access. Stated differently, all records of an agency are available to the public, unless an agency can demonstrate that records or portions thereof fall within one or more grounds for denial."