Orange County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Orange County in 2026
Members of the public seeking government documents in Orange County, New York may access a range of publicly available information through OrangeNYRecords.us, which aggregates data related to public records maintained by county and state agencies. Orange County residents and non-residents alike may use official government channels to locate records that are subject to disclosure under New York State law. The types of records that may be available include, but are not limited to:
- Court records (civil, criminal, family, and surrogate)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and liens
- Vital records (birth, death, and marriage certificates)
- Business licenses and permits
- Property tax and assessment records
- Voting and election records
- County legislative meeting minutes and agendas
- Law enforcement incident reports (where permitted)
- Land use, zoning, and planning documents
Records may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools maintained by county and state agencies.
Online Access: The Orange County Clerk's Office provides an online document search portal for recorded land records, including deeds, mortgages, and liens. Property tax information is accessible through the Orange County Treasurer-Tax Collector's online search tool. New York State court records may be searched through the New York State Courts Electronic Filing system. No registration is required to conduct basic searches on most county portals.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Orange County Clerk's Office to inspect and request copies of recorded documents. The office is located at 255 Main Street, Goshen, NY 10924. Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted to the Orange County Clerk's Office at 255 Main Street, Goshen, NY 10924. Requests must include the requester's name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for delivery. Under New York Public Officers Law § 89, agencies are required to respond to Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) requests within five business days of receipt.
Phone/Email: The Orange County Clerk's Office may be reached by telephone at (845) 291-2690. Email inquiries may be directed through the contact form available on the official county website.
What Are Public Records in Orange County?
Public records in Orange County, New York are defined under New York Public Officers Law § 86 as any information kept, held, filed, produced, or reproduced by, with, or for an agency in any physical form. The following record types are currently maintained by county and state agencies:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Court records (civil, criminal, family, surrogate) | Orange County Supreme and County Court |
| Property deeds, mortgages, liens | Orange County Clerk's Office |
| Vital records (birth, death, marriage) | Orange County Department of Health / NYS Vital Records |
| Business licenses and permits | Orange County Clerk's Office |
| Property tax and assessment records | Orange County Real Property Tax Service Agency |
| Voting and election records | Orange County Board of Elections |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | Orange County Legislature |
| Law enforcement records | Orange County Sheriff's Office |
| Land use and zoning records | Orange County Planning Department |
The Orange County Clerk's Office serves as the primary repository for land records, court filings, and business certificates. Vital records are maintained separately by the New York State Department of Health.
Is Orange County an Open Records County?
Orange County follows New York State's open records framework, which mandates broad public access to government documents. Under the New York Freedom of Information Law, codified at Public Officers Law § 84–90, all state and local government agencies are required to make records available for public inspection and copying unless a specific statutory exemption applies.
As stated in the New York Committee on Open Government's guidance: "The Freedom of Information Law is based on a presumption of access. Stated differently, all records of an agency are available to the public, unless the agency can demonstrate that the records fall within one or more of the grounds for denial."
The New York State Committee on Open Government, which operates under the Department of State, provides advisory opinions and oversight to ensure agency compliance with FOIL. Orange County agencies are subject to these requirements and must designate a records access officer responsible for processing requests. The county does not maintain a separate open records ordinance beyond the state framework; state law governs all disclosure obligations.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Orange County?
The current fee structure for public records in Orange County is governed by New York Public Officers Law § 87(1)(b), which limits copy fees to the actual cost of reproduction. Standard fees applicable at the Orange County Clerk's Office are as follows:
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Paper copies (per page) | $0.25 per page |
| Certified copies of recorded documents | $5.00 per document |
| Certification of court records | Varies by document type |
| Electronic copies | No charge in many cases |
| Search fee | No statutory search fee permitted |
Accepted payment methods at the Orange County Clerk's Office include cash, check, and money order. Credit card payments may be accepted for certain online transactions. Agencies may not charge a fee for inspecting records in person. Fee waivers may be available for indigent requesters or where disclosure is determined to be in the public interest, at the discretion of the records access officer.
Does Orange County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available in Orange County. Under New York FOIL, agencies must permit members of the public to inspect records at no charge during regular business hours. The following resources provide free access to public records:
- The Orange County Clerk's online document search allows free viewing of recorded land records indexes
- The Orange County Real Property Tax Service Agency provides free access to property assessment data through the county's online portal
- The New York State Courts Electronic Filing system permits free searching of case indexes for Supreme Court and County Court matters
- The Orange County Board of Elections provides free access to voter registration and election result data
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. Certain records, such as property assessment rolls, are required by statute to be made available to the public without charge.
Who Can Request Public Records in Orange County?
Any person may submit a public records request in Orange County, New York. Under New York Public Officers Law § 87, there is no requirement that a requester be a resident of the state or county. Requesters are not required to provide identification or state the purpose of their request for most record types.
Specific conditions apply in limited circumstances:
- Identification: Not required for general FOIL requests; may be required for vital records requests where the requester must demonstrate eligibility
- Residency: Not required; non-residents retain full rights under state law
- Purpose: Not required to be disclosed for standard public records requests
- Restrictions by record type: Certain records, such as birth certificates and adoption records, are restricted to eligible parties (e.g., the subject of the record, parents, or legal representatives)
Members of the public requesting their own records may be entitled to access records that would otherwise be withheld from third parties. As the New York Committee on Open Government has noted: "An individual has the right to request records pertaining to himself or herself, and agencies should consider whether withholding such records serves a legitimate governmental interest."
What Records Are Confidential in Orange County?
Not all government records are subject to public disclosure. New York Public Officers Law § 87(2) enumerates specific 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: Records sealed pursuant to court order or statute, including certain criminal case dispositions
- Juvenile records: Records pertaining to persons adjudicated as juvenile delinquents or youthful offenders; the New York State DOCCS incarcerated person lookup treats youthful offender records as confidential
- Ongoing investigation records: Law enforcement records compiled for law enforcement purposes where disclosure would interfere with an investigation
- Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers
- Medical records: Protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
- Adoption records: Sealed by statute and accessible only through court order or the New York State Adoption Registry
- Child welfare and protective services records: Maintained as confidential under Social Services Law
- Personnel records: Employee records exempt to the extent that disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Exempt where disclosure would cause competitive harm
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Exempt to protect public safety
Agencies applying exemptions must conduct a balancing test where required by statute, weighing the public interest in disclosure against the potential harm from release.
Orange County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Orange County Clerk's Office
255 Main Street
Goshen, NY 10924
(845) 291-2690
Orange County Clerk's Office
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Orange County Supreme and County Court
285 Main Street
Goshen, NY 10924
(845) 476-3500
New York State Unified Court System – Orange County
Orange County falls within the jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York for federal matters, which encompasses Orange County among other Hudson Valley counties.
Orange County Real Property Tax Service Agency
255 Main Street, Suite 100
Goshen, NY 10924
(845) 291-2490
Orange County Real Property Tax Service Agency
Orange County Department of Health – Vital Records
124 Main Street
Goshen, NY 10924
(845) 291-2332
Orange County Department of Health
Orange County Board of Elections
75 Webster Avenue
Goshen, NY 10924
(845) 360-6500
Orange County Board of Elections