Oswego County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Oswego County?
Public records in Oswego County are official documents and information created, received, or maintained by government agencies that are accessible to the public according to New York State's Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), codified under Public Officers Law § 87. These records document government activities, transactions, and decisions, serving as a foundation for governmental transparency and accountability.
The Oswego County Clerk's Office serves as the primary custodian of many county public records, maintaining a comprehensive collection that includes:
- Court Records: Civil, criminal, Supreme Court, and County Court proceedings, including judgments, liens, and case files
- Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, assignments, satisfactions, liens, and other real property documents
- Vital Records: Marriage licenses (from 1908 to present)
- Business Records: DBA (Doing Business As) certificates, corporation filings, and business licenses
- Tax Records: Property tax information and assessment records
- Voting and Election Records: Voter registration and election results
- Meeting Minutes and Agendas: County legislature proceedings and committee meetings
- Budget and Financial Documents: County financial reports and budgetary information
- Law Enforcement Records: Certain police reports and public safety information
- Land Use and Zoning Records: Maps, surveys, and planning documents
The Oswego County Records Center maintains historical records dating back to the county's incorporation in 1816, providing valuable resources for historical research and genealogical investigations. Additionally, the Oswego County Clerk's Office oversees the filing, handling, and preservation of numerous public records, ensuring their accessibility to citizens.
For municipal-level records within the City of Oswego, the City Clerk's Office maintains official city reports, records, and documents necessary for municipal operations.
Is Oswego County an Open Records County?
Oswego County adheres to New York State's Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), which establishes the public's right to access government records. Under Public Officers Law § 84, the legislature declares that "government is the public's business and that the public, individually and collectively and represented by a free press, should have access to the records of government."
The law explicitly states that all government records are presumed open for public inspection unless specifically exempted by statute. As stated in Public Officers Law § 87(2), "Each agency shall... make available for public inspection and copying all records," with certain enumerated exceptions.
Oswego County has implemented specific procedures to comply with these state requirements. The county maintains a Records Access Officer who coordinates responses to public records requests and ensures compliance with statutory timelines. County departments are required to respond to FOIL requests within five business days, either providing the records, denying access with specific reasons, or acknowledging receipt with an approximate date when the request will be granted or denied.
The county also complies with New York State's Open Meetings Law, which requires that meetings of public bodies be open to the public, with reasonable notice provided, and minutes taken and made available. This commitment to transparency extends to the county's online presence, where many records are now available through digital portals.
How to Find Public Records in Oswego County in 2026
Accessing public records in Oswego County can be accomplished through several methods, depending on the type of record sought and the requestor's preference:
-
Online Access: Many records are available through the county's digital platforms:
- The Oswego County Clerk's Records Portal provides access to various documents including court records, property records, and business filings
- The county's Geographic Information System (GIS) offers property information, tax maps, and assessment data
-
In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the appropriate county office to inspect or obtain copies of records:
- For property records, court documents, and business filings, visit the County Clerk's Office
- For vital records such as marriage certificates, contact the County Clerk
- For tax records, visit the Real Property Tax Service
-
Written FOIL Requests: For records not readily available online or in person, submit a formal FOIL request:
- Complete the county's FOIL Request Form
- Submit the form to the specific department that maintains the desired records
- Include a detailed description of the records sought
- Provide contact information for correspondence
-
Mail Requests: Send written requests to the appropriate department with specific details about the records needed
-
Electronic Requests: Email FOIL requests to the designated Records Access Officer at the relevant department
When requesting records, individuals should be as specific as possible about the information sought, including relevant dates, names, and document types. This specificity helps county officials locate and provide the requested information efficiently.
For specialized records, such as court documents, requestors may need to provide case numbers or other identifying information. The County Court Records division can assist with locating these specific documents.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Oswego County?
Oswego County assesses fees for public records in accordance with New York Public Officers Law § 87(1)(b)(iii), which permits agencies to charge reasonable fees for copying or reproducing records. The current fee structure for obtaining public records in Oswego County is as follows:
- Standard Photocopies: $0.25 per page for letter and legal-sized documents
- Certified Copies: $5.00 per certification plus the copy fee
- Large Format Documents (maps, surveys, plans):
- 11" x 17": $1.00 per page
- Larger formats: $5.00-$10.00 per sheet depending on size
Specific Record Type Fees:
- Deed and Mortgage Copies: $5.00 per document
- Court Records: $1.00 per page for copies of court filings
- Marriage Certificate Copies: $10.00 per certified copy
- Business Certificate Copies: $5.00 per certificate
- Tax Maps: $5.00 per section
The County Clerk's Office accepts payment by cash, check, money order, and major credit cards for most transactions. Checks should be made payable to "Oswego County Clerk."
It is important to note that while fees are charged for copies, the inspection of public records is generally free of charge. Pursuant to FOIL, agencies must provide facilities for the inspection of records during regular business hours.
For extensive searches or voluminous records requests, additional fees may apply based on the actual cost of preparing the records. The county will provide a written estimate of costs before proceeding with requests that may incur substantial fees.
Fee waivers may be considered when the request is in the public interest and the information will be used for non-commercial purposes, particularly for requests from educational or non-profit organizations. Such waiver requests must be submitted in writing with the initial records request.
Does Oswego County Have Free Public Records?
Oswego County provides several avenues for accessing public records at no cost, in accordance with New York's commitment to government transparency. The following free public record resources are available to citizens:
-
In-Person Inspection: Pursuant to Public Officers Law § 87(1)(b)(iii), members of the public may inspect records during regular business hours at no charge. This right applies to most public records maintained by county departments.
-
Online Resources: The county offers several free digital platforms:
- Oswego County Property Records Search - Basic property ownership information
- County Legislature Meeting Minutes and Agendas - Public meeting documentation
- County Budget Documents - Annual financial plans and reports
-
Public Access Terminals: Computer terminals are available at the County Clerk's Office and certain other county facilities for searching public records databases at no cost.
-
Public Notices: Legal notices, bid announcements, and public hearing schedules are freely available on the county website and published in designated newspapers.
-
Voter Registration and Election Information: Basic voter information and election results are accessible without charge through the Board of Elections.
-
County Maps and GIS Data: Certain basic maps and geographic information are available for viewing online without charge.
While inspection is free, requestors should be aware that fees apply for obtaining physical or certified copies of most documents, as outlined in the fee schedule. Additionally, some specialized databases or comprehensive searches may involve costs for record retrieval or reproduction.
The County Clerk's Records Center provides free assistance to individuals conducting historical or genealogical research, though copying fees may apply if documents are needed.
Who Can Request Public Records in Oswego County?
Under New York's Freedom of Information Law, public records in Oswego County are available to any person regardless of citizenship or residency status. As established in Public Officers Law § 89(1), "each agency shall make available for public inspection and copying all records," with no qualification regarding the requestor's identity or purpose.
Key eligibility points include:
-
No Residency Requirement: Non-residents of Oswego County or New York State have the same rights to access public records as local residents.
-
No Purpose Requirement: Requestors are not required to explain why they want the records or how they will use them for most public records. The law specifically states that an agency may not deny access because of "the purpose for which the record is sought."
-
Identification Requirements: While basic contact information is required for processing requests, formal identification is generally not needed except for:
- Records containing confidential personal information
- Vital records (marriage certificates), which require proof of relationship or legal interest
- Court records with access restrictions
-
Commercial Use: Records may be requested for commercial purposes, though certain specialized databases may have specific terms of use.
-
Representatives: Attorneys, researchers, or other agents may request records on behalf of clients.
For accessing one's own confidential records, proper identification is required to verify identity. When requesting records about another individual that contain personal information, authorization from that person or a demonstration of legal right to access may be necessary.
Government agencies, law enforcement entities, and authorized researchers may have enhanced access to certain records that are otherwise restricted from general public access, pursuant to specific statutory provisions.
The county cannot deny access to records based on the requestor's identity except in cases specifically authorized by law, such as when a court order restricts an individual's access to certain records.
What Records Are Confidential in Oswego County?
While Oswego County maintains a commitment to transparency, certain records are exempt from disclosure under Public Officers Law § 87(2). These exemptions protect privacy, safety, and other important interests. Records that are confidential or have restricted access include:
-
Personal Privacy Protected Records:
- Social Security numbers, dates of birth, and driver's license numbers
- Medical and health records (protected under HIPAA)
- Employment, medical, or credit histories
- Personal contact information of county employees
- Personal financial information
-
Law Enforcement Records:
- Active criminal investigation materials
- Information that would identify confidential sources
- Records that would interfere with judicial proceedings
- Information that would reveal non-routine criminal investigative techniques
- Records that could endanger the life or safety of any person
-
Court Records:
- Sealed court records pursuant to court order
- Family Court proceedings (with limited exceptions)
- Juvenile delinquency records
- Youthful offender records
- Orders of protection in domestic violence cases
-
Other Protected Records:
- Adoption records
- Child welfare and protective services records
- Mental health commitment records
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information submitted to the county
- Critical infrastructure information and security plans
- Inter-agency or intra-agency deliberative materials
- Attorney-client privileged communications
- Records specifically exempted from disclosure by state or federal statute
When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the county will redact the confidential portions and release the remainder when possible, as required by Public Officers Law § 89(2)(a).
The county applies a balancing test when considering disclosure of records that might constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, weighing the public's right to know against individual privacy interests.
Individuals seeking access to confidential records about themselves may have greater rights of access than the general public, though proper identification and authorization are required.
Oswego County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Oswego County Clerk's Office
46 East Bridge Street
Oswego, NY 13126
(315) 349-8621
Oswego County Clerk
Regular Office Hours:
Monday - Friday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Records Center
200 North Second Street
Fulton, NY 13069
(315) 593-1455
Oswego County Records Center
Regular Office Hours:
Monday - Friday: 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
City of Oswego Clerk's Office
13 West Oneida Street
Oswego, NY 13126
(315) 342-8100
City of Oswego Clerk
Regular Office Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Closed on weekends and city-observed holidays
Oswego County Supreme & County Court
25 East Oneida Street
Oswego, NY 13126
(315) 349-8585
Oswego County Court Records
Regular Office Hours:
Monday - Friday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and court-observed holidays