About Broome County
Broome County is located in the Southern Tier region of south-central New York, bordering Pennsylvania to the south. Broome County Seat is Binghamton, a city that is the economic and cultural hub of Broome County. Broome County was established in 1806 and named after John Broome, the fourth Lieutenant Governor of New York. Broome County includes approximately 715 square miles and has a population of around 198,000 residents as of recent estimates.
The Triple Cities, Binghamton, Johnson City, and Endicott, form the core urban area and were historically significant for their contributions to aviation, computing, and shoe manufacturing. IBM's origins trace back to Endicott, where the Endicott Johnson Corporation once dominated the shoe industry. Major landmarks include the Roberson Museum and Science Center, Recreation Park, the Phelps Mansion Museum, and the Binghamton University campus (part of SUNY).
The Susquehanna River flows through Broome County, providing scenic beauty but also a history of flood challenges. Broome County's government includes the County Clerk's Office located at Broome County Office Building, 60 Hawley Street, Binghamton, NY 13901; the County Recorder (Register) office, which handles land records; and the Real Property Tax Services (Assessor) office at the Governmental Plaza. Broome County offers a mix of urban amenities and rural scenes, with outdoor recreation opportunities at numerous state parks and forests.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
Broome County Sheriff's Office is responsible for law enforcement in Broome County's unincorporated areas. The office manages Broome County Jail, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. It also provides patrol services, investigates crimes, and offers community programs such as the School Resource Officer program. The office is known for its proactive approach to community policing and crime prevention initiatives.
Police Departments
Broome County is served by several law enforcement agencies, including Broome County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments such as the Binghamton Police Department, Johnson City Police Department, and Endicott Police Department. Each agency has jurisdiction within its respective area, with the sheriff's office covering unincorporated regions. These agencies collaborate on major crimes and emergencies, often forming task forces to address county-wide issues.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
Broome County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency serving unincorporated areas and providing countywide services including civil process, court security, and jail operations. The Sheriff's Office is headquartered at Broome County Public Safety Facility, 155 Lt. Van Winkle Drive, Binghamton, NY 13905. Their non-emergency phone number is, and their website is www.gobroomecounty.com/sheriff. Broome County Correctional Facility, operated by the Sheriff's Office at the same Public Safety Complex address, houses pre-trial detainees and sentenced inmates.
- Inmate lookup is available through the Sheriff's website inmate search portal, which provides booking information, charges, bond amounts, and expected release dates.
- To request arrest records, submit a FOIL request in writing to the specific law enforcement agency that made the arrest.
- Mugshots and booking photos are typically available through the Sheriff's Office inmate lookup system for current detainees; historical mugshots may require a formal records request.
Municipal police departments serve the cities and villages within Broome County, including the Binghamton Police Department, Johnson City Police Department, Endicott Police Department, and various village police agencies. Arrest records in New York are generally accessible under the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), N.Y. Public Officers Law § 87, though certain records may be exempt if they interfere with law enforcement investigations or invade personal privacy.
Some third-party websites aggregate booking information, but official records should be obtained directly from the Sheriff's Office or the arresting agency to ensure accuracy and completeness.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
The criminal records ecosystem in Broome County includes records of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. Broome County Sheriff's Office and local police departments maintain these records, while the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services provides additional resources. Residents can request background checks through the New York State Office of Court Administration, which offers a statewide criminal history record search. The New York Bureau of Investigation also supports Broome County with investigative services.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Broome County are maintained by Broome County Sheriff's Office and local police departments. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by contacting the respective law enforcement agency. These records typically include the individual's personal information, charges, and arrest details. Under the New York Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), the public can access these records, although certain restrictions may apply to protect privacy or ongoing investigations.
Jail & Inmate Records
Broome County Jail, located in Binghamton, is the primary detention facility for Broome County. The booking process involves fingerprinting, photographing, and recording personal information of the arrested individuals. Inmate lookup is available through Broome County Sheriff's Office website, allowing the public to search for current inmates. Visitation rules require scheduling in advance, and visitors must adhere to strict guidelines. The bond and bail process follows New York State laws, allowing for cash bail or bond through a bail bondsman.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Broome County are taken and retained by Broome County Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These booking photos are part of the arrest record and can be accessed through the sheriff's office or third-party websites. New York does not have specific laws for mugshot removal, but individuals can request removal from private websites under certain circumstances. The availability of mugshots online varies, and some may require a formal request under FOIL.
Courts & Case Records
Broome County's court system includes the New York State Supreme Court (the trial court of general jurisdiction in New York), County Court, Family Court, and Surrogate's Court, all located at Broome County Courthouse, 92 Court Street, Binghamton, NY 13901. The Supreme Court handles civil matters over $25,000 and major criminal cases, while County Court has jurisdiction over felony criminal cases and appeals from lower courts. Phone contact for the court complex is. Family Court addresses custody, visitation, child support, family offense proceedings, and juvenile delinquency matters.
- At the local level, numerous Town and Village Justice Courts throughout Broome County handle misdemeanors, traffic violations, small claims (up to $5,000), and preliminary proceedings in felony cases.
- Fees for certified court documents vary by document type, typically ranging from $6 to $25 per certification.
- In-person requests at the County Clerk's office (which maintains Supreme Court records) or individual court clerks are often necessary for full searches, especially for older or archived cases.
Property & Public Records
Property and land records for Broome County are maintained by Broome County Clerk's Office, which is the recorder of deeds. Located at Broome County Office Building, 60 Hawley Street, Binghamton, NY 13901 (phone: 607-778-2255), the County Clerk records and indexes deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, declarations, releases, and other instruments affecting real property. The office website at www.gobroomecounty.com/clerk provides information on recording procedures and fees. New York Real Property Law governs recording requirements.
- Recording fees vary by document type and number of pages, with typical deed recordings costing around $125 plus additional charges for multiple pages.
- Certified copies of recorded instruments are available for statutory fees.
- Property tax assessment records are managed separately by Broome County Real Property Tax Services Agency, located at the Governmental Plaza, 44 Hawley Street, Binghamton, NY 13901 (phone: 607-778-2062).
- The system provides viewing access free of charge, though certified tax documents require in-person or written requests with applicable fees.
The office maintains grantor/grantee indexes dating back to Broome County's formation in 1806. While some historical records have been digitized, full online searching may be limited; many researchers visit the office in person or hire a title searcher. An online GIS property mapping system is accessible through www.gobroomecounty.com, offering parcel searches by address, owner name, or tax map number, displaying assessment values, property characteristics, sales history, and tax information.
Property owners can also find assessment roll information and file grievances through Broome County assessment department.
Vital Records
Vital records for Broome County are maintained at multiple levels. Birth and death certificates occurring within Broome County can be obtained from Broome County Clerk's Office, Vital Records Unit, 60 Hawley Street, Binghamton, NY 13901 (phone: 607-778-2255). The office holds records dating back to 1908 when county-level vital records registration began in New York. Birth certificates cost $30 for the first copy and $15 for each additional copy ordered simultaneously; death certificates are $30 per copy.
- Processing time is typically 2-4 weeks for mail requests, though walk-in requests may be processed same-day if records are readily available.
- Online ordering through VitalChek is available for an additional service fee.
Applicants must provide valid government-issued photo identification and demonstrate direct and tangible interest as defined by New York Public Health Law § 4174, meaning only the registrant (if of age), parents, spouse, adult children, or legal representatives may obtain copies. Marriage licenses are issued by local city or town clerks where the ceremony will occur, with a 24-hour waiting period after issuance; marriage certificates (proof of marriage) are filed with the County Clerk after the ceremony and can be obtained for $30. Divorce records (divorce decrees) are maintained by the County Clerk in Broome County where the divorce was granted.
For records from other New York counties or for expedited service, the New York State Department of Health Vital Records Section in Albany (phone: 855-322-1022, website: www.health.ny.gov/vital_records) processes requests for $30 per certificate. New York law restricts vital records access to protect privacy, requiring proper identification and relationship documentation.
Business & Licensing
Business and licensing records in Broome County are accessible through multiple agencies depending on the business type and regulatory requirements. Broome County Clerk's Office at 60 Hawley Street, Binghamton, NY 13901 (phone: 607-778-2255) maintains Doing Business As (DBA) certificates and fictitious name filings for sole proprietorships and partnerships operating under assumed names, as required by New York General Business Law § 130.
- These records are public and can be searched at the County Clerk's office; filing fees are approximately $25-$100 depending on publication requirements.
- Their searchable database at www.dos.ny.gov/corps/bus_entity_search.html provides free access to entity names, filing dates, jurisdiction, registered agents, and status.
- The Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce (website: www.greaterbinghamtonchamber.com, phone: 607-772-8860) provides business resources, networking, and advocacy but does not maintain official public business records.
For formal business entity formation, corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), and limited partnerships, the New York Department of State, Division of Corporations maintains the official registry. Professional licenses (medical, legal, engineering, real estate, cosmetology) are regulated by the New York State Education Department's Office of the Professions or specific state licensing boards, not at Broome County level. Sales tax permits and certificates of authority are issued by the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.
Local business operations may require permits from municipal governments within Broome County; the City of Binghamton, for example, issues business certificates and various operational permits through its city clerk and code enforcement offices. Building permits, zoning approvals, and certificates of occupancy are handled by municipal code enforcement departments or Broome County Department of Planning and Economic Development for unincorporated areas.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in Broome County are administered by Broome County Board of Elections, located at Broome County Office Building, 60 Hawley Street, 4th Floor, Binghamton, NY 13901. The Board can be reached, and their website is www.gobroomecounty.com/boe. The Board is governed by New York Election Law and consists of commissioners representing the two major political parties, overseeing voter registration, poll worker training, ballot preparation, voting machine maintenance, and election result tabulation. Voter registration in New York requires U.S.
- Requests must be submitted to Broome County Board of Elections; applications are available online at Broome County or state elections website.
Citizenship, age 18 by the election date, and residency in Broome County for at least 30 days before the election. The registration deadline is 25 days before any election. Online registration is available through the New York State Board of Elections at https://voterreg.dmv.ny.gov/MotorVoter, and paper forms can be submitted to the County Board of Elections or obtained at DMV offices, public libraries, and government agencies.
Voters can find their polling place by visiting Broome County Board of Elections website, using the New York State voter lookup tool at https://voterlookup.elections.ny.gov, or calling the Board. Public election records include voter registration lists (available with restrictions under Election Law § 5-208), campaign finance filings for local candidates (maintained by the Board), petitions and certificates of nomination, and certified election results by election district. The November 2024 general election in Broome County saw approximately 58-62% voter turnout for the presidential election, consistent with recent competitive cycles in New York.
The next major election is scheduled for November 3, 2026, featuring U.S. House of Representatives races (Broome County is currently in New York's 19th Congressional District), New York State Senate and Assembly seats, and countywide offices including County Executive (if scheduled). Absentee ballots in New York are available for voters who will be absent from Broome County on election day, unable to appear due to illness or disability, or who have a permanent illness or physical disability.
Early voting is available at designated sites in Broome County during the nine-day period before Election Day. New York's election transparency includes public access to election results, voting machine testing schedules, Board of Elections meetings (which are open to the public), and the ability to request records under the Freedom of Information Law, though voter database access is restricted to protect privacy and prevent misuse under Election Law provisions.
Economy & Demographics
Broome County's economy has evolved significantly from its industrial heyday when IBM, Endicott Johnson, and Link Aviation Trainer dominated Broome County. While manufacturing remains important, the economy has diversified into healthcare, education, government services, and technology. Major employers include Binghamton University (SUNY), United Health Services (UHS) hospital system, Lourdes Hospital, BAE Systems (defense electronics, formerly part of Lockheed Martin and Link), Raymond Corporation (forklift manufacturing in Greene), and various state and county government offices.
- Median household income in Broome County is approximately $55,000-$58,000, slightly below the New York state average but reflecting a lower cost of living than downstate regions.
The healthcare and social assistance sector employs the largest workforce, followed by educational services and retail trade. The poverty rate is higher than the state average, partly due to the student population at Binghamton University and economic challenges from industrial decline. The unemployment rate has generally tracked state and national trends, ranging from 4-6% in recent years with seasonal variation.
Economic development efforts focus on technology commercialization through the Koffman Southern Tier Incubator, downtown Binghamton revitalization, and using the research capacity of Binghamton University. Broome County benefits from its location along Interstate 81 and proximity to Pennsylvania markets. Agriculture remains significant in rural areas, with dairy farms, crop production, and agritourism contributing to the local economy.
Tourism is supported by minor league baseball (Binghamton Rumble Ponies), outdoor recreation including fishing and hiking, and cultural institutions. Recent economic development initiatives include pharmaceutical manufacturing expansion, renewable energy projects, and entrepreneurship support programs funded through New York State economic development grants.
Transparency Score
Court Records: Yes: Online (Limited) | Property: Yes: Free GIS Search | Arrest/Jail: Yes: Online Inmate Lookup | Vital Records: Limited: In-Person or Mail | Business: Yes: State Online Database | Elections: Yes: Online Lookup | Overall Score: 7.5/10, Broome County provides good digital access to property tax and inmate records, with moderate court and election transparency; vital records require traditional requests.
Official Government Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
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Cities & Towns in Broome County
Explore public records for 25 cities and communities in Broome County, New York.