Cattaraugus County

Cattaraugus County is located in the southwestern corner of New York State, bordering Pennsylvania to the south and Lake Erie to the northwest. Established in 1808, Cattaraugus County Seat is Little Valley, a small village that is the administrative center. Cattaraugus County includes approximately 1,310 square miles, making it one of New York's larger counties by area. As of recent census estimates, Cattaraugus County has a population of approximately 77,000 residents.

Sheriff & Law Enforcement

Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Office is responsible for law enforcement across Cattaraugus County, particularly in unincorporated areas. The office oversees Cattaraugus County Jail, manages the processing of arrests, and maintains criminal records. The Sheriff's Office is also involved in community programs meant to crime prevention and public safety education. Notable divisions within the office include the Criminal Investigation Division and the Road Patrol Division, which ensure full law enforcement coverage throughout Cattaraugus County.

Police Departments

Cattaraugus County is served by several law enforcement agencies, including Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments in cities like Olean and Salamanca. The Olean Police Department and the Salamanca Police Department handle law enforcement within their respective city limits, focusing on urban crime and community policing. These agencies coordinate with the Sheriff's Office on major crimes and investigations that cross jurisdictional boundaries, making sure of full law enforcement coverage throughout Cattaraugus County.

Law Enforcement & Arrests

Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 301 Court Street, Little Valley, NY 14755, provides primary law enforcement services throughout Cattaraugus County's unincorporated areas and supports municipal departments. The Sheriff's Office operates Cattaraugus County Jail and Correctional Facility, which houses pre-trial detainees and sentenced inmates. Inmates can be located through the jail roster available on the Sheriff's website at cattco.org/sheriff or by calling the main Sheriff's line at extension 2277.

• Citizens can request arrest records by submitting a FOIL request to the Sheriff's Office or the specific police department that made the arrest.
• Mugshots and booking photos are generally available through the jail roster system or by specific FOIL request.
• Processing times for FOIL requests vary but agencies must respond within five business days acknowledging receipt and providing an estimated timeframe for production.

Criminal Records

The criminal records system in Cattaraugus County includes various types of records, including felony, misdemeanor, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Office and local police departments maintain these records. Residents can conduct background checks through the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, which provides full criminal history information. The New York Bureau of Investigation also offers resources for residents seeking information on criminal records and public safety.

Arrest Records

Arrest records in Cattaraugus County are maintained by Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Office. These records include details of the arrest, charges, and personal information of the arrestee. Residents and attorneys can request access to these records by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly. Under the New York Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), individuals have the right to access public records, including arrest records, unless exempted by law. An arrest record in Cattaraugus County typically includes the date of arrest, charges filed, and the arresting agency.

Jail & Inmate Records

Cattaraugus County Jail, located in Little Valley, is the primary detention facility for people arrested within Cattaraugus County. The booking process at the jail involves fingerprinting, photographing, and recording personal information of the detainees. Inmate lookup services are available through the Sheriff's Office, allowing the public to find information about current inmates. Visitation rules are specific to the facility, requiring visitors to adhere to scheduled hours and security protocols.

• In New York, the bond or bail process allows for the temporary release of detainees pending trial, with information on bail amounts accessible through the jail's administrative office.

Mugshots & Booking Photos

Mugshots in Cattaraugus County are taken and retained by Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These booking photos are part of the public record and can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office or online databases that compile such information. While New York does not have specific laws mandating the removal of mugshots from public records, individuals may petition for removal under certain circumstances, such as expungement of the related criminal record.

Cattaraugus County's court system includes Cattaraugus County Supreme Court and County Court, both located at the County Center, 303 Court Street, Little Valley, NY 14755. The Supreme Court handles major civil cases, while County Court addresses felony criminal cases and appeals from lower courts. The phone number for the County Court Clerk is. Cattaraugus County also has Family Court, handling custody, support, and family offense matters, and Surrogate's Court for probate, estate administration, and guardianship cases, both located at the same County Center address.

• Cattaraugus County maintains numerous Justice Courts (also called Town and Village Courts) throughout its municipalities, each with jurisdiction over misdemeanors, traffic violations, and small claims up to $3,000.
• The New York State Unified Court System provides online case lookup through the WebCivil Supreme system for civil cases, though criminal case information is more restricted.
• Certified copies of court documents can be requested from the County Clerk's office, with fees typically $5 for the first page and $0.50 for each additional page, plus a $6 certification fee.
• Many court records require in-person or written requests to the specific court clerk's office that maintains the file.

Property and land records for Cattaraugus County are maintained by the County Clerk's office at 303 Court Street, Little Valley, NY 14755, phone. Cattaraugus County Clerk is the Register of Deeds, recording all real property transactions including warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, mortgages, mortgage satisfactions, liens, judgments, easements, and subdivision plat maps. The office maintains a grantor-grantee index dating back to Cattaraugus County's formation in 1808.

• Cattaraugus County offers online property document searching through a subscription service on Cattaraugus County website at cattco.org, though there may be fees for document images.
• The Real Property Tax Services office provides property assessment information, tax maps, and parcel data, accessible at the County Center or online through Cattaraugus County's GIS mapping system.
• Certified copies of recorded documents are available for $5 for the first page and $0.50 for each additional page.
• Cattaraugus County maintains a geographic information system (GIS) with an online parcel viewer showing tax map boundaries, assessment information, and ownership data, which is typically free to access.
• Recording fees for new documents vary by document type: deeds and mortgages typically cost $75-$150 depending on page count and whether a transfer tax applies.

Vital records for Cattaraugus County are handled by Cattaraugus County Clerk's office at 303 Court Street, Little Valley, NY 14755, phone. Birth certificates for births occurring within Cattaraugus County can be requested from the County Clerk for events dating back to 1881. The current fee is $30 for a certified birth certificate, with additional copies ordered at the same time costing $15 each. Processing time is typically 2-4 weeks for mail requests and same-day or next-day for walk-in requests if the record is readily available.

• Death certificates for deaths in Cattaraugus County are also available from the County Clerk at $30 per certified copy.
• Marriage licenses must be obtained from the County Clerk's office and require both applicants to appear in person; the fee is $40 and there is a 24-hour waiting period before the ceremony can occur.
• Marriage certificates (proof of completed marriage) cost $30 for certified copies.
• Divorce records are maintained by the County Clerk where the divorce was granted, with copies available for $30.
• Online ordering for New York vital records is available through VitalChek, an authorized vendor, though expedited service fees apply.

Business and licensing records in Cattaraugus County are available through multiple agencies depending on the business type and licensing requirement. Cattaraugus County Clerk at 303 Court Street, Little Valley, maintains DBA (Doing Business As) certificates and assumed name filings for businesses operating under names different from the legal owner's name, as required by New York General Business Law Section 130. The filing fee for a business certificate is typically $25 for partnerships and sole proprietorships.

• This database includes formation documents, registered agents, and business status.

Elections in Cattaraugus County are administered by Cattaraugus County Board of Elections, located at 207 Rock City Street, Suite 100, Little Valley, NY 14755. The Board can be reached, and information is available at cattco.org/boe. Voter registration in New York can be completed online through the New York State Board of Elections at vote.ny.gov, by mail using a paper application, or in person at the County Board of Elections, DMV offices, or various public agencies. The deadline to register to vote is 25 days before any election; New York does not offer Election Day registration.

• In the 2024 general election, Cattaraugus County had voter turnout of approximately 62-65% of registered voters, consistent with typical presidential election cycles in rural New York counties.
• Transparency of election records is governed by New York Election Law, which provides public access to most election administration documents while protecting individual ballot secrecy.

Cattaraugus County's economy is diverse, blending traditional industries with emerging sectors. Major economic drivers include healthcare, education, manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism. Olean General Hospital (part of Upper Allegany Health System) and Gowanda Psychiatric Center are significant healthcare employers. St. Bonaventure University in Allegany and Cattaraugus-Allegany BOCES contribute to the education sector. Manufacturing remains important with companies like Cutco Corporation (cutlery manufacturer) headquartered in Olean, employing several hundred workers.

• The median household income in Cattaraugus County is approximately $52,000, below the New York State average, reflecting Cattaraugus County's rural character and economic challenges.

Court Records: Limited: Online | Property: Yes: Online Search Available | Arrest/Jail: Yes: Online Roster | Vital Records: Limited: In-Person or Mail | Business: Yes: State Online/County In-Person | Elections: Yes: Accessible | Overall Score: 7/10, Cattaraugus County provides reasonable digital access to jail rosters and property records, though court and vital records require more direct contact with offices.

Explore public records for 33 cities and communities in Cattaraugus County, New York.