Public Records Resources for Monroe, New York

Official government websites for Monroe, New York and the surrounding area. All links point to .gov, .us, or .mil domains.

About Monroe County

Population 759,443 residents
County Seat Rochester
Established 1821
Municipalities 19 Cities & Towns
Named After President James Monroe
  • Property records are maintained by Monroe County Clerk's office, which operates as the Register of Deeds.
39 West Main Street, Rochester, NY 14614

Court Records & Case Information

Monroe County New York Court is located at 39 West Main Street, Rochester, NY 14614. It is a unified court system with a Supreme Court, County Court, Family Court, Surrogate's Court, and Court of Claims. The court is open Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 5:00pm.

Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement

Law Enforcement & Arrests

  • To request arrest records, citizens must submit a FOIL request to the specific law enforcement agency that made the arrest.
  • Historical arrest records and mugshots may require a formal written FOIL request.
  • Processing times for FOIL requests typically range from five to twenty business days, though agencies may claim additional time for complex requests.
130 South Plymouth Avenue, Rochester, NY 14614
185 Exchange Boulevard, Rochester, NY 14614

Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records

Jail & Inmate Records

  • The bond and bail process in New York allows for the release of detainees pending court appearances, with information available through the jail's administration office.

Mugshots & Booking Photos

Courts & Case Records

  • Monroe County has numerous Town and Village Justice Courts that handle traffic violations, misdemeanors, small claims up to $3,000, and civil cases up to $3,000.
  • Fees for certified copies of court documents are typically $6 for the first page and $1 for each additional page.

Property & Public Records

  • Records are typically available online dating back to the 1960s, with some earlier records available.
  • Monroe County Real Property Tax Services office at 39 West Main Street provides coordination and support to local assessors.
  • Certified copies of recorded instruments cost $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page.
  • Same-day service is typically available for in-person requests.
  • The Clerk's office accepts requests by mail with prepayment and appropriate identification.
39 West Main Street, Rochester, NY 14614

Vital Records

Vital records for this county include birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates issued under state vital statistics law.

  • Marriage licenses are issued by Monroe County Clerk's office with a $40 fee, and couples must apply in person at least 24 hours before the ceremony but no more than 60 days prior.
  • Certified marriage certificates cost $30.
  • Divorce records (divorce decrees) are obtained from Monroe County Clerk's office where the decree was filed, costing $30 per certified copy.
  • For records dating before 1880 or for records when the exact county is unknown, requests should be directed to the New York State Department of Health, Vital Records Section, P.O.
  • Online ordering of vital records is available through VitalChek at www.health.ny.gov/vital_records for an additional processing fee.
39 West Main Street, Rochester, NY 14614

Business & Licensing

Business records, licenses, and permits for this county are processed by the County Clerk and local government offices.

  • This database includes entity names, formation dates, addresses, registered agents, and current status.
39 West Main Street, Rochester, NY 14614

Official Government Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I search for someone recently arrested in Monroe County, New York?
To search for someone recently arrested in Monroe County, New York, you can use the Monroe County Jail's inmate lookup service. The area Jail, located at 130 Plymouth Ave S, Rochester, NY, provides an online inmate search tool on the county Sheriff's Office website. This tool allows you to search by name or booking number to find current inmates and their booking information.
Mugshots and booking photos in Monroe County, New York, are typically available through the Monroe County Sheriff's Office. You can visit their official website to access the inmate lookup tool, which may include booking photos. For further assistance, you can contact the Sheriff's Office directly at their headquarters located at 130 Plymouth Ave S, Rochester, NY.
To obtain a criminal background check in Monroe County, New York, you can request a search through the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS). Locally, you may also contact the Monroe County Sheriff's Office for guidance on obtaining background checks. The DCJS provides detailed instructions on their website for requesting background checks, which may require fingerprinting and applicable fees.
You can look up sex offenders in Monroe County, New York, by accessing the New York State Sex Offender Registry. This registry is maintained by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services and provides a searchable database online. You can search by name, location, or zip code to find information about registered sex offenders in Monroe County.
To register to vote in Monroe County, you can complete registration online at the New York State Board of Elections website (https://voterreg.dmv.ny.gov/MotorVoter), in person at the Monroe County Board of Elections at 39 West Main Street, Rochester, or by mail using a voter registration form. The deadline to register is 25 days before any election. Once registered, you can request absentee ballots through the County Board of Elections website or by written application, and early voting is available for nine days before Election Day at designated sites throughout the county.
Property records in Monroe County can be searched through the Monroe County Clerk's online Land Records Search portal at www2.monroecounty.gov/clerk-landrecords, which provides free access to recorded deeds, mortgages, liens, and other land documents. For property assessment and tax information, visit the local Property Information Portal at www2.monroecounty.gov/property or contact the individual town or city assessor's office. The online systems allow searches by owner name, address, or parcel number, with viewable and printable document images available at no charge.
Birth and death certificates for events occurring in Monroe County are obtained from the Monroe County Clerk's office at 39 West Main Street, Rochester, NY 14614, or by calling (585) 753-1600. Certified copies cost $30 each, with additional copies $15 when ordered simultaneously. Walk-in requests are processed immediately during business hours; mail requests take approximately two weeks and require valid photo ID and proof of eligibility. Online ordering is available through VitalChek at www.health.ny.gov/vital_records for an additional service fee.
Business records in Monroe County can be searched through multiple sources depending on the business type. For DBA (Doing Business As) and assumed name certificates, visit the Monroe County Clerk's office at 39 West Main Street or call (585) 753-1600. For corporations, LLCs, and other registered business entities, use the free New York Department of State Division of Corporations search at www.dos.ny.gov/corps/bus_entity_search.html. Professional licenses are verified through the New York State Education Department's Office of the Professions at www.op.nysed.gov/verification-search, while local business licenses and permits are issued by individual municipalities within Monroe County.

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