Find Criminal Records in Chemung County
Criminal records in Chemung County are held by the County Clerk's Office, the County Court, and the Sheriff's Office in the Elmira area. Chemung County sits in the Southern Tier and is part of the 6th Judicial District. The County Clerk at 210 Lake Street, Elmira stores court documents going back to the early 1800s, covering deeds, mortgages, judgments, liens, and both civil and criminal actions. You can search Chemung County criminal records through state online tools, by visiting the clerk's office or courthouse in person, or by sending a written request. The Sheriff's Office Records Division at 203 William Street holds arrest records and incident reports. Elmira City Court handles misdemeanor cases within the city, while County Court at 201 Lake Street deals with felonies.
Chemung County Criminal Records Overview
Where to Search Chemung County Criminal Records
The Chemung County Clerk's Office at 210 Lake Street, Elmira, NY 14901 is the main keeper of court records. Phone: 607-737-2920. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The clerk files and stores documents from Supreme Court and County Court. Public access terminals are available in the office for free record searches. The clerk also has an online records search portal.
Chemung County Court at 201 Lake Street, Elmira, NY 14901 handles felony criminal cases. Call 607-737-2910 for case inquiries. Criminal records from County Court include indictments, trial results, pleas, and sentencing information. The court also hears civil cases under $25,000 and appeals from local courts.
The Chemung County Sheriff's Office Records Division at 203 William Street, Elmira, NY 14901 holds arrest records and incident reports. Call 607-737-2987. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. You need to fill out a request form and show valid ID. Elmira City Court handles misdemeanor criminal records and traffic cases within the city.
Online Criminal Records Search
WebCrims is free and shows active criminal cases in Chemung County. Select the county and search by defendant name or case number. Results include case status, charges, court dates, and disposition data. You need to create a user account for full access. Sealed cases will not show up.
The eCourts portal covers civil and criminal records across New York. Search by name, case number, or attorney. For Supreme Court civil cases, use WebCivil Supreme and select Chemung County. The county clerk also has an online records search portal for documents filed with the office.
Chemung County court records can be searched online through state portals and the county clerk's system.
For a full statewide search, use the Criminal History Record Search at $95 per name. Results come the next business day and cover all 62 counties. This is a name-based search. Sealed records are excluded.
Criminal History and DCJS Records
DCJS keeps fingerprint-based criminal history records. These are separate from court records and are not public. You cannot request another person's DCJS file.
To check your own record, use the Record Review program. Get fingerprinted at an approved site, pay about $77.75, and wait 7 to 10 business days. Chemung County residents can look for fingerprinting vendors in the Elmira area.
Arrest Records in Chemung County
Arrest records are available through the Chemung County Sheriff's Office. Submit a FOIL request to 203 William Street, Elmira, NY 14901 or call (607) 737-2987. Include your name and contact info, details of what you want, a date range, and the subject's name and date of birth if known.
The Sheriff's Office website has an online database with recent arrests and inmate info. The Elmira Police Department posts daily logs with arrest activity. The DOCCS inmate lookup covers people transferred to state custody. All of these are free to access online. You can also visit public terminals at the Chemung County Clerk's Office at 210 Lake Street or the Steele Memorial Library at 101 East Church Street in Elmira.
Criminal Record Sealing in Chemung County
Dismissed and acquitted cases seal automatically under CPL 160.50. No one needs to file anything. This applies in County Court, Elmira City Court, and all town courts.
Under CPL 160.59, a person can ask to seal up to two convictions after waiting 10 years. Only one felony is allowed. Sex offenses, Class A felonies, and violent felonies cannot be sealed. Youthful offender cases are confidential under CPL 720.35.
The Clean Slate Act took effect November 16, 2024. Misdemeanor convictions seal 3 years after sentencing or release. Felonies seal after 8 years. Serious offenses are excluded from automatic sealing.
Fees for Chemung County Criminal Records
You can inspect records in person for free under Judiciary Law 255. Copies and certified documents cost money.
- CHRS statewide search: $95.00 per name
- DCJS personal record review: about $77.75
- Copy fees: $0.25 to $0.65 per page
- Certified copies: additional fee per document
- FOIL copies: up to $0.25 per page
WebCrims, eCourts, and the county's online portal are free. They give case data on screen but not certified copies. For a Certificate of Disposition, contact the court where the case was heard.
Public Access to Records
Most criminal court records in Chemung County are public under Public Officers Law Article 6 and the open courts principle. Records available to the public include criminal case files after arraignment, court dockets, calendars, final judgments, and hearing schedules. Court transcripts are available for a fee.
Restricted records include Family Court proceedings involving minors, sealed criminal records, juvenile cases, mental health proceedings, and adoption records. The Committee on Open Government handles questions about denied records requests.
Chemung County criminal records are accessible through state and county search tools.
Sex Offender Registry
The Sex Offender Registry lets you search for offenders in Chemung County by name, county, or zip code. Level 2 and Level 3 offenders show online. Call 1-800-262-3257 for Level 1 info.
Corrections and Inmate Records
The DOCCS website has an inmate lookup for people in state prison or on parole. For the Chemung County Jail, contact the Sheriff's Office at 607-737-2987.
Towns in Chemung County
Chemung County does not have any cities with their own records pages on this site. Elmira is the county seat and largest city. Elmira City Court at the Elmira city level handles misdemeanors, violations, and traffic offenses. Other towns like Horseheads, Big Flats, and Southport have their own town courts. Records from local courts can be searched through the CHRS or eCourts tools.
Nearby Counties
Chemung County sits in the Southern Tier of New York. These neighboring counties have their own court systems.