Saratoga County Criminal Records Search
Criminal records in Saratoga County are maintained by the County Clerk at 40 McMaster Street in Ballston Spa and by several courts across the 4th Judicial District. The County Clerk has digitized over 20 million documents, many of which are available online. Court records here date back to 1791. Saratoga County processes over 85,000 documents each year, including criminal case filings. You can search for criminal records through the County Clerk's office in person, by mail, or through state-run online tools like WebCrims and eCourts. The Saratoga Springs City Court also handles a large volume of misdemeanor cases within the county.
Saratoga County Criminal Records Overview
Where to Search Saratoga County Criminal Records
The Saratoga County Clerk at 40 McMaster Street, Ballston Spa, NY 12020 is the main place to find felony criminal records. The clerk serves as Clerk of the Supreme and County Courts under constitutional authority. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM. Land recordings and court filings close at 4:15 PM. The phone number is (518) 885-2213. You can visit in person and inspect public records at no charge.
The Court Records page lists what is available. Records include Supreme Court civil cases, County Court criminal cases, County Court civil cases, judgment records, and historical court documents going back to 1791. Some of these older records are used for historical research.
Saratoga Springs City Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases in the city. The court phone number is 518-451-8873. For other parts of the county, town and village courts hear lesser criminal matters. The Family Court is at 35 West High Street, Ballston Spa, NY 12020, phone 518-451-8865. The Surrogate's Court is at the same address, phone 518-451-8870.
Online Criminal Records Search Options
Several state tools let you search Saratoga County criminal records from home. WebCrims shows active and pending criminal cases by name or case number. It is free to use. WebCrims does not show sealed cases or older closed matters.
The eCourts portal provides wider access. You can search by name, index number, or attorney. Public access law library terminals are also available at 30 McMaster Street in Ballston Spa if you want to search in person but do not have a case number.
The Saratoga County Clerk maintains court records dating back to 1791, many of which are accessible online.
For a statewide search covering Saratoga County, use the Criminal History Record Search from the Office of Court Administration. It costs $95 per name. Results come from all 62 counties. You get results the next business day. Sealed records will not show up.
DCJS Criminal History Records
The Division of Criminal Justice Services keeps fingerprint-based criminal history records. These are not the same as court records. DCJS records include arrest data, charges, and dispositions tied to fingerprints. They are not public records.
If you need your own record from DCJS, use the Record Review program. You submit fingerprints through an approved vendor. The cost runs about $77.75 total. Results take 7 to 10 business days. You can request a suppressed or unsuppressed version. The personal record review fee through DCJS is $65.00.
Criminal Record Sealing Laws
New York law provides several paths to get criminal records sealed. Saratoga County courts follow the same rules as all other counties in the state.
Cases ending in dismissal or acquittal seal on their own under CPL 160.50. No motion is needed. The court and police seal their files. The case disappears from public search results. This covers all courts in Saratoga County.
For convictions, CPL 160.59 allows a person to apply to seal up to two convictions after waiting 10 years. Only one can be a felony. Sex offenses, Class A felonies, and violent felonies are excluded. Youthful offender adjudications stay confidential under CPL 720.35.
The Clean Slate Act went into effect November 16, 2024. Misdemeanor convictions seal 3 years after sentencing or release. Felony convictions seal after 8 years. Certain serious offenses are excluded.
Fees for Saratoga County Criminal Records
Costs vary by method. The County Clerk charges fees set by state law. In-person inspection is free, but copies cost money.
- CHRS statewide search: $95.00 per name
- DCJS personal record review: $65.00
- County clerk name search: $5.00
- Copy fees: $0.25 to $1.00 per page
- Certification: $4.00 to $8.00 per document
- Record search: $30.00
WebCrims and eCourts cost nothing to use. They show case info on screen but cannot produce certified copies. For a Certificate of Disposition, contact the County Clerk's office directly.
Public Access to Records
Most criminal court records in Saratoga County are public. Court records fall under Judiciary Law 255, which says clerks must search their records and give copies when asked and paid. You do not need to be a party to the case or give a reason for the request.
Records that are not available include sealed cases, Family Court proceedings, juvenile cases, and youthful offender adjudications. Grand jury proceedings are secret. If you get turned down, the Committee on Open Government can assist.
Sex Offender Registry Search
The Sex Offender Registry lets you search by name, county, or zip code for offenders in Saratoga County. It is free. Level 2 and Level 3 offenders are shown. Level 1 offenders are only available by calling 1-800-262-3257.
Corrections and Inmate Records
The DOCCS website has an inmate lookup tool for people in state prison or on parole. This covers people sentenced in Saratoga County who are now in state custody. The Saratoga County jail holds people awaiting trial or serving shorter sentences. Contact the Sheriff's Office for jail information.
Criminal records from Saratoga County courts are accessible through multiple online and in-person channels.
Nearby Counties
Saratoga County is in the Capital District region. Criminal records from neighboring counties are managed by their own court systems.