Schoharie County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Schoharie County are kept by the County Clerk at 284 Main Street in Schoharie and by the various courts that serve this rural county in central New York. The County Clerk's Office is where Supreme and County Courts file criminal records, though only felony convictions are filed there. Schoharie County has a small population but still maintains a full court system with Supreme Court, County Court, Family Court, Surrogate's Court, and town and village courts. Some county offices were moved to Cobleskill after Hurricane Irene in 2011 caused major flooding, and work to recover damaged records has been ongoing. You can search criminal records in person, by mail, or through state online tools.
Schoharie County Criminal Records Overview
Where to Find Schoharie County Criminal Records
The Schoharie County Clerk at 284 Main Street, Room 118, Schoharie, NY 12157 is the primary source for felony criminal records. The phone number is (518) 295-8316. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Recording and legal filing close at 4:30 PM. The clerk acts as custodian of records for the county, maintaining court documents, deeds, mortgages, and public information records.
Criminal proceedings in Schoharie County can be started by an attorney, local court, or the District Attorney's office. Only felony convictions are filed with the County Clerk. Sealed records can only be viewed by the parties involved or their lawyers. The District Attorney's office is at 157 Steadman Way, Howes Cave, NY 12092, phone (518) 295-2272.
For misdemeanors and lesser offenses, contact the specific town or village court where the case was heard. The Supreme and County Courts can be reached at (518) 453-6998. Family Court is at (518) 453-6982 and Surrogate's Court at (518) 453-6986.
The Schoharie County Clerk maintains records at 284 Main Street in Schoharie.
Online Criminal Records Search
You can search Schoharie County records online at searchiqs.com/nyscho/. This portal gives access to land records, court records, and other public documents. You can also reach it through the County Clerk's website.
WebCrims shows active and pending criminal cases across New York, including Schoharie County. It is free. The eCourts portal provides civil case information. Not all records are available online due to privacy protections or incomplete digitization. Some records from before the 2011 flood may be harder to find.
For a statewide criminal history search, use the Criminal History Record Search from the Office of Court Administration. It costs $95 per name. Results come the next business day. Sealed records do not appear.
DCJS Criminal History Records
The Division of Criminal Justice Services keeps fingerprint-based records. These are not public. To get your own record, use the Record Review program. Submit fingerprints through an approved vendor. The cost is about $77.75. Results come in 7 to 10 business days.
Criminal Record Sealing Laws
Schoharie County courts follow state sealing rules. Dismissed or acquitted cases seal automatically under CPL 160.50. For convictions, CPL 160.59 allows sealing of up to two convictions after 10 years. Only one can be a felony. Sex offenses and violent felonies are excluded.
Youthful offender adjudications stay confidential under CPL 720.35. The Clean Slate Act, effective November 16, 2024, provides for automatic sealing of misdemeanor convictions after 3 years and felony convictions after 8 years. Certain serious offenses are excluded.
Fees for Criminal Records
In-person inspection of public records is free. Copy fees and other charges apply for reproductions.
- CHRS statewide search: $95.00 per name
- DCJS personal record review: about $77.75
- SCAR petitions: $30.00
- Copy fees: contact office for current rates
- Certified copies: contact office
WebCrims and eCourts are free to use. For certified copies of court documents, contact the County Clerk's office at (518) 295-8316.
Public Access to Records
Court records in Schoharie County are generally public under Public Officers Law Article 6 and Judiciary Law 255. You can inspect publicly available records at no cost. Sealed records, Family Court proceedings, juvenile records, and adoption proceedings are not accessible to the public. If a request is denied, contact the Committee on Open Government for guidance.
Criminal and civil records in Schoharie County are maintained by the County Supreme Court and County Clerk.
Sex Offender Registry
The Sex Offender Registry lets you search for registered offenders in Schoharie County. It is free. Level 2 and Level 3 offenders are shown online. Call 1-800-262-3257 for Level 1 information.
Corrections and Inmate Records
The DOCCS website has an inmate lookup for people in state prison. The Schoharie County jail holds local inmates. Contact the Sheriff's Office for current jail population info.
Nearby Counties
Schoharie County borders several counties in central and eastern New York. Each has its own court system.