Access Tioga County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Tioga County are managed by the County Clerk at 16 Court Street in Owego and by the courts in the 6th Judicial District. The County Clerk serves as Clerk of the Supreme and County Courts, preserving Supreme Court records and criminal records of County Court. The courthouse entrance is through the Court Annex at 20 Court Street, and all visitors must pass through security, which closes at 4:30 PM. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Tioga County offers an online eSearch tool for records, and the clerk's office accepts fine payments by credit card. You can access criminal records in person, by mail, or through state online databases.
Tioga County Criminal Records Overview
Where to Search Tioga County Criminal Records
The Tioga County Clerk at 16 Court Street, P.O. Box 307, Owego, NY 13827 is the main source for felony criminal records. The phone is (607) 687-8660. The fax is (607) 687-8686. The clerk preserves Supreme Court records and criminal records from County Court. Some records are protected and not available online even with the paid access account.
The Tioga County Sheriff's Office at 103 Corporate Drive, Owego, NY 13827 maintains arrest records and booking information. The phone is (607) 687-1010. Background checks are free of charge through the Sheriff's Office. The Family Court phone is (607) 687-8544. The County Historian's Office can help with older records.
Recording is accepted until 4:15 PM daily. The clerk also offers free notary services as mandated by law (photo ID required) and passport services (arrive no later than 3:45 PM). The DMV office is at 56 Main Street, Owego, on a walk-in basis.
Online Criminal Records Search
The County Clerk eSearch tool provides online records access. Account creation is needed and a fee applies. WebCrims is free for active criminal case searches. The eCourts portal covers civil case information through WebCivil Supreme.
The Tioga County Clerk's office at 16 Court Street in Owego maintains criminal records and offers online search tools.
For a statewide search, the Criminal History Record Search costs $95 per name. Results come the next business day. Sex offender information is available through the NYS Sex Offender Registry. Level 1 offenders are only available through the Sheriff's Office.
DCJS Criminal History Records
DCJS keeps fingerprint-based records. These are not public. Use the Record Review program to get your own record. The cost is about $77.75. Results take 7 to 10 business days. Criminal records at the Sheriff's Office contain personal information, physical descriptions, fingerprints, charges, and convictions.
Criminal Record Sealing
Dismissed cases seal under CPL 160.50. Convictions may be sealed under CPL 160.59 after 10 years. Youthful offender adjudications are confidential. The Clean Slate Act provides for automatic sealing of misdemeanors after 3 years and felonies after 8 years, effective November 16, 2024. Juvenile records are protected from public access.
Fees for Tioga County Criminal Records
The clerk's office has a detailed fee schedule. Here are key costs.
- CHRS statewide search: $95.00 per name
- Copies: $0.65 per page
- Certification: additional $5.00
- Exemplification: additional $10.00
- Certificate of Disposition: no filing fee; $5.00 to issue transcript
- Index number: $210.00 (general); $400.00 (foreclosure)
- Transcript of Judgment: $10.00 to file; $5.00 to issue
WebCrims and eCourts are free. Background checks at the Sheriff's Office are free of charge.
Public Access to Records
Court records are generally public with exceptions. Arrest records are public under New York law. Sealed records, juvenile records, and ongoing investigation files are restricted. The Committee on Open Government can help if access is denied. Contact the County Historian's Office for older records.
Corrections and Inmate Records
The DOCCS website has inmate lookups for state prison. The Tioga County jail at the Sheriff's Office holds local inmates. Call (607) 687-1010 for information.
Nearby Counties
Tioga County borders several counties in the Southern Tier. Each has its own court system.