Livingston County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Livingston County in 2026
LivingstonCountyRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to public records maintained by government agencies in Livingston County, New York. Members of the public seeking official records may find data pertaining to property ownership, court proceedings, vital statistics, tax assessments, and other government-generated documents through this resource. Record availability varies by type, custodian agency, and applicable state law, and not all records are guaranteed to be complete or current.
Relevant record categories accessible through official channels include:
- Property deeds, mortgages, and liens
- Court records (civil, criminal, family, and surrogate)
- Vital records (birth, death, and marriage certificates)
- Tax assessment and property tax records
- Business licenses and permits
- Voting and election records
- County board meeting minutes and agendas
- Law enforcement incident reports (where permitted)
- Land use and zoning records
Records in Livingston County may be searched through official court resources, the County Clerk's office, public access terminals located at government facilities, and online tools maintained by state and county agencies.
Online Access:
The Livingston County government website provides access to various public records portals. Property records and assessment data are searchable through the New York State Office of Real Property Tax Services. Court records may be accessed through the New York State Courts Electronic Filing (NYSCEF) system, which allows registered users to search and retrieve case documents. Registration is required for certain filing functions, though basic case lookups are available without an account.
In-Person Requests:
Members of the public may visit the Livingston County Clerk's Office to inspect and request copies of records. The office is located at 6 Court Street, Geneseo, NY 14454. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Requestors should be prepared to provide identifying information about the record sought, including names, dates, and document types.
Written/Mail Requests:
Written requests may be submitted by mail to the Livingston County Clerk's Office at 6 Court Street, Geneseo, NY 14454. Requests should include the requestor's full name, mailing address, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for delivery. Under New York Public Officers Law § 89, agencies are required to respond to FOIL requests within five business days of receipt, either by providing the records, acknowledging the request, or denying it with a written explanation.
Phone/Email:
The Livingston County Clerk's Office may be reached by telephone at (585) 243-7010. Email inquiries may be directed through the contact portal available on the Livingston County Clerk's page.
What Are Public Records in Livingston County?
Public records in Livingston County are defined under New York State law as any information kept, held, filed, produced, or reproduced by, with, or for a government agency in any physical form. Under New York Public Officers Law Article 6, commonly known as the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), all records of government agencies are presumed to be accessible to the public unless a specific exemption applies.
The following record types are maintained by Livingston County agencies:
| Record Type | Custodian Office |
|---|---|
| Property deeds, mortgages, liens | County Clerk's Office |
| Court records (civil, criminal, probate, family) | Livingston County Supreme and County Court |
| Vital records (birth, death, marriage) | County Clerk / NYS Dept. of Health |
| Tax assessment records | County Real Property Tax Office |
| Business licenses and permits | County Clerk's Office |
| Voting and election records | Board of Elections |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | County Legislature / individual departments |
| Law enforcement records | Sheriff's Office (where permitted) |
| Land use and zoning records | Planning Department |
The Livingston County Clerk's Office serves as the primary custodian for land records, court filings, and vital statistics at the county level. The New York State Department of Health maintains certified copies of birth and death records for events occurring within the state.
Is Livingston County an Open Records County?
Livingston County operates in full compliance with New York State's open records framework. Under New York Public Officers Law § 84–90, the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) establishes the public's right to access government records held by state and local agencies, including county offices in Livingston County.
As stated by the New York State Committee on Open Government, "The Freedom of Information Law is based on the premise that the public is vested with an inherent right to know and that the actions of public bodies and the documents they keep are presumptively available for public inspection and copying." This principle governs how Livingston County agencies respond to records requests.
The law requires that all county agencies designate a Records Access Officer (RAO) responsible for coordinating responses to FOIL requests. Livingston County agencies maintain this designation in accordance with state requirements. The New York State Committee on Open Government provides advisory opinions and guidance on FOIL compliance applicable to all county agencies, including those in Livingston County.
County-specific policies may supplement state law but may not restrict access beyond what FOIL permits. Members of the public who believe a request has been improperly denied may appeal to the agency head and, if necessary, seek judicial review under Article 78 of the New York Civil Practice Law and Rules.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Livingston County?
The current fee structure for public records in Livingston County is governed by New York Public Officers Law and the county's own fee schedule. Standard fees applicable to most records requests are as follows:
| Fee Type | Standard Amount |
|---|---|
| Paper copies (letter/legal size) | $0.25 per page |
| Certification of records | $5.00 per document (County Clerk) |
| Electronic copies (where available) | Varies; may be provided at no charge |
| Search fees | Not permitted under FOIL for most requests |
| Vital record certified copies | $30.00 per copy (NYS standard) |
| Land record copies | $1.00–$2.00 per page (varies by document) |
Accepted payment methods at the Livingston County Clerk's Office include cash, check, and money order made payable to the Livingston County Clerk. Credit and debit card acceptance may vary by department.
Under New York Public Officers Law, agencies may charge only the actual cost of reproduction and are not permitted to charge for the time spent searching or reviewing records in response to a FOIL request. Fee waiver provisions exist for requests made in the public interest, particularly where the requester demonstrates that disclosure would primarily benefit the public rather than a private interest.
Does Livingston County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available in Livingston County. Under New York FOIL, members of the public have the right to inspect records at no charge during regular business hours. The obligation to pay fees arises only when copies are requested.
Free access to certain records is available through the following official resources:
- Livingston County Clerk's Office — In-person inspection of land records, court documents, and other filed instruments is available at no cost at the public counter during business hours.
- New York State Courts Electronic Filing (NYSCEF) — Basic case information and certain court documents are searchable at no charge through the NYSCEF public portal.
- Livingston County Real Property Tax Office — Property assessment data is available for free inspection through the county's online assessment lookup tools.
- New York State Archives — Historical government records are accessible through the New York State Archives at no charge for basic research.
Free inspection differs from free copies. While inspection of records is provided at no cost, obtaining physical or electronic copies may be subject to the fee schedule described above. Certain records, such as voter registration information provided to candidates and political committees, are distributed at no charge under specific statutory provisions.
Who Can Request Public Records in Livingston County?
Any person may submit a public records request in Livingston County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. New York's Freedom of Information Law does not restrict access based on the requester's identity or the reason for the request. Non-residents of Livingston County and New York State retain the same rights to access public records as county residents.
Requestors are not required to:
- Demonstrate residency in Livingston County or New York State
- Provide government-issued identification for most requests
- State the purpose of the records request
However, certain record types carry additional access requirements. Certified copies of vital records (birth, death, and marriage certificates) are restricted to individuals with a direct and tangible interest, such as the subject of the record, immediate family members, or legal representatives, pursuant to New York Public Health Law. Sealed court records and records subject to specific statutory exemptions require a court order or demonstrated legal standing for access.
Individuals requesting their own records may be asked to provide identification to verify identity and protect against unauthorized disclosure of personal information. Requests made on behalf of another person, such as by an attorney or authorized representative, require documentation of that authority.
What Records Are Confidential in Livingston County?
Not all government records in Livingston County are subject to public disclosure. New York Public Officers Law § 87(2) enumerates specific categories of records that agencies may withhold from public access. The following record types are exempt from disclosure under current law:
- Sealed court records — Records sealed by court order, including certain criminal case dispositions under CPL § 160.50
- Juvenile records — Records pertaining to persons under the age of 16 involved in Family Court proceedings
- Ongoing investigation records — Law enforcement records that, if disclosed, would interfere with active investigations or endanger individuals
- Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar information protected from disclosure
- Medical and health records — Protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
- Adoption records — Sealed by statute and accessible only under specific court-ordered circumstances
- Child welfare and protective services records — Maintained as confidential under New York Social Services Law
- Personnel records — Employee records exempt from disclosure except where the public interest in disclosure outweighs privacy interests
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information — Submitted to government agencies under assurances of confidentiality
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details — Withheld to protect public safety
As noted by the New York State Committee on Open Government, "An agency may withhold records only to the extent that disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy." Agencies are required to apply a balancing test when evaluating privacy-based exemptions, disclosing as much information as possible while protecting legitimately exempt content. Partial disclosure, with exempt portions redacted, is the standard practice when a record contains both disclosable and exempt information.
Livingston County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Livingston County Clerk's Office
6 Court Street, Room 201
Geneseo, NY 14454
(585) 243-7010
Livingston County Clerk
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Additional Offices:
Livingston County Supreme and County Court
2 Court Street
Geneseo, NY 14454
(585) 371-3920
Livingston County Courts
Livingston County Real Property Tax Office
6 Court Street
Geneseo, NY 14454
(585) 243-7033
Livingston County Real Property Tax Services
Livingston County Board of Elections
6 Court Street
Geneseo, NY 14454
(585) 243-7090
Livingston County Board of Elections
Livingston County Sheriff's Office
4 Court Street
Geneseo, NY 14454
(585) 243-7100
Livingston County Sheriff
New York State Department of Health – Vital Records
Corning Tower, Empire State Plaza
Albany, NY 12237
(518) 474-3077
NYS Vital Records