Erie County Criminal History Records
Erie County criminal history records are spread across several offices in and around Buffalo. The County Clerk at 92 Franklin Street holds Supreme Court and County Court felony files, indexed by name and Indictment Number. The Sheriff's Identification Bureau at 134 West Eagle Street handles fingerprinting and local record checks. Buffalo City Court at 50 Delaware Avenue covers misdemeanor and local criminal matters. You can search pending cases online through the eCourts WebCrims system at no cost. For a full statewide search, the OCA Criminal History Record Search covers all 62 counties. This guide walks through how to find criminal history records in Erie County.
Erie County Overview
Erie County Criminal History Offices
The Erie County Sheriff's Office Identification Bureau at 134 West Eagle Street, 1st Floor, Buffalo is the main local source for fingerprint-based criminal record checks. Appointments are required. The fee is $25 per card for fingerprinting. A personal Local Police Record History Check also runs $25, with $1 charged for each extra copy. Payment by money order or MasterCard and Visa only. No cash and no personal checks. You must bring a government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license, non-driver ID, military ID, or passport.
The Erie County Clerk's Office at 92 Franklin Street, Buffalo, NY 14202, keeps Supreme Court and County Court records, including closed criminal records from felony charges. Lesser matters filed in lower courts are not here. The office is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Phone is (716) 858-8785, and you can also reach them at eriecountyclerkoffice@erie.gov. Files are indexed by name and Indictment Number. When you search by defendant name, you must give a birth date. Most information in criminal files is public, though some documents may be redacted. If a file is sealed by court order or New York law, only the defendant and attorney of record can see it. A court order is needed to unseal any record.
The screenshot below shows the Erie County Sheriff's Office website, which includes information about the Identification Bureau and fingerprinting services.
The Sheriff's Identification Bureau handles both fingerprint cards and personal record history checks for Erie County residents and others who need local criminal record documentation.
| Sheriff - ID Bureau | 134 West Eagle Street, 1st Floor, Buffalo, NY Phone: (716) 858-6566 |
|---|---|
| County Clerk | 92 Franklin Street, Buffalo, NY 14202 Phone: (716) 858-8785 |
| Supreme & County Court | 25 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14202 Phone: (716) 845-9301 |
| District Attorney | 25 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14202 Phone: (716) 858-2400 |
The screenshot below shows the Erie County Clerk's Office website, where you can learn about accessing court records and filing documents.
The Clerk serves as the official keeper of felony case files for Erie County courts. Most records are available to the public, though sealed files require a court order.
Search Erie County Criminal Records Online
Online tools are the fastest way to start a search. The eCourts WebCrims tool shows pending criminal cases in Erie County courts. You can search by case number, defendant name, or court calendar. It is free and open to everyone. For sealed or older records, you need to visit the courthouse or contact the Clerk's office directly.
The OCA Criminal History Record Search covers all 62 New York counties for $95. It checks court records by name and date of birth across the whole state. This is useful if you are not sure which county handled a case. The search covers Supreme Court, County Court, and district court records going back many years.
The Division of Criminal Justice Services runs the statewide fingerprint-based criminal history database. DCJS records are not public and cannot be obtained through FOIL. New York residents pay $14.25 for a personal record review. Out-of-state requesters pay $44.25. Reviews through IdentoGo cost about $60.75. These are the most complete records in the state system and cover arrests and dispositions statewide.
For people currently in state custody, the free DOCCS Incarcerated Lookup tool lets you search by name or Department Identification Number. Results show conviction charges, sentence data, and release status. The database goes back to 1982.
Note: When requesting Erie County Clerk records by defendant name, you must provide a birth date or the search cannot proceed.
Erie County Courts and Criminal Case Access
Erie County falls under the 8th Judicial District. The Supreme and County Court at 25 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, handles felony cases and major civil matters. The Criminal Records department can be reached at (716) 845-2661. The Civil Judgment Room is (716) 845-2662. Chief Clerk Billie Jo Zakia can be reached at (716) 845-9304 or bzakia@nycourts.gov for questions about court access and case records.
Buffalo City Court at 50 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, handles misdemeanors, traffic violations, and civil matters up to $15,000. The main phone is (716) 845-2600. Chief Clerk Erika Webb can be reached at ewebb@nycourts.gov. The City Court Criminal Records department is at (716) 845-2661. The court is closed on all state holidays. For misdemeanor cases that started in Buffalo, this is the court to contact first.
The screenshot below is from the Erie County Supreme and County Courts page on the New York Unified Court System website.
The 8th Judicial District covers Erie County and several surrounding counties in western New York, with Buffalo as the main court hub.
The New York Sex Offender Registry, run by DCJS, is also a public source of criminal history information. You can search Level 2 and Level 3 offenders online. For Level 1 offenders, call 800-262-3257 with the person's name and one other identifier.
FOIL Requests for Erie County Records
New York's Freedom of Information Law, found in Public Officers Law Article 6, gives the public the right to ask for government records. Agencies must acknowledge your request within 5 business days. They then have 20 business days to send records or give a written reason for any delay. Arrest reports, incident records, and certain court documents from the Erie County Sheriff can be requested through FOIL. Contact the Sheriff's Office at (716) 858-6566 to ask about the process.
Keep in mind that DCJS criminal history records are not subject to FOIL. Those records require a formal review through the DCJS process with fingerprints. Active DA investigation files are also exempt from disclosure. The Erie County District Attorney's office at (716) 858-2400 can be contacted for information about case status and records that may be available post-conviction.
Note: FOIL requests to Erie County agencies can be submitted in writing to the relevant department; the County Clerk's office can help direct your request to the right place.
Criminal Record Sealing in Erie County
Under CPL 160.50, records are sealed when a case ends in the defendant's favor. That covers acquittals, dismissals, and adjournments in contemplation of dismissal under CPL 170.55. When records are sealed under CPL 160.50, they are removed from public view and can only be accessed by the defendant, their attorney, or certain law enforcement agencies for specific purposes. CPL 160.55 provides partial sealing when charges are reduced to a violation level. CPL 720.35 seals records for youthful offenders, meaning people charged with crimes committed between ages 16 and 18.
The Clean Slate Act, which took effect November 16, 2024, will eventually lead to automatic sealing of eligible convictions. The Office of Court Administration has up to three years to build the system. Sex crimes and non-drug Class A felonies will not qualify. Until the system is live, convictions that may later be sealed will still appear in DCJS records. Erie County residents with questions about sealing can contact the Erie County Public Defender's Office or a local legal aid organization for guidance.
The statewide DCJS portal below is also the resource for personal criminal history reviews and record challenges in New York.
DCJS manages the state's criminal history database and the Clean Slate sealing process from its headquarters in Albany.
Cities in Erie County
Erie County includes Buffalo and several large surrounding towns. Criminal history records for all locations in the county go through Erie County courts, the Sheriff's Office, or Buffalo City Court depending on where the matter was filed.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Erie County. If you are not sure which county handled a case, check where the arrest or filing took place.