Find Criminal History Records in Orange County
Orange County criminal history records are kept by several offices in and around Goshen, the county seat. The County Clerk holds Supreme Court and County Court files. The Sheriff's Office manages arrest records and runs the county jail. You can search pending cases online through New York's WebCrims portal or visit the courthouse at 255 Main Street in Goshen to view records in person. For a search covering all 62 New York counties, the Office of Court Administration offers a statewide Criminal History Record Search. This guide walks through how to get criminal history records in Orange County.
Orange County Overview
Orange County Criminal Records Offices
The Orange County Sheriff's Office is at 110 Wells Farm Road in Goshen. Phone: (845) 291-7711. The Sheriff's Office provides law enforcement across Orange County, manages the jail, and handles requests for arrest records and incident reports through the FOIL process. You can submit a written FOIL request to the Sheriff's Office or visit in person during business hours. Arrest and booking records are available once reviewed and approved.
The Orange County Clerk's Office is at 255 Main Street in Goshen. Phone: (845) 291-2690. The Clerk acts as clerk of the Supreme Court and County Court. That means felony case records, civil filings, and other court documents are all on file here. You can inspect records at no charge in person. Standard copies run $0.25 per page. Certified copies cost more. Written requests for searches must include the full name of the person and any case number you already have.
| Sheriff's Office | 110 Wells Farm Road, Goshen, NY 10924 Phone: (845) 291-7711 |
|---|---|
| County Clerk | 255 Main Street, Goshen, NY 10924 Phone: (845) 291-2690 |
| County Court | 285 Main Street, Goshen, NY 10924 Phone: (845) 476-3600 |
| District Attorney | 255 Main Street, Goshen, NY 10924 Phone: (845) 476-3500 |
The Orange County District Attorney's Office at 255 Main Street in Goshen prosecutes criminal cases from misdemeanors to serious felonies. Active investigation files are exempt from FOIL disclosure. The DA's office also runs victim assistance programs for people affected by crime in Orange County.
How to Search Orange County Criminal History
Orange County has a mix of online tools and in-person options for finding criminal records. Free tools cover basic case info. A paid statewide search gives you more complete results.
The eCourts system includes WebCriminal, also known as WebCrims. It shows pending criminal cases with future court dates in Orange County courts. Search by case number, defendant name, or court calendar. This service is free. Public terminals at the Orange County Courthouse in Goshen also give free access to case search tools. For a broader search, the OCA Criminal History Record Search covers all 62 counties for $95. Searches with no match return in real time. Cases with records are held for a manual review before results are sent.
The Division of Criminal Justice Services keeps New York's fingerprint-based criminal history database. Getting DCJS records requires a formal record review with fingerprints. New York residents pay $14.25. Out-of-state requesters pay $44.25. A personal review through IdentoGo costs about $60.75. DCJS records are not public and cannot be obtained through FOIL.
For people held in state prison, the DOCCS Incarcerated Lookup is a free public tool. It covers inmates from 1982 to now. Search by name or Department Identification Number to see conviction data, sentence info, and release status.
Orange County Courts and Case Files
Orange County courts fall under the 9th Judicial District. The County Court at 285 Main Street in Goshen handles felony criminal cases. The Supreme Court handles major civil and criminal matters. Town and village courts across the county handle misdemeanors, traffic tickets, and small claims. Call (845) 476-3600 to reach the County Court clerk in Goshen.
Certified copies of court records go through the County Clerk's Office. A name search costs $5.00 if you do not have an index number. Standard copies are $0.25 per page. Certified copies have additional fees. All written search requests must include the full name of the subject. The Clerk can tell you what documents are on file and how to get copies.
The state's Sex Offender Registry is another place to find criminal history data. DCJS runs the registry under the Sex Offender Registration Act, in force since January 21, 1996. Level 2 and Level 3 offenders can be searched online. For Level 1 offenders, call 800-262-3257 with the person's name and one identifying detail.
Note: Orange County is in the 9th Judicial District along with Dutchess, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, and Westchester counties.
FOIL, Sealed Records, and Clean Slate
New York's Freedom of Information Law, found in Public Officers Law Article 6, gives the public the right to access government records. Agencies must acknowledge requests within 5 business days and respond within 20 business days. Paper copies cost $0.25 per page. You can submit FOIL requests in writing to the Orange County Sheriff's Office or County Clerk. Include as much detail as you can, especially the name and any case numbers you already have.
Criminal history records held by DCJS are not available through FOIL. Those records require the DCJS Record Review process. DCJS only releases a person's own history to that person directly.
Under CPL 160.50, records are fully sealed when a case ends in the defendant's favor. That includes acquittals, dismissals, and adjournments in contemplation of dismissal under CPL 170.55. CPL 160.55 provides partial sealing when criminal charges drop to a violation. CPL 720.35 seals records for youthful offenders, covering people charged with crimes committed between ages 16 and 18.
New York's Clean Slate Act took effect November 16, 2024. It directs OCA to set up automatic sealing of eligible conviction records. Sex crimes and non-drug Class A felonies will not be sealed. The system is being built now. Until it goes live, DCJS records will still show convictions that may later qualify for sealing. Orange County residents who want to know if their record may qualify should consult the Orange County Public Defender or a local attorney.
The screenshot below shows the DCJS website, which is the statewide source for criminal history record review requests.
DCJS is in Albany and serves all 62 counties. Orange County residents can use the DCJS process to get a copy of their own record.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Orange County. If you are unsure which county handles a case, check where the arrest or filing took place.