Washington County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Washington County in 2026
Members of the public seeking government documents in Washington County, New York may access a range of publicly available information through official county offices, online portals, and authorized databases. WashingtonNYRecords.us provides a directory of resources that may assist individuals in locating records maintained by county agencies. The types of documents that may be available include, but are not limited to:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family court filings)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and liens
- Vital records (birth, death, and marriage certificates)
- Business filings and assumed name certificates
- Property tax and assessment records
- Voting and election records
- County board meeting minutes and agendas
- Budget and financial documents
- Law enforcement incident reports (where permitted by law)
- Land use, zoning, and permit records
Records may be searched through official court resources, the County Clerk's office, public access terminals at county facilities, and online tools maintained by Washington County.
Online Access:
Several online portals are currently available for searching Washington County records without visiting a government office in person. The Washington County GIS mapping application allows members of the public to visualize and query spatial data, including parcel boundaries and land records. Property owners and researchers may also use Image Mate Online to access ownership information, assessment data, school and county tax information, deed book and page numbers, tax map images, and property reports. No registration is required to use these public-facing tools.
In-Person Requests:
Members of the public may visit the Washington County Clerk's Office to inspect or obtain copies of recorded documents. The office is located at 383 Broadway, Fort Edward, NY 12828, and is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Staff at the public counter can assist with searches of deed indexes, court filings, and other recorded instruments.
Written/Mail Requests:
Written requests may be submitted by mail to the Washington County Clerk's Office at 383 Broadway, Fort Edward, NY 12828. Requests should include the full name of the subject, the type of record sought, the approximate date range, and the requester's contact information. Under New York Public Officers Law § 89, agencies are required to respond to written requests within five business days of receipt.
Phone/Email:
The Washington County Records office may be reached by telephone at 518-746-2470. The official record request page provides additional contact details and instructions for submitting requests.
What Are Public Records in Washington County?
Public records in Washington County are government-held documents and information that members of the public are entitled to inspect or copy under New York State law. Under New York Public Officers Law § 86, a "record" is defined as any information kept, held, filed, produced, or reproduced by, with, or for an agency in any physical form. The following record types are maintained by Washington County agencies:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Court records (civil, criminal, probate, family) | Washington County Clerk's Office |
| Property deeds, mortgages, liens | Washington County Clerk's Office |
| Property assessments and tax records | Washington County Real Property Tax Services |
| Vital records (birth, death, marriage) | NYS Department of Health / Town Clerks |
| Business/assumed name filings | Washington County Clerk's Office |
| Voting and election records | Washington County Board of Elections |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | Washington County Legislature |
| Budget and financial documents | Washington County Treasurer |
| Land use and zoning records | Washington County Planning Department |
| Law enforcement records | Washington County Sheriff's Office |
Vital records such as birth and death certificates are issued at the state level through the New York State Department of Health and at the local level through individual town clerks.
Is Washington County an Open Records County?
Washington County operates in full compliance with New York State's Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), which governs public access to government records across all counties in the state. Under New York Public Officers Law § 84–90, all state and local government agencies are required to make records available for public inspection and copying, subject to specific statutory exemptions.
As stated in the New York Committee on Open Government's guidance: "The Freedom of Information Law is based on a presumption of access. Stated differently, all records of an agency are available, except to the extent that records or portions thereof fall within one or more grounds for denial."
Washington County agencies are required to designate a Records Access Officer (RAO) responsible for coordinating responses to FOIL requests. The county's records access policies are consistent with the standards established by the New York State Committee on Open Government, which provides advisory opinions and compliance guidance to both agencies and requesters.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Washington County?
The current fee structure for public records in Washington County is governed by New York Public Officers Law and applicable county schedules. Members of the public should be aware of the following standard fees:
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Paper copies (up to 9" x 14") | $0.25 per page |
| Certification of a document | Varies by record type |
| Electronic copies | No charge in many cases |
| Search fees | Not permitted under FOIL for most records |
Under New York Public Officers Law § 87(1)(b), agencies may charge no more than twenty-five cents per page for copies of records up to nine inches by fourteen inches. Fees for certified copies of recorded instruments such as deeds and court documents may differ and are set by statute or county schedule. Electronic records, where available, are provided at no cost or at the actual cost of reproduction.
Accepted payment methods at the Washington County Clerk's Office include cash, check, and money order made payable to the Washington County Clerk. Fee waivers may be available for indigent requesters or where disclosure is determined to be in the public interest, at the discretion of the Records Access Officer.
Does Washington County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available to all members of the public under New York's Freedom of Information Law. Agencies are required to permit in-person inspection of non-exempt records at no charge. The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while viewing records at a public counter costs nothing, obtaining paper copies is subject to the per-page fee schedule described above.
Several Washington County records are accessible online at no cost:
- Property ownership, assessment, and tax data through Image Mate Online
- Parcel maps and spatial data through the Washington County GIS portal
- County Legislature meeting minutes and agendas on the Washington County official website
Members of the public may inspect records in person at the Washington County Clerk's Office during regular business hours without incurring any inspection fee.
Who Can Request Public Records in Washington County?
Any person may submit a public records request in Washington County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. New York's Freedom of Information Law does not require requesters to be New York State residents, to provide identification, or to explain the reason for their request. This applies to individuals, organizations, businesses, and members of the media alike.
Certain record types carry additional access restrictions. For example, sealed court records, juvenile records, and adoption records require a court order or demonstrated legal standing to access. Individuals requesting their own records from law enforcement or court systems may be subject to identity verification requirements specific to those agencies.
Non-residents retain the same rights as residents under FOIL. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or through any method accepted by the relevant agency's Records Access Officer.
What Records Are Confidential in Washington County?
Not all government records 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 in Washington County:
- Sealed court records and expunged criminal records
- Juvenile delinquency and youthful offender records
- Records compiled for law enforcement purposes that could interfere with ongoing investigations
- Personal identifying information, including Social Security numbers and financial account data
- Medical records and health information protected under HIPAA
- Adoption records (sealed by court order)
- Child welfare and protective services records
- Personnel records, employment history, and performance evaluations (with limited exceptions)
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information submitted to government agencies
- Security plans, infrastructure vulnerability assessments, and emergency response protocols
As noted by the New York Committee on Open Government: "An agency may withhold records or portions of records only to the extent that disclosure would result in an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy."
Where a record contains both disclosable and exempt information, agencies are required to redact only the exempt portions and release the remainder of the document.
Washington County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Washington County Clerk's Office
383 Broadway, Fort Edward, NY 12828
Phone: (518) 746-2130
Washington County Clerk's Office
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Closed on state and federal holidays.
The County Clerk's Office maintains court records, land records, assumed business name filings, oaths of office, and passport application services. Members of the public may submit records requests in person at the public counter or by mail to the address above.
Washington County Records Access Office
383 Broadway, Room A129, Fort Edward, NY 12828
Phone: (518) 746-2470
Record Request – Washington County
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Washington County Real Property Tax Services
383 Broadway, Fort Edward, NY 12828
Phone: (518) 746-2130
Washington County, NY – Official Website
Washington County Board of Elections
383 Broadway, Fort Edward, NY 12828
Phone: (518) 746-2180
Washington County, NY – Official Website