Rockland County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Rockland County?

Public records in Rockland County are defined as information or documents created, received, or maintained by government agencies that are accessible to the public pursuant to the New York Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), codified under Public Officers Law § 84-90. These records document official government business and are maintained for transparency and accountability purposes.

Rockland County maintains numerous categories of public records, including:

• Court Records: Civil, criminal, family court, and probate proceedings maintained by the Rockland County Clerk and Court System
• Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and property transfers
• Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees
• Business Records: Business licenses, permits, DBAs (Doing Business As), and corporate filings
• Tax Records: Property tax assessments, tax maps, and payment records
• Voting and Election Records: Voter registration, election results, and campaign finance reports
• Meeting Minutes: County legislature proceedings, board meetings, and public hearings
• Budget Documents: Annual budgets, financial reports, and expenditure records
• Law Enforcement Records: Police reports, arrest logs, and incident reports (with certain restrictions)
• Land Use Records: Zoning maps, building permits, and planning documents

The Rockland County Clerk's Office serves as the primary custodian for many county records, particularly those related to property transactions, court filings, and business registrations. Other records are maintained by specific departments, such as vital records by the Rockland County Department of Health and tax records by the Rockland County Real Property Tax Service.

Is Rockland County an Open Records County?

Rockland County adheres to New York State's open records laws, specifically the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) as established under Public Officers Law Article 6, § 84-90. This statute establishes the presumption that all government records are accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law.

Under Public Officers Law § 84, the legislature declares that "government is the public's business and that the public, individually and collectively and represented by a free press, should have access to the records of government." This foundational principle guides Rockland County's approach to records access.

Rockland County has implemented specific procedures for handling public records requests in compliance with state law. The county maintains a FOIL Request Portal where citizens can submit requests electronically. Each county department has designated a Records Access Officer responsible for responding to requests within the statutory timeframes.

Additionally, Rockland County complies with New York's Open Meetings Law, which requires that meetings of public bodies be open to the public and that minutes be recorded and made available. The county publishes meeting agendas, minutes, and often recordings on its official website.

How to Find Public Records in Rockland County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records in Rockland County may utilize several methods to access information. The county currently provides multiple pathways for records access:

1. Online Access: Many records are available through the county's digital portals:

   • Property records can be searched through the Rockland County Clerk's Land Records Database
   • Court records are accessible via the New York State Unified Court System
   • Tax records can be viewed through the Rockland County Tax Portal

2. In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours:

   • For property, business, and court records, visit the County Clerk's Office
   • For vital records, visit the Department of Health
   • For tax records, visit the Real Property Tax Service

3. Written FOIL Requests: For records not readily available online, submit a formal FOIL request:

   • Complete the county's FOIL Request Form
   • Specify the records sought with reasonable particularity
   • Submit the request to the appropriate department's Records Access Officer
   • Requests may be submitted electronically, by mail, or in person

4. Telephone Inquiries: For guidance on locating specific records, contact the relevant department directly:

   • County Clerk's Office: (845) 638-5070
   • Department of Health (Vital Records): (845) 364-2600
   • Real Property Tax Service: (845) 638-5060

The county typically responds to FOIL requests within five business days, either providing the records, denying access with explanation, or acknowledging receipt with an estimated date when the request will be granted or denied.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Rockland County?

Rockland County assesses fees for public records in accordance with Public Officers Law § 87(1)(b)(iii), which permits agencies to charge reasonable fees for copying or reproducing records. Current standard fees include:

• Photocopies: $0.25 per page for standard letter/legal size documents
• Certified Copies: $10.00 per document for certified copies of most records
• Maps and Large Format Documents: $5.00-$15.00 depending on size and complexity
• Electronic Records: No charge for records provided electronically when readily available; $0.25 per page for scanned documents
• Specialized Records:
  • Birth Certificates: $10.00 per copy
  • Death Certificates: $10.00 per copy
  • Marriage Licenses: $10.00 per copy
  • Property Deed Copies: $5.00 per document plus $0.25 per page
  • Court Records: Varies by document type and certification requirements

The county accepts the following payment methods:

• Cash (in-person only)
• Personal checks (made payable to "Rockland County Clerk" or appropriate department)
• Money orders
• Credit/debit cards (subject to processing fee)
• Online payments for certain services

Fee waivers may be granted when disclosure primarily benefits the general public, as determined by the Records Access Officer. Government agencies requesting records for official purposes are generally exempt from fees.

Does Rockland County Have Free Public Records?

Rockland County provides free access to certain public records in compliance with state law. Under Public Officers Law § 87(2), the public has the right to inspect records at no cost during regular business hours. Only reproduction of records typically incurs fees.

Free public records services in Rockland County include:

• In-Person Inspection: Citizens may examine non-exempt public records at the appropriate county office at no charge during regular business hours

• Online Access: Several free online resources are available:

  • Rockland County Legislature Meeting Minutes and Agendas
  • County Budget Documents
  • Election Results
  • Property Tax Assessment Rolls
  • County Code and Local Laws

• Public Terminals: Computer terminals are available at the County Clerk's Office and certain other departments for free public access to digital records

• Public Libraries: The Rockland County Public Library System provides free access to certain county records and resources

The County Clerk's Office maintains public viewing terminals where visitors can search land records, court filings, and business records without charge. Only printing or obtaining certified copies incurs fees.

Who Can Request Public Records in Rockland County?

Under New York's Freedom of Information Law, any person may request access to public records maintained by Rockland County. As specified in Public Officers Law § 89(1), requestors need not:

• Be residents of Rockland County or New York State
• Provide identification for most record types
• State a reason or purpose for their request
• Have a direct interest in the records requested

However, certain exceptions apply:

• Vital Records: Birth, death, and marriage certificates require proof of eligibility. Access is generally restricted to the person named in the record, immediate family members, or those with a documented legal interest.
• Certain Court Records: Some court records may be sealed or have restricted access based on court orders or statutory provisions.
• Law Enforcement Records: Records pertaining to ongoing investigations or containing sensitive information may have restricted access.
• Medical Records: Health records are protected under HIPAA and state privacy laws.

When requesting records about oneself, identification may be required to verify identity and prevent unauthorized disclosure of personal information. For requests concerning other individuals, additional documentation may be necessary depending on the record type.

Commercial entities may request public records but may be subject to different fee structures for certain record types, particularly when requests involve extensive data compilation.

What Records Are Confidential in Rockland County?

Rockland County maintains certain records as confidential in accordance with Public Officers Law § 87(2), which establishes specific categories of records exempt from disclosure. These exemptions include:

• Personal Privacy: Records that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, including:

  • Social Security numbers
  • Medical and health records
  • Personal financial information
  • Employment, medical, or credit histories

• Law Enforcement Records:

  • Active investigation materials
  • Records that would identify confidential sources
  • Records that would interfere with judicial proceedings
  • Records that would reveal criminal investigative techniques

• Security Information:

  • Critical infrastructure details
  • Security system specifications
  • Emergency response plans

• Inter/Intra-Agency Materials: Deliberative process documents, including:

  • Draft documents
  • Recommendations and opinions
  • Pre-decisional memoranda

• Specifically Exempted Records:

  • Sealed court records
  • Juvenile records pursuant to Family Court Act § 166
  • Adoption records
  • Mental health records
  • Attorney-client privileged communications
  • Records specifically exempted from disclosure by state or federal statute

• Commercial Information:

  • Trade secrets
  • Proprietary business information that would cause substantial injury if disclosed

When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the county will redact the exempt portions and release the remainder when practicable. The county applies a balancing test when considering discretionary disclosures, weighing the public interest in disclosure against potential harm from release.

Rockland County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Rockland County Clerk's Office
1 South Main Street, Suite 100
New City, NY 10956
(845) 638-5070
Rockland County Clerk

Regular Office Hours:
Monday through Friday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county holidays

Land Records Division
1 South Main Street, Suite 100
New City, NY 10956
(845) 638-5221

Court Records Division
1 South Main Street, Suite 100
New City, NY 10956
(845) 638-5370

Business Records Division
1 South Main Street, Suite 100
New City, NY 10956
(845) 638-5076

Passport Services
1 South Main Street, Suite 100
New City, NY 10956
(845) 638-5070

The Rockland County Clerk serves as the county recorder and maintains land records, court records, business certificates, and other official documents. The office provides recording services, issues various licenses and certificates, and maintains the county archives.

Lookup Public Records in Rockland County

Rockland County Records